A blimp-shaped, helium-filled airship considered the world's largest aircraft flew for the first time on Wednesday with a short but historic jaunt over an airfield in central England.

Engines roaring, the 92-meter Airlander 10 rose slowly into the air from Cardington airfield, about 70 kilometers north of London.

A hybrid of blimp, helicopter and airplane, it can stay aloft for days at a time and has been nicknamed the "flying bum" because of its bulbous front end.