Today a pioneering airship adventure is being launched in London. 'The Spirit of Dubai', the largest commercial airship in the world, will begin a unique journey from London to Dubai, visiting many of the world's most famous landmarks on the way. It is planned that the journey will take in landmarks including Big Ben, The London Eye and Tower Bridge in London, the iconic Selfridges building in Birmingham, Stonehenge, the White Cliffs of Dover, the Eiffel Tower and Versailles in Paris, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum in Rome, the Acropolis in Athens and the Great Pyramids in Egypt.
Here's the geek friendly stats:
The Spirit of Dubai will operate at around 1,500 to 3,000 feet with a cruising speed of around 30 to 50 mph - the airship can reach speeds of up to 70 mph (or faster, with a tailwind!). While cruising at 30 knots The Spirit of Dubai airship consumes 8 gallons (48 lbs) of fuel per hour. During a week of operations The Spirit of Dubai will consume less fuel than a 767 uses to simply move away from its gate to a runway!
If you take a snap (preferably one of it menacing Big Ben) then be sure to add it the Londonist Flickr stream.
Thanks to Corran for the (quite literal) heads up and for snapping the photos.
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