Two Belgian companies have joined forces to create one of the world 's most a unique aircraft : a plane featuring childhood animated favourite , Tintin . The cartoon , developed by Belgian artist Hergé , provided the inspiration for this one of a kind Airbus A320 . Together , Brussels Airlines and Moulinsart had been working on this secret project for several months . Wife of Hergé , Fanny Rodwell , was on hand for the unveiling of a plane based on her husband 's cartoon , Tintin . Two Belgian companies , Brussels Airlines and Moulinsart , came together for the bespoke aircraft design . Based on Professor Calculus ' shark submarine from the adventure series , the long black shark aircraft was bapitised 'Rackham . ' On the side of the fuselage , it reads : 'We fly you to the home of Tintin . ' Tintin , who travels the world on his adventurous quests , is a natural travel partner for Brussels Airlines , who has also partnered with many other Belgian talents , such as the national football team and the country 's largest music festival . The final design was based on Professor Calculus ' shark submarine from the adventure series . The long black shark aircraft , baptised the 'Rackham , ' has a side that reads : 'We fly you to the home of Tintin ' The Airbus A320 took several months to create and was done entirely in secret . For the painting of the aircraft , Brussels Airlines hired plane paint artist Andre Eisele , who had to adapt the perspective of the drawings to the unusual curves of a plane . Eisele was also tasked with getting the aircraft looking as close to the original shark submarine design as possible . The entire paint job took 1500 hours in total . 'This aircraft is a dream come true , ' Nick Rodwell , Director of Moulinsart , said . 'The partnership with Brussels Airlines is a perfect marriage for us . ' The total paint job took 1500 hours in total to complete , under the hand of artist Andre Eisele . One of Eisele 's biggest challenges was adapting the perspective to the unusual curves of a plane . The creators call Tintin and Brussels Airlines a 'perfect marriage ' as both are passionate about adventure . 'Tintin is all about Belgium , all about Brussels , where he was born , as was Hergé . Tintin is also all about adventure and travelling , and with this plane we bring our two worlds together perfectly . ' Following its unveiling , Rackham 's maiden voyage took place : an hour and 45 minute flight to Toulouse . The aircraft will remain in use until 2019 .
Brussels Airlines has teamed with Moulinsart for a unique aircraft design . Inspired by Belgian cartoon , Tintin , the shark plane was unveiled this week . Adventurer Tintin was created by another Belgian , the artist Hergé .