World’s Longest Aircraft, Airlander 10, Leaves Hangar For The First Time

The world’s longest aircraft has emerged from its hangar for the first time.

The Airlander 10 - which is part plane and part airship - came into public view for the first time after it was brought out of its hangar at Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire at 4am on Saturday.

The enormous aircraft, measuring 302ft (92m) long, is around 50ft (15m) longer than the biggest passenger jets.

Huge - the Airlander 10 is longer than the biggest passenger jets (Picture: SWNS)

It was manoeuvred out of the hangar in a five-minute operation before being towed 30 minutes to a specially-prepared ‘primary mast site’ on the airfield.

The milestone comes after tests on the Airlander 10’s engines, generators and systems were finished last week.

More tests will be carried out before the aircraft - christened the Martha Gwyn in April - takes to the skies for the first time at a date to be announced.

Variety of uses - the aircraft could be used for various functions (Picture: PA)

The Airlander 10, which was first developed for the US government as a long-endurance surveillance aircraft, will be able to stay airborne for around five days during manned flights.

British firm Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), which campaigned to return it to the skies after it fell foul of defence cutbacks, claims it could be used for a variety of functions such as surveillance, communications, delivering aid and even passenger travel.

(Top picture: PA)