<strong>Stratolaunch: </strong>The aircraft project founded by billionaire businessman Paul Allen will become the largest wingspan aircraft in history when it takes flight for the first time in 2019.
Stratolaunch: The aircraft project founded by billionaire businessman Paul Allen will become the largest wingspan aircraft in history when it takes flight for the first time in 2019.
Stratolaunch Systems Corp
<strong>Hughes H-4 Hercules: </strong>Although its one and only flight lasted just 26 seconds, this short interval is enough for the "Spruce Goose" to be considered the largest wingspan aircraft that's ever taken to the skies.
Hughes H-4 Hercules: Although its one and only flight lasted just 26 seconds, this short interval is enough for the "Spruce Goose" to be considered the largest wingspan aircraft that's ever taken to the skies.
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<strong>Antonov An-225 Mriya: </strong>The wingspan of this aircraft measures 88.4 meters, which is longer than five 53-foot semi-truck trailers put end-to-end and the largest wingspan of an aircraft presently in service.
Antonov An-225 Mriya: The wingspan of this aircraft measures 88.4 meters, which is longer than five 53-foot semi-truck trailers put end-to-end and the largest wingspan of an aircraft presently in service.
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<strong>Airbus A380-800:</strong> The double-decker A380 is able to carry, theoretically, up to 850 passengers at a time, however most of its operators have opted for a 450 to 550 passenger layout.
Airbus A380-800: The double-decker A380 is able to carry, theoretically, up to 850 passengers at a time, however most of its operators have opted for a 450 to 550 passenger layout.
Pixabay / Creative Commons
<strong>Boeing 747-8: </strong>While its been exceeded by the Airbus A380 in passenger capacity, the newest addition to the Boeing 747 family holds its place in the record books as the longest airliner in the world.
Boeing 747-8: While its been exceeded by the Airbus A380 in passenger capacity, the newest addition to the Boeing 747 family holds its place in the record books as the longest airliner in the world.
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<strong>Antonov An-124: </strong>This Antonov design bureau product, currently in service with the Russian Air Force, is the largest military transport aircraft and was also the biggest mass-produced aircraft until the Boeing 747-8F came along.
Antonov An-124: This Antonov design bureau product, currently in service with the Russian Air Force, is the largest military transport aircraft and was also the biggest mass-produced aircraft until the Boeing 747-8F came along.
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<strong>Lockheed C-5 Galaxy:</strong> Adept enough to airlift six Apache gunship helicopters over distances of around 11,000 kilometers, the C-5 Galaxy has been the main stay of the US Strategic Airlift Command for many decades.
Lockheed C-5 Galaxy: Adept enough to airlift six Apache gunship helicopters over distances of around 11,000 kilometers, the C-5 Galaxy has been the main stay of the US Strategic Airlift Command for many decades.
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<strong>Tupolev Tu-160: </strong>The last strategic bomber designed for the Soviet Union is the largest combat aircraft and the largest supersonic aircraft as well as the largest swept wing aircraft in the world.
Tupolev Tu-160: The last strategic bomber designed for the Soviet Union is the largest combat aircraft and the largest supersonic aircraft as well as the largest swept wing aircraft in the world.
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<strong>HAV Airlander 10:</strong> Dubbed a "flying bum," this hybrid helium airship, which was originally designed for the US military, has a claim to the title of the world's largest flying machine.
HAV Airlander 10: Dubbed a "flying bum," this hybrid helium airship, which was originally designed for the US military, has a claim to the title of the world's largest flying machine.
Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Mil Mi-26:</strong> The largest helicopter ever built, Mil Mi-26 has been used in missions as varied as airlifting woolly mammoths sheathed in frozen tundra soil out of Russian Arctic and recovering stranded helicopters from the mountains of Afghanistan.
Mil Mi-26: The largest helicopter ever built, Mil Mi-26 has been used in missions as varied as airlifting woolly mammoths sheathed in frozen tundra soil out of Russian Arctic and recovering stranded helicopters from the mountains of Afghanistan.
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