First P-8A for RAF

[Snoop 95]

It might have been a good idea not to allocate all registrations, but buying a copy of such publications as Military Aircraft Marking was not restricted to the good guys!

[Davef68]

It's been interesting finding out about these things. Made sense during wartime to deceive enemies.

One more question, what about serials "not taken up" but then skipped and more allocated afterwards (the T2 Hawks for example).

I suspect it's the software they use, won't allow the reallocation once reserved

[raameagle]

The report of the first RAF P-8A on the production line was incorrect...
Regards

[plmc135]

Indeed the info for l/n 6560 has now been changed to show it as for US Navy.

[bizfreeq]

Aren't ours officially U S Navy until delivery? As we are procuring them through the USN could that be why it has been changed? Just a thought.

[c32tracker]

The first UK P-8A is l/n 7532 so expect to see pics of it at Renton around June/July time as there are another 2x RAAF and 2x USN frames to come before it, plus the USN frame that rolled out just a few days ago.

[Snoop 95]

Hope the flight software is better than the 737 Max-8

[Bilvo]

It's been interesting finding out about these things. Made sense during wartime to deceive enemies.

One more question, what about serials "not taken up" but then skipped and more allocated afterwards (the T2 Hawks for example).

I suspect it's the software they use, won't allow the reallocation once reserved

What, Microsoft Excel There is not a database in the World that "doesn't allow" you to re-allocate! What a load of BS If you "input" the data and you "control" the data, YOU can "amend it"!!!!

Prior to computers, records would have been hand-written or typed - I do believe those type of records could also have been amended... tip-pex (or correction fluid if you prefer ), rubbers or hell even cross through what has been written before. Did we all go to school??

So the argument "once its allocated, that's it!" is null and void, its just a screwed up system which is now being bastardised to suit!!

Wasn't the "QQ101" BAE146 operated by QinetiQ? (pronounced "Kinetic") and therefore a nod to the operator/owner, rather than a serial allocation in the normal sense? Which if you look into the history of, as with other letters such as "I", "Q" was never to be used...

[Nighthawke]

Excel is not a database program. But then given your apparent knowledge you knew that didn't you. Are you a DBA, analyst, data architect or something else? The problem with databases is the design behind them and what is or is not allowed by that design. So ultimately yes you "can" amend things but at a cost which may not be acceptable to the operator.

(36 years in asset data management)

[teeonefixer]

Each new aeroplane in official terminology (in JAP xxx or whatever, I lost the piece of paper) gets a "Certificate of Registration", so I guess Registration is technically more correct than Serial (which I usually use), but whatever must be better than "tail number" which most people use in Industry.
A colleague of mine actually went into the Registration office years ago and it was like something from Dickens - an old office with a huge Ledger ! Excel ? - no way !!!

So long as there is a properly managed database, "personalised" Registrations (The RC135s are a good case) are quite fun. It is really awkward when operators like the RSAF use squadron-based numbers, so it is difficult to track moves between units.

[acw367]

Can anyone confirm that cn 7532 is the first RAF P-8, as given in UK Serials. This fuselage arrived at Renton on the Spirit Train a couple of days ago, but the local blogger lists it as a MAX 8 http://renton737blog.blogspot.com/2019/ ... 92019.html

[c32tracker]

Can anyone confirm that cn 7532 is the first RAF P-8, as given in UK Serials. This fuselage arrived at Renton on the Spirit Train a couple of days ago, but the local blogger lists it as a MAX 8 http://renton737blog.blogspot.com/2019/ ... 92019.html

The details were already posted above.

[raameagle]

c32tracker,
The point that acw367 is making is that if 7532 has been correctly reported at Renton this week as a MAX 8 variant, then it cannot be a P-8 as they are based on the -800 variant of the B737 family. Line number 7497 has also just arrived at Renton and that has been reported as a P-8 airframe.
Regards
Mark

[c32tracker]

c32tracker,
The point that acw367 is making is that if 7532 has been correctly reported at Renton this week as a MAX 8 variant, then it cannot be a P-8 as they are based on the -800 variant of the B737 family. Line number 7497 has also just arrived at Renton and that has been reported as a P-8 airframe.
Regards
Mark

I am fully aware what a P-8 is Mark. And 7497 is indeed another P-8, for the USN. I don't really care for amateur blog sites as most of them are full of rubbish and errors. If you want to believe those sites then that's your prerogative. I've told people here that 7532 is the RAF P-8 and that information is accurate.

Edit: Having just looked at the blog page acw linked to it is complete rubbish as 7527 isn't a Max frame either.

[acw367]

c32tracker,
The point that acw367 is making is that if 7532 has been correctly reported at Renton this week as a MAX 8 variant, then it cannot be a P-8 as they are based on the -800 variant of the B737 family. Line number 7497 has also just arrived at Renton and that has been reported as a P-8 airframe.
Regards
Mark

I am fully aware what a P-8 is Mark. And 7497 is indeed another P-8, for the USN. I don't really care for amateur blog sites as most of them are full of rubbish and errors. If you want to believe those sites then that's your prerogative. I've told people here that 7532 is the RAF P-8 and that information is accurate.

Edit: Having just looked at the blog page acw linked to it is complete rubbish as 7527 isn't a Max frame either.

That was my point also, 7532 is now read off by a spotter as being at Renton (however the amateur blogger identified it, he may of had a bad angle of it as it sat on the train). The KEY point is that with great help from C32tracker, for the wider audience, we can now say that the first RAF P-8A is entering final assembly - Great news.

[acw367]

Final production is now being tracked by RAF social Media feeds with photos. It now has its wing mated to the fuselage and fuel tanks going in. http://twitter.com/P8A_PoseidonRAF

[Yammer]

And the photo clearly shows it marked 7532 in at least two places as predicted by C32tracker

[Snoop 95]

I guess it will inevitably be painted dull grey, with slightly less dull grey markings and just a hint of pink and pale blue!

[Mike]

I guess it will inevitably be painted dull grey, with slightly less dull grey markings and just a hint of pink and pale blue!

Of course, what's wrong with that?

It's not like they're going to paint them in 1960s Lufthansa retro colours, are they?

[Dave Smith]

And the Special Marked one will be Hemp coloured in honour of its predecessor...