Amazing pictures of an old ekranoplan

[Yachtworker]

http://ru-aviation.livejournal.com/1347006.html

What a relic, I have always been amazed by these monsters, shame I cant read Russian, but great pictures none the less.

[LotusOmega375D]

I never realized how big they were. It must have been scary being a fisherman on the Caspian Sea with these things whizzing about!

[Hooli]

There is something brilliant about old school USSR engineering

[Hartge210]

Great find ,

Superb photos & yes, wish I could read Russian too..

[chazola]

Here's the same set with a bit of info in English: http://englishrussia.com/2010/03/12/ekranoplan/

[Yachtworker]

chazola said:

Here's the same set with a bit of info in English: http://englishrussia.com/2010/03/12/ekranoplan/

An even better find! I am no coward but I would run a mile should someone offer me a go in that, I know its years out of service but there is just something about old Communist engineering that looks just a bit shonky, even when battle ready. Can you even imagine letting one of those missiles go whilst on the move???

[Yachtworker]

Yachtworker said:

chazola said:

Here's the same set with a bit of info in English: http://englishrussia.com/2010/03/12/ekranoplan/

An even better find!****** I am no coward but I would run a mile should someone offer me a go in that, I know its years out of service but there is just something about old Communist engineering that looks just a bit shonky, even when battle ready. Can you even imagine letting one of those missiles go whilst on the move???

• ****On second thoughts, be careful wher you put your mouse on that page, I think I have just bought a Russian wife!

[chazola]

hehe, yea, they have questionable sponsors on that site, but usually at the bottom are more ER posts, related to the one you're looking at. They regularly have some great stuff on Russian planes, trains and ships if you're into that kinda thing like me...

[pstruck]

Looks like this one (Google Earth coords): Lat 42°52'54.74"N, Long 47°39'23.58"E

There was another one, prop powered, a little to the east of this location, near what looks like military hovercraft - see the photo links on GE.

Edited by pstruck on Friday 25th November 18:57

[marksx]

I found some footage. Russian speaking but you get the idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeUe6aVib08

Video around the dock starts at aound 2mins. Go to 2.50 for footage of it in action.

[Olf]

pstruck said:

Looks like this one (Google Earth coords): Lat 42°52'54.74"N, Long 47°39'23.58"E

There was another one, prop powered, a little to the east of this location, near what looks like military hovercraft - see the photo links on GE.

Edited by pstruck on Friday 25th November 18:57

It's not that one - the port layout is different. Good find though.

[Brigand]

They didn't call it the 'Caspian Sea Monster' for nothing!

It is huge, theres some cracking pictures there, shame there wasn't any of the interior, I think those things were able to carry loads of troops and some vehicles perhaps, as well as having the missile launch ability.

I wouldn't want to be that gunner right underneath the first set of launchers when they fire though!

[Olf]

Brigand said:

They didn't call it the 'Caspian Sea Monster' for nothing!

It is huge, theres some cracking pictures there, shame there wasn't any of the interior, I think those things were able to carry loads of troops and some vehicles perhaps, as well as having the missile launch ability.

I wouldn't want to be that gunner right underneath the first set of launchers when they fire though!

of a wooden fishing boat when it hits you at full whack

[andy rob]

[quote=Brigand] shame there wasn't any of the interior, [quote]

here you go, even more terrifiying on the inside
http://englishrussia.com/2010/09/05/ekranoplan-the...

[Brigand]

It's very agricultural in there, and the Russians do love painting their control areas in that eye-searing turquoise / blue don't they!

I know the craft isn't strictly an aircraft, but I was expecting to see a large cargo hold or similar in there, but instead it looks more like a ship.

O/T, but there's some rather sexy pictures of ladies down the side of the site!

[shakotan]

Yachtworker said:

Can you even imagine letting one of those missiles go whilst on the move???

Especially if you were the poor gunner in the pod directly under the missile tubes!