Saturday 21 June 2008

Mini flying saucer takes to the skies in Beijing

From The Times

June 21, 2008

Mini flying saucer takes to the skies in Beijing

Flying saucer

Beijing A prototype flying saucer that can hover in the air and be controlled remotely has been developed by a Chinese company.

The aircraft is 4ft in diameter. It is able to take off and land vertically and hover at an altitude of up to 3,300ft, the state-controlled Xinhua news agency said.

The saucer, which is designed for aerial photography, geological surveys and emergency lighting, can also be sent on a preset flight path. It is powered by a propeller and can reach a top speed of 50mph (80km/h). The aircraft was developed over 12 years by the Harbin Smart Special Aerocraft Company, at a cost of 28 million yuan (£2 million). (AFP)

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