Tristar Fleet

[Bill1980]

Many thanks for the heads-up.

I might go along at the weekend to see them parked up. I'm guessing that part of the airfield must be turning into the M25 at rush hour with all the aircraft they've been receiving lately

Bill

[Magnum]

Am assuming it's a 'No' so am going to try to get to Brize.

Posted on Fighter Control and UKAR taken from (I understand) GJD's FB "BZN Departure timings for tomorrow's Tristars....0900, 1100, 1600. all subject to weather."

I haven't heard anything either Mike, but those departure times are the ones quoted on the GJD facebook page.

[Flour Power]

Cheers Rich.

Posted on UKAR earlier today...

Sadly it would appear that the proposed deal to purchase the 6 remaining Tristars has now fallen through. 3 will de disposed of tomorrow at Bruntingthorpe with 3 more to follow on next week. The last aircrafts proposed delivery date is the 25th of this month.

If true (IF), then the end in nigh.

[Sylar]

Still hoping for access to Bruntingthorpe tomorrow as I have the day off and it's only 40min from home. Failing that there is always the 25th, but I may not get that day off!

Cheers

Shane

[Thumper]

I think the best thing anyone can do is to simply ask at the Brunty gate. If it's a no then continue down Bath Lane and find somewhere to park up so you'll see the approach outside the airfield. Obviously you'll lose the aircraft once they are over the trees though.

The fog is apparently starting to lift a little up there but at the moment it's certainly putting a hold on everything. It's like BOB's landing last year!

[Sylar]

I've gone to Brize instead and it's thick fog here, can just see the terminal. Hoping to get to Brunty later on today.

Cheers

Shane

[Chris K]

ZE705 just requested clearance to Bruntingthorpe as Ascot 902. ZE704 has some issues, so most likely will not depart today. No word about ZD953 yet.

[Flour Power]

I decided not to chance it but, unexpectedly, have free day tomorrow. If 704 has gone 'tech' , I wonder if it might be worth dropping in at Brize...

[Magnum]

Would love to join you at Brize but have to be at work in the morning and supposed to be going Brunty in the afternoon. At moment all plans are on hold dependant on the arrival of a spare part for my car in the morning. If it doesn't, then hopefully will be able to beg a courtesy car!

[Ron]

As will be guessed by now, only 705 made it in to Bruntingthorpe today. The late-clearing low cloud screwed the schedule up. The crew off aircraft 1 were to be flown back to Brize by HS125 to collect aircraft 3. The late arrival of 705 kicked that into touch. It didn't prevent ZD703 arriving though to take the crew back in style.

From this point on, things are now on 'hold' (ie. nothing is planned or known) as far as moving the next two airframes are concerned. It is all down to crew availability, aircraft serviceability etc etc etc. It could be Friday, it could be next week. It definitely isn't tomorrow unless something drastically changes. Bruntingthorpe's planning approval does not permit the movement of such aircraft (scrappers/storage) on Saturdays or Sundays.

Although the sale to the US had previously fallen through, there still is a slight possibility that it could be resurrected. Consequently, NOTHING will be done to 705 to restrict it's flying for at least a week. The same will apply to 704 and 953 should they arrive at Bruntingthorpe before the final decision is made. Clearly the exact situation is commercially confidential to those that are involved. Expect all to be confirmed in the not too distant..... What is 'clear' (well, at least for the moment) is that unless circumstances dictate otherwise, the last three Tristars will be retiring to Bruntingthorpe on or around 25th March.

[Flour Power]

Thank you for the update Ron.

Looks lke it'll be a day at LHR for me, then.

[Gsxr600]

Very sad that the Tristars are so soon to be gone too. I can't imagine GJD can afford to keep one intact as well as a VC10, but I think at least one deserves to be saved from scrapping. Afterall, they have been in service for 30 years, there is a British connection with the RB211s, and just think how many serviceman must have been flown on a Tristar over the years. Definitely part of RAF history, and a classic and now very rare first generation wide body.

[ranger one one]

Ah the fun we can have with this hobby of ours--5 hours waiting at Bruntingthorpe for a single Tristar to appear.

Guess we will miss them when they've gone.

Bob

[Chris K]

Bruntingthorpe's planning approval does not permit the movement of such aircraft (scrappers/storage) on Saturdays or Sundays.

Maybe someone should tell that to the RAF According to a usually well informed member of 216 Squadron, the delivery of ZE704 and ZD953 to Brunty is now planned for Saturday

[Anglojet]

I heard Saturday, too. Still the case?