The Soviet Union’s Unbelievably Massive Superplane Sits Abandoned And Decaying

Meet Ekranoplan “Lun”, the colossal ground effects aircraft that has the qualities of a ship and a plane. Lun’s amphibious qualities allow it to fly over the ground and water and, reach a top speed of 300 mph. The unique plane was originally intended for fighting ships with missiles as well as targeting aircraft carriers.

Lun doesn’t even possess landing gear rather, it contains a hydro-ski allowing it to get to shore by itself. Check out the information on Lun as well as pictures below. The photographs are by Igor Kolokolov, who took them in Kaspiysk where Lun is currently situated.

The only model ever produced, the MD-160, was retired in the late 1990’s and now sits decaying away at a naval station in Kaspiysk.

“Lun” (translates as “harrier”) has the qualities of a ship and a plane, and carries six P-270 Moskit cruise missiles. These qualities make this machine and its older brother, the Caspian Monster, unique

It can fly over the ground or over water but unfortunately can’t rise up to the sky like other types of ground effect vehicles. However – it has good amphibious qualities and a top speed of 300 mph

Lun can approach an aircraft carrier within range of its precision missile launch system due to its high speed and invisibility to radars

Lun is specifically designed dock with 500 tonne carrying capacity

Lun doesn’t have landing gear – only a hydro-ski – so it can’t get ashore by itself. Lun needs a dry floating dock

This dock is placed by tugboats and immersed for a few meters (the immersion is possible up to 10 meters); then the ekranoplan takes its course

Lun is equipped with eight engines from the Kuznetsov Design Bureau. These are their naval version with turning nozzles

One engine is shut with such a grille

The nozzles

View from the wing

View of the flaps from the tail

Look at these beautiful contours like those that a speedboat has!

View of the hydro ski from the tail

View of the empennage

There are various radars in front of the empennage and into it

And the entrance is open

View of the launchers and gunner’s workplace from the cockpit

View forward from the tail

The massiveness of this plane is incredible. Don’t forget to give Lun a share with your friends on Facebook before you go. (h/t Imgur) (Photo Credits: Igor Kolokolov)