Oleg Antonov

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Oleg Antonov

Oleg Konstantinovich Antonov (Russian: Олег Константинович Антонов, Ukrainian: Олег Костянтинович Антонов; February 7, 1906 (Troitsy, Moscow province, Russian Empire) - April 4, 1984, (Kiev, Ukrainian SSR)) was a Soviet aircraft designer and painter, the founder of Antonov ASTC, a world-famous aircraft company in Ukraine, later named in his honour.

[edit] Biography

In 1930, Antonov graduated from the Kalinin Polytechnical Institute in Leningrad. In 1946, he was appointed head of the aircraft design bureau, that was later moved to Kiev.

Antonov was a Doctor of Science, academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR (1968), Hero of Socialist Labor (1966), member of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the 5th, 6th and 7th convocations.

[edit] Awards and legacy

Antonov received the State Award of the USSR in 1952 and Lenin Award in 1962.
Antonov was also decorated with two Orders of Lenin and other orders and medals.
The Antonov design bureau has the distinction of making huge and powerful aircraft throughout its existence.
Antonov's AN-225 "Mriya" is currently the biggest aircraft operational (bigger than even the Airbus A-380).
In November 2004, FAI placed the An-225 in the Guinness Book of Records for its 240 records. The highly popular AN-124 "Ruslan" is used worldwide for cargo transport.
A street in Kiev city is named after Oleg Antonov.
A coin was minted of Copper Nickel Alloy in 2006 by the National Bank of Ukraine honoring Antonov. In addition, a silver proof coin was issued by the Bank of Russia to commemorate 100 years since Antonov's birth.