Antonov An-225

ConnorShepard

I noticed that the Antonov 225 was listed under two registry numbers: CCCP-82060 and UR-82060. The latter seems to be the most likely having 27 images, while CCCP-82060 only has two. This photo also seems to support this. There is only one An-225.

FloridaMetal

The reason it may be under 2 categories was the AN-225 was flying before the fall of the Soviet Union. CCCP was the registration used during the Soviet Union era of the late 1980s.

UR is a Ukranian registration -where Antonov Design Bureau is based. After the fall of the Soviet Empire as you know there were several independent states - ie you no longer see CCCP on any aircraft anymore. Russia has the RA- registrations, Ukraine the UR- etc.

Any picture you see of the AN-225 with CCCP would be pre Soviet Union fall, however if it was a recent picture showing CCCP it obviously is a mistake - after the fall the AN-225, ie probably after it flew again in 2002 after being mothballed for years took on the UR registration.

I hope that explains it.

FloridaMetal

Looks like I'm the idiot that posted it as CCCP too,

I don't recall posting it as that. It definitely would have been under UR when I took that picture in November 2003 at MCO.

I didn't own a camera then, when I heard it was coming to MCO I went out and grabbed a disposable camera from Walgreens and took the pictures = that explains the crap quality shots of the plane - obviously you can't read the registration since the shot is so poor - the AN225 hasnt returned to MCO since either, at least since I own my current cameras.

Since I couldnt read the registrations, I went and got the number off of airliners.net. I think this was shortly after it started flying again so most photos of it on airliners.net were when it was still a Soviet Aircraft vs a Ukranian aircraft.

Look on airliners.net, any picture of it taken before 1991 wore the registration with the CCCP - like any photos of it carrying the Buran space shuttle.

AS I said, it was mothballed for several years until 2002 or 2003 - I think once it came out of storage it wore the UR registration.