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What are those bumps on top of the Antonov-225? What are they for? And what are they called?

vinibrsl
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1 Answers1

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According to the Airliners.net forum, they are fairings that cover hardpoints used for attaching outsize loads.

Outsize loads that cannot fit into the capacious cabin (including Buran and Energiya components) are carried 'piggyback', the load supported on two main attachments above the center section. These supports and other smaller ones along the fuselage top are faired over when not in use.

The text is quoted from aeronautics.ru (web archive link).

Please note that the two large ones were not used for carrying the Buran space shuttle, as shown in the photo posted below. (More pictures here.)

Buran on top of the An-225

fooot
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Bram
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    Is there any evidence of them ever being used outside of the Buran program? Or a photo of them being used with the Buran? – zymhan Aug 13 '19 at 17:53
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    I don't know about actual use. There's a schematic here that shows other loads mounted on top. – Bram Aug 13 '19 at 18:08
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    Very interesting, thank you! I really want to know what the red teardrop shaped tank is, with some weird mini-buran?! – zymhan Aug 13 '19 at 19:02
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    Had I scrolled further I would have realized that it is the MAKS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAKS_(spacecraft) – zymhan Aug 13 '19 at 19:17