Herpa 1/400 AN-225 Mriya & Buran Space Orbiter Set - test flight (with probe) Diecast Model Aircraft

On December 21, 1988, one of the most famous aircraft in aviation history took to the skies for the first time. Originally designed to transport the Soviet Buran space shuttle, it would go on to set more than 200 records during its operational life, which later also included commercial purposes. Until its official certification in June 1989, "Mriya" received the provisional registration CCCP-480182 for its several-month testing phase. During this time, it flew with a long sensor boom on its nose to collect data on altitude and airspeed. Numerous test flights with the Buran space shuttle were also conducted in this manner. Just in time for the 1989 Paris Air Show, where the AN-225 and Buran made their debut, the tests were completed and the additional measuring equipment removed.