Heathrow airport's BA Concorde landmark replaced by foreign airline's Airbus

Dubai-based Emirates Airlines unveiled a giant, 45-tonne model of the Airbus A380 superjumbo at what is now known as the Emirates Roundabout at the UK's busiest airport in west London.

The one-third-scale model was flown in 10 component parts to Heathrow on July 5. Since then, specialist teams have been working around the clock to launch Emirates' 'first' A380.

Replacement: The model of Emirates Airlines' Airbus A380 now adorns the entry roundabout to Heathrow where the BA concorde replica once stood

The replica was built by US-based Penwal at its manufacturing base in California over a six-month period, using plans provided by the A380's manufacturer, Airbus, in Toulouse.

It was then transported by giant truck to Ontario Airport in Los Angeles where it was flown to Heathrow aboard a massive Antonov cargo plane.

A special mechanical ramp was flown into London from Germany to offload the plane as it was too heavy for the Antonov's winch crane. The wing section of the plane required a police escort as it was driven from Heathrow to the roundabout site.

New age: The Emirates A380 Airbus model has taken over the BA Concorde miniature's role of welcoming passengers to Heathrow

Unveiling the model, Emirates president Tim Clark said: 'The gateway to the world's busiest international airport is a fitting home for Emirates.

'We expect this landmark site to become an icon for both Heathrow and Emirates. While the previous Concorde model represented the past, our A380 represents the future - and it is a future of cleaner, quieter aircraft.'

Emirates will be flying the A380 into Heathrow for real at the beginning of December when it begins its superjumbo service between London and Dubai.