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Eurofighter makes its long-awaited debut at Farnborough today with a thundering flying display to show off the fighter's impressive performance.
After years of having to make do with plastic mock-ups, it will be a treat for Farnborough crowds to see the British prototype DA2 in the air.
They may even get to see two real Eurofighters in the air after the Spanish prototype, DA6, successfully made its first flight on Saturday.
Eurofighter project pilot John Turner says that the programme - once dogged by delays - is now three months ahead of schedule. "It's a major achievement," he says.
Three Eurofighter prototypes are currently flying in Britain, Germany and Italy. Turner says the company is confident that all six prototypes will be flying by the end of the year.
Turner says his display will provide Farnborough crowds with an impressive demonstration of the aircraft's performance in vertical flight. "It will show you what you can do with RB-199 Tornado engines, " he says, adding: "The Italian prototype has a 50% increase in thrust thanks to its Eurojet EJ200 engines.
Source: Flight Daily News