Crazy aircraft #18

The Ekranoplan, a Russian airplane that in its largest form was known as the Caspian Sea Monster. The video is in the wrong language, but the pictures tell the story:

The plane is actually visible in Google Earth here:

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The Ekranoplan represents a “wing in ground effect” design. By flying close to the surface of the ocean, the wings are able to take advantage of ground effect and they are much more efficient at creating lift. The efficiency is one big advatage, and it allows for very large aircraft. From a military standpoint, the planes are “flying below the radar” so they are harder to detect.

For more info see:

- Ekranoplans

- Introduction to WIG technology

- The Russian Connection

[See #17]