New photos of the world’s largest aircraft, aka ‘the flying bum’, have been released ahead of its official unveiling.
They show the Airlander 10 – part plane, part airship and part helicopter – in all its 302ft (92m) long glory in a First World War aircraft hangar in Bedfordshire, where it will be launched tomorrow.
The aircraft, which earned its nickname because it apparently resembles a bottom, is around 50ft (15m) longer than the biggest passenger jets and is 143ft (44m) wide and 85ft (26m) high.
Chris Daniels, British firm Hybrid Air Vehicles’ (HAV) head of partnerships, said: ‘This is a fantastic story of British innovation, getting a unique aircraft fully assembled to do something both useful and commercially viable.
‘We are ready to show the world the potential it can achieve in monitoring, search and rescue, cargo, aid distribution and even passenger roles.’
The company designed the Airlander 10 to stay airborne for up to three weeks.
The huge aircraft can be used for a variety of functions including surveillance, communications, delivering aid and even passenger travel.
It uses helium to become airborne and can travel at a speed of 92mph (148km/h).
