She flies!

[agdickie]

EADS totty, yeah!

[PeterR]

She's done!

The question is, will the A400M or The Dave come into RAF service first?

[Wes_Howes]

If had my way neither would Peter on serious note though it was good to see the thing flying at long last but does anyone else feel that it's smaller than you expected or is it just me?

[EMarsh]

EADS totty, yeah!

This thread is useless without pics, as they say...

I really like the look of the A400. Best of luck to them for the rest of the trials.

[Russ]

anyone else feel that it's smaller than you expected or is it just me?

It's designed to fit inbetween the Herc and C-17 in both size and capability, so it's appearance has not surprised me personally. Just a scaled down C-17 with props.

[Wes_Howes]

I think I'd just need to see it alongside a Herk and I would get it, just on it's own I can't get my head around it's proportions

[T_J]

If had my way neither would Peter on serious note though it was good to see the thing flying at long last but does anyone else feel that it's smaller than you expected or is it just me?

Size comparison on the following. (C-17, A-400M and C-130J)

http://www.leeham.net/filelib/Airbus%20Military%20(Thompson).pdf

She looks great! Well done the team! Nice image, Tony!



TJ

[chrisward123]

Very similar size inside to the C-17...

http://www.aviation-news.co.uk/media/a400m_4.jpg

[Heidfirst]

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

that would be a Globule then?

[Red Dragon]

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

that would be a Globule then?

Or a seeing as thier designations also include a III and II, how about a C-147 Hercumaster II.IV?!

But it looks a tidy bit of kit, but as Wes says I'd like to see it next to a C-130J to compare it, any chances of seeing it at RIAT 2010 maybe?

[Wes_Howes]

But it looks a tidy bit of kit, but as Wes says I'd like to see it next to a C-130J to compare it, any chances of seeing it at RIAT 2010 maybe?

Possible I suppose Pete, considering Farnborough is the following week

[TonyO]

...and looked fab...

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

Actually, the idiots rejected it (the shot I posted) for 'Level', 'Contrast' and 'Centred' and yet they have accepted pictures which have inaccurate colour, over contrasted and badly framed.

Still, a truly impressive sight and one that will probably be feature to most of you come July next year. It certainly wasn't as noisy as I expected, perhaps slightly louder than a J, but more of a drone, certainly distinctive.

[StephenEThomas]

yet they have accepted pictures which have inaccurate colour, over contrasted and badly framed.

Also a severe case, bar none, of badfrozenprops, much prefer yours Mr O

Steve

[Batman3]

Yep good job Mr.O - very lucky indeed to see that. Is it me or do the props turn the opposite way to the one next to it? Saw it on youtube earlier and noticed it....
1:23 seconds in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGnPD79lNpQ

[TonyO]

Rick, yes they do, the blades turn into each other, something Airbus call 'Down Between Engines' Rotation!!! Apprently it improves the airflow over the wings resulting in 'better lift distribution' so says the presentation I have in front of me, I just thought it looked wicked!!!

[Batman3]

Yeah too right, certainly an interesting aircraft - looking foward to seeing it in person....

[raiford]

ooh I do like those props!

[DamienB]

http://www.a400m-countdown.com/index.php?v=2&spage=7

[APG]

Tony whose was the A330 MRTT on the ramp?

[Gooze]

Aussie

[Manonthefence]

http://www.a400m-countdown.com/index.php?v=2&spage=7

What it doesnt say on that link is whether or not the engines are universal and the prop direction is controlled through gearing. If not then you end up having "handed" engines with all the impact that has on spares supply.

A simple idea that EADS/Airbust will no doubt have made overly complicated.

[TonyO]

Tony whose was the A330 MRTT on the ramp?

As Gooze says, the first Aussie one, EC-330

[MicrolightDriver]

http://www.a400m-countdown.com/index.php?v=2&spage=7

What it doesnt say on that link is whether or not the engines are universal and the prop direction is controlled through gearing. If not then you end up having "handed" engines with all the impact that has on spares supply.

You're right, it doesn't say. What's the answer then?

Impressive looking aeroplane I think.