The photographs show, in model form, the A340-200 (upper illustration) and the A340-300

Within the next few weeks. Airbus Industrie hopes to be able to launch the A330/A340 large-capacity long-range transports in order to complete its family of designs, capable of meeting virtually all airline needs for aircraft of 150-seat capacity or more. The key to the launch decision is the A340, now offered in A340-200 and -300 versions, the latter with lengthened fuselage and both powered by the IAE V2500SF. Using the same wing, with a span of 183 ft 9 in (56,0 m), these have lengths of 194 ft 10 in (59,4 m) and 208 ft 10 in (63,6 m) respectively. Take-off weights and fuel capacities are the same for both, at 524.700 lb (238 000 kg) and 28,025 Imp gal (127 400 l).

Europe's first completely new airliner to emerge since the BAe 146 flew in 1981, the Airbus A320 is shown in this sequence of photographs as it emerged for the first time in its Airbus livery during February 1987.

One of the first in-flight photographs of the A320.

The A320 in its initial flight configuration. Three more will join the programme in the next few months, all with CFM56 engines and at Srs 100 weights.

An ambitious first flight programme for the A320 was completed on 22 February 1987, lasting nearly 31 hours and opening up the whole of the normal operating flight envelope, from 100kts (180km/h) with slats and flaps extended to Mach = 0-82 at 39,000ft (11 900 m).

The A320 is the first airliner in the world to feature, as standard, computer-driven fly-by-wire controls and side-stick controllers

Airbus Industrie A320-200

The A320-200, which is distinguished externally by the wingtip fences. The CFM56 engine installation is shown.

An A310-300 in the markings of Kenya Airways, which has acquired two of these very long range variants of the medium-capacity Airbus.

Shown here in the attractive new livery of Royal Jordanian Airlines, the A310 is now the "middle" member of the Airbus family in size terms. The A310-300, as shown, features the wing-tip fences now sported by most of the Airbus variants, and has a tailplane fuel tank that provides active CG control.

Thai Airways International was the second operator to introduce the -600 variant of the A300, but the first to specify CF6-80C2 engines. The extended-range variant of the A300-600 has now been launched with an order from American Airlines, which has also chosen the General Electric engines.

Airbus Industrie A300-600R

The A300-600, with CF6-50 engines.

Within the next few weeks, Airbus Industrie hopes to be able to launch the A330/A340 large-capacity long-range transports in order to complete its family of designs, capable of meeting virtually all airline needs for aircraft of 150-seat capacity or more. Assuming the A340 is launched, the A330 will follow, using the same wing, a fuselage length of 205 ft 3 in (62,6 m), take-off weight of 449,700 lb (204 000 kg) and fuel capacity of 19,820 Imp gal (90 1001).