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Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 8:26 AM

This photograph, taken at an unnamed location near London, shows a new development in aircraft design:

It is conjectured that this is the prototype of a craft designed for true Mystery Tours - as there are no windows, neither the passengers nor crew know the route or destination.

Here's a close-up:

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#1

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 8:47 AM

There are no wings either. Obviously this "aircraft" is still under wraps. Or maybe, it's a metaphor for the economy.

-A-

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 10:18 AM

No wings - good observation. Maybe they're developing a cunning new propulsion system, and this is part of a Virgin Galactic project.

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#4
In reply to #1

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 10:41 AM

This view using satellite imagery shows stubby wings and a fuselage roughly in proportion to the Space Shuttle:

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#6
In reply to #4

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 11:32 AM

I'm not at liberty to reveal the location of this.....

.....nor the new 'Grey-wax' stealth......

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#9
In reply to #6

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 1:23 PM

Looks like windows that start just forward of the wing, leaving cargo room for a rapid response team to grab and run with their equipment on the way out. The plan view is indicative of a military configuration. 3 engines for such a small airplane means they want to get there fast. Kris, if you want a seat near the door, you will be the first target.

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#12
In reply to #9

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 4:14 PM

The plane is disposable - once we jump it's HALO goodbye. That one's a LALO for trainees, and I just stifle a laugh as I open the door.

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#15
In reply to #12

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 7:34 PM

Ah, yes: HALO - Hypersonic Aircraft Launch Option - gorblimey. Or mayhap LALO - Los Alamos Light Opera - gosh. My mind is truly boggling. Think its BAT1.

1 Bowel Evacuation Time.

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#11
In reply to #4

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 1:36 PM

might expect the wingtip assembly to arrive any day now... looking like that airbus ..3 " bladed".. job..

just too lazy to look for the photo of it..

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#14
In reply to #11

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 7:02 PM

Is it one of those balloon fakes the Brit's were so good at during WWII?

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#3

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 10:20 AM

Here it is at Luton;

ner-ner ner-ner ner-ner................I want a seat near the door

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#5

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 11:27 AM

It looks to me like a mock-up aircraft used to train flight attendants and crews.

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#23
In reply to #5

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/11/2009 9:52 AM

That was my first thought too.

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#7

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 12:12 PM

will look for the demonstration at Farnsworth.....

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#8

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 1:15 PM

Looks like an embryo of a 747, or a mock up for some kind of training.

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#10
In reply to #8

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 1:31 PM

graft an md 11 tail to that 74 at the aft production break...

i need a crows foot...

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#13

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 5:02 PM

Thanks for the heads up.

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#20
In reply to #13

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/11/2009 4:21 AM

don't know if you remember : a few years back United had a commerical..

that was 1 of the lines in that ...

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#16

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/10/2009 7:45 PM

Flying for Success

London Luton Airport has launched the Flying for Success (F4S) project in partnership with Luton Borough Council. F4S involves inviting groups of local primary school children to undertake educational visits to London Luton Airport. These educational visits allow the children to gain and develop essential numeracy and literature skills in an environment that is stimulating and exciting and therefore conducive to learning.


Someries and Wigmore Junior schools were first to be invited to the Airport in May 2008 and enjoyed four weeks of unique educational tours that were themed on Airport Security, Airport Terminal, Airport Fire Service & Airport Ecology.

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#17
In reply to #16

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/11/2009 1:46 AM

It's edge-of-the-seat stuff. Watch the guy wave his arms at about 2:21 !

Nice post, Bob.

I couldn't find the original Campari advert

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#18

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/11/2009 3:45 AM

There's another one at London Stansted. Fire crew training.

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#19
In reply to #18

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/11/2009 4:03 AM

I wonder who makes these fire training planes? They appear to be steel, so that they survive the regular fires. In the past they used old unwanted aircraft but the aluminium had a limited life.

I guess these 'designed for the job' ones also include pipes to feed in fuel.

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#21
In reply to #18

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/11/2009 5:02 AM

Fire crew training

Was it the second picture friom AussieBob that finally gave it away ? I'm still stuck on that picture of 'Pinky' if you can help.

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#22
In reply to #21

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/11/2009 6:54 AM

Kris,

Little Pinky is at Hong Kong International - not sure that it is used for fire drill though.

Does the arm waving man and the Campari clip suggest that you also have some hidden film star talents and maybe an Oscar or two in the cupboard?

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#25
In reply to #22

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/11/2009 3:33 PM

he he....I knew really

In the original Campari advert, the gal (Lorraine Chase), when asked "were you truly wafted here from paradise?" utters the words, "...nah, Luton airport". It was a classic in it's time, but would take forever to explain. I'm usually unflappable, but I wouldn't be if I had to drink that stuff !

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#30
In reply to #25

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/12/2009 7:41 AM

Kris,

Try this one - http://www.visit4info.com/details.cfm?adid=14583&type=coolad&startrow=11

It would turn you to drink or chase yellow submarines?

Bob

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#31
In reply to #30

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/13/2009 3:20 AM

Wow ! How the heck did you find that - it looks like it's been rescued from some film archive, just before the cellulose (or whatever it is) breaks down. I'll have to keep my eye out for the missing info. Kudos on finding it.

I'm still trying to figure out Dog's real name.....

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#24

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/11/2009 12:14 PM

One of the MOST FUN things we did in Navy boot camp!

They start you off with a water tank with burning oil on top, then hit it with a jet to see why this is a BAD idea as it explodes in your face. HUGE BLOOM!

God I loved fire fighting.

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#26

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/11/2009 6:38 PM

Hello JohnDG,

I think this mysterious Aircraft is no aircraft, but a mock up and is used in fire practice by the Airport!.......I could be wrong, but any new craft would not have 'rust' on it.

Sorry to burst any ones bubbles and all! bb

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#27

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/11/2009 6:57 PM

JohnDC - youve gotta be a right twat if you dont now a fire practice rig wen you see one.

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#28
In reply to #27

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/11/2009 7:15 PM

Hello Guest,

now now, keep your knickers on please. We are a serious hedumacated and clever force or entilectuallls hear!

bb

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#29
In reply to #27

Re: Virgin Atlantic - New Development

05/12/2009 3:26 AM

Steady, Edgar. I think you may find John has his tongue firmly jammed into his cheek.

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Users who posted comments:

-A- (1); ahuha (4); Anonymous Poster (3); AussieBob (3); babybear (2); Bricktop (1); edignan (1); gdevine (1); JayGeeBSE (1); JohnDG (3); Kris (7); NotUrOrdinaryJoe (1); PWSlack (1); Tippycanoe (1); Transcendian (1)

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