largest airplane to fly?

[100fly]

I was in PHL today and saw the AN124 on the ramp. This sparked a conversation with my captain as to what the largest aircraft that have flown to date. If i was to guess I would say:
1. a380
2. an225
3. spruce goose
4. an124
5. c-5
6. 747

This is my GUESS. Anyone know the facts? Just wondering because I am scheduled to fly 7 hours tonight and need something to talk about above 10,000ft.

Thanks

 

[81Horse]

By weight or by dimension? Here's a good link:

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/design/q0188.shtml

 

[100fly]

thanks for the link.

 

[-Xavier-]

By weight or by dimension? Here's a good link:

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/design/q0188.shtml

Well the link says it, but the A380 doesn't even touch the AN-225 in size...

 

[81Horse]

Jane's would probably be the authoritative source -- their online service is subscription only, though.

 

[aussiefly]

what about the IL-76 ???

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Small, C-141 size.

 

[Gorilla]

By weight or by dimension? Here's a good link:

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/design/q0188.shtml

Cool stuff. Sorry for this hijack, but from the same web site: The SMALLEST planes! I think these are amazing. Imagine the flight characteristics (due to wing loading) of these airplanes with wingspans less than 10 feet!

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/design/q0214.shtml

 

[81Horse]

There's a replica of one of those (the Wee Bee), and some great inflight photos, at the San Diego Aerospace Museum.

Here's a photo from elsewhere: http://vulatalk.zdwebhosting.com/pictures2/earlyplanes/weebee.jpg

 

[Metro752]

The biggest airplane to fly designed by earthlings was destroyed in a nuclear war Tens of Thousands of years ago.