Although it will be one of the largest turboprop-powered aircraft ever built, the A400M is still dwarfed by the Soviet Antonov An-24 Antei first flown in the 1960s. Several dozen remain in Russian air force service.Ah, no. The An-24 is a twin-engined turboprop with a maximum takeoff weight that is less than a sixth of that of the A400M. Now, on the other hand, the An-22 Antaeus is bigger than the A400M.
There is really no excuse for this sort of shit anymore. It's not as though one has to hunt down a copy of "Jane's All the World's Aircraft" anymore to check.
Used to be, the Brewster Buffalo fighter could be considered the worst-named aircraft ever. But Antaeus beats that...
ReplyDeleteAntaeus was a mighty giant (OK so far) who drew all his strength from the earth. Hercules (who has a US cargo airplane named for him) killed Antaeus by lifting him off the ground and turning him into a weakling.
Interesting. Saddest, but very accurate name: "Airbus". Where are the Convairs, Constellations, and Stratocruisers? :(
ReplyDeleteMost unfortunate name for a otherwise pretty decent fighter? I nominate the "Fairey Firefly". Only the English would invoke Tinkerbell in wartime.