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http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... -tour.html
DATE:18/02/11
SOURCE:Flightglobal.com
PICTURES: Astraeus 757 gets unique livery as Iron Maiden 'tour bus'
By Craig Hoyle
One of Astraeus Airlines' Boeing 757-200s has received a special configuration and unique livery for its role in supporting rock band Iron Maiden's current world tour.
The unusual "tour bus" has been prepared in a combi configuration, which allows it to accommodate 75 passengers in business class and premium economy seats, plus up to 12t of equipment carried in the hold and at the rear of its upper deck.
"The plane will carry band, crew and many tons of equipment across five continents to 13 countries, visiting 26 cities for 29 shows," the band's website says.
Both images © Astraeus Airlines
Dubbed "Ed Force One", the trooper will cover around 80,500km (50,000 miles) and keep the aces high as they travel around the world in 66 days, it adds.
It has already supported the first three dates of the new part of the tour, flying from the UK to Domodedovo airport in Moscow, Russia and then on to Singapore and Jakarta in Indonesia.
The "Final Frontier World Tour" will also take in venues in Australia, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and the USA by mid-April, before resuming the following month with further dates throughout Europe.
© Astraeus Airlines
While not performing with Iron Maiden, lead singer Bruce Dickinson is a 757 captain for Astraeus. He will also pilot the aircraft for parts of the tour.
A 1:200-scale model of the special-liveried aircraft is available for sale via the Iron Maiden website. The number of the beast? G-STRX.
Another Astraeus 757 was used during the band's "Somewhere Back in Time" tour in 2008. The company operates five Boeing 737s, five 757s and one Airbus A320, according to the JP airline-fleets directory.
Both images © Astraeus Airlines
