More photos of Russia's presidential jet

Much more interesting than the post itself is the clear anti-Russian filter through which the writer sees the world. Would this same post have been made if the jet in question was from a less threatening country of origin? Post cold-war racism at its best.

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#9 posted by mercurytransit , December 19, 2008 12:02 PM

Anyone know what the jet is, a Tupelov? Russian aircraft designs are fascinating. They tend to be less conventional than western designs.

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#10 posted by mercurytransit , December 19, 2008 12:04 PM

^sorry, should be Tupolev

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#11 posted by Lyddiechu , December 19, 2008 12:05 PM

You really gotta love the russian flair for wonderfully tasteless, over-the-top extravagance. I justify my own inordinate love for animal print everything as being an inescapable expression of my Russian heritage.

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#12 posted by Anonymous , December 19, 2008 12:24 PM

Gilbert Anonymous here:

It does have a certain tacky charm. Some of the furnishings make me want to go have dinner at Denny's.

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#13 posted by DeWynken , December 19, 2008 12:24 PM

What? That thing is freakin SWANK.

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#14 posted by Alpinwolf , December 19, 2008 12:59 PM

I'll absolutely second the 'Tacky', but I'm kinda drooling over the green inlay in the boardroom table (and others). Anyone know what the heck that material is?

I think the sentiment might be closer to Anti-(Russian-Gubmint-Corruption). It sure seems like Putin is pining for Cold days past.

And having top quality materials and workmanship doesn't require anything but some space-faring equipment to be gold plated. Pure self-aggrandizing conspicuous indulgence.

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#15 posted by Anonymous , December 19, 2008 1:07 PM

That jet is pimpin!

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#16 posted by kc0bbq , December 19, 2008 1:12 PM

A little less gold electroplate and secondary colors to actually go with the burled wood and it'd be pretty neat looking.

But criticism is *obviously* racism and not just having more taste than nuveau-riche ex-commies.

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#17 posted by acb

, December 19, 2008 1:18 PM

With all that gold-plating and marble, it looks like something Saddam Hussein or Kim Jong Il may have ordered.

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#18 posted by Birdseed , December 19, 2008 1:33 PM

It's always fascinated me how the New Rich and the worst dictators have such similar (bad) taste in furnishings. Saw a series on one of the news channels where they visited Donald Trump's apartments and the palaces of Sheiks, and they all look like something Ceausescu could have built.

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#19 posted by brokebutstilldrinking , December 19, 2008 1:34 PM

Putin...more like Pukin

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#20 posted by Anonymous , December 19, 2008 1:47 PM

Not putin's jet. Yeltsin had it built for him, to the tune of $300 mil - and 440 mil on the interior.

Putin uses a different jet, and from what I know, its a bit more ...normal... although this jet is the stand-by.

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#21 posted by pinguis , December 19, 2008 2:09 PM

@9 mercurytransit,

They are two different jets.
One is a Ilyushin Il-96. the other a Il-62.

Some external shots of the presidential planes here:

one
two
three

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#22 posted by powermatic , December 19, 2008 2:19 PM

Agree that 'vomitously ugly' is way over the top-not to my taste, but with less (okay, no) gold, and a bit less highly figured burl, it would be not only fine, but probably gorgeous. The joinery is of the highest order, and some of the details are amazing-I wouldn't mine owning that bible case, even if it is golden. Or maybe that works with a bible, stick a couple of urns of Franchinsence (sp)
and Mirrh (sp) next to it and you've got Christmas All Year 'Round.

Not surprised by the 'vomitously ugly' crack either-I've seen too many "hilarious" posts here that didn't elicit as much as a chuckle.

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#23 posted by Berkster , December 19, 2008 2:24 PM

Wow - it's the Russian equivalent of Elvis' plane, the "Lisa Marie" - AKA The Tupelev from Tupelo.

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#24 posted by Mark Frauenfelder

, December 19, 2008 2:53 PM

aformalevent@8: "Much more interesting than the post itself is the clear anti-Russian filter through which the writer sees the world...Post cold-war racism at its best."

I guess that makes me a self-hating Russian then? Don't tell my mother!

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#25 posted by Banksynergy , December 19, 2008 2:56 PM

Apart from that fake-wood linoleum covering everything, it's really not bad.
You want to talk tacky... that "toilet paper holder" featuring a little metal robot man on a little metal toilet... yeah... I would so rather have my bathroom look like the one in this jet than have that thing in mine. I'd have to start buying lawn flamingos and brightly colored plastic tablecloths to make it blend in to the background.

Kids these days, I swear! Wouldn't know class if they fell over it.

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#26 posted by Banksynergy , December 19, 2008 3:01 PM

Er... and yes, I realize that's likely some fine wood and not "fake-wood linoleum", but it looks more like the latter to me. ^_^

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#27 posted by Trent Hawkins , December 19, 2008 4:27 PM

I wonder what the payload is on that thing.

Four or so Vympel R-73s I bet and a nuclear bomb or two for that subtle diplomatic touch.

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#28 posted by randyqx , December 19, 2008 5:54 PM

it's wonderfully retro-soviet luxurious. i love it.

i recently flew a ty-154 with a touch of the style, see http://archive.psg.com/ty-154.jpg those are real needlepoint.

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#29 posted by Anonymous , December 19, 2008 6:56 PM

So where do Higgins and Magnum sit?

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#30 posted by romwell , December 19, 2008 7:37 PM

I was born in the USSR and moved to US only six years ago, so take it from a USSRian*: this is vomitously ugly. And I totally dig the Russian aviation. But this design is the kind of utter crap that will casue people like Artemy Lebedev** digestion problems.

*well, I'm a Ukrainian-jewish from Odessa, which was founded by a decree from the Russian empress Catherine the Great (who wasn't Russian).. that's just to say that although my primary language is Russian, I don't identify myself with Russia, but neither do I possess an anti-Russian sentiment like some Ukrainians do, and won't be angry if called Russian. But USSRian is easier to say.

**Artemy Lebedev is the Apple of Russia, in terms of design that is. He's the guy that designed the (in)famous Maximus keyboard with LCD buttons, and has written a book on clean, pratical design.
The works of the studio: http://www.artlebedev.com/

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#31 posted by minamisan , December 19, 2008 11:49 PM

it's certainly a lot nicer than the last plane I flew in.

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#32 posted by sigismund

, December 20, 2008 5:42 AM

ok now where's Blofeld ?

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#33 posted by Shelby Davis , December 20, 2008 7:48 AM

All the gold makes it look, yes, "pimpin," but it's also got a little Deco thing going. Diversify the colours a bit and it's perfect.

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#34 posted by highlyevolved , December 20, 2008 11:07 AM

I'd get Eurotrashed on this jet, open the bubbly, break out the fine crystal, and fire the afterburners.

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#35 posted by pseudonym , December 20, 2008 11:33 AM

Questions of taste aside, the sad thing is that the US president and the Russian pres both view these jets as their personal property. American presidents have regularly used Air Force One to jet around for political reasons. They make speeches around the country trying to get re-elected or to support others in their party. Of course, these are explained with some bogus justification. We taxpayers are stuck with the $60,000 hour operating costs, not to mention the hugh cost of the security details.

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#36 posted by jackl , December 20, 2008 2:47 PM

Heh, it does have that indescribable Euro-Soviet aesthetic. Thanks for sharing.

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#37 posted by Takuan , December 20, 2008 3:03 PM

Early Winnebago.

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#38 posted by Stephen , December 21, 2008 7:44 AM

And in Boing Boing fashion today...
OUT: retro Russian Empire stylings.
IN: retro British Empire stylings.

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#39 posted by MarlboroTestMonkey7

, December 22, 2008 6:10 AM