THE FLYING BUM Airship gets a new name

Posted on 08/10/2016 | About Cardington, United Kingdom

The biggest aircraft in the world – dubbed the ‘Flying Bum’ – has been let out of its hangar for the first time. The 302ft-long Airlander 10 blimp earned its nickname from its somewhat comical appearance.

About 50 employees gathered outside the airfield in the middle of the night to watch it being tested as it made an early morning appearance at Cardington, Bedfordshire in the UK.
And there has been a heavy 24-hour security to prevent trespassers.
It took 10 years and £25 ($43) million to develop and build the craft, which is around 50ft longer than the biggest passenger plane. It is designed to stay airborne for up to five days at a time and will be able to withstand wind speeds of up to 85 knots.
Originally developed as a surveillance aircraft for the US government, the project was scrapped.
Technical director Mike Durham said: “Last week we successfully completed our final in-hangar all engines, all generators, all systems testing.
“The entire team is looking forward to the final series of tests outside before taking to the skies for the first time.
“It was a very smooth first journey for Airlander and she behaved beautifully.
“We’re delighted to have reached this significant milestone.”
The airship has been given a more dignified name being named by The Duke of Kent as the Martha Gwyn after the wife of Hybrid Air Vehicles chairman Philip Gwyn.
An overwhelmed Martha Gwyn said, “I can’t really take it in. I’ve had a shire horse named after me in the past – this is the first airship. In fact, as The Duke stood back I read and then I looked again and read it again – it took a while for it to sink in, so it’s been a huge, huge surprise.”