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RAF VIP Transport
RAF VIP Transport
The BBC has announced that the government is to convert one of the RAFs Voyagers into a VIP transport, for use by the Royal Family and Government ministers. See here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34864328
Lo...ong overdue IMHO
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34864328
Lo...ong overdue IMHO
Re: RAF VIP Transport
The way that I read the story , the Government are going to 'convert' a front line aircraft for a VIP aircraft , rather than source a VIP aircraft from the civilian market . The thing that gets me is that the Armed Forces are having to get by on smaller financial budgets and now have to give up a front line aircraft . Unless the A330 aren't all fitted out for 'military' use in the first place !
Re: RAF VIP Transport
To me, this spells the end of fixed wing operations for 32 squadron. They've already lost the BAE 125's haven't they?
The 146's could be transferred to Brize and used on tactical lift operations instead.
The 146's could be transferred to Brize and used on tactical lift operations instead.
Re: RAF VIP Transport
The Voyagers are also passenger aircraft and often take the groundcrews on detachment when tanking jets
I would have thought a small temporary conversion to VIP isn't that hard, and it would likely be returned to standard configuration after use.
RubyRoo the newer 146s did exactly what you mention in Afghanistan and that's why they got them to help take the strain off the C-130Ks that were detting more tired and fewer as they were retired.
Tim
I would have thought a small temporary conversion to VIP isn't that hard, and it would likely be returned to standard configuration after use.
RubyRoo the newer 146s did exactly what you mention in Afghanistan and that's why they got them to help take the strain off the C-130Ks that were detting more tired and fewer as they were retired.
Tim
Re: RAF VIP Transport
Mods
This is already discussed in the SDSR thread.
Can it be added to that?
T
This is already discussed in the SDSR thread.
Can it be added to that?
T
Re: RAF VIP Transport
Hi Tim/Vulcan,
I meant the 2 older 146's in my post, sorry for any confusion.
I suspect it probably means the 2 older 146's will be scrapped and the 2 newer ones may be transferred to Brize to continue tactical lift ops.
I meant the 2 older 146's in my post, sorry for any confusion.
I suspect it probably means the 2 older 146's will be scrapped and the 2 newer ones may be transferred to Brize to continue tactical lift ops.
Re: RAF VIP Transport
The two "new" 146s aren't much newer than the "old" ones - and they've certainly flown many many more cycles! I thought the UOR 146s were due to go next year?
Re: RAF VIP Transport
Where were the 2 'newer' 146's acquired from in the first place?
I thought they were purchased as a UOR to help with Afghan ops, so you would imagine that they'd be withdrawn soon.
I thought they were purchased as a UOR to help with Afghan ops, so you would imagine that they'd be withdrawn soon.
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Re: RAF VIP Transport
Cross-posted from the SDSR thread as there's two parallel conversations about the same thing:
From what I read it seems it's all about interpretation.....my understanding is that:
This is replacing a capability the VC-10 had up until the early 2000s so nothing new
It's not to replace any short haul options currently available - it's to replace the chartering of long haul/wide body jets that the RAF can't currently provide
The A330 will do normal AAR duties but also have A330 business class seating and amenities added to support VVIP long haul pax
It all makes sense, good on them
From what I read it seems it's all about interpretation.....my understanding is that:
This is replacing a capability the VC-10 had up until the early 2000s so nothing new
It's not to replace any short haul options currently available - it's to replace the chartering of long haul/wide body jets that the RAF can't currently provide
The A330 will do normal AAR duties but also have A330 business class seating and amenities added to support VVIP long haul pax
It all makes sense, good on them
Re: RAF VIP Transport
ZE707 first flew 20/Feb/1991, delivered to Air Jet and then Axis Airways in France for passenger ops, then converted to freighter for TNT in 2006. To RAF in 2012.RubyRoo wrote:Where were the 2 'newer' 146's acquired from in the first place?
ZE708 first flew 13/Sep/1993, delivered to Air Jet and then Axis Airways in France for passenger ops, then converted to freighter for TNT in 2006. To RAF in 2012.
By comparison, ZE700 first flew 23/Nov/1984 and ZE701 first flew 12/Apr/1985.
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Re: RAF VIP Transport
While it would probably be more expensive per-hour to operate a Voyager on a short-haul flight than a 146, when you factor in the savings that could be made by retiring the 146 fleet, it may indeed work out cheaper.
How much service life do the 146s have left in them anyway, especially the older ones?
With A400M coming online, surely they can take on some of the tactical transport duties?
How much service life do the 146s have left in them anyway, especially the older ones?
With A400M coming online, surely they can take on some of the tactical transport duties?
Regards,
Wingman Niner Zero
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Wingman Niner Zero
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Lenses: 14-45mm, 100-300mm, 14mm pancake, 7.5mm fisheye
My Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wingman_90
Follow me on Twitter @RAF_Simmer
Re: RAF VIP Transport
About time too !!
John
John
Re: RAF VIP Transport
As far as I am aware the UOR 146s were added to the core budget last year.
You want the Aladeen news, or the Aladeen news?
Re: RAF VIP Transport
I must admit to wondering what on earth £10m is being spent on. Surely a bog standard Voyager is plush enough for anyone? I can feel a freedom of information request coming from someone...
Re: RAF VIP Transport
Why not purchase an additional Voyager and fit that out for government transport when required? This would increase the RAF Voyager assets and add flexibility to the Service.
(It isn't my money that would be spent).
(It isn't my money that would be spent).
C24.
493d/48th - Grim Reapers Supporter.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/charlie-two-four/ FuzzyFastjetFotos, incorporating "HazyHelos"
There's no "go-round" in a glider.
493d/48th - Grim Reapers Supporter.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/charlie-two-four/ FuzzyFastjetFotos, incorporating "HazyHelos"
There's no "go-round" in a glider.
Re: RAF VIP Transport
I suspect additional avionics/comms equipment as required for such a role would quickly eat up a £10M budget.f-4 wrote:I must admit to wondering what on earth £10m is being spent on. Surely a bog standard Voyager is plush enough for anyone? I can feel a freedom of information request coming from someone...
Re: RAF VIP Transport
I would have thought that given the prime role for all these aircraft being frontline tankers, then the comms and avionics are sufficient to take it anywhere in the world regardless of wether you are dragging some jets, troops or flying a minister - its all bolt on or rack-able I would have thought..
Lets hope its a nice paint job, some lay flat beds in the front cabin and a couple of Lavazza coffee makers eh?
Lets hope its a nice paint job, some lay flat beds in the front cabin and a couple of Lavazza coffee makers eh?
Aviation, breath it in your lungs will stain.
Re: RAF VIP Transport
C24 wrote:Why not purchase an additional Voyager and fit that out for government transport when required? This would increase the RAF Voyager assets and add flexibility to the Service.
(It isn't my money that would be spent).
Because that would cost a lot more than £10m, and offer very little if no more flexibility
Re: RAF VIP Transport
Don't they lease one out to Thompson's for holiday traffic anyway?
Mart
Mart
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