She flies!

[The Flying Barrel]

As n keeping with this programme the A400M first flight took place this morning 15mins late!

[TonyO]

...and looked fab...

[raiford]

yes she does look rather nice, 15 minutes late is'nt bad is it? how many are we allegedly getting?

[Bjcc]

Interesting that the South Africa Flag is on the side. I thought SA had canceled?

[gaviscon]

Its a globemaster with props??

[Manonthefence]

"Now I jus seen 'bout everythiiiing, now I seen a (white) Elephant fly!"

(with apologies to Disney's Dumbo)

[DaveGriff]

Rather pleasing looking beast to my eyes!

[Peter Catchpole]

when do we need to start paying real money for 'ours' could be the decider if we do or we don't. Unless the company has got a clause which enforces payment irrespective if we take the airframes. Nice kite all the same.

[Red Dragon]

It reminds me of the b*st*rd offspring of a hot date between a C-17A and a C-130J!!!!

[ursa_major]

As n keeping with this programme the A400M first flight took place this morning 15mins late!

And the other 4 years...

EDIT: Forgot to mention: very nice shot Tony - right place, right time! Also, what's the noise footprint like in comparison to a c-130? I understand that 'snoopy' when flying with just one of the engines was substantially louder, so what's it like with 4 at the same time?

[DamienB]

Would have been quicker and cheaper to build the AW.681...

[raiford]

4 years and 15min, not bad at all!

[chrisward123]

Great to see her 'finally' in the air
Nice Capture aswell.

[agdickie]

...and looked fab...

In the A.net queue? How long to it's on the top spot? Must have been quite a moment.

[chrisward123]

video from BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8407825.stm
Glad to see a British Pilot at the controls

[agdickie]

Live footage is back on http://www.airbus.com/en/A400M/

[Seahornet]

Some lovely air-to-air shots from Aerovision's Corvette F-GLPA on the Airbus live link, just now. In formation with a F/A-18 at one point!

[Gooze]

What time is it due to land GMT? (i want to go take a shower )

[Russ]

About time! Good news as well, lets hope the rest of the flight test programme goes without a hitch - hmmm....

Lovely shot Tony.

[agdickie]

Is this thing ever going to land? Need to go to the shops

[Russ]

Is this thing ever going to land? Need to go to the shops

I read earlier in the week if all goes to plan, the first flight could exceed three hours.

[PeterR]

Is this thing ever going to land? Need to go to the shops

I read earlier in the week if all goes to plan, the first flight could exceed three hours.

She's in the circuit now

[agdickie]

10 minute circuit? Performance must be gash

[Gooze]

The thing deffo blue notes on reverse thrust!

[agdickie]

Bloody O'Leary always looking for a bit of free Ryanair promotion