
Airlander (pictured) is the largest aircraft in the world, bigger even than the Airbus A380 - but would be dwarfed by the historic zeppelins developed in Germany during the 1930s
The first giant fin was attached to the ship, officially called the 'Airlander 10', last month (pictured) according to Hybrid Air Vehicles who is constructing the aircraft, and now the remaining fin and parts have been attached. Two fins could comfortably cover the playing area of a tennis court, explained the designers
It produces 60 per cent of its lift aerostatically, by being lighter-than-air, and 40 per cent aerodynamically, by being wing-shaped, as well as having the ability to rotate its engines to provide an additional 25 per cent of thrust up or down.
This means the Airlander can hover as well as land on almost any surface, including ice, desert and water.
It will be able to stay in the air for two weeks at a time, cruising at more than 90mph (144km/h), and travel at heights of up to 20,000ft (6,100 metres) with a 10-tonne cargo.
Some have hailed the Airlander as the future of air travel because, unlike conventional aeroplanes, it emits little pollution and is not noisy enough to disturb people on the ground.
![]() | ![]() |
Day|Week
96-Year-Old Veteran Becomes Fashion Icon
Creative mother produces 232 unique breakfasts
Charming folk customs in Kalajun Grassland
A glimpse of ships and boats commissioned to PLA Navy in past 3 years
Chongqing sniper’s new record: 13 holes on a rice grain
Women put on spring dresses in Hangzhou
UAVs at Unmanned Systems Exhibition & Conference in UAE
PLA's paratroopers conduct night training
Three new-type tank landing ships join the East China Sea Fleet
3,492 reflector panels of China's mega telescope installed