Not the Airbus A380: The 10 largest aircraft in the world

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10. Saunders-Roe SR.45 Princess – wingspan 66.90 meters

When the Princess took its first flight in 1952, it was the largest all-metal flying boat ever built. The luxurious 45-meter-long SR.45 offered space for up to 105 passengers. But the problematic propeller drive and the resulting jet engines brought an abrupt end: Only one Princess, with its massive twin fuselage, was ever completed.

9. Lockheed C-5 Super Galaxy – Wingspan 67.88 meters

For 14 years, from its first flight in 1968 until 1982, the C-5 Galaxy was the world’s largest transport aircraft before being replaced by the Soviet Antonov An-124. To date, there is no successor to the C-5 in the US Air Force, which is why the 52 units currently in service were subjected to comprehensive modernization only in 2018.

8. Boeing 747-8 “Jumbo Jet” – wingspan 68.40 meters

Boeing 747, popularly known as the jumbo jet, can probably be described as the most legendary passenger plane in history. The latest version, the 747-8, which first took off in 2011, is 5.60 meters larger than its predecessor, reaching 76.30 meters and can carry approximately 500 passengers up to 16,000 kilometers.

7. Bristol Brabazon – Wingspan 70.10 meters

Bristol’s Brabazon is still considered the largest aircraft ever built in Great Britain. The giant bird suffered the same fate as the Saunders-Roe Princess after its first flight in 1949: propulsion technology that was too complex, too vulnerable, and too uneconomical. Brabazon’s sole prototype was finally scrapped in 1953.

6. Convair XC-99 – wingspan 70.12 meters

Measuring approximately 55 meters in length and a takeoff weight of over 120 tonnes, the US Air Force transport, which entered service in 1947, is the largest piston land aircraft ever built. The Convair XC-99 offered a tremendous amount of space on two decks; so much so that only half the space could be used without overload. The unique piece is now in the US Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.

5. Antonov An-124 “Ruslan” – wingspan 73.30 meters

Designed by the Soviets as a counterpart to the US transport Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, the Antonov An-124 – nicknamed Ruslan – is still the leading aircraft in civilian heavy-duty transport today, 40 years after its first flight. Up to 150 tons. Robust landing gear allows the AN-124 to take off and land even on frozen snow or gravel.

4. Airbus A380 – wingspan 79.80 meters

No aviation enthusiast will remain indifferent when the maximum 560 tons take off. As fascinating as the largest member of the Airbus family is, it has achieved little success. Of the calculated need for 1,235 aircraft to cover development costs, only exactly 251 have been produced by 2021. The A380 is too big for most airports. In March 2021, the last A380 left the production halls in Toulouse (F) for final assembly towards Hamburg (D) – in December 2021 the machine was delivered to Emirates airline.

3. Antonov An-225 “Mriya” – wingspan 88.40 meters

The big brother of the An-124 is the heaviest and longest aircraft in the world – although the An-225, nicknamed Mrija, is only third in terms of wingspan, the megacarrier holds 240 world records: from the heaviest cargo to 10,000 meters above sea level, to the highest with 500 tables moved to the art exhibition (247 ton oil pipeline)!

2. Hughes H-4 “Spruce Goose” – wingspan 97.54 meters

For over 70 years, the Spruce Goose was considered the largest aircraft ever built in the world. But not only was the giant flying boat made entirely of wood due to a lack of metal during World War II, it also only took off once! During its first flight in 1947, it emerged from the water for approximately 1.5 kilometers off the coast of Long Beach (USA) and reached a maximum speed of 160 km/h.

1. Stratolaunch Carrier Aircraft – Wingspan 117.00 meters

Stratolaunch was designed as a manned rocket launch carrier. To do this, the US company cannibalized two Boeing 747-400s and connected the two fuselages via a wing center section. After the successful first flight on April 13, 2019, things have calmed down regarding Stratolaunch: It looks like the plane is for sale.

Source: Blick