PUTIN'S PLANE DRIPS WITH GOLD

Electric New Paper ^ | February 26, 2007

[Tailgunner Joe]

GOLD. Everywhere your eye turns, there's glitter.

The taps, the shower, washbasins, towel rail, table legs and even the seatbelt clasps are gold-plated.

Welcome on board the Russian 'Air Force One'.

The gleaming interior of Russian President Vladimir Putin's Ilyushin 96-300 jet is sure to leave the US president's famed jets way behind in the opulence standings. It is estimated to have been decorated at a cost of about 10 million ($30 m).

The walls of the plane are lined with white Russian silk, and decorated with the national crest and exquisite pictures of traditional Russian scenes.

The seats are covered in leather imported from Italy - they're upholstered by the same company that Aston Martin uses, reported the Daily Mail.

An elaborate gold clock hangs on one wall and desks are covered in a rich walnut veneer.

There's an impressive meeting room with a long table and nine large chairs upholstered in dark green leather.

But when work is done and there's a need to relax, Mr Putin and his fellow passengers can sit and drink from the jet's fine crystal glasses as they watch shows from the state-of-the-art, flat-screen TV entertainment system.

These are only some of the many modern conveniences on board. There are also a dishwasher, cooker and fridge-freezer.

STUNNING

But, it is the bathrooms that are stunning.

The entire washbasin is gold-plated, as are the fittings of the lavatory, bidet and towel rail. The shower is also trimmed with gold.

Given Putin's past links to the KGB and the communist past of Russia, it may come as a surprise to some to see religious images on board the plane. In the lounge, there is a tapestry depicting a Russian Orthodox saint next to a specially-created gold box containing a Bible and prayer books.

The interiors of the plane were done by a British firm in Bristol in 2001-02.

At that time, Deputy Chief Designer Oleg Glushkov, who was part of the interior design team, said in a BBC report that the decor is quite restrained, with no gold or silver - just plastic and stainless steel.

The only sop to tradition are the walls, which are covered with silk, Mr Glushkov said.

All these years, no one has really seen the plane's interiors.

However, photos began to appear on the Internet recently and Mr Putin was upset.

He ordered the Russian secret service, the FSB, to hunt down the man who put them online.

The blogger who published them was quoted in the Daily Mail as saying: 'I soon realised the FSB had been into the site to examine where the photographs had come from.

'I decided to put the pictures on the Internet after seeing a programme on Russian TV about the plane - how it was covered by state secrecy and nothing could be revealed about it.

'I just couldn't resist (doing it).'

In a strange twist, the British firm that did the interiors seem to have been hit by a curse. Expecting another two similar lucrative orders from Russia, Diamonite's chairman Dave Cox spent 1.5m on a new factory. But the deal collapsed - and so did his company.

[cmsgop]

Linkski ?

[chopperman]

pix at:

http://neoncobra.blogspot.com/2007/01/putins-plane.html

[Gay State Conservative]

Somehow it doesn't make sense for a country that has a life expectancy equal to that of Namibia to provide its president with such an aircraft.

[kylaka]

It looks like a standard issue Gulfstream to me. Piglosi rejected the Gulfstream III as being beneath her stature as a VIP.

[Dahoser]

Exactly. Who does Putin think he is, the governor of Massachusetts?

[neodad]

Nancy wants one.

[EternalVigilance]

BiCzar!

[Gay State Conservative]

Exactly. Who does Putin think he is, the governor of Massachusetts?

So you've heard of the exploits of our new governor,Coupe Deval,eh?

The photos of Putin's plane say "New Orleans whorehouse" to me.My guess is that Coupe Deval's new Caddy says the same.

[Cicero]

What's with all this chintzy gold plate?

Nothing but solid gold for me.

[GSlob]

And at the choice of the passengers the ventilation system could blow any of selected fragrances: vodka breath, garlic, semi-fermented cabbage, and a few more.

[Tailgunner Joe]

Best Bathroom to Embrace Materialism or Renounce It, Once and For all!
3-D Gold Store
21 Man Lok Street
Hong Kong

The toilet bowls, wash basins, toilet brushes, toilet paper holders, mirror frames, wall-mounted chandeliers and even wall tiles and doors are all made of solid gold. Embedded in the floor at the entrance are gold bars and studding the ceiling are 6,200 diamonds, rubies, sapphires and pearls. The store’s owner was inspired by Vladimir Lenin’s vision of gold toilets for the masses.
Wouldn't a gold toilet seat be a tad chilly first thing in the morning?

[Vicomte13]

I noticed the ashtrays in the armrests of some of the important seats. I don't get the impression Putin & Co. give a damn about "Politically Correct"...anything.

It's good to be the Tsar!

[Ben Hecks]

Anyone doubt that Putin wasn't up to his ears in Iraqi oil-for-food?

[Dahoser]

They both must have gone vehicle shopping with Rooster from Baretta.

[Skibane]

Wouldn't a gold toilet seat be a tad chilly first thing in the morning?

At almost twice the weight of lead, it would definitely be a b*tch to lift - not that many of us blokes would bother...

[SevenofNine]

MAN BLING BLING for Vlady

[ModelBreaker]

Somehow it doesn't make sense for a country that has a life expectancy equal to that of Namibia to provide its president with such an aircraft.

But somehow, it's always those that do.

[ansel12]

As a service plumber in the Rancho Santa Fe and La Jolla area of southern California, I have had some nerve wracking moments doing repairs on some of the more expensive fixtures.

It isn't just the expense of the plumbing fixtures, but also the incredibly expensive knickknacks and art pieces that decorate, and fill the bathroom, and the counter top where you are working.

Accidentally dropping a metal part, or a small tool into a several hundred dollar glass trash can, next to the toilet can cause a moment of panic.

[KellyAdmirer]

If that plane ever crashes, imagine the mad rush by the locals to get at the wreckage....