The Airbus A400M, also known as Atlas, is a remarkable and modern (~10 years since first flight) four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed by Airbus Military (now Airbus Defence and Space). It has been advertised with the tagline "transport what the C130 cannot to places that the C17 can't...". So, if you take the average of a C-130 Hercules and a C-17 Globemaster...🙂..., you might end up with an A400...! As a crude comparison, the normal Payload capacities of C-130 and C-17 are approx. 35k lbs and 165k lbs, respectively, and that of the A400M is ~80k lbs.

The project was started back in 1982, interestingly, as a joint venture between (French) Aérospatiale, (British) BAe, (U.S.) Lockheed, and (German) MBB companies. Complications of international politics meant that progress on the initiative was slow, and, during 1989, Lockheed decided to withdraw from the grouping. And, in spite of several issues, later on, (some major), during the initial development phases, A400M is currently in active production - with the assembly taking place in Spain. BTW, its engine selection process, also, had a few interesting twists...(We note again that A400 was targeted to fill the niche between turboprop-powered C-130 and turbofan-powered C-17. With turbofan engines ruled-out by the project team, there was no existing turboprop engine available, powerful enough, to meet its specifications, so, an entirely new turboprop engine version had to be custom-manufactured...)! Eventually, in 2013, EASA Certification was received, and, now, many EU nations' Air Forces are already the major operators of it. Its advanced (full-glass) cockpit resembles that of an A380. And, here is another curious fact: The pair of propellers on each wing of the A400 turn in opposite directions, in contrast to the overwhelming majority of multi-engine propeller driven aircraft where all propellers turn in the same direction.

Here, I'm flying the A400M, in the (fictitious) color of Gemini Cargo. The (RW) Gemini Cargo, however, operates a fleet of DC-10s and MD-11s. For this post, I wished to pair the (Wilco) A400M, which I've not flown in ages, with the locale and scenery of (MSE) Italy, which, I've not visited in recent memory, either. This flight is from (LIRQ) Florence Airport (south) to Naples International Airport (LIRN). It tracks over the mountain ridges of the (scenic) Apennines range (referred to as the "backbone of Italy"). [Side Note: BTW, the Montes Apenninus, a rugged mountain range on the northern part of the Moon's near side, is also named after these same Apennine Mountains in Italy].

Hope you enjoy this collection of images, below, as much I enjoyed the (source) flight from which they are derived - (along with this rarely-seen-here, but, capable and tactical aircraft)...! Thanks for your interest...!!

[Wilco(A400M)/MSE(Italy)/REX]

14 hours ago, P_7878 said:

Here, I'm flying the A400M, in the (fictitious) color of Gemini Cargo. The (RW) Gemini Cargo, however, operated a fleet of DC-10s and MD-11s.

My emphasis on the past tense.They ceased operating in 2008 

https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Gemini-Air-Cargo

 EDIT - however the last three MD-11s on their fleet list are still showing as Active with Western Global  (Yes!!)

Great set of shots for that versatile cargo plane.  Which reminds me - I don't believe I've installed Iris Simulation's Battlefield Airlifter yet AKA the Baby Herk. 

Edited July 25, 20205 yr by HighBypass

3 hours ago, HighBypass said:

My emphasis on the past tense.They ceased operating in 2008 

https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Gemini-Air-Cargo

 EDIT - however the last three MD-11s on their fleet list are still showing as Active with Western Global  (Yes!!)

.......

Good catch, Mark! Thanks...!!

After all, no one, around here, flies Cargo....🙂....like you do....!!

Yes, focusing e.g. on Gemini Air's 4th (of 4) MD-11Fs (Reg. N705GC), curiosities abound:

1. This MD-11 plane was built in Long Beach (CA) facility (it was meant for Air Europe, but not-taken-up (= ntu), so, instead, was delivered, first, to Delta, in 1990). Side-note: After the last C-17 Globemaster (mentioned in my post above) was completed, the Long Beach plant has been put up for SALE by Boeing. Finding a buyer is "being coordinated with city of Long Beach stakeholders to provide the best opportunity for new businesses in the city..."....not sure what the site will be next used for, but, probably, this signals the end of aircraft production, at this historic Douglas site. The iconic neon “Fly DC Jets” sign on the former Boeing 717 building, on campus, could be left as a reminder of this historic landmark...I read...!
2. This plane came to Gemini Air Cargo via several previous airline owners (e.g. Brazilian VASP, which also ceased operations in 2005).
3. Between (2002-2008), before cease of Gemini Air Cargo, N705GC was christened with these pretty-sounding...🙂...names: "Tracy" (2002 - 2004), "Elaine" (2004 - 2008), and "Rima" (2008).
4. And, you're correct, Mark, this (former Gemini Air) MD-11F seems to be currently active with Western Global, with Reg. N412SN.
5. AirNav RadarBox shows, live, that, this N412SN MD-11F, departed, today, Seoul's Incheon International Airport (RKSI), at local time, Sunday, July 26, 7:08am, and, as I type this, is, actually, in-flight, somewhere near Wajima (Japan)....the 30 year old workhorse of an MD-11 keeps flying still, as Cargo....impressive, indeed...(and, of course, we thank the power of internet...for such incredible information...)...!