N Gauge Forum

Thats airliners to everyone else. I try to get out an about to get some photos during the summer months but with last summer having been so poor i dont think i got virtually anything.


Anyway here some suitably noisy metal! Sadly gone from our skies!
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/59/thumb_4833.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=4833)

Richard

Sorry Richard,
I thought you meant this............

Nazareth - This flight Tonight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq32P9xIv9E#)

or this...............

SAXON - 747 (Strangers in the Night) HD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkKrUz45icE#ws)

Hi Richard  :wave:

Great pic of a 1st generation 737

Sadly not in a great livery

dave  :thumbsup:

QuoteAm i the only person here interested in Heavy Aviation Metal?

Ahem, in a word, no.

My name is not just a reference to the amazing Nissan. Winged noise makers are very much a passion of mine (maybe not more than trains, but close).

QuoteAnyway here some suitably noisy metal! Sadly gone from our skies!

Ah the "Classic" 737. Just to balance things up I was trying to find a photo of an A320...but not handy at the moment!

Skyline2uk

Quote from: davieb on April 24, 2013, 09:55:32 PM
Hi Richard  :wave:

Great pic of a 1st generation 737

Sadly not in a great livery

dave  :thumbsup:

Aye not long before they went bankrupt. Mind you she was 32 years old at the time (delivery to Sabena in June 1976, photo taken in July 2008).

Quote from: newportnobby on April 24, 2013, 09:54:24 PM
Sorry Richard,
I thought you meant this............

Nazareth - This flight Tonight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq32P9xIv9E#)

or this...............

SAXON - 747 (Strangers in the Night) HD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkKrUz45icE#ws)

Wheres Tim Hall when you want him??

Quote from: Skyline2uk on April 24, 2013, 10:02:28 PM

QuoteAm i the only person here interested in Heavy Aviation Metal?

Ahem, in a word, no.

My name is not just a reference to the amazing Nissan. Winged noise makers are very much a passion of mine (maybe not more than trains, but close).

QuoteAnyway here some suitably noisy metal! Sadly gone from our skies!

Ah the "Classic" 737. Just to balance things up I was trying to find a photo of an A320...but not handy at the moment!

Skyline2uk

My Father worked at Airbus as a Option Specification Engineer, it was his job to allocate frames with the specific options that the airline wanted. For example did you know Lufthansa have their own shade of grey for the wings of their airbuses? Also that there were over 1 million different configurations offered on the A320 family alone!

Richard

Quote from: Skyline2uk on April 24, 2013, 10:02:28 PM
Ah the "Classic" 737. Just to balance things up I was trying to find a photo of an A320...but not handy at the moment!

Possibly because there's no such thing as a 'classic' Airbus, ten years and they're recycled into Coke cans! :laugh:


In answer to the OP, not me, although I am learning ;)

You certainly attracted my other half's attention with that pic anyway :D She's plane mad and has been from an early age, and appreciates build-quality over cheapness so all things Boeing take precedence over any Scarebus! ;) (Awaits Skyline's retort :P )

Having had her pilot-ambitions scuppered years ago by out-of-date medical restrictions she's a qualified aircraft engineer by trade. She also has a collection of Avion DVDs of old airport footage that could keep you busy for a couple of days  ;D


Paul

Give me a pair or quad of JT8Ds any day quartermaster!! Crude and Noisy but great fun! Even an early RB211-535A could make a good sound when worked right.

Richard

Clare says JT3Ds or RR Conways, although I'm guessing that's because both were options for her fave plane . . . the mighty 707 :thumbsup:


Paul

For sheer Airliner music I can remember British Airways VC-10's leaving Manchester  8)

For me you can't beat them for sheer volume

dave  :thumbsup:

Now ya talking ;)

Possibly the most beautiful jetliner ever built, what a tail! :thumbsup:


Paul

Not strictly an Airliner but this has to be one of my favourite Aviation videos

Vodka Burner (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLxEHIbHUlY#)

dave  :thumbsup:

QuoteFor sheer Airliner music I can remember British Airways VC-10's leaving Manchester  8)

For me you can't beat them for sheer volume

dave  :thumbsup:

QuoteClare says JT3Ds or RR Conways, although I'm guessing that's because both were options for her fave plane . . . the mighty 707 :thumbsup:

I won't get into a debate on best ever airliner / best ever sounding airliner. Because the answer is Concorde and that's and end of it.   :D

I will certainly will  NOT get drawn into this....

QuoteYou certainly attracted my other half's attention with that pic anyway :D She's plane mad and has been from an early age, and appreciates build-quality over cheapness so all things Boeing take precedence over any Scarebus! ;) (Awaits Skyline's retort :P )

Flippin' Nora!!!  :goggleeyes:

Bet the pilot had the Trotskies approaching the piano keys  :laugh:

Some classic Aussie commentary too :D

Quote from: Skyline2uk on April 24, 2013, 10:42:47 PM
I won't get into a debate on best ever airliner / best ever sounding airliner. Because the answer is Concorde and that's and end of it.   :D

I wouldn't disagree with that :thumbsup:


Paul

Yeah she was stunning.

The HST of the Sky  :D

Very much missed. But hey, maybe one day something will come along that is just a quick but not quite so thirsty?

Skyline2uk

I think the 737 was the best selling jet liner, not sure if best selling airliner overall,
still being produced with weapons as the P8.

My favourite cola can is the big Airbus (380?) , that's the daddy!

If we are talking about large aircraft you can't beat this wee beastie

Antonov An-225 Mriya from Antonov at Ringway/Manchester Intl Airport by Simon Lowe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bblt5BW4Rmk#)

dave  :thumbsup:

Quote from: davieb on April 24, 2013, 11:11:37 PM
If we are talking about large aircraft you can't beat this wee beastie

Correct me if I am wrong can that beastie lift a train?

I read recently in an aircraft comic recently that Boeing have built more than 6000 737s, ( the 6000th was at Gatwick on Friday, its Norwegian and has 6000 on the fin!) The same magazine also announced that Airbus had just completed their 6000th aircraft, guess  they've got some catching up to do.
Personally I prefer light aircraft as they provide the bread and butter, with a little bit of jam to sponsor the railway hobby!

Regards to all
Pete @ EGLM

You can get an n gauge Antonov should you wish one somewhere on your layout  :thumbsup:

cheers John.

Speaking of great sounding aero engines,one saturday last summer,or rain season as it was,I was up at my aunt and uncles.They live in a village outside Doncaster called Bawtry.Their house is under the flightpath either coming in to land or taking off,depending on the wind direction,of Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport or to us that live in Doncaster,the former RAF base at Finningley.

Anyway,on this day I was visiting them and having a look at the baseboards he has had built in his garage when something rather noisy was in the skies.As I am quite familiar with some of the stuff that flies out of Finningley,this was something altogether different.When we popped out of the garage to have a look at what was makong the noise,we were met with the sight of the last remaining Vulcan bomber in flying condition,Vulcan XH558,turning to head for an air display somewhere in Scotland.The sound of these engines was something else,absolutely fantastic.They were properly noisy and sounded very purposeful and the sight of such an iconic and majestic plane in the sky,flying in such an elegant way,not belying at all the menace that this plane was capable of during its operational days turning with its full delta wing design in evidence was just absolutely breathtaking.

I'm not really all that bothered about planes,neither military or commercial aircraft bothers me much,although I sometimes wonder with awe how something that weighs upto over 100 tons manages to climb into the skies and stay there,on takeoff from Robin Hood/Finningley airport,even though they are doing something like 200mph,they don't look like they're doing anything like that.But on this day,I was stuck to the spot until the Vulcan was out of sight and sound.I could still hear the engines even when the thing had disappeared.At that point,I checked out when it was returning and then stayed until about 30 minutes before its return to Finningley,where it is kept in one if the old aircraft hangers still remaining from the days of it being an airbase.

I wasn't the only one who had the same idea either.There were probably around 90-100 people who had gathered to see XH558 return and sew it/her touchdown,again,a wonderful sight,something that will no longer be possible after this years display season due to certain parts being out of their operating times,such as engines and other parts that I know nothing about.Apparently,wing spars and the main airframe need rebuilding in order for it to remain in a flightworthy condition after this year,although the charity that operate the plane says the engines will be out of hours as well and the skillsets that are required to maintain and run this magnificent plane are dying out rapidly so making the plane devastatingly expensive to keep in a flightworthy condition.

This,as well as Concorde,are the only planes that I would like to see remain in flight,Concorde obviously went from our skies a few years ago.I remember Concorde visiting Finningley when the airbase was an RAF base in the early 80's,such a noisy beast it was,and you were able to stand a mere yards away from the sides of the taxiway when it came in to stand so the guests who had boarded at Heathrow,had a champagne breakfast on board,then a full day at the RAF Finningley Battle or Britain air display before reboarding the Concorde for its return to Heathrow in the evening.

Them were the days.

Long may Vulcan XH558 grace our skies.

Pete
:Class31: :Class37: :NGaugersRule:

Hi Gang,

Was a stude at Finningley in 89 and stewarded the airshow...got my parents in the VIP tent and Concorde taxied past with the wingtip above the enclosure...my Dad's face was a picture.

These days it's the '4 fans of freedom' as our American colleagues like to call the mighty C130J....

VC10 departures from EGVN are still quite impressive...not for much longer though!!!

Later,
Stu from EGDL.

Quote from: B757-236GT on April 24, 2013, 09:49:10 PM
Thats airliners to everyone else. I try to get out an about to get some photos during the summer months but with last summer having been so poor i dont think i got virtually anything.


Anyway here some suitably noisy metal! Sadly gone from our skies!
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/59/thumb_4833.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=4833)

Richard

Top tip my Mate: Dont go Jet spotting in Greece, you may get nicked for 'Spying'  and spend 6 months in an Athens jail! LoL
Funny for an airforce (Greek) that probably still use Phantom F4's as frontline interceprors!!! Hahaha

Nah, Im a plane man as well  ;)

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y262/kaiwhara/IMG_2523.jpg) (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/kaiwhara/media/IMG_2523.jpg.html)

Quote from: B757-236GT on April 24, 2013, 09:49:10 PM
Thats airliners to everyone else. I try to get out an about to get some photos during the summer months but with last summer having been so poor i dont think i got virtually anything.


Anyway here some suitably noisy metal! Sadly gone from our skies!
Richard

We still have one piece of Noisy Metal over here, but not carrying passengers. It does the nightly postal rounds and since the below image gained Courierpost titles.

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y262/kaiwhara/IMG_2953.jpg) (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/kaiwhara/media/IMG_2953.jpg.html)

Terrific picture Fratton

Nothing noisier than a Trident 3, they nearly put the Lightning in the shade for noise! Happy days at Ringway with my nan in the early 70's, she was an avid aero enthusiast and saw a great period in aviation history. It s all very tame now. Took my daughter to see the A380 at Ringway and it hardly made a sound. RIAT was far more her thing even at 4!

Have amassed a number of 144 scale aircraft over the years, both Corgi aviation archive and just about every plastic kit you can get for that rainy day! My wife got me a Globe master the other week, fantastic kit! :D

I am now retired - well almost, but have been involved in aviation all my life since leaving university, flying Ligntnings in the RAF, and subsquently B767F. There is nothing to compare to the sound of a pair of F6 taking off on QRA.

Thanks for the pics.

Geoff
EGNJ

 Still my favourite airliiner

http://www.airliners.net/photo/0154927/ (http://www.airliners.net/photo/0154927/)

Terrible livery ! Looks like the trades section in B&Q. :D

Doors to manual !

Quote from: kaiwhara on April 25, 2013, 04:18:17 AM

We still have one piece of Noisy Metal over here, but not carrying passengers. It does the nightly postal rounds and since the below image gained Courierpost titles.

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y262/kaiwhara/IMG_2953.jpg) (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/kaiwhara/media/IMG_2953.jpg.html)

A rare one that one. Spent its entire life in New Zealand. Sadly you need to change the tense to did as its been stored since june 2012 according to airfleets.

The one i miss the most is the Diesel 10 especially the 10-40s with their water injected engines. Never heard a sound like it.

Richard

I'm personally a 757 Fan, followed by the 707 and then the Comet.

I've only been on a 757 and an A320 so far, but booked on a 767 and another 757 this summer :D First widebody flight! :O

In the end the B707 was probably the greatest civil jetliner.
saw off the opposition like the DC8 and Convair 660/990,
configuration still used unlike buried engines and rear
mounted apart from some regional jets. Still in use as
KC 135 tanker and Sentry AWACS.

My favourite has got to be Concorde, but the Nimrod comes a very close second.

I worked at the RAE at Farnborough from 1989 to 2009, and got to see alot of planes and airshows in that time. The Antonov 225 coming in over the Swan pub, and the Antonov 124s sitting at the end of the runway were really a sight to see. The 124s used to blow all the signage away along the runway as they powered up.

But the best memory is the 1990 (i think) airshow when Concorde rolled out onto the runway to take off. I was walking back to the factory site across the end and she sat there winding up. I was along the centreline, and looking into the setting sun as she rolled away, the jet exhaust swirling and shimmering as she lifted gracefully into the sky, the dark orange sun beyond. WHAT A SIGHT! I never got a picture of that, I'd just used the last of my film in the static park. Gutted doesn't eve come close. But what a memory.

Is this one permitted?  [smg id=4851]
Gerard  :wave:

I am a Concorde fan too - the design is so gorgeous and timeless. Fortunate enough to have travelled on one - never forget seeing the dark blue sky, the curvature of the earth, the mach indicator . . .

Was devastated when they were withdrawn from service  :'( :'(

I've just bought an Airfix Concorde kit to build to go with my Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane, I also have a DC-3. All are 1:144 scale and are destined for the skies above my layout. The airspace is going to be very crowded  :D

Veronica

Quote from: silly moo on April 26, 2013, 07:31:27 AM
I've just bought an Airfix Concorde kit to build to go with my Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane, I also have a DC-3. All are 1:144 scale and are destined for the skies above my layout. The airspace is going to be very crowded  :D

Veronica

Good thinking. I will get some Concorde kits. With my Crafty Computer waterslide paper, I can do some other liveries e.g. ICE or SWT or Southern 8)

Hi Pengi,

The Airfix kit was an old one but you can get a Revell Concorde kit in 1:144 scale.

Regards

Veronica

Concorde in 1:144 scale is 43cm long so it will make quite a statement on any layout  :D

Thanks - so it will only be one Concorde on my layout!

Quote from: B757-236GT on April 25, 2013, 09:40:49 PM
A rare one that one. Spent its entire life in New Zealand. Sadly you need to change the tense to did as its been stored since june 2012 according to airfleets.

The one i miss the most is the Diesel 10 especially the 10-40s with their water injected engines. Never heard a sound like it.

Richard

Hmmmm, must admit Ive not paid too much attention lately (House has been higher up the food chain the last few months). It was still going the last time I looked. Might have to do some digging on NQC...

Andrew

NQC must have been withdrawn, it's not on the CAA register currently  :(

http://www.caa.govt.nz/Script/AirReg3_new.asp?Mark=nqc&Query3=Get+Reg+Mark (http://www.caa.govt.nz/Script/AirReg3_new.asp?Mark=nqc&Query3=Get+Reg+Mark)

Quote from: Pengi on April 26, 2013, 10:37:29 AM
Thanks - so it will only be one Concorde on my layout!

I was thinking of doing the same thing, but with a 737 with full flaps extended and gear out, just about to land on the airport just beyond my layout :D

Quote from: Christina on April 26, 2013, 12:14:33 PM

Quote from: Pengi on April 26, 2013, 10:37:29 AM
Thanks - so it will only be one Concorde on my layout!

I was thinking of doing the same thing, but with a 737 with full flaps extended and gear out, just about to land on the airport just beyond my layout :D

Flaps and gear would be an easy mod - is there a drooped snoot in the box though?

Yeah you can choose the angle of the nose, easier with Concorde as it has no flaps or speed brakes. I'd love to see a BOAC concorde over my layout, but that's slightly too old :P

Quote from: silly moo on April 26, 2013, 07:31:27 AM
I've just bought an Airfix Concorde kit to build to go with my Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane, I also have a DC-3. All are 1:144 scale and are destined for the skies above my layout. The airspace is going to be very crowded  :D

Veronica

Those are some of my favourites too...

(http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z334/Mustermark/Aircraft/DSC_0006.jpg)

(http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z334/Mustermark/Aircraft/DSC_0013-1.jpg)

(http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z334/Mustermark/Aircraft/DSC_0012.jpg)


I agree with Pengi that Concorde has a timeless beauty.  I never flew on one though, sadly.


I also have a DC-3, a truly iconic plane that revolutionized air travel, but that one is 1:48 scale.  I just got to finish that one... it got built a couple of years ago but was a very old kit and then when the decals went in the water they just disintegrated.  Last month I spotted someone on eBay selling replacement decals for the exact same Eastern Airlines livery.  And it now looks awesome.


So, the OP is not the only one then.  Sounds to me like its a big proportion of us on here with a fascination for tin. :thumbsup:

Steel or Aluminium, it doesn't matter, heavy machinery, trains lorries planes and ships all interest me.

Cheers, Timmo

Here is my contribution.

President Obama was visiting Ireland and we were on our way to the Heineken Cup Final 2011 in Cardiff.

As we were waiting to go this taxied past....

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/59/thumb_4857.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=4857)

For me the main aircraft is the Avro Vulcan. I remember them taking off over my parents house in the 1960/70's on full power. We not only saw them we felt them! Also at a local airshow the skys opened, quite a few folks gathered under the static display Vulcan ( maybe the most expensive umbrella?)

But Concorde is a close second - saw her fly into RAF Leuchars in the 1970's for the Golf Open, also saw the final flight into and out of Edinburgh. I have been on the Concordes in the museums at East Fortune and the French Museum at Le Bourget.

The Vulcan is still in the air (just) for some reason Concorde cannot fly again...

A few contributions from me, if that's ok?

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/P3K/Airliners/m_A00472BoeingB757-200G-MONJMonarch.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/P3K/Airliners/m_A00578BoeingB737-7CTC-GQWJWestJet.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/P3K/Airliners/m_A00588BoeingB777-219ERZK-OKBAirNe.jpg)

and maybe some more?...

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/P3K/A00602Boeing737-2U3AirNewZealandChristchurchDSC_4363_zpsdd5b5c37.jpg) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/P3K/media/A00602Boeing737-2U3AirNewZealandChristchurchDSC_4363_zpsdd5b5c37.jpg.html)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/P3K/A00592BoeingB737-3U3ZK-FREAirNewZealandAucklandDSC_4229_zps13236de1.jpg) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/P3K/media/A00592BoeingB737-3U3ZK-FREAirNewZealandAucklandDSC_4229_zps13236de1.jpg.html)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/P3K/A00588BoeingB777-219ERZK-OKBAirNewZealandLosAngelesDSC_4214_zps8e526102.jpg) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/P3K/media/A00588BoeingB777-219ERZK-OKBAirNewZealandLosAngelesDSC_4214_zps8e526102.jpg.html)

Hi all  :wave:

This is one place I would love to go on holiday  8)

Maho Beach St Maarten - Extreme take-off and landing! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbRRLgtmu0#)

Sun, Sea, Beautiful girls, ................. And loud aircraft  :beers:

dave  :thumbsup:

The Skyline models 1/144th kit has extendable flaps and slats. Saying that it is about £30 and thats without livery transfers. If anyone wants a Ryanair B737-800 kit i have 10 for sale. I bought them from TK max for a stupidly low price with the aim of doing others. Never likely to get round to them now!

I did see a vote for the B757 earlier (sorry i dont know who it was) but all i can say is "top hole". Having seen the t/o perfromance of one of those when empty its great fun (hence my username) and also have a look at what RNZAF do with theirs  :o. A BA pilot once told me its virtually impossible to crash a 757 because it has so much power but is also very manouverable you should be able to get yourself out of trouble even to the point youd be too far past the recovery point in a B737-400!

Also id like to point out that c/n 9 is still going with DHL. Its about 3 months older than i. In fact the first three BA ones G-BIKA,KB (was the first BA to be delivered because KA was in the test program) and KC are all still going in cargo service. All the low numbered ex Eastern frames went to the choppers years ago!

Richard

Quote from: davieb on April 26, 2013, 09:18:03 PM
Sun, Sea, Beautiful girls, ................. And loud aircraft  :beers:

Aircraft?  Didn't spot those.

Reminded me of the "spot the hidden car" from a few years ago...

I still don't see it:


(http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z334/Mustermark/spot_the_car.jpg)[/URL]

A c5 galaxy once took off right over my head on while playing Lossiemouth golf club (right on the north end of the runway) very impressive, the concussive effect of the engines made my breakfast sit badly (or maybe it was just my bad swing  :uneasy: )

Quote from: B757-236GT on April 26, 2013, 09:43:37 PM
If anyone wants a Ryanair B737-800 kit i have 10 for sale. I bought them from TK max for a stupidly low price with the aim of doing others. Never likely to get round to them now!

Richard

How much are you wanting for one?

I earn my money playing with planes, and it all gets spent playing with trains!

Cheers,

Jimmy

 :envy:

Quote from: Jimmy77 on April 29, 2013, 10:58:44 AM
I earn my money playing with planes, and it all gets spent playing with trains!

Cheers,

Jimmy

:envy:  :thumbsup:

Quote from: Jimmy77 on April 29, 2013, 10:58:44 AM
I earn my money playing with planes, and it all gets spent playing with trains!

Cheers,

Jimmy

Best of both worlds, only I play trains so I can play trains....

Quote from: Christina on April 26, 2013, 11:47:12 PM

Quote from: B757-236GT on April 26, 2013, 09:43:37 PM
If anyone wants a Ryanair B737-800 kit i have 10 for sale. I bought them from TK max for a stupidly low price with the aim of doing others. Never likely to get round to them now!

Richard

How much are you wanting for one?

Wow...a Ryanair kit...seeing how they charge for air fares I can imagine the kit came with no box, undercarriage (optional - just jump) and no seats!

:smiley-laughing:

Quote from: lionwing on April 29, 2013, 11:13:17 AM

Quote from: Christina on April 26, 2013, 11:47:12 PM

Quote from: B757-236GT on April 26, 2013, 09:43:37 PM
If anyone wants a Ryanair B737-800 kit i have 10 for sale. I bought them from TK max for a stupidly low price with the aim of doing others. Never likely to get round to them now!

Richard

How much are you wanting for one?

Wow...a Ryanair kit...seeing how they charge for air fares I can imagine the kit came with no box, undercarriage (optional - just jump) and no seats!

:smiley-laughing:

And a £30 charge if you forget to print off the instructions at home beforehand  :D

This is the kind of aviation I like, my favourite helicopter showing off  ;)

cheers John.

Chinook CH-47 RAF HC Mk2/2A Boeing helicoptor-tactical, landing with reverse takeoff! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BTBrJb3P9o#)

Thats some good chopper flying! :)

I spent my early aviation years as a mechanic on these beautiful birds... Now i work in a nice warm comfortable office, but nothing beats the smell of Jet-A1, getting covered in oil and grease, going home smelling like a chemistry experiment!  :D

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd491/jimmy1977uk/2777236270_186a0d6274_b_zps0df11860.jpg) (http://s1222.photobucket.com/user/jimmy1977uk/media/2777236270_186a0d6274_b_zps0df11860.jpg.html)

Cheers,

Jimmy

Taken at Melbourne Airport back in the mid 1980s with 35mm Negative film

(http://i40.tinypic.com/2kkbrd.jpg)

(http://i39.tinypic.com/2u73x4m.jpg)

I've just bought a Vulcan bomber, I like the delta wings  :D  The airspace above my layout is set to become even more crowded. The model is 1:200 so it's under scale, I will have to place it so the discrepancy isn't too noticable.

As a matter of interest, has anyone out there modelled an N scale airfield?

Regards

Veronica

:NGaugersRule:

Quote from: scotsoft on April 29, 2013, 11:29:10 AM
This is the kind of aviation I like, my favourite helicopter showing off  ;)

cheers John.

Chinook is my second with helicopters i have always had a soft spot for seakings with my dad working on SAR units in cornwall and Prestwick as a lad, and he worked on MASU the guys delivering this helicopter

as a fly navy kind of person i'm not sure about this two faced livery  :)

http://youtu.be/kkEDR0XUBRw (http://youtu.be/kkEDR0XUBRw)

This aircraft is impressive for what is inside; double bed in bedroom, gold fittings in bathroom, fabulous seating, etc; and it's just up the road (about half a mile) from me;

(http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/6381/1000909hz.jpg)

They've also got a Concorde there;

(http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/2889/1000923i.jpg)

I was fortunate enough to fly on one from New York to Heathrow and was allowed in the cockpit while cruising at mach 2.

H.

Quote from: silly moo on May 05, 2013, 02:47:03 PM
I've just bought a Vulcan bomber, I like the delta wings  :D  The airspace above my layout is set to become even more crowded. The model is 1:200 so it's under scale, I will have to place it so the discrepancy isn't too noticable.

As a matter of interest, has anyone out there modelled an N scale airfield?

Regards

Veronica

:NGaugersRule:

To paraphrase Father Ted - "That Vulcan is far away"..

This is what happens when ground crew have too much time on their hands  :smiley-laughing:  :smiley-laughing:  :smiley-laughing:

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/58/thumb_4955.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=4955)

cheers John.

Quote from: longbridge on April 29, 2013, 12:45:53 PM

(http://i39.tinypic.com/2u73x4m.jpg)

That sir is filth, pure filth! I like it and long may it continue!  :D
JT9 (couldnt pull the skin off a rice pudding) D , are a/c version of a class 31, makes alot of noise for very little performance! Give be a good old fashioned RB211-524A anyday quartermaster!

Richard

How about this old thingy at last weekends model train show.

(http://i41.tinypic.com/3bi4j.jpg)

Is that one of those engines that has a big windmill at the front and looks pretty :D?

Just noticed its another P&W product! Oh dear! :wave:

Richard

At Dyce today and saw this.

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/alexcrawford2008/planes/P1000220_zps3b6ebbb6.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/alexcrawford2008/media/planes/P1000220_zps3b6ebbb6.jpg.html)

Alex  :wave:

Quote from: Alex on May 16, 2013, 06:44:10 PM
At Dyce today and saw this.

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/alexcrawford2008/planes/P1000220_zps3b6ebbb6.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/alexcrawford2008/media/planes/P1000220_zps3b6ebbb6.jpg.html)

Alex  :wave:

A Virgin Little Red - A320s leased off of Aer Lingus, using Aer Lingus crews...!!!!
Wondered how long it would take for Virgin to get into the domestic flights market though, they've only been flying since about March I think.

Naughty! Any more like that and we'll take your Airfix kits away.... :D

Quote from: Tackleberry on May 22, 2013, 09:07:23 AM

Quote from: Alex on May 16, 2013, 06:44:10 PM
At Dyce today and saw this.

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/alexcrawford2008/planes/P1000220_zps3b6ebbb6.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/alexcrawford2008/media/planes/P1000220_zps3b6ebbb6.jpg.html)

Alex  :wave:

A Virgin Little Red - A320s leased off of Aer Lingus, using Aer Lingus crews...!!!!
Wondered how long it would take for Virgin to get into the domestic flights market though, they've only been flying since about March I think.

Yep part of the BMI/BA deal was Virgin got some slot pairs and started this operation with it. The more cynical suggest its a slot warmer for a few years as per the agreement that they had to be domestic routes and then it will be off to long haul again.

Im suprised EI are leasing in 4 planes (2x Alitalia, 1x Aigle Azur 1x Iberia) while theyve just cancelled the lease on 3 of their own! EI-CVA,CVB,CVC. Theyve also got 4 ex finnair B757-200s comming on stream soon, i wonder what they could be for, i suppose their worth peanuts given they are winglet fitted ones!

Richard

I think flying will be a bit chaotic today.

1) the Airbus incident at Heathrow  this morning - all credit to the crew on that one.

2) Ongoing at present - Typhoons scrambled  to investigate on a flight to Manchester diverted to Stansted

A shameless bit of self promotion now flickrs working again!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatherjacksphotos/sets/72157627454746932/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatherjacksphotos/sets/72157627454746932/)
Some of my Manchester Shots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatherjacksphotos/sets/72157627454796714/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatherjacksphotos/sets/72157627454796714/)
And Heathrow

In terms of the incident at LHR im told it was an uncontained failure so potentially quite serious as i have seen bits of fan blade go out through the side of the engine, into the fuselage and out the other side! I know the boys at BAMC will be keen to cast their eye over it. Im not sure whether they have CFM56s or IAE V2500s on A319s, reg was G-EUOE. Reports of a gear fire could be fluids having found their way onto the brake disks which get just a tad warm when braking!

The Pakistan A/L incident is interesting because of the routing he took, he was only 15 minutes from Manchester yet chose to divert to Stansted and did a few laps of Eastern England on the way.

Richard

Quote from: B757-236GT on May 24, 2013, 05:30:55 PM
The Pakistan A/L incident is interesting because of the routing he took, he was only 15 minutes from Manchester yet chose to divert to Stansted and did a few laps of Eastern England on the way.

Richard

Stansted is the designated destiation airport for all hijack/terrorist related incidents involving UK airspace.

Quote from: Temeraire on May 24, 2013, 05:55:33 PM

Quote from: B757-236GT on May 24, 2013, 05:30:55 PM
The Pakistan A/L incident is interesting because of the routing he took, he was only 15 minutes from Manchester yet chose to divert to Stansted and did a few laps of Eastern England on the way.

Richard

Stansted is the designated destiation airport for all hijack/terrorist related incidents involving UK airspace.

   :hmmm:  I don't think the RAF Typhoons give the Pakistan aircraft much choice but than fly to Stanstead...

I thought that changed late last year (or they were certainly considering it) because of the increased risk it was seen to be better to allow extra choices. Im not sure if Manchester was mentioned (probably wasnt) but i think East Midlands was quoted. Ill see if i can find the news story.

Richard

Been doing some reading and apparently Prestwick is also now available

In an old Airliners mag it listed Prestwick, East Midlands, Filton (good one that) and Stansted. Obviously Filton closed and East Midlands wasnt considered suitible or they are still looking in to it.

I know Cardiff was used around 3 months ago when a BA 747 dived in due to a security alert so i suspect every case is made on the evidence available, after all one pilot once told me "if theres a chance theres bomb on board im going to the nearest airport i can land at, end of story"

Richard

Quote from: Agrippa on April 24, 2013, 10:58:49 PM
I think the 737 was the best selling jet liner, not sure if best selling airliner overall,
still being produced with weapons as the P8.

My favourite cola can is the big Airbus (380?) , that's the daddy!

Yep, the big Airbus is the A380, British Airways are due their first one soon!!!
In fact, they are also due their first Boeing 787 too and have ordered some Airbus A350 for delivery in either 2015 or 2017...

Few pictures I have taken. Not really a plane fan, just like to take photos of anything that moves  :D

Wouldn't even be able to name them (other than the last one)

(http://www.t610wap.co.uk/online/air1.jpg)
(http://www.t610wap.co.uk/online/air2.jpg)
(http://www.t610wap.co.uk/online/air3.jpg)
(http://www.t610wap.co.uk/online/air4.jpg)

For the Vulcan fans
(http://www.t610wap.co.uk/online/air5.jpg)
(http://www.t610wap.co.uk/online/air6.jpg)
(http://www.t610wap.co.uk/online/air7.jpg)

Quote from: Tackleberry on May 28, 2013, 11:04:30 AM
Yep, the big Airbus is the A380,

And they say (white) elephants can't fly? ::)

Big ugly heap o' junk, anyone remember the old Tefal adverts with the scientists wth the HUGE foreheads? . . . ;)


Paul

[quote author=Sprintex link=topic=13407.msg141718#msg141718
And they say (white) elephants can't fly? ::)

Big ugly heap o' junk, anyone remember the old Tefal adverts with the scientists wth the HUGE foreheads? . . . ;)
Paul
[/quote]
There speaks a Boeing Man!

Quote from: buckle247 on May 28, 2013, 12:32:40 PM
Few pictures I have taken. Not really a plane fan, just like to take photos of anything that moves  :D

Wouldn't even be able to name them (other than the last one)

(http://www.t610wap.co.uk/online/air1.jpg)

This one is confusing me. Tui livery but without brandings, it has what looks to be a spanish flag next to the reg but tui dont have a Spanish arm, also it only has two letters on the front nose gear doors which again isnt normaly for spain, so makes me wonder its one of the Thomson 804s that have been withdrawn over the previous few years or one of them ones that went to the states and hasnt bee retransfered yet. Do you know when you took them?

Richard

Quote from: Sprintex on May 28, 2013, 09:00:15 PM
anyone remember the old Tefal adverts with the scientists wth the HUGE foreheads? . . . ;)

Once had to deal with a person who did actually look like that. The guy was a genius, but could not talk in anything other than technobabble. He also had no sense of self, turned up to a meeting with split trousers..................

Quote from: B757-236GT on May 29, 2013, 01:46:32 PM
Do you know when you took them?

Richard

June 2009 :)

Saw my first Boeing 787 Dreamliner on Saturday. A United example at Denver. Nice looking plane, wonder when I'll get to fly on one...

Ooh, lovely plane 8)

Went down to Faborough when it made its first ever visit, well worth it ;)

Boeing 787 Dreamliner - Farnborough 18-07-10 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ye0J55brPA#)


Paul

Rather than annoy Staurt ive put my explanation of my username here for Chetcombe.

The GT was an unofficial BA designation for the ER varients (they were mixed in the G-BPE* and G-CPE* reg ranges) which had uprated engines for better long distance crusing but as BA used theirs as shuttle aircraft with light loads they were known for being the GTi of the air (G-BIK* and G-BMR* had the older RB211-535Es and although they were still quite good fun they were never as quick off the mark as the ER varient). Out of interest G-BIKA (9), BIKB (10) and BIKC (11) are all still going with DHL cargo air and will be 30 years old in January (BIKB and BIKC arrived in Jan 84 before BIKA which arrived in March 84 as it was on flight testing). Apart from C/N 1 and 5 the others in the 1-10 range have had varied lives of those 5 and 6 and 8 which eeked out their days with Airtours in the UK as G-JALC, G-PIDS and G-RJGR respectivly. There was also G-MCEA which was ex Eastern airways but this was number 20. 1 and 5 are both owned by Honeywell for various testing requirements 4 and 7 are shown as stored but are actually scrapped and 2 again is shown as active but is actually stuffed and mounted somewhere with 3 6 and 8 having been scrapped. Out of 1050 built 861 are still active and considering the youngest is now 7 years old thats quite impressive.

Richard

Fascinating.

Hi Richard

Many thanks for your illuminating answer. I have flown on many of the BPE* and CPE* series and never knew they were getting me there quicker! I forgot that BA were the launch customer for the 757, it would be nice to see them be as pioneering in future.

Many of BA's 7676s are still flying - I understand these are the larger siblings of the 757 and that a pilot qualified on one type is also qualified for the other. They were introduced by BA after the 757s and are now showing signs of age. We still have a 767 scheduled on one of the two Philadelphia / Heathrow flights and they are getting pretty rough. My last flight home on G-BNWO last Sunday night was (eventually) cancelled due to a technical fault on the aircraft :veryangry: I ended up with a night at a Heathrow hotel and going back to New York last Monday morning. Thankfully BA saw the error of there ways and put me in First - a most pleasant experience :D

http://www.flightradar24.com (http://www.flightradar24.com)

This site is one that endlessly fascinates as you track where that dot in the sky has come from, where it is going and even get a full screen photo of the actual plane.  :thumbsup:

Not so much an interest in Airliners, but a long career in aviation instead.

Without getting into the Boeing/Airbus argument - I see someone posted a pic of the C5 Galaxy, the aircraft that almost caused Boeing to file for bankruptcy, (not chapter 11 protection, but the read deal).

IMO there's a lot of 'inaccurate' opinion in this thread being quoted as fact :thumbsdown:

My history of aircraft I've worked on, the first 6 were instructional airframes and the rest were operational.

Jet Provost
Folland Gnat
Sea Vixen
Hunter
Lightning
TSR2
---------
Jaguar
Vulcan XL575, XM607
Spitfire AB910
Lancaster PA474
Hunter - T7, T8, FGA9, PR10, GA11
Super VC10  - Ex British Airways 'in storage' prior to K3 conversion
Tornado Gr1(a), F3, GR4
Lockheed L-1011
DC-10-10, DC-10-30  (BA & Freddy Lakers piles of pooh)
Challenger 601
CRJ200,
Boeing 707 (AWAC)
Boeing 727
Boeing 737-200, -300, -400, -700
Boeing 747-400  (BA)
Boeing 757-100, -200
Boeing 767
Airbus A300
Airbus A310
Airbus A319
Airbus A320
Airbus A321
Airbus A330
Airbus A340
Airbus A380

I'm sure I've missed 1 or 2 out though.

Most have been 1st line or 2nd/3rd line maintenance, but 5 years on A380 production.

 :hellosign:

To show you how old I am the first plane I flew in was a Eagle Airways Vickers Viking from Blackbushe near Camberley.
later after starting to work for B.O.A.C,

I  have flown in Bristol Britannia's, Comet 4,VC10,Boeing 707/747/757/777,and I have flown in B.E.A Viscounts,Vanguards and Tridents.

Mike

Crikey Mike

You might have flown me in a Trident, or a 707. There's a thought :)

cheers

Ken

Just to clarify a point by the CF-FZG. There has never been a 757-100 series. Only 200 and 300 series. Boeing decided to start with the 200 series for the 757, 767 and 777 models so if they ever decided to do a shorter length varient they could do so but as the 757-200 was 235 seats compared to a 737-400s 194 seats i dont think they ever saw a decent margin. The same applies for the 767 and 777. However no one i know knows why they now start at series 800 including Boeing employees so if anyone does know id be interested in hearing their logic. Also i was told part of the 757 dates back to do the Dash 80 (707). They both shared the same fuselage cross section albiet with a new front end, wings, tail etc but if you look at one you will realise its the same as the earlier Boeings except 717 (MD-95) and 747.

The 757 is a high respected A/C in the field of aviation and it seems crews love it. One once told me that the 757 should be impossible to crash as if something goes wrong you apply TOGA power and you should be able to get out of trouble. So far no 757 has been lost due to a failure of the systems on boards. The Birgenair crash had outside circumstances (such as a gnat having made home in a pitot tube due to the failure of the ground crew to fit the covers, this was compounded by poor CRM on the flight deck.  The AA crash at Buga was due to the FMC having been incorrectly programmed. Taking out the ones lost on 9/11 and one lost when it was W/O having been hit by a hijacked A/C i know of only one other W/O incident and that was a Britannia 757 in Spain in which the flight crew didnt listen to good practice advice at the time (CRM requirement now) was to not attempt a 3rd landing at an airport when they had carried out two previous go arounds.

Richard

With regards to the 737, the original series of it was the -100 (handful built mainly for Lufthansa) and the -200, then they got replaced by the -400, 500, 600 and 700, the -800 is the Next Generation models along with the longer -900.

Quote from: B757-236GT on November 06, 2013, 07:39:03 PM
Just to clarify a point by the CF-FZG. There has never been a 757-100 series. Only 200 and 300 series.

The reason I put 757-100 was because I copied it from my CV and that was copied from the maintenance paperwork - I've rechecked and it was a freighter that I put as -100 so probably a -200PF

My mistake :-[

However

Quote from: Tackleberry on November 06, 2013, 11:51:39 PM
With regards to the 737, the original series of it was the -100 (handful built mainly for Lufthansa) and the -200, then they got replaced by the -400, 500, 600 and 700, the -800 is the Next Generation models along with the longer -900.

Original 737 -100, -200
Classic  737 -300, -400, -500
NG 737 -600, -700, -800, -900

And of course now the Max7 / Max8 / Max9 and possibly the Max10 which will be a 757-200 replacement.

Richard

Just as a point of interest dash 80 is at 132 inches wide 16 inches narrower than a 707 and 12 inches narrower than the original 717 (KC135)

Hi all  :wave:

If you think you are having a bad day then take a look at this  :o

http://home.bt.com/news/worldnews/giant-cargo-plane-stuck-at-tiny-airport-11363851536268 (http://home.bt.com/news/worldnews/giant-cargo-plane-stuck-at-tiny-airport-11363851536268)

I think someone may be in a spot of trouble over that one  :hmmm:  :-X

dave  :thumbsup:

 :goggleeyes:

The class 70 of the aviation world :D
Pretty it ain't :no:

Quote from: javlinfaw7 on November 13, 2013, 08:02:39 PM
Just as a point of interest dash 80 is at 132 inches wide 16 inches narrower than a 707 and 12 inches narrower than the original 717 (KC135)

Which -80 are you referring to??

If it's the Boeing - maybe because it was the prototype demonstrator for the 707.

It was more a proof of concept for the KC135 thus type number Boeing 367-80 , the Boeing 367 being the KC97 Stratotanker
This was later developed into the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser ,there were bigger orders available from the USAF so military  variants still came first.

Quote from: Chetcombe on November 05, 2013, 12:02:25 AM
Hi Richard

Many thanks for your illuminating answer. I have flown on many of the BPE* and CPE* series and never knew they were getting me there quicker! I forgot that BA were the launch customer for the 757, it would be nice to see them be as pioneering in future.

Many of BA's 7676s are still flying - I understand these are the larger siblings of the 757 and that a pilot qualified on one type is also qualified for the other. They were introduced by BA after the 757s and are now showing signs of age. We still have a 767 scheduled on one of the two Philadelphia / Heathrow flights and they are getting pretty rough. My last flight home on G-BNWO last Sunday night was (eventually) cancelled due to a technical fault on the aircraft :veryangry: I ended up with a night at a Heathrow hotel and going back to New York last Monday morning. Thankfully BA saw the error of there ways and put me in First - a most pleasant experience :D

Just spotted this post, only 6 months late (bit like FGW). G-BNWO is actually going to be withdrawn and sent to the desert for parting out next month. C,D,H,S,T,U, W and Y are also going by mid 2015. G-BNWN and R have already gone. That leaves BNWA,B,V,X and Z along with BZHA, BZHB and BZHC. G-BNWE,F,G,J, K and P went to Qantas in 2000 as they were the only other carrier who had RR powered 767s to keep them the same as the 747-400. These were withdrawn and stored in from december 2012 onwards and have been re-registered to the lessors so i suspect they will be going for scrap as well as they are non standard with all the others.

You are indeed correct is as they are the same type rating so they could move across, another reason the charter carriers loved them as it helped to keep costs down.

Richard

Ive been uploading a few of my more interesting photos to my flickr page. I havent been out for a while as its been getting a bit samey but hopefully i might try and get out again next season!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fatherjacksphotos/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fatherjacksphotos/)

Richard

I worked on a couple of them :beers:

Quote from: B757-236GT on August 08, 2014, 09:14:53 PM
Ive been uploading a few of my more interesting photos to my flickr page. I havent been out for a while as its been getting a bit samey but hopefully i might try and get out again next season!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fatherjacksphotos/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fatherjacksphotos/)

Richard

Real planes, real trains and layout plans. Gotta love it!

What is that weird 747 in the 3rd photo? And finally to carry on the discussion on the 767s above... What do you think of their successor the 787 Dreamliner? I have flown the BA version a few times as a passenger (they are now on the Heathrow Philly route) and am quite impressed...

Quote from: Chetcombe on August 08, 2014, 10:15:51 PM
What is that weird 747 in the 3rd photo?

I'm reliably informed it's a private 747, judging by the Arabic script probably some rich sheikh? ;)

The 'lump' on the top is an early form of satellite communications pod for TV/telephone/etc :thumbsup:


Paul

767s still in use on the British Airways Heathrow / Calgary route but as they are at least 20 years old I don't  know when they will be replaced
Bob

Quote from: Chetcombe on August 08, 2014, 10:15:51 PM
What is that weird 747 in the 3rd photo? .

A4O-SO of the Royal Flight of Oman.

See it while you can as there aren't many 747SPs still active.

Nigel

Canadian Lancaster Mk X "Vera" VoRA flew in yesterday to Conningsby to display with the BoBMF Lancaster.

If you get the chance you should go and have a look.  Two Lancasters have flown together since 1955..

Possibly true in uk but the French Navy still had Lancasters in service until at least 1963

Further to my earlier post GBNWO 767 is flying near Iceland right now on its way to Heathrow from Calgary .Does anyone know where you can get a cheap almost N gauge model of a British Airways model of a 767 to hang above my layout to remind me of my holiday of a lifetime which my son paid for as a thank you for all we've done for him over the years.
Bob

Bob,

There's a 1:144 scale 767 kit available, probably find some BA decals to fit it too.

thanks CF-FZG do you happen to know where I can get one I only want A cheap one. PM me with details if you can
Bob

Revell did a 1/144th scale B767 kit but it was only available in Landor Colours. However im sure its possible to get the transfers. Best place i could think of would be the Aviation Hobby shop in west drayton.

BNWO is on borrowed time due to their being an issue with corrosion on another member of the fleet however the a/c is unidentified. Shes not far off her hours limit of 110,000 and is currently on as of December last year, 105,219 hours! I do know there was a lifetime extention to 120,000 or 125,000 depending on series type but im not sure if BA have done this. It has however been done on some of their 747-400 series aircraft with G-BNLH which is now over the 110,000 limit having been sent to Victorville for warm storage along with a few other members of the fleet, the demise of G-BNLL at Johannesburg may have been the reason why! Lufthansa and KLM have also done the same for their series 400s!

Richard

Thanks Richard that hobby shop seems to have closed or moved will try to find more info but it's not important just seemed a good idea at the time ? When my kids were little mother in law always took them on Holliday and the airlines used to give them away to the kids free I wish they did it now BA wanted about £50 for a model but it wasn't a 767 and any way not paying that sort of money ,rather buy more railway models
Bob

I havent been up since last year but didnt realise they had closed. They might still be worth a call or email as it seems they have set up again so im not quite sure whats happened.

Richard

There a british airways 767 -300 currently on sale in the collectables transport section of e bay at 99p  these models however tend to be 1/200 to 1/250 but if in the air good for forcing perspective

Quote from: Bob Tidbury on August 09, 2014, 04:37:31 PM
thanks CF-FZG do you happen to know where I can get one I only want A cheap one. PM me with details if you can
Bob

PM sent Bob

Richard, the Revell one was discontinued a while back.

Thanks Javlinfaw7 Will keep an eye on that can always spray the tail end white and get the transfers to do the one I want at least its the right plane.
Bob

I've just looked at this for the first time... and actually not all the pages, sorry  :-[

So forgive me if the answer lies somewhere in the thread... if it does, can someone post a link, please?

I'm just curious as to the source of the aircraft on that wonderful airport scene at Minatur Wunderland in Hamburg.

WWW.Hannants.co.uk (http://www.hannants.co.uk)

Just had a quick look for 1/144 Aircraft kits.  There are 43 pages of kits...

Awesome! All this stuff is out there, isn't it?!!  :thumbsup:

I did think about recreating this little scene on my Fairford branch part of my layout but then realised I wouldn't be able to run any trains.  Alongside Brize Norton and Bampton Station (Bampney on my layout) was an airfield and this one didn't quite make it, see about two thirds of the way down this page http://www.fairfordbranch.co.uk/History.htm (http://www.fairfordbranch.co.uk/History.htm) .

(http://www.fairfordbranch.co.uk/Crashed_York.jpg)

Classic. You could always put it just to the side of the track.

Bit pricey but it is in Resin....

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/WHSL148P (http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/WHSL148P)

Corgi do a selection of diecast Yorks in 1/144 ,ebay have them from about £15

Quote from: javlinfaw7 on August 10, 2014, 10:19:10 AM
Corgi do a selection of diecast Yorks in 1/144 ,ebay have them from about £15

Thanks for the tip, this should be in the post tomorrow.  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121400411696 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121400411696)

Quote from: Caz on August 10, 2014, 09:45:48 AM
I did think about recreating this little scene on my Fairford branch part of my layout but then realised I wouldn't be able to run any trains.  Alongside Brize Norton and Bampton Station (Bampney on my layout) was an airfield and this one didn't quite make it, see about two thirds of the way down this page http://www.fairfordbranch.co.uk/History.htm (http://www.fairfordbranch.co.uk/History.htm) .

(http://www.fairfordbranch.co.uk/Crashed_York.jpg)

Caz

This looks like an Avro York, which was a transport aircraft used by the RAF during and after the second world war

Regards,

Alex

They are basic models but they are cheap so its swings and roundabouts with them really. With a little bit of work they can be made into something quite workable however.

Richard

 :thankyousign: To javelinfaw7 My daughter bid on the plane you told me about and we won .I have an idea how to disguise the tail fin which is in Scottish livery but if that doesn't work I will ring the shop that B757-236GT told me about and get the transfers. :thankyousign: for your help Guys you have made me very happy
Bob

  :sorrysign: I missed out CF-FZG in my last post  :thankyousign: for your help too I must be getting senile in my old age .
Bob

Does this count as heavy metal?  :D

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3864/14912947551_a58fa6f8a2_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/oHNKKn)Pair (https://flic.kr/p/oHNKKn) by 5944 (https://www.flickr.com/people/35175378@N05/)

Last night at RAF Coningsby shortly before sunset.

That's just Porn  :heart2:  :heart2:

dave  :thumbsup:

Add me into this sort of thing as I have a hard time trying to like small propellor jobbies.

Whilst waiting to see the first Virgin Dreamliner, it'll be overhead in about 20 mins, I've been thinking about why aircraft manufacturers have changed their protocol on model numbers.

What they used to do was have the first version of a new plane as dash 1.  Then the dash 2 came out, dash 3 etc.

Nowadays, and taking the B787 as an example, Boeing have the first version as dash 8.  The first stretched version will be dash 9 and they are already thinking about a superstretch version called the dash 10.

So in terms of ICAO type codes the history of the B787 will be 788, 789 and 781.  Now when I was at school 1 came before 8 but I suppose the national curriculum has probably changed it so 8 comes first.

Oh and don't get me started on the A350.  The first version will be dash 9.

Perhaps there's some logic to this or my brain is just too tired to work it out.  Anyway time to find the binoculars as Virgin 12 is getting closer.

If there's a short explanation about the current protocol I'd be pleased if someone could bring me up to date.

Nigel

Buzzard

As far as I'm aware there's no solid reason for the name suffixes other than marketing. I've read elsewhere that 8 or 800 is used these days because 8 is a lucky number in Asian cultures (which it is). Whether that's part of the reason, I don't know, but overall, I don't believe there is a reason other than marketing.

The A380 is actually the A380-800 don't forget. There are no 777's flying as 777-100, but -200's and -300's of various sorts (LR's for long range, ER's for extended range).

The A330's flying are -200 and -300 and the A340's are -200, -300, -500 and -600 (note there's no -400). And the list goes on ...

So, this isn't the newest phenomenon but you are correct that it never used to be this way and the manufacturer's have certainly jumped up to the higher digits. I expect if a newer variant if the A380 comes out one day, say the -900, the -800 won't necessarily sound too old. However, a -100 does sound rather old in my opinion.

Best

Daniel

I remember going with my dad to see an aircraft which overshot the runway at Southend airport & finished up on the railway line. He as District Operating Supt. went with B.R's breakdown crane from Stratford. The blokes from the airport were trying to pull it back up the embankment onto the runway without success. Dad suggested that the crane lifted the plane and they then could guide it back onto the airfield. The bloke from the airfield asked what sort of crane it was & when dad said it was a 100ton steam crane he said what about sparks. Dad assured him "no sparks" & he reluctantly agreed seeing as dad pointed out that B.R. needed its track back. Dadf had a word with the crane driver to keep it slow & easy until full power was needed to lift. This he did & the bloke from the airfield was beginning to relax a bit until every thing was ready for the lift, then the crane driver dropped the chimney & opened the throttle & a 2ft flame shot skywards. The airport bloke fainted!

Did anyone see my model of a 767 coming out of the clouds in my shed,
Bob

Technically there was a 777-100 but it became the 200A. These were the first 30 or so off the line which had a very poor range, low MTOW and were quite hefty on the fuel as the BA ones had GE90-76B engines whereas later varients had the upgraded GE90-85B engines. BA had 5 at one point registered G-ZZZA-ZZZE. Two of these were sold off and ones been scrapped (ZZZA,B and C are still operating although i understand these dont have long left, D is currently a buisness jet in africa and E was scrapped after Varig trashed it). Cathay Pacific has RR Trent 877 engines again later upgraded wheras United and ANA had early PW4077 engines but later changed to PW4088 or PW 4090 engines no one knows why they have three different engines in their 777 fleet. Having said that BA arent much better also with three with two different GE90s and RR Trent 895 varients.
Theres no value in these so unless anyone wants some more Biz jets or Transaero wants some more its tin cans for these!

In terms of the A350 im sure Skyline2k can tell us why but i was told that it was a higher number seemed to fit a newer a/c. When A350 was first launched it was infact dubbed unofficially as A330-400 or A330 NEO as thats effectivly what it was. The 787 changed that though and we now have both A330 NEO/Regional and A350! 

BTW Airbus could build 3 million A320 family a/c and no two would be the same!

Richard

Hi Rich

That's interesting. Must admit that I wasn't aware of that. I knew that there was a plan for a 777-100 and possibly it was an initial plan, but I didn't know they actually went in to production at the very beginning. I thought if they did then they would likely have been prototypes, but I'm not doubting you on this. Have you got any references? (Not testing your knowledge - I'm genuinely interested, as someone who works in the industry and has friends flying the Boeing. I'm on the Airbus side, although depending upon which angle you're coming from, the Boeing aircraft are solid machines, both technically and financially speaking).

As for the A350, well, we've had everything up to the A340 so I guess that one was logical. Why skip to the A380 though I don't know. Perhaps "A360" doesn't have much of a ring to it. I can imagine the jokes already ... "A360 - it flies in circles!"

I'm glad they didn't release the A350 as the A330-400 since it's a completely different aircraft (not an extension of the A330) and I think it would have been stretching the naming nomenclature a bit too far.

Agree with you on the engine front. Makes sense to stick to one type from many perspectives. When a different manufacturer is chosen it's usually when a new variant of the aircraft is ordered (e.g. going from 777-300 vs 777-300ER) - it can be that the original engine isn't available on the next variant. That's just one example.

A320's ... well (and you'll know this one Richard), we have the A318/319/320/321 ... and now the NEO's! I can't keep up. Lovely aircraft. Indeed all of the modern Airbuses are. That would be a pilot's answer. Ask the cabin crew and they'll nearly always tell you the 777 ... I get it all day long!

Good to know we have some plane enthusiasts on the NGF!  :NGF:

Im told there are plans for A360 and A370 in the pipeline just A380 got produced first  The 340NG was proposed as A370 and A320NG was going to be A360 but in the end the A340 line dried up although you can still order one as the A330 shares the same wings and fuselage just with a few sections removed, and the A320 went with NEO but i understand plans are there to use both A360 and A370 eventually but not for what may be above.

If you look at Airfleets you will see the first 30 or so off the line you can tell by the engines they had which can be gained from clicking on individual airframes. C/N 1 is actually B-HNL with Cathay Pacific and was delivered to them in 2000 after having been a boeing test bed for 6 years. Currently all of the B777 test beds have gone on to airline use. The first 300 is with JAL, the First 2F is with Fedex (went via Air France Cargo) and the First 200LR is with Pakistan Airlines. Airbus on the other hand tend not to sell prototypes on to airlines as A320 number 1 is still being used to this day as a test bed. One of the A330 test beds was lost in an accident during the flight test program. They currently only have one A330 F-WWCB which was the MRTT prototype but has now reverted to factory prototype operation. The first A340 is still in operation but the prototype 600 is shown as stored. I suspect this one may go on to become a biz jet.

Of the A380s both 1 and 4 are still in operation. 2 has been stored since 2007 and 3 has been sent for biz jet conversion. The prototype A318/A319 and A321 have all been sold on to airline operation. Apart from the Belugas both the A300 prototypes have also been scrapped. A300 1 lasted until 2005 before it was scrapped although im told airbus later regretted the decision as it had apprantly been reserved for the Tolouse aviation museum project.

The 3million A320s figure was before NEO was announced so that should in theory now double to 6 million different airframes on offer!

The orriginal A350 was going to be an A330 wing and fuselage with new engines. however with the 787 with its new wing design and aerodynamic tweaks it was impossible to sell so they filed that design and went for a new one. they have since reintroduced A330NEO though in response to the Asian airlines requirement for the aviation equivilant of a double decker bus. This regional varient will have reduced range but extra fuselage strength and a higher MTOW.

How the 787 will fare doing 8 rotation days will be interesting as most larger a/c arent designed for that type of work which is why Boeing made the 747SR which had only a 2000nm range but could carry over 500 people all day long, many of these served for nearly 25 years an amassed an impressive number of cycles that if it were a 737 it would be considered scrap!

Theres quite alot of suprise at the moment that Monarch ordered 737 MAX8s wheras their entire current fleet is airbuses and mainly the larger a321 at that ( the last 757 should have left their fleet by the end of today although to be fair one of them is 29 years old). Considering they still have some of these on order it was an eyebrow raising moment. having said that Monarch have ordered quite a few a/c then back out or changed their mind later on.

Richard

Quote from: B757-236GT on October 31, 2014, 05:14:05 PM
The orriginal A350 was going to be an A330 wing and fuselage with new engines. however with the 787 with its new wing design and aerodynamic tweaks it was impossible to sell

It does appear that Qatar are taking 5 A350s.  Hopefully they'll stay in the middle east as they look similar to the 787, winglets and large flap actuators excepted.  Here's a link to a picture of their first one

http://www.planespotters.net/Aviation_Photos/photo.show?id=524081

Don't fancy trying to spot the differences from 30,000 feet.

Nigel

Quote from: B757-236GT on October 31, 2014, 05:14:05 PM
Of the A380s both 1 and 4 are still in operation. 2 has been stored since 2007 and 3 has been sent for biz jet conversion.

Wow! That will be one hell of a biz jet :laugh3:

Hey Richard

Must say I'm impressed with that knowledge! Just goes to show, there's always something new to learn. Thanks again. We'll probably be losing the others here with this thread, but hey, it's a heavy metal thread so why not? I'll join in the discussion :D

Will be interesting to see what the A360 / A370 will be. I think they've got quite a bit of mileage in the A320 / A330 brands still (look how long the 737 brand has been around) but yes, new types could well be A360 / A370's. The A340's are a beautiful machine - especially the A340-500. You're correct in that the A340-200/300 shares the same wing as the A330's. The A340-500's/600's have a different wing and also a number of system differences. My understanding is that the longer range versions of the 777, coupled with the increase in extended twin ops (ETOPS) ranges, put paid to the A340's from a fuel perspective (cost). The 777 is a very economical aircraft and the A340 cannot quite match it. Once the 777's could fly point to point over extended areas without airports, there wasn't the requirement for the four engine aircraft anymore. Cargo capacity on the 777 is also, I believe, superior.

As far as I know you'd have to be a pretty important customer to get Airbus to build you an A340 these days. I think they did close down production of them and stopped marketing it (well, like you said Richard, it's a shared wing with the A330, but it was still an allocation of resources that Airbus needed elsewhere) and I believe it's not an option to buy one anymore.

I'll take a look at that airfleets site. I think I've heard of it before and apparently it's a good source.

Shame about the A300 for the museum. They're getting pretty rare these days. I thought Airbus would have kept one for the local museum! A few cargo (and pax) ones around though.

I'm not up on the A330NEO but I as far as I know it's going to be a spruced up A330, just like the A320NEO is to the A320. Is that your understanding Richard? I always thought the A350 was the formalisation of the Airbus XWB (xtra wide body).

Interesting what's happening with Monarch. I haven't been keeping up on it but from what little I've read, it sounds like the controlling family want a way to sell out, the new owners are specialists in "value creation" (possibly asset stripping) and it all seems like a gimmick to me. I'm not sure we'll see them still in five years from now. I do very much hope I'm wrong though.

I've had the privilege of flying nearly all of the current Airbus family, A319/320/321, A330-200, A340-300, A340-500 and now transitioning to the A380. They are all beautiful machines in their own right, but if I had to pick one (so far) it would have to be the A340-500. First flight on the A380 is next month, but from the simulator training so far, she's shaping up to be even better.

Dan

Quote from: DesertHound on October 31, 2014, 06:22:20 PM
I've had the privilege of flying nearly all of the current Airbus family, A319/320/321, A330-200, A340-300, A340-500 and now transitioning to the A380. They are all beautiful machines in their own right, but if I had to pick one (so far) it would have to be the A340-500. First flight on the A380 is next month, but from the simulator training so far, she's shaping up to be even better.

You must do a lot of flying  :jawdropping:

My favorite experience on an Airbus was actually on the tiniest one, the A318. I flew round trip from JFK to London City on BA. With it being Business Class only and so small it really does feel like you are privileged! The only downside was when I was doing my expenses when i got home and I realized how much more the ticket cost compared to a regular JFL-LHR round trip. Suffice to say I have only flown that route once :whistle:

Hi Chetcombe

It would seem like a lot of flying wouldn't it? The A319/320/321 (and A318 for that matter) all fall under a common type rating, meaning you can fly all four. I flew for an airline which had the 319/320/321, so one day you could be in the 319 and the next day in the 321.

Leaving the small 'bus behind and moving to a company with the A330 and A340, the initial endorsement was on the A330 (known as the base aircraft) and the A340 was added to this six months later. Again, for licencing purposes you can easily fly both. There are some regs involved (such as alternating sim checks) but it's no great deal.

I have friends, on the other hand, who flew the A320 and A330 (not that common due to the size differences) but it is possible. However, you couldn't be rated to fly the complete family (319 up to 340) all at the same time. The A380, as it stands, is a separate rating at this time (although the course is abridged for those with a current A320/330/340 rating).

Ah, the JFK-LCY route. You lucky so and so! I've heard it's a nice product. Apparently it was set up in response to the ending of the Concorde service. BA wanted something distinguished from the normal product out of Heathrow. I guess that would explain the price difference. Console yourself in knowing that you are one of the few  ;)

Dan

Interesting stuff deserthound, good luck on the A380.

The LCY flight numbers are BA001/2 which are the same as the old JFK Concorde flight numbers as I recall. A nice product as you say, but it falls a long way short of Mach 2. I was lucky enough to fly JFK-LHR a couple of times on Concorde, which I guess at a real stretch could be considered an Airbus!!

You really are one of the select few then Chetcombe. I'm sure you cherish those memories. As a kid I used to look skywards at 6pm every evening when the roar of those Olympus engines passed over South London - you could almost set your watch by it every evening.

Yes, agreed, A318 and Concorde - not quite the same thing. Both loosely related though  ;)

Thanks for the best wishes.

Dan

All I know about aircraft is that after a long haul flight from Australia to get to just about anywhere, I'm bloody glad to get off 'em.

Bit of a sad end for the Concorde, though.

Quote from: Chetcombe on October 31, 2014, 09:48:45 PM
I was lucky enough to fly JFK-LHR a couple of times on Concorde

Nice.

I flew on Concorde twice, both on the "round the bay" sprints.  The first time I paid for us to go and the second was for free when I entered a competition in the Evening Standard for a pair of tickets.  Both flights were with the same aircraft but never mind as they were great trips and will never be repeated.

Nigel

Quote from: Bealman on November 01, 2014, 05:43:43 AM
All I know about aircraft is that after a long haul flight from Australia to get to just about anywhere, I'm bloody glad to get off 'em.

Try doing it every week Bealman  ;D

Buzzard ... you also, Sir, are one of the lucky ones in my opinion. It truly was in a class of it's own. It was indeed a sad end to the aircraft. It seems (although anybody please step in with other thoughts) that a combination of ongoing costs to keep the aircraft flying (remember only BA and AF had them, in total a fleet of 14 I believe) and high fuel costs stretched the economics too far.

She was one of a kind indeed.

Dan

Quote from: DesertHound on November 01, 2014, 06:33:07 AM
Buzzard ... you also, Sir, are one of the lucky ones in my opinion. It truly was in a class of it's own. It was indeed a sad end to the aircraft. It seems (although anybody please step in with other thoughts) that a combination of ongoing costs to keep the aircraft flying (remember only BA and AF had them, in total a fleet of 14 I believe) and high fuel costs stretched the economics too far.

She was one of a kind indeed.

Dan

Sir, thank you for the compliment although the only luck was winning a second flight ;)  I paid through the nose for the first.

But never mind they were very magical events and were something I wanted to do since seeing the first prototypes at airshows in the 70s.

Sadly when 14 became 13 the slippery slope to withdrawal started.

I must go and see Alpha Charlie again, next summer perhaps.

Nigel

Yes Buzzard, I agree with you with regards the accident in Paris.

The accident crystalised the issue of whether the aircraft was economically sustainable or not. Somehow it seemed different in the minds of the public and the media from other accidents too - as if she wasn't an aircraft but something we had a personal affinity to. Almost like a rock star passing away. Let's also not forget the poor souls onboard.

Where is Alpha Charlie now? I've seen the one at Duxford and also one of the prototypes (I believe) at Le Bourget. I cannot remember the reg's.

Where else are they located around the world? I'll kick off with New York and the Caribbean (Barbados?)

Dan

That horrendous polarising video sealed the end. I remember it vividly. Sad way for an iconic aircraft to go out.

Quote from: DesertHound on November 01, 2014, 08:07:56 AM
Where is Alpha Charlie now? I've seen the one at Duxford and also one of the prototypes (I believe) at Le Bourget. I cannot remember the reg's.

Where else are they located around the world? I'll kick off with New York and the Caribbean (Barbados?)

Dan

This link will tell you where each one is now

http://www.clubconcorde.co.uk/concorde_locations.php

The French one at Sinsheim is parked next to the only Concordski outside of the former Soviet Union (source wikipedia).  Perhaps I'll get there one day and see how close the russians got to replicating Concorde.

Isn't it strange that Paris was witness to the only two crashes of supersonic passenger aircraft?  We know why Concorde crashed and the consipracy theorists are probably still debating what happened to Concordski.

Nigel

Filton has Alpha Foxtrot. It also had prototype G-BBDG but thats now at Farnborough.

Richard

G - BOAA is at the National Museum of Flight near  Edinburgh. Last year  you could get a ticket
for a  cockpit visit, not sure if still available.

Personally I prefer a bit of classic Russian heavy metal. There aren't many places I won't go to fly on it!

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/11569230876_7dd51d1c08_s.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7377/11581725615_9234d01868_s.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/11562182005_7c3616032c_s.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/11562635043_3dc9792b46_s.jpg)


Nice to see a fellow N-Gauger here in the UAE too, Deserthound.

Quote from: B757-236GT on November 01, 2014, 08:32:09 AM
Filton has Alpha Foxtrot. It also had prototype G-BBDG but thats now at Farnborough.

Delta Golf is now at the Brooklands Museum.  They do an aircraft tour and simulator rides, using the only Concorde one ever made, led by ex BA pilots.  Stuff my plan for a ride in a BA 767, I fancy a 31 left departure from JFK (the one with an immediate left turn to avoid an area of housing).

Nigel

Quote from: 47475 on November 01, 2014, 08:41:20 AM
Personally I prefer a bit of classic Russian heavy metal. There aren't many places I won't go to fly on it!

Would that be 3 IL18s and an IL76?

When I were a nipper I remember seeing Tu-104s at Gatwick, I've got some slides somewhere.  Then there were Tu-134s, Tu-154s and if you were lucky an IL-62.  Tarom, amongst other airlines, used to send in IL-18s.

I also recall getting blown away by an Aeroflot Yak 40 as it started it's departure roll.  I never did find the lens caps off my binoculars!

Happy days,

Nigel

It would indeed.

I would love to have seen a Tu-104 (and 114 & 124) in action but am a bit too young for that. They must have been amazing days at LGW.

I am happy to have flown on the Tu-134, 154, An-24, An-26, IL-18, IL-62 and IL-76 though.

I remember seeing a Vulcan, used for a test bed for the engine for Concorde at St. Faith's aerodrome (now Norwich Airport) it came in low and the pilot throttled back on his main engines 'til he was nearly stalling then cut in the concorde engine and shot skywards leaving a circle of burning grass beside the runway. Awesome!

Quote from: 47475 on November 01, 2014, 09:18:15 AM
It would indeed.

Nice.

Quote from: 47475 on November 01, 2014, 09:18:15 AM
I would love to have seen a Tu-104 (and 114 & 124) in action but am a bit too young for that. They must have been amazing days at LGW.

They were. 

Long gone are the days when you could pull off the side of the road next to "the fence" about halfway along the runway.  You could sit there all do with the sun behind you and not miss a thing.  The view's gone now as someone decided to plant a load of trees.

If you were brave there was a crash gate on the northern side which was right next to the main taxiway.  Parking there, if it still exists, wouldn't be allowed these days.

I'll see if I can dig out the slides and a scanner.

Nigel

Hey 47475 ... I see you're in Abu Dhabi! Fantastic! I thought I was the only lonely soul in these parts. I'll drop you a PM!

Thanks for the locations guys.

Dan

Also really pleased to see we have some plane enthusiasts amongst us N Gaugers ... Rock On!   :headbang:

With all the talk about airliners reminds me of a flight I was making from Glasgow to Geneva
with a change at Manchester or Birmingham . At Glasgow we boarded the plane down the long
gangway which joined the plane's door  and you couldn't see the plane itself. When the plane
moved away from the terminal to take off one of the passengers looking out of the window
shouted "Christ ! It's got propellers!"

BTW , my first flight when I was about 10-11 was a pleasure flight in a DH Dragon Rapide,
a twin engined wood and canvas biplane airliner , not heavy metal but real Biggles stuff.
I've always fancied a flight in a Ju 52 as in "Where Eagles Dare" . There was one doing
pleasure flights over the Alps from Zurich a while back.

"

Quote from: DesertHound on October 31, 2014, 06:22:20 PM
The A340's are a beautiful machine - especially the A340-500. You're correct in that the A340-200/300 shares the same wing as the A330's. The A340-500's/600's have a different wing and also a number of system differences. My understanding is that the longer range versions of the 777, coupled with the increase in extended twin ops (ETOPS) ranges, put paid to the A340's from a fuel perspective (cost). The 777 is a very economical aircraft and the A340 cannot quite match it. Once the 777's could fly point to point over extended areas without airports, there wasn't the requirement for the four engine aircraft anymore. Cargo capacity on the 777 is also, I believe, superior.

As far as I know you'd have to be a pretty important customer to get Airbus to build you an A340 these days. I think they did close down production of them and stopped marketing it (well, like you said Richard, it's a shared wing with the A330, but it was still an allocation of resources that Airbus needed elsewhere) and I believe it's not an option to buy one anymore.

I've had the privilege of flying nearly all of the current Airbus family, A319/320/321, A330-200, A340-300, A340-500 and now transitioning to the A380. They are all beautiful machines in their own right, but if I had to pick one (so far) it would have to be the A340-500. First flight on the A380 is next month, but from the simulator training so far, she's shaping up to be even better.

Speaking as a passenger, for me the A340 was not as good as the 747 and the 777 because the fuselage was narrower and I felt more claustrophobic.

As for the 380 the Air France version disappointed me because the seats, decoration, etc. are no different from their older aircraft so you don't feel 'special' in their 380. Emirates have made an effort to differentiate their 380 from smaller planes but it seems that they chose the cabin fittings from the Ikea kitchen range !

Best regards,


Joe

Quote from: Agrippa on November 01, 2014, 11:34:27 AM
BTW , my first flight when I was about 10-11 was a pleasure flight in a DH Dragon Rapide,
a twin engined wood and canvas biplane airliner , not heavy metal but real Biggles stuff.
I've always fancied a flight in a Ju 52 as in "Where Eagles Dare" . There was one doing
pleasure flights over the Alps from Zurich a while back.

They do pleasure flights in DH Dragon Rapide's at Duxford Air Museum in Cambridgeshire - I went on one a few years ago, and it was a great experience, especially when the pilot was doing tight turns, and it felt like I was looking straight out of the window,  straight down at the ground!! Would love to have lived in the days when they used them for commercial flights! 

Agree about the Ju52 though - either one of those or the Ford Trimotor, or even a DC3 - anything classic!  :thumbsup:

Joe

I think most people would agree with you there. The 777 has a spacious cabin, as does the 747. This is really brought into contrast if you've flown in a 777 and an A340 within a short period of time.

Your comments re the Air France A380 are interesting. As for the other A380 operator you mention, I'm afraid I'm going to have to stay  :-X but you guys feel free to go ahead and air your opinions  ;)

Cheers

Dan

SWMBO used to commute from Libya in a DC3 when her dad was in the army based in Tripoli

Quote from: DesertHound on October 31, 2014, 06:22:20 PM
Shame about the A300 for the museum. They're getting pretty rare these days. I thought Airbus would have kept one for the local museum! A few cargo (and pax) ones around though.

On the cargo front EAT Leipzig have 19 but they are getting old, ranging from 12 to 23 years.  The odd one gets into LHR, there's supposed to be one today.

As for the pax version they're more like hens teeth.  Iran Air have a bakers dozen of them and occasionally one makes it to the UK.

Talking of Iran Air they seem to still have a serviceable B747SP.  Given the difficulty they had obtaining spares from the US in the bad old days I do find this strange.  Only 15 active SPs left, a shame as I always liked them.  Anyone remember Pan Am?

Nigel

Ah - Iran Air ... interesting fleet they have. I haven't been up there for a couple of years but a trip up to Tehran (not far from us) always makes for an interesting look at the fleet. Yup, seen the "SP" and the old 747's. Also some A320's, A300's and the like. Mahan Air is the other airline in Iran - they also have 747's (-200s/-300's) I think.

It's a fascinating apron.

Dan

Iran Air only use their A300-600s and A310-300s to Europe, including Heathrow.

They have one remaining B747-SP and a couple of B747-200s. The older A300s (B2 & B4 variants) are usually only used on Domestic and Gulf sectors. They also have A320s and a number of leased Ukrainian-registered MD-80s.

The B747-SP is doing a farewell sightseeing flight out of Tehran later this month, which I will be on provided I get my visa. Of the four -SPs that Iran Air operated, the last one operating happens to be the only one I have not flown already, so all being well I will be able to say I flew on all of their -SPs.

Quote from: 47475 on November 02, 2014, 03:50:06 PM
The B747-SP is doing a farewell sightseeing flight out of Tehran later this month, which I will be on provided I get my visa. Of the four -SPs that Iran Air operated, the last one operating happens to be the only one I have not flown already, so all being well I will be able to say I flew on all of their -SPs.

:admiration: :admiration: :admiration:

I don't expect many people can claim to have been on one, let alone 3 and possibly all four.

Have a great time if you get your visa.

Nigel

Nice 47475! It's always been "in and out" for me. Have you managed to spend some time on the ground there?

Quote from: 47475 on November 02, 2014, 03:50:06 PM
Iran Air only use their A300-600s and A310-300s to Europe, including Heathrow.

They have one remaining B747-SP and a couple of B747-200s. The older A300s (B2 & B4 variants) are usually only used on Domestic and Gulf sectors. They also have A320s and a number of leased Ukrainian-registered MD-80s.

Theres two 747-300s and three very early build A340-300s in Iran now. The 747s were supposedly going to Iran air but have appeared with Mahan air titles but no knowledge whether they have actually flown. The A340s were again for Iran but again seem to be parked in Tehran this time without titles.

The 747SP occasionally still gets in to Europe. It was in Germany only a fortnight ago on a Admin flight (basically moving someone important) which are exempt from EU blacklistings and noise regs. Putins IL62 also makes the odd appearance including one at JFK! They also used to regulaly use one of the SPs on the Tehran - Havana flight as its extra range meant it could do it non stop. I believe thats why the above A340s were taken on as replacements.

Up until recently it was still possible to go on a 707 in Iran with Saha Air. Flights were hit and miss but many made the trip to see if one would come out to play. They now have two ex Korean A300-600s and two ex Iran Air force 747 freighters. Going from 707s to A300-600s must have been a shock!

When Iran was still heavily sanctioned they found they couldnt get parts, they simply reverse engineered many parts or used a freindly local country to provide parts under the radar. One 747-200 ended up going to one of the Iran friendly countries and was scrapped. The engines of this a/c were later found on an Iran Air example having mysteriously made it across the border. This was one reason why the jumbos ended up being blacklisted as they found more and more of this going on, trying to work out the paperwork on them was next to impossible. Certainly i doubt any ex Iranian aircraft would go back in to operation anywhere else in the world! But times have changed...

Richard

Hi Richard

Not sure if it's the 747-300's you're talking about but you do see Mahan Air ones around the Gulf and I think they also send them to places like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

Dan

Its quite possible. The last report i had was that they were in storage. Given we are in the Hajj time im not suprised theyve entered service. I know when they arrived though there were paperwork issues and there were certain maintenece requirements that needed to be completed. They were also non standard for Iran as they were RR powered whereas all the other 747s were P&W powered. There is EP-IAI which is GE powered but there have been no recent sightings so i wonder if this was another christmas tree.

Richard

Hi Richard

The ones I saw would have been a couple of years ago, but no longer than that. Now you've got me thinking, was it -200's or -300's I saw. Seen so many of the things that the mind can start to play tricks after a while. I'm pretty sure I've seen some Mahan air -300's because I always wonder why they're doing intra Gulf routes and also why it's Mahan Air on a (most probably) Iran Air schedule. That said, I think the two do work in tandem.

I've been digging around for a pic or two but will have to keep searching. If I find anything then I'll post it.

Cheers

Dan

Richard

I'd have to dig out my old hard drive to have a look to see if I have any pics but here's one in Dubai from airliners.net, dated April 2013. Not sure if these are the -300's you mention or whether you are talking about a more recent batch they acquired.

Must be getting on to becoming quite a rare bird too! Seen the odd Pullmantur in Madrid, trying to think of which others I've seen.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Mahan-Air/Boeing-747-3B3M/2256255/&sid=c654fa5b6808ce8e96287c163e4287f9 (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Mahan-Air/Boeing-747-3B3M/2256255/&sid=c654fa5b6808ce8e96287c163e4287f9)

Dan

Quote from: B757-236GT on November 02, 2014, 06:11:39 PM
Theres two 747-300s and three very early build A340-300s in Iran now. The 747s were supposedly going to Iran air but have appeared with Mahan air titles but no knowledge whether they have actually flown. The A340s were again for Iran but again seem to be parked in Tehran this time without titles.

Mahan Air have operated a couple of former UTA/Air France B747-300s for a few years now.

The ones that were meant for Iran Air were a couple of ex-QANTAS -300s which basically got parked up in Tehran and never flew for them. They may have left again now - I'm not sure.

Quote from: B757-236GT on November 02, 2014, 06:11:39 PM
They also used to regulaly use one of the SPs on the Tehran - Havana flight as its extra range meant it could do it non stop. I believe thats why the above A340s were taken on as replacements.

I think you mean the Tehran-Damascus-Caracas route. That only operated for a few months and was taken over by Conviasa using an A340-200. It only operated every 2 weeks and was ceased a few years ago. I flew on the DAM-CCS sector in 2007. Here is my report from that flight: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/trip_reports/read.main/107603 (http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/trip_reports/read.main/107603)

Quote from: B757-236GT on November 02, 2014, 06:11:39 PM
Up until recently it was still possible to go on a 707 in Iran with Saha Air. Flights were hit and miss but many made the trip to see if one would come out to play. They now have two ex Korean A300-600s and two ex Iran Air force 747 freighters. Going from 707s to A300-600s must have been a shock!

Saha Air is history now, but Meraj Air is the current equivalent with links to the Air Force. They picked up and currently operate the A300-600s that briefly operated for Saha Air. I flew on 3 different Saha B707s in 2007 and 2010. Here is my report from 2007: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/trip_reports/read.main/98977 (http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/trip_reports/read.main/98977)

Quote from: DesertHound on November 03, 2014, 03:51:51 AM
The ones I saw would have been a couple of years ago, but no longer than that. Now you've got me thinking, was it -200's or -300's I saw. Seen so many of the things that the mind can start to play tricks after a while. I'm pretty sure I've seen some Mahan air -300's because I always wonder why they're doing intra Gulf routes and also why it's Mahan Air on a (most probably) Iran Air schedule. That said, I think the two do work in tandem.

I've been digging around for a pic or two but will have to keep searching. If I find anything then I'll post it.

The active Mahan Air ones are -300s. They also had some -400s which they managed to get via the Tajikistan (I think) register, but they didn't last long and are currently stored in Fujairah, UAE. Maybe it was a spares issue.

Quote from: B757-236GT on November 02, 2014, 07:57:31 PM
There is EP-IAI which is GE powered but there have been no recent sightings so i wonder if this was another christmas tree.

EP-IAI is very much active, along with EP-IAG. They have both operated to Mumbai and Kuala Lumpur recently in place of the -SP which is apparently in a check right now.

Yup - pretty sure the ones I've seen in The Gulf and Asia were -300's.

Thanks for posting those reports 47475 - haven't gotten around to reading them yet, but I will!

Dan

Hi 47475.

You must be one of the few people who deliberately fly in antique aircraft.

Most people avoid them like the plague.

Reminds me of a flight I once took from Abuja to Lagos in Nigeria with Changchangi airlines. The hostesses were all blond and all the notices in the cabin were in Serbo-Croat - in fact the aircraft was registered in Yugoslavia.

Inside the luggage bins there were all kinds of cables and wires hanging down but the passengers stuffed their bags in anyway and didn't seem worry about doing damage to the electrics.

Was I glad to get out of that plane !

Best regards,


Joe

Yes indeed, thanks for clarifying it. I thought it was a little odd as i thought they were Qantas and when they said UTA i thought perhaps the gen had been wrong first time round. Werent all UTAs 300s combis. Airfleets doesnt differentiate the two types for UTA and just lists 3B3s and 3B3Ms as i thought the Combis were 3B3Cs but im happy to be corrected on that.

They did operate Havana as well but only for a short while im led to believe. Does the CCS-THR flight operate now as i thought Conviasas A340-200s were likely to be impounded if they came to certain countries having said that i doubt Iran isnt one of them!

Are Iran still opping their 727s or have they gronded them now? I didnt realise Saha had gone as they are still listed as operating with the same fleet. I wonder if its one name on the aircraft with Saha still on AOC.

There is big business in doing these kind of flights. People were paying mega money for a two hour flight on a BAC1-11 recently.

Richard

Was N176SG one of the Qantas ones that ended up in Iran as i note its stored at Kemble at the moment. I certainly didnt notice that one come in.

Richard

With the day that's in it - here is my Heavy Aviation Photo...

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/36/thumb_18490.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=18490)

Bomber Command Memorial

Quote from: B757-236GT on November 03, 2014, 07:36:02 PM
Was N176SG one of the Qantas ones that ended up in Iran as i note its stored at Kemble at the moment. I certainly didnt notice that one come in.

Richard

Apparently it is, yes.

N176SG is currently being turned into razor blades as i speak. Its amazing how many skip fulls a 747 fuselage can create! According to the records there are now normally more 747s at Kemble than Gatwick and Manchester combined and if you leave out the BA 747s Heathrow too!

Richard

That's interesting to know Richard.

Perhaps Gillete could market those as The Mach III SP "for a smoother glide!"  ;D

Or theres only three main landing gears on my wagon!  :D

Richard

Getting back to the Iran Air B747 Classics, here are some photos from my recent B747-200 flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tehran (registration EP-IAI). This is the last active passenger B747-200 in the world:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/15550856039_4e689cd6fa_h.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3945/15742942302_cdf9adf7f1_h.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/15121464394_cbfc7a1925_h.jpg)

Here are some from my recent B747-SP flight too. This was the B747-SP 'farewell' flight, but it is still in service on flights to Asia and is not likely to be retired for another few months:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/15842739876_de39a69325_h.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/15868566542_50c7cb6d35_h.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8626/15843401896_2b78b58676_h.jpg)

Excuse my ignorance but does the SP stand for Shorter Plane as it looks a lot shorter than the other one.

Also, can you buy a 1:144 (seems the normal size for planes) Jumbo ready made? I may want one for my flying museum even if it is an SP.

Now not an airliner, but one hell of a wake up

A C5 galaxy taking off from Camp Bastion in 2013, sounded amazing and no doubt it was fully loaded!
sadly I didn't see it as it was a combat take off at night owe and the small fact it woke most of Bastion up at 2am!

Fair to say people were a little  :censored:

 :photospleasesign:

Quote from: Trainfish on January 24, 2015, 01:28:40 PM
Excuse my ignorance but does the SP stand for Shorter Plane as it looks a lot shorter than the other one.

Also, can you buy a 1:144 (seems the normal size for planes) Jumbo ready made? I may want one for my flying museum even if it is an SP.

SP = Special Perfirmance. That in turn mean a longer range (less weight = less fuel burn).

A 1:144 Boeing 747SP, hmmm ... a lot of the models come in 1:500, 1:200 etc. I'm not a collector so I can't say for sure they don't exist in 1:144.

Let us know if you find one!

Dan

I just did a quick search and found some really cheap looking Chinese made 747s but nothing like the Hercules I have from Atlas. The best I have found is this one (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOAC-747-100-SCALE-1-144-HANDBUILT-PRECISION-MODEL-IN-FINAL-BOAC-LIVERY-RARE-/301157153358) but my finances won't stretch that far at the moment  :(

By the way, it just has to be a 747, I'm not worried if it's an SP, GTi, SRi 16v or whatever, just a 747 and preferable a British livery or European at a stretch.

As desert hound says it was a special performance version. Back in the very early 747 days it didnt have quite the range for USA-AUS flights so airlines like Qantas, Pan Am, South African etc requested one that would. Ultimatly the 747-200 arrived but even that had payload restrictions on certain routes but by the time the 300 and 400 series arrived the SPs days were numbered. Nowadays a 777-200LR would make the SPs range seem like it had a cola bottle for a fuel tank. Emirates quite regulaly send 200LRs and 300ERs from Dubai to New York non stop which can be around a 14-15 hour flight. of course for the Japanese market they created the 747SR which was a 747-100 fuselage but had extra strengthening and reduced fuel range. Some of the ex JAL 200SRs went on to complete cycles that a 737 would struggle to make! I believe a few ex 200SRs went to Transaero of Russia but im told they are in storage at one of the Moscow airports. Boeings marketing name for it was the "Super Airbus".....

Richard

Love that one TrainFish - how about a GTi version, pimped up with alloy wheels, a pair of fluffy dice dangling in the flight deck and go faster stripes!

Richard, thanks for the (as usual) informative info. You're most definitely our "go to" man on aviation history. Thought I knew a thing or two, but I don't think I've read a post of yours which hasn't taught me something.

Much appreciated!

Dan

Quote from: DesertHound on January 24, 2015, 02:51:43 PM
Love that one TrainFish - how about a GTi version, pimped up with alloy wheels, a pair of fluffy dice dangling in the flight deck and go faster stripes!

Dan

Not quite alloy wheels and fluffy dice but have a look at this one (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2659786/The-super-jumbo-jets-tricked-billionaires-Gulfstream-just-isnt-big-enough.html) Dan.

I found one which looks like it has alloy wheels here (http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://flyawaysimulation.com/modules/Images/gallery/fs2004/Monster-Energy-747.JPG&imgrefurl=http://flyawaysimulation.com/images/10/microsoft-flight-simulator-2004/700/&h=768&w=1024&tbnid=1QdQ0zxa3gNmjM:&zoom=1&docid=FjlHN684IUfecM&ei=TbbDVJu2EsPU7AaL9YHQDA&tbm=isch&ved=0CFEQMygjMCM)

I'll let you boys get back to your big metal birds now but let me know if you ever see a decent 747 for my layout  :thumbsup:

Sorry for the interruptions.

Brilliant TrainFish!

I do come across some model diecast plane shops on my travels and I'll bear you in mind. If I see something I'll be sure to let you know.

So it's 1:148 or as close as possible that you're after, correct? An early 1980's BA 747-100/200 would look nice dangling from the roof beams on Longcroft. If we can find one with the gear extended then it could signify Heathrow (or Manchester or some fictional airport) just in the background.

That said, we'd probably have to modify the flap settings as it wouldn't be landing clean. Then again, I don't think most people would notice. A bit like I don't notice if MkIII's for HST's have buffers or not, or whether a MkIII has "125" written on the side in error.  ;D

It will actually be static Dan as I'm having a small flying museum in the corner. I want want I call iconic aircraft and so far have just a Hercules, this one in fact:

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/35/thumb_19317.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=19317)

It has wheels to attach when I remove the stand and looks far better in 'real life' than in that picture.

I have a Revell Concord to build and I'll also be looking for a Harrier jump jet. Maybe a Red Arrow, were/are they Gnats or something? Oh and some sort of helicopter. A Chinook would be nice but I have to be careful with the space.

Oh, yes, around 1:144 ideally as that's what the Hercules is. Ideally not newer than 1982 I'd say as my layout is supposed to be around 1980ish. I appreciate your help here  :thumbsup:

A BOAC VC-10 would look nice, much like in the colours of the 747 you posted. Lovely looking, classic airliner. Not sure they would have been in a museum in 1982 but who cares! It would still look good, and have an air of vintage about it in BOAC colours.

Ultimately go for what you like though!  ;D

Yes, a VC-10 would be good. It would bring back memories of flying to Hong Kong in the early 1970's with about 9 re-fuelling stops. It took us 25 hours if I remember correctly.

First VC10 in a museum was G-ARVM at RAF Cosford in October 1979

Quote from: Trainfish on January 24, 2015, 04:03:54 PM
Yes, a VC-10 would be good. It would bring back memories of flying to Hong Kong in the early 1970's with about 9 re-fuelling stops. It took us 25 hours if I remember correctly.

I don't know what route you took, but in the 70's a 10 would do HK to UK with just one stop, (usually), in Bahrain.  In the early 80's they would stopover in Germany for a top up.

Without googling it (not difficult) I believe there were short / long range variants of the VC-10. It could be that a shorter range one was used.

Just an idea. In those days multiple stops weren't so uncommon, whereas today we expect point to point, or at worst, one transit.

Oh the glory days of air travel, where have they gone?

Dan

Quote from: DesertHound on January 25, 2015, 09:25:09 AM
Oh the glory days of air travel, where have they gone?
Dan

I'm afraid they've gone, airliners nowadays are just metal tubes
for carrying chavs to Teneriffe .

Not sure if the number of stops was just due to fuel, I was only 9 when we last did it and the memory isn't so great these days. I'll do some digging and see if I can find the route we took. I seem to remember we stopped in Cyprus and Singapore and also somewhere in the middle of the night which was infested with frogs. And I don't mean French people.

My father served on VC-10s as an airframe techncian and remembers them as tempremental most of the time. Most were hanger queens and required ingeneous use of various implements to coax them into life and keep them working. Some of the RAF ones were amalgamations of super wings and standard fuselages but there were also some very early builds with cola cans for fuel tanks and engines out of an Ford Model T. Having said that the VC-10 is one of the few aircraft to fly at cruise on 2 engines. 2 were throttled back while the other two were pushed up, this was far more efficient than having 4 engines working at lower RPM etc. He finished up on Hercs at Lyneham and always said they were the best. Simple engineering and simple maintainenece was all that was required. Some of the stories of some of the things that occured in the RAF would make the modern world go white but back then its what you had to do to get the job done including having to use many substances which are now band as dangerous to health! Interestingly for the last 2 years of life the VC-10s were flight crew only. Im told this is due to serious corrosion issues. The tristar fleet of course completely buckled under the extra workload leading to many hire ins, to the extent many tristars only came back to the UK for heavy maintainence as they were the only a/c to fly into the restricted airspace!

Remember some of the RAF flights were like buses so stopped in various bases on the way to drop and pick up supplies and people. My father again had to go to Guam to fix a Belfast that had gone tech with a landing gear issue. It took 3 days using various RAF aircraft including a Britannia on the first leg to get there! They took the Belfast straight back home as they were unable to do a major repair out there. Needless to say it took quite a few fuel stops to get back. He and the rest of his team were away in total for 12 days!

Richard

I was thinking earlier that we stopped at Guam but when I looked it up I decided it was a bit too far out of the way going to Hong Kong.

One thing I do remember was that the seats faced the wrong way! I was too young to drink then so I know that did actually happen.

Its something the RAF have always done. Trouble is when the civil world tried it there massive complaints but there is real proof its safer to have them that way. Back in the 60s and 70s the RAF had bases everywhere but im not sure if Guam was. The Belfasts were the large freighters of the day so tended to be borrowed for non RAF use occasionally. Some of the ex RAF ones went on to Heavylift airlines and one still exists to this day in Australia. However im led to believe its not got long left for this world!

Richard

Slightly off topic, but at airshows  I always thought that a big plane flying
low and slow was more of a spectacle than a fighter taking off, eg
Nimrod, B52, KC135, VC10 with refuelling probe etc. Though not a big
machine I remember a Canberra at East Fortune doing a flypast with
bomb bay open at very low speed and altitude. Must have been
close to stalling speed, tremendous aircraft.
 

The Vulcan at Prestwick Air Show low and slow over Ayr Beach was spectacular but I feel fighters in the 60's and 70's were more impressive. Whether a CF104's howl on start up at Prestwick or as a young air cadet watchingand hearing 24 early model Lightning taking off in pairs at RAF Coltishall it made my hair stand on end

Quote from: javlinfaw7 on January 24, 2015, 06:52:56 PM
First VC10 in a museum was G-ARVM at RAF Cosford in October 1979

It was a sin when G-ARVM (the only standard VC10 that made it into the then BA colours) was chopped up along with the only preserved B707-436 and Trident One. Unforgiveable.

For airshow spectacular, I think one of the best was the Australian Airforce party trick of "dump & burn" with their F111.
On a low pass, they would initiate fuel jettison, then set light to the plume of vented fuel with the afterburner.  The flame would be about 3 times the length of the aircraft
Can't post a pic here, but you will find it if you google F111 dump and burn.
Tom.

Quote from: Tom U on January 27, 2015, 03:21:45 AM
For airshow spectacular, I think one of the best was the Australian Airforce party trick of "dump & burn" with their F111.
On a low pass, they would initiate fuel jettison, then set light to the plume of vented fuel with the afterburner.  The flame would be about 3 times the length of the aircraft
Can't post a pic here, but you will find it if you google F111 dump and burn.
Tom.

Oooh I like that Tom. Dump and burn is a new one for me. For the initiated here is a short Youtube clip

http://youtu.be/WpPEdOMSIgQ (http://youtu.be/WpPEdOMSIgQ)

I think I just saw the hole in the ozone layer opening up  :goggleeyes:

Smokin' ! :thumbsup:

I posted a photo of a Constellation from 2014 Farnborough airshow on another photography thread. Tom U suggested I posted it here. So here it is together with a few other airshow pictures from the last few shows.
[smg id=20752 type=preview align=center caption="D3655 - Constellation"]

[smg id=20753 type=preview align=center caption="D5171 Military airbus"]

[smg id=20754 type=preview align=center caption="D5182 - Vulcan"]

[smg id=20755 type=preview align=center caption="D4395 - Airbus 380"]

[smg id=20756 type=preview align=center caption="D4442 - Lancaster"]

[smg id=20757 type=preview align=center caption="D4453 - Low flying Red Arrows"]

[smg id=20758 type=preview align=center caption="D3650 - DC7"]

[smg id=20759 type=preview align=center caption="D2655 - Red Arrows"]

:beers:

Quote from: Trainfish on January 25, 2015, 11:39:00 AM
Not sure if the number of stops was just due to fuel, I was only 9 when we last did it and the memory isn't so great these days. I'll do some digging and see if I can find the route we took. I seem to remember we stopped in Cyprus and Singapore and also somewhere in the middle of the night which was infested with frogs. And I don't mean French people.

I was flying RAF Britannias from 1966-1975 and the typical route to the Far East was- Brize Norton to Akrotiri (Cyprus) to Muharraq (Bahrain) or Masirah Island (Oman) after Bahrain closed, to Gan Island (Maldives) and Singapore (Changi and Tengah in the later days). Somewhat tedious but not only did this service RAF bases en route but the routing was extended for diplomatic reasons to avoid flying over certain countries.

I think the Belfast repair in Guam was probably Gan.

Dave

That sounds more like it but there were definitely more stops. Certainly was Gan island rather than Guam, well done that man. I'll have to ask my mum about the other stops but then her memory is worse than mine  :doh:

Hi Dan "Busbar",
I was on TASF at Akrotiri from 1972 to 1975 so am sure to have done transits on your Brit.
My last posting 1975/6 was VC10 Base hangar Brize.
Cheers,
Tom U

Hi Tom U

Yes I'm sure you would have looked after me at Akrotiri as it was our most common stop. Probably missed you at Brize as I departed for Northolt on HS125's when the Britannias were sold off.

Dave

Here's a couple of photos I took at Heathrow back in 1962 (yes I am that old) when you were actually allowed to go on top of the 'whatever' building it was to view the aircraft. Colours a bit faded as they were only scanned in the last few years.

[smg id=20918 type=preview align=center caption="T0003 - Constellation at Heathrow"]

[smg id=20919 type=preview align=center caption="T0006 - Vanguard at Heathrow"]

:beers:

For those that like something a bit more vintage, if you are every down near Stonehenge you do see a Buccaneer and Hawker Hunter flying from Boscombe Down airfield at least 2 days of the week.

Don't ask me for tail numbers I have no idea but they fly over camp enough times!

I think one of them probably fles over on Friday. Wasn't a Herc, wasn't a helichopper etc but I did look twice thinking it was an oldy worldy type plane. I then had to re-focus on the road ahead as I didn't really want to crash  :thumbsup:

I didnt realise there were any buccaneers airworthy in the UK right now. Hunters are plentiful especially at St Athan or Kemble. I think there is a Canberra airworthy at Kemble at the moment but i understand its being a bit of hanger queen so its rare to see it out. Also all the old HS 125 Domonies that were at Kemble are slowing departing. Consider how long some have been stored and the fact most werent prepped for long term storage (they were due to all be parted out at Kemble) im suprised as many were still able to depart in one piece.

Richard

The Buc at Boscombe is still flying was up again this week. As to when it flies its rather adhoc but its owned by thales I think for testing new flight equipment.
There are 4 airframes I know of based there a buc, hawk and bae 125 the final one I am unsure I know its an older type but not sure what.
I will get pics if I get a chance.

Do Concordes count in this thread?

I took my late Father down to see the preserved one in East Fortune a few years ago.  One of his first jobs was to build the engineering deck flight simulators for them.  I couldn't believe how small the Concorde was up-close, nor could I believe he still remembered most of the dials and mech functions of the engines after so long!!  He could still talk me through most of the dials and switches and the tour guide went very quiet talking about the cockpit.  One of the guys he went to uni with ended up on the "konkordski" programme.  I met him once completely out of chance (small world) who had some interesting stories also!

We have a very small air museum in Inverness which s largely just cockpits chopped off aircraft.  Nevertheless he still knew his way around a Tornado, Buccaneer, H Page, Valiant cockpit etc.  When the avionics and radar were robbed he could still reel off what should have been there, the development of the radar kit etc.  He was fairly involved In the Nimrod project which got cancelled 15 years or so ago and figured "why bother" any more when he got a good deal to leave.

I thought I had memories of an open day on HMS Ark Royal maybe 30 years ago now.  Checked with my Mother and turns out it was a private day for friends and family of postings.  I can remember Jump Jet Demo's up top, going round the officer decks and some of the engine rooms.  Never knew it was a private affair, I can still just remember watching Harriers take off at close range (loud).

My earliest experience of "heavy metal" was the Vulcan. I think I've only sen one flying once or two mid eighties (again my old man knew most of the flight deck), but the sound will never leave me.  I still look it up on youtube every now and again.

And here is some really heavy stuff!
Bit of history now that the A380 is a mature airliner...but here are some pictures of the development flight trials.  The aircraft is exploring the minimum rotate/take off speed.  You can see the tail skid is doing its joband protecting the aft fuselage from runway contact. 
Glad I am not on board!!

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/30/thumb_22264.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22264)

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/30/thumb_22263.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22263)

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/30/thumb_22262.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22262)

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/30/thumb_22261.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22261)

Some pics from my latest flight & my first on the A380
[smg id=22271 type=preview align=center caption="520"][smg id=22272 type=preview align=center caption="522"][smg id=22273 type=preview align=center caption="524"][smg id=22274 type=preview align=center caption="525"][smg id=22275 type=preview align=center caption="526"][smg id=22276 type=preview align=center caption="527"][smg id=22277 type=preview align=center caption="529"][smg id=22278 type=preview align=center caption="530"][smg id=22279 type=preview align=center caption="531"][smg id=22280 type=preview align=center caption="532"]

Stay tuned, aviation fans.... Qantas 747 City of Canberra takes off from Sydney 7.40am on Sunday AEST, climbs to 4500' then lands at my regional airport to become a museum piece.

Hope they have parachute assisted brakes, 'cos my driveway is longer than that runway!

Just letting you all know.....

Actually, I can't wait!  :thumbsup:

It's a 20 min hop, by the way. Scheduled landing 9am!

I just caught up with austinbob's Farnboro pix which were very good.
The DC7 shot reminded me of a slide I have somewhere of an Eagle
Air plane, possibly a Britannia taken years ago.

Quote from: Bealman on March 05, 2015, 08:56:35 AM
Stay tuned, aviation fans.... Qantas 747 City of Canberra takes off from Sydney 7.40am on Sunday AEST, .....................
It's a 20 min hop, by the way. Scheduled landing 9am!

Bealman, I know you often appear to be on a different planet to some of us but are you also in a different time zone to where it takes off from?

If he is it makes it even longer flight time. Sydney is on the east coast  so any change in time would  mean putting a clock back! Methinks the schools in Darlington didn't teach maths very well.

Shortest flight I have been on was Changi to Paya Lebar in Singapore.
As the crow flies, only about 15km - but an A300-600 couldn't fly it like a crow, we had to go way out to sea to catch an approach path back into Paya Lebar.

Quote from: steve836 on March 05, 2015, 03:48:00 PM
If he is it makes it even longer flight time. Sydney is on the east coast  so any change in time would  mean putting a clock back! Methinks the schools in Darlington didn't teach maths very well.

So it would get there 40 minutes before it took off? Or have I got that wrong?

Quote from: Trainfish on March 05, 2015, 04:14:34 PM

Quote from: steve836 on March 05, 2015, 03:48:00 PM
If he is it makes it even longer flight time. Sydney is on the east coast  so any change in time would  mean putting a clock back! Methinks the schools in Darlington didn't teach maths very well.

So it would get there 40 minutes before it took off? Or have I got that wrong?

Yes if the time in Sydney is 7oclock and Perth (for example) is in a different time Zone the time would be 6 o clock or earlier. Remember Concorde- It was possible to have breakfast in London and still be in time for breakfast in New York.

Double breakfast sounds good to me, bring back Concorde!

Short flights?  How about the schedules Aer Arann Galway to the Arann Islands.  Average 15 mins terminal to terminal...

http://www.aerarannislands.ie/index.php/flight-times (http://www.aerarannislands.ie/index.php/flight-times)

Quote from: Trainfish on March 05, 2015, 04:31:53 PM
Double breakfast sounds good to me, bring back Concorde!

We did that flying back from Goa. Were fed breakfast on flight fro Goa to Doha & again on flight from Doha to Heathrow.

Yeah, ok, that's what I get for glancing up at the telly down the club then mouthing off on here.  ;)

There's two possibilities, I guess... it's taking off at 8.40, not 7.40, or it's going to fly around a bit before it heads my way.

One things for sure, seeing as I can drive to Sydney airport in about an hour, it's not very far!

Thanks for pointing out the error! Either way, it's a bit of excitement for our local area.  :thumbsup: :beers:

Quote from: Greybeema on March 05, 2015, 06:45:26 PM
Short flights?  How about the schedules Aer Arann Galway to the Arann Islands.  Average 15 mins terminal to terminal...

http://www.aerarannislands.ie/index.php/flight-times (http://www.aerarannislands.ie/index.php/flight-times)

I think the Wright brothers' first flight still beats that in terms of brevity  :D

Best regards,


Joe

Hello chaps!

i get to  fix / play heavy metal on a daily basis at work!

cheers Callum


[smg id=22457 type=preview align=center caption="G-VBIG"]

Quote from: steve836 on March 02, 2015, 04:23:45 PM
Some pics from my latest flight & my first on the A380
[smg id=22271 type=preview align=center caption="520"][smg id=22272 type=preview align=center caption="522"][smg id=22273 type=preview align=center caption="524"][smg id=22274 type=preview align=center caption="525"][smg id=22275 type=preview align=center caption="526"][smg id=22276 type=preview align=center caption="527"][smg id=22277 type=preview align=center caption="529"][smg id=22278 type=preview align=center caption="530"][smg id=22279 type=preview align=center caption="531"][smg id=22280 type=preview align=center caption="532"]

Last Friday I flew from Paris to Hong Kong on a 380 with Air France. We arrived on time but we had to wait 30 minutes to park because all the double-decker parking places were occupied.

The other "problem" with the 380 is that if you travel in business you don't get to passport control before economy class because everyone disembarks at the same time !

Best regards,


Joe

 Loganair's Westray to Papa Westray under 2 minutes is the shortest sheduled flight
http://www.loganair.co.uk/xtra_files/OrkneyWinter27Oct14-1Mar15.pdf (http://www.loganair.co.uk/xtra_files/OrkneyWinter27Oct14-1Mar15.pdf)

OK... the local paper informs me that the 747-400 will arrive at our local airport between 7.40 and 8am on Sunday. The airport is about 10-15 minutes south of where I live, so it should rattle our windows a bit.

If I get a pic I'll post it here.  :thumbsup:

Believe it or not it was once possible to fly BEA from Glasgow to Edinburgh, my brother
was a planespotter and still in short trousers and did it unaccompanied.

Some good pix in this topic, is it only for civil aviation?

Quote from: Agrippa on March 06, 2015, 02:20:15 PM
my brother was a planespotter and still in short trousers and did it unaccompanied.

Was he ashamed of his legs then?

 :laughabovepost:

and he was only 25 at the time..... :D

Quote from: Trainfish on March 06, 2015, 03:04:21 PM

Quote from: Agrippa on March 06, 2015, 02:20:15 PM
my brother was a planespotter and still in short trousers and did it unaccompanied.

Was he ashamed of his legs then?

Oh!! by unaccompanied, I thought he meant without the benifit of a backing group, or massed pipe band, sort of...mono capella (is that wearing one Tam o' Shanter??)

Quote from: Agrippa on March 06, 2015, 02:20:15 PM
Believe it or not it was once possible to fly BEA from Glasgow to Edinburgh, my brother
was a planespotter and still in short trousers and did it unaccompanied.

Some good pix in this topic, is it only for civil aviation?

I think I've found his shorts!

(http://i3.cpcache.com/product/234302697/plane_spotting_expert_boxer_shorts.jpg?color=White&height=460&width=460&qv=90)

Gawd, these gags are getting worse......

I did that journey myself in a British Airways Viscount 802 the flight then went to Aberdeen

Quote from: Agrippa on March 06, 2015, 04:32:43 PM
Gawd, these gags are getting worse......

You're right, they're pants!





We need a "Get my coat" smiley

QuoteShortest flight I have been on was Changi to Paya Lebar in Singapore.
As the crow flies, only about 15km - but an A300-600 couldn't fly it like a crow, we had to go way out to sea to catch an approach path back into Paya Lebar.

...short flights, you wanna try choppers.  Anything between 20 mins and 4h wearing this type of gear gear:

(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/1703/1703,1234416585,2/stock-photo-offshore-personnel-flying-home-24837793.jpg)

(http://www.blackpool.ac.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/300_wide/flickr/emimage-flickr-14821798026_0.jpg)

...Choppers a re pretty darn big now (some foot room at least, your 'oppos knees still up in your privates but not so friendly now) -just wish they made the windows a tad larger! I still think the Eurocopter is still pretty big for what it does these days.

(http://cdn1.airplane-pictures.net/images/uploaded-images/2013/9/14/320102.jpg)

All that safety brief stuff in modern fixed wing craft these days, I reckon it's 95% placebo! 99.9% in a chopeer.

Getting all excited here... 747 due over me house in 9 hours! Hopefully I'll get some pics.

It is quite a famous plane, as it was the first to fly non-stop from Sydney to London, in a time which apparently is still a record.

Three of it's engines will be removed for reuse by Qantas, so says the paper.

Quote from: Bealman on March 07, 2015, 10:48:42 AM
Three of it's engines will be removed for reuse by Qantas, so says the paper.

Presumably after landing....

I once worked with a guy who had been an instructor pilot in choppers for the US Marines (in Somalia, no less).  He explained that helicopters don't really fly, they just vibrate so much that the earth rejects them.

Well the 747 I've been ranting on about just flew over the house. Not as noisy as I thought it was going to be! I managed a couple of pics, but they're not real good.

As I said, not real good.... could be any old plane anywhere. Still, that tree is in my backyard, honest, guvner.
[smg id=22529 type=preview align=center width=400]
[smg id=22530 type=preview align=center width=400]

I trust that tree is 1:148 scale

Today's edition of our local rag has much better pics and a good article, for those interested:

illawarra mercury.com.au

Some interesting reading (and some great photos) in this thread. I'm a big fan of aviation metal, but of the smaller variety!

Quote from: srw on March 10, 2015, 11:45:41 AM
Some interesting reading (and some great photos) in this thread. I'm a big fan of aviation metal, but of the smaller variety!

Is that model aircraft?

Quote from: steve836 on March 10, 2015, 11:50:23 AMIs that model aircraft?

No, real aircraft (though I have been known to dabble with a model aircraft or two  ;)). Mainly interested in fast jets and helicopters; particularly the latter as I work with them!

I know been a while since this thread has been active but hey hoo,

Anyone else down near Boscombe seeing well not sure what it is, it looks like a cross between a F-111 and a Tornado not really sure how to describe it.

Rather wide in the main body like a F-111 but a thing nose with a 2 seats one behind each other like found in a Tornado. It appears to have variable geometry wings but what really has thrown me and I can't find anything that matches it has 2 vertical stabilizers offset at a 45 degree angle.

It was a strange looking beast and I can't for the life of me find any pics of it and it has me well curious!

The only aircraft I can think of like what you describe is the F14 Tomcat, but the twin stabilisers aren't angled...

Are you sure it was variable winged, or was it just that it looked like it did? A lot of new jets look like they should have sweeping wings...

Could have been this...
(http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/5893/images/145237/large/t-50-pakfa.jpg)

Is there an air show on?

I am well 99% certain it was variable winged with its wings set for low speed manoeuvres which would make sense as it took off from Boscombe did a loop over my Camp and the landed back at Boscombe.
It was low enough to make out some details but to much sun about to get a proper look if it's up and about again I will try to get a photo!

Funny you should mention air shows I know the Fairford air show is on the weekend of the 17th and Boscombe is used to hold some aircraft

Well for me this has to be the red line of the decade. Very very rare in the UK and the general consensus it has never been to the UK before. For me thats why i moved on from trains, ok new trains come and go but at the end of the day they are still on this island wheras aircraft can leave and never come or back or even visit here in the first place.

[smg id=26803 type=preview align=center caption="DSCF1333"]

Also got another red line in the book, ive missed this one so many times its finally produced and i wasnt even expecting it.

[smg id=26804 type=preview align=center caption="DSCF1331"]

Richard

Quote from: B757-236GT on July 05, 2015, 10:17:33 PM
Well for me this has to be the red line of the decade. Very very rare in the UK and the general consensus it has never been to the UK before.

[smg id=26803 type=preview align=center caption="DSCF1333"]

Which one is this please and when and where did you see it?

Nigel

A6-EHK operated EY021 on 2/7/15. I believe it was to upgauged so it could pick up the Man City football team and still operate the scehduled service.

Richard

Quote from: B757-236GT on July 06, 2015, 09:06:48 AM
A6-EHK operated EY021 on 2/7/15. I believe it was to upgauged so it could pick up the Man City football team and still operate the scehduled service.

:thankyousign:
For info A6-EHF did the same flight the day before.

Quote from: B757-236GT on July 05, 2015, 10:17:33 PM
Very very rare in the UK and the general consensus it has never been to the UK before.

Well it's certainly rarer than it used to be.  It used to get into LHR quite regularly, almost daily back in 2013 then less frequently as 2014 passed by and it's only been in twice in 2015.  A6-EHI is rare as well, last into LHR over a year ago.

With Etihad now operating A388s to LHR and B789s from AUH to IAD, an occasional UK overflight, I wonder if they'll keep their A346s?

Nigel

I was stood at the school where I work (Barnardiston Nr. Haverhill in Suffolk) and looked up to see a Vulcan flying low ( I should guess about 200ft) overhead heading towards Bury St. Eds.  Why oh why do they have to do it when I havn't got my camera?

Quote from: steve836 on August 27, 2015, 08:03:29 PM
I was stood at the school where I work (Barnardiston Nr. Haverhill in Suffolk) and looked up to see a Vulcan flying low ( I should guess about 200ft) overhead heading towards Bury St. Eds.  Why oh why do they have to do it when I havn't got my camera?

Could it have been the Vulcan that's being retired very shortly after the Clacton show (http://www.vulcantothesky.org/ (http://www.vulcantothesky.org/))?

Dave G

Quote from: acko22 on June 30, 2015, 04:29:00 PM
I know been a while since this thread has been active but hey hoo,

Anyone else down near Boscombe seeing well not sure what it is, it looks like a cross between a F-111 and a Tornado not really sure how to describe it.

Rather wide in the main body like a F-111 but a thing nose with a 2 seats one behind each other like found in a Tornado. It appears to have variable geometry wings but what really has thrown me and I can't find anything that matches it has 2 vertical stabilizers offset at a 45 degree angle.

It was a strange looking beast and I can't for the life of me find any pics of it and it has me well curious!

Sorry, they all look the same to me. Unless it has up to 4 'fans' and dates from the 1930s/1940s that is!

Quote from: daveg on August 28, 2015, 06:52:18 AM

Quote from: steve836 on August 27, 2015, 08:03:29 PM
I was stood at the school where I work (Barnardiston Nr. Haverhill in Suffolk) and looked up to see a Vulcan flying low ( I should guess about 200ft) overhead heading towards Bury St. Eds.  Why oh why do they have to do it when I havn't got my camera?

Could it have been the Vulcan that's being retired very shortly after the Clacton show (http://www.vulcantothesky.org/ (http://www.vulcantothesky.org/))?

Dave G

Could well have been. We are not that far from Clacton as the crow (or Vulcan) flies.

Saw a DC10 yesterday over the capital, a Brussels to Toronto flight.  It appears to be a Sunday and Wednesday flight and the code if anyone's interested is KFA203.  Departure from Brussels is around 16.30 CEST.

It's been many a year since I've seen one of these old ladies and wondered how many are left in service.  If you discount FedEx (they don't fly their DC10s to Europe), the USAF and a US based airborne fire fighting outfit there are only 10.

Of the 10 two are in Bolivia and one in Venezula so that's only 7 that could be seen in European skies.  Catch them whilst you can.

And on the subject of large trijets there is a squeak of a possibility that a Tristar might still be airworthy, although currently at Victorville so the rumour mill might be wrong.  Anyone know where the RAF ones ended up?

Nigel

There is only one L1011 TriStar still active. It flies in the US for Orbital Sciences.

The only other L1011s with any chance of flying again are the handful of retired RAF ones at Bruntingthorpe. They were supposed to have been sold to a private airborne tanker company in Florian, but still remain parked at Brunty.

Not exactly heavy ... but I hear a Spitfire had a crash-landing today in a field :(  Pilot seems to be unhurt (or minor), as he got himself out before rescue turned up ...

Quote from: MikeDunn on September 07, 2015, 04:09:28 PM
Not exactly heavy ... but I hear a Spitfire had a crash-landing today in a field :(  Pilot seems to be unhurt (or minor), as he got himself out before rescue turned up ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-34174822 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-34174822)

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/COTNdzlWcAAh4L3.jpg (http://pbs.twimg.com/media/COTNdzlWcAAh4L3.jpg)

Oh bums!

All

Not sure if this is correct place to post but I was at Scottish Airshow on Saturday and Sunday as well as an emotional farewell to Vulcan XH558 and the Seaking Helicopters from HMS Gannet there was a guy there with a model of the Terminal Building and apron I think the were using planes from the Corgi range and some cars buses and fire engines from the Oxford die cast range.

Tried to Google it but couldn't find anything but it was exact replica in N scale

Not an airliner I know but, some airliners were born from bomber design.

I give you the B-36:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V9CWQNZRF8&feature=player_embedded (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V9CWQNZRF8&feature=player_embedded)

Now that's 'big metal'  :thumbsup:

Roger

Ah the good old B-36....... 6 turning and 4 burning.

I've been lucky enough to see all preserved B-36's bar 1 and i'm seeing that next May.
Delightful aircraft you dont realise the size until your in the bomb bay.

Have a look at my Zenfolio site for pics of 3 of them.......  in the military aircraft section............

Castle Airbase, Pima in Tucson, USAF museum Dayton.

davejonesphotography/zenfolio

Lots of heavy metal in there along with a civilian section too.

cheers
Dave

Ok it's big, but 1700 tons???

Cheers, Timmo

B36 was the daddy, a mix of jet engines and props. I always liked the TU95
and the B52, old cold warriors, I think when the buff is retired the design
will have been in service for about 70 years.

A machine with such a long range a fighter was developed to be carried in it,XF85

Quote from: Agrippa on November 10, 2015, 11:38:23 PM
B36 was the daddy, a mix of jet engines and props. I always liked the TU95
and the B52, old cold warriors, I think when the buff is retired the design
will have been in service for about 70 years.

If you like B-52's then you should enjoy this  :)

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCnCXAhPDts&feature=player_embedded#)

After the latest upgrade program it looks like they'll be operating until 2040, almost 90 years of service!

Cheers,

Jimmy

Smokin' !  When the Leuchars air show was on I'd go the day before it started
to see the B52  arrive, as  it was on the static display. You couldn't board the buff
but you could visit the cockpit and boom operating station of the adjacent KC135.

Looks like the engines were supplied by VW

There were proposed guppy transport versions of both b52 and b36 fortunately neither were built
T