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jpak

(41,741 posts)
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 04:36 AM Aug 2016

Airlander 10, World's Largest Airship Dubbed 'Flying Bum,' Takes Maiden Voyage

Source: NBC news

CARDINGTON AIRFIELD, England — The world's largest aircraft has taken off on its maiden flight.

The 302-foot-long Airlander 10 is filled with 1.3 million cubic feet of helium, can reach an altitude of up to 16,000 feet, and stay in the air for five days.

Manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles says the aircraft can be used for surveillance, communications and humanitarian aid deliveries.

Its first flight was cancelled on Sunday due to a technical problem.

<more>

Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/bottoms-world-s-largest-airship-nicknamed-flying-bum-takes-maiden-n633031



100 years ago, zeppelins were the ultimate terror weapons...



Today they are amusing curiosities...

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Airlander 10, World's Largest Airship Dubbed 'Flying Bum,' Takes Maiden Voyage (Original Post) jpak Aug 2016 OP
At 16000 feet, a thunderstorm will ruin your day Ex Lurker Aug 2016 #1
Didn't get the name until I saw the pic. Chakab Aug 2016 #2
Remarkable MowCowWhoHow III Aug 2016 #3
I chortled Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2016 #15
Perfect sakabatou Aug 2016 #20
If she cuts one loose, we all die. Kaleva Aug 2016 #23
Oh the Humanity jpak Aug 2016 #24
This message was self-deleted by its author trusty elf Aug 2016 #4
It's not a balloon--it's an air ship! Orrex Aug 2016 #5
It is BALLOOON!!!1111 jpak Aug 2016 #6
now there is a call back! Javaman Aug 2016 #10
Cool! Sherman A1 Aug 2016 #7
At least BumRushDaShow Aug 2016 #8
suddenly there was a leak! and everyone bailed out, yelling in high squeaky voices, for help! lol nt Javaman Aug 2016 #11
Just need a life barrel BumRushDaShow Aug 2016 #14
ROFLMAO..........Flying Bum!!!!!!! Historic NY Aug 2016 #9
Just so long as it stays away from Lakehurst NAS. n/t malthaussen Aug 2016 #12
NBC misedited the headline Bibliovore Aug 2016 #13
Lol! Kaleva Aug 2016 #22
So, passengers ride in the anus? n/t VWolf Aug 2016 #16
The passenger compartment dangles from it, like, Ilsa Aug 2016 #17
Fly dingleberry class to London n/t VWolf Aug 2016 #18
It looks like it's trying to poop a bus. marble falls Aug 2016 #19
It's a flying tribute to those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome Kaleva Aug 2016 #21

Ex Lurker

(3,808 posts)
1. At 16000 feet, a thunderstorm will ruin your day
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 04:40 AM
Aug 2016

If they can build one that can keep station at around 25000 feet, they'll have something. That's above most of the weather.

And while lighter than air craft have so far proved to be an evolutionary dead end in aviation technology, airships still have potential, at least in niche roles. And If they could scale them up to say, 1/4 the capacity of a cargo ship, with the speed to cross the Pacific in 48 hours, they'd really have something.

Response to jpak (Original post)

BumRushDaShow

(127,281 posts)
8. At least
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 06:24 AM
Aug 2016

it's not filled with hydrogen!



Another view of Airlander in flight -



Here is an interesting article on this latest monstrosity and visions of large airships - http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/02/29/a-new-generation-of-airships-is-born

Javaman

(62,439 posts)
11. suddenly there was a leak! and everyone bailed out, yelling in high squeaky voices, for help! lol nt
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 08:34 AM
Aug 2016

BumRushDaShow

(127,281 posts)
14. Just need a life barrel
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 10:38 AM
Aug 2016


Of course, if you have a secure rail around your porch and a strong enough hose, that might mitigate the problem!

Bibliovore

(185 posts)
13. NBC misedited the headline
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 10:34 AM
Aug 2016

"Airlander 10, World's Largest Airship Dubbed 'Flying Bum,' Takes Maiden Voyage" --- Without a comma after "Airship", that headline parses that this is merely the largest of all the airships that happen to be dubbed "Flying Bum". Which it presumably is, but still.

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