Antonov An-70 (02BLUE)

It obviously works but wouldn't the air passing through those counter rotating blades be very turbulent? Would a three blade system work?

Research has proven the opposite Mark, it is actually more efficient, but it is rather more costly so I believe that is why western manufacturers haven't used it.

Nice shot Pavel!

Nice-looking aircraft. So unusual for the Russians, in my opinion. They have had some of the ugliest aircraft in the skies, but this one is very nice. Good shot, Pavel.

I wonder why the pretty paint job on the prop blades. Counter-rotating multi-blade, small-diameter might be an attempt at quiet (stealth) cruise.

The prop blades, match their flag,(colors)!

It sure has a family resemblance to a Hercules.

Jim,ít's Ukrainian, not Russian now, if I am not mistaken.

Roy is right, contra-rotating props are perhaps 15% more efficient that normal props and more importantly, they help reduce tangential air-flow which is a wasted effort in a single prop operation.

The Russians have mastered this technology and its application in helicopters, Kamov, for example, has done away with the tail rotor.

Yes, that is the Ukrainian Flag, readopted in 1992 after the collapse of USSR. Sharp looking aircraft.

LOL