Russian airframer Aviastar has manufactured the first set of fuselage panels for the Irkut MC-21 twinjet.

The shipment was delivered from Ulyanovsk to Irkut's final assembly plant last month. Construction of four pre-production test prototypes is now under way.

Aviastar is producing components for the MC-21 under-floor compartment and APU hold, with deliveries set to begin by year-end.

"Under the co-operation plan, we'll also supply tailplanes, doors, fuel tanks and test bench structures," says Aviastar.

Source: Cirium Dashboard