harold said:
Why does the Ukraine want to start an airplaine manufacturing plant in DR. They are poor too. Don't they need it for their citizens?
I was reading about it also. There can only be one conclusion. A lot of people are going to make alot of money then the project will disappear.
The plane to be assembled in the DR is the Antonov AN-70. It is a 4 engined Prop-Fan Cargo/passenger aircraft. The Prop-Fan is different from the common Turbo Prop as it is basically a Turbo-fan engine driving 2 swept back counter-rotating propellers. This gives great performnce and fuel economy with one big Drawback. It is Hellishly loud! So loud that the Prop-fan has not had many takers.
This plane is way too advanced for it to be assembled in the DR. Also the contract is for only 7 planes. HArdly worthwhile for building and developing a assembly plant. And with no realistic hope of follow-up orders I see this as just another way for Hipo and his buddies to cash in. Not to mention Hipo's Counterparts in the Ukraine.
Now if I just knew how I would post a photo of the AN-70 on this thread
Tony C.