BRAMA, December 4, 2002, 4:00 pm ET
Press Release
World's Largest Aircraft (Ukrainian Made) Antonov-225
to Become a Superhero for Kids Worldwide
Ukrainian Made Antonov 225, Originally Built to Carry the Soviet Space Shuttle, Will Airlift 80,000 Shoebox Gifts From Kids in America to Hurting Kids in Africa
When kids want to accomplish something big, they know just what to do. Find a superhero! But Operation Christmas Child, an international kids-helping-kids project by Samaritan's Purse, isn't turning to Superman or Wonder Woman for help.
This is a job for the Antonov 225, the world's LARGEST aircraft, built by Ukrainian designer bureau ANTONOV!
Antonov 225 "Mriya"
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THIS DECEMBER, the Antonov 225 will airlift 80,000 shoe box gifts of hope from kids in America to kids suffering the affects of HIV/AIDS in Uganda and war in Sudan.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Dec. 10th, the Antonov 225, loaded with 80,000 Operation Christmas Child shoe box gifts bound for hurting kids in Africa, will be available for viewing/tours at JFK International Airport Hanger 12 (former TWA hanger) in New York City.
Crew interviews are also available.
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DECEMBER 10, 10:30a.m.
- Kid-hosted press conference followed by kid-assisted loading of 80,000 shoe box gifts onto the Antonov 225
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DECEMBER 10, 12 noon - 5:00 p.m.
- The Antonov 225 will be open to media for tours.
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DECEMBER 11, 12:00 noon
- The Antonov 225 is scheduled to take off from JFK International Airport, bound for Entebbe, Uganda (E.T.A. 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12)
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has distributed more than 18.5 million shoe box gifts to children who suffer from disease, war, poverty, famine, and natural disaster in 120 countries.
THIS YEAR: Some 6 million shoe box gifts filled with toys, candy, school supplies, necessities and hand-written notes of encouragement will be hand-delivered to hurting children worldwide, including 80,000 kids suffering the affects of HIV/AIDS in Uganda, and war in Sudan.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international relief organization headed by Franklin Graham.
About the Antonov 225:
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Stands 7 stories high
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8 average size houses could fit inside its body
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276 ft. long
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290 ft. wingspan
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Has a potential flying range of 8,000 miles
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Maximum take-off weight is more than 650 tons
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Owned by Antonov Airlines in Ukraine, the Antonov 225 was originally built to carry the Soviet space shuttle
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