Beluga....one ugly plane
Discussion
egomeister said:
G600 said:
I mean I thought that's what it moves.
Why do I have an image of xzibit in my head now? Spectacularly ugly aircraft but what it can do is very impressive!
Black9 said:
They use it to transport 320/330/340/350 Fuselages and wings, also the 380 tail and stabliser.
It's an amazing aircraft as ugly as it is, and I'm proud to say I helped build the main door assembly for Beluga No.1 at what was Aerostructures Hamble.
Small world, I worked on the last two doors down at Hamble.It's an amazing aircraft as ugly as it is, and I'm proud to say I helped build the main door assembly for Beluga No.1 at what was Aerostructures Hamble.
Was it just the first one you were on?
Black9 said:
It's an amazing aircraft as ugly as it is, and I'm proud to say I helped build the main door assembly for Beluga No.1 at what was Aerostructures Hamble.
I think my girlfriend's dad said he worked on the hinge mechanism for it. Anyone know how many they built in total?I watched one take off the other day from the end of the runway, really doesn't look like it should fly
I believe there are 5 Belugas in total although as technically they are experimental aircraft (IIRC) only 4 can ever fly at the same time! I was told by an Airbus aerodynamasist that they aren't certified for commercial flight hence the reason no one else has one.
Aparently you can have 5 "experimental" aircraft in a fleet so technically they are operating in a kind of loophole I guess.
Still butt ugly but built for a job and do it very well I'm told.
Aparently you can have 5 "experimental" aircraft in a fleet so technically they are operating in a kind of loophole I guess.
Still butt ugly but built for a job and do it very well I'm told.
They are making an even bigger Beluga - based on the A330 this time.
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/19/travel/airbus-ne...
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/19/travel/airbus-ne...
BlackLabel said:
They are making an even bigger Beluga - based on the A330 this time.
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/19/travel/airbus-ne...
Couldn't Airbus modify an A380 so the rear part was hinged? Surely that would be a lot cheaper than creating a new roof, lowering the flight deck and training pilots.http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/19/travel/airbus-ne...
paulrussell said:
Couldn't Airbus modify an A380 so the rear part was hinged? Surely that would be a lot cheaper than creating a new roof, lowering the flight deck and training pilots.
Probably because of the limited airport access for the A380 compared to the more conventionally-sized aircraft.paulrussell said:
Couldn't Airbus modify an A380 so the rear part was hinged? Surely that would be a lot cheaper than creating a new roof, lowering the flight deck and training pilots.
The beluga and new a340xl both have larger cabins than the a380. The a380would also have to have all the floors removed and the cabin then strengthened and your hinged body added. Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff