'World's longest aircraft' unveiled in Britain Friday Feb 28,2014

An airship-type vehicle billed by its makers as the world's longest aircraft currently in operation was unveiled in Britain on Friday Feb 28,2014

The Airlander, which was originally developed for the US military, is 300 feet (91 metres) long, according its British maker Hybrid Air Vehicles.

The Airlander,the environmentally friendly helium-filled behemoth is designed to stay airborne for up to three weeks and can carry up to 60 tonnes, the company said.

The Airlander was shown off on Friday Feb 28,2014 in a giant hangar in Cardington, central England, where great British airships of the past were built, including the ill-fated R101

The R101 crashed in 1930 on its maiden voyage, killing 48 passenger and crew.

Note

The Airlander is longer than the current record holder - the Russian Antonov An-225, which is 84 metres long, and the Boeing 747-8, at 76 metres long.