Design icons: the men behind the 747, the AN-124 and the IL-76

© Dagbaev Zorikto

For the aviation buffs out there, here is a great article from Volga-Dnepr Group’s Cargo Supermarket magazine. Amazingly enough, the carrier managed to bring together the chief designers of the world’s three most iconic cargo aircraft: the 747, the AN-124 and the Il-76.  In a session held at Farnborough Air Show and moderated by UK TV journalist Peter Sissons, the three men talked of the importance of the aircraft, why the designs were so critical to the air cargo industry and the challenges they faced. There is even a slight reference to the political problems between Russia and Ukraine, currently making modernisation of the AN-124 somewhat tricky. Sadly, 747 designer Joe Sutter, one of the three featured here, died a month later. A worthwhile read for all those who love aircraft.