6 Ex RAF Tristars sold to US company

[eagle driver]

Credit to MSF for link
Tempus Applied Solutions Finalizes Acquisition of ex-Royal Air Force Air-to-Air Refueling Aircraft
Transaction consists of six Lockheed L-1011 aircraft

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., March 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Tempus Applied Solutions announced today that the company has finalized the acquisition of six Lockheed L-1011s formerly owned and operated by the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom. Four of these aircraft are specifically configured for air-to-air refueling operations and the remaining two are configured for passenger and cargo operations only. The aircraft previously served the RAF and NATO.

Company CEO Scott Terry stated, “We are delighted that the aircraft inspections and records reviews were consistent with our expectations thus allowing us to complete this very important transaction. We can now focus our attention on military customers in the USA and NATO that have urgent requirements for air-to-air refueling services.” Terry added, “Now that the deal is closed, our potential customers can better understand our commitment to the aerial refueling mission.”

For more information on Tempus, visit tempus-as.com.

ABOUT TEMPUS APPLIED SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS INC.: Tempus provides design, engineering, systems integration, and flight operations solutions that support critical aviation mission requirements for a variety of customers including the United States Department of Defense, other U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, and select corporations and individuals in the private sector. Our experienced team of professionals provides efficient, economical, and flexible service that responds to the most challenging demands facing the aviation industry today. Our commitment to safety and security has earned us a reputation as one of the most forward-thinking aviation companies worldwide. We are headquartered in Williamsburg, Virginia.

[Seahornet1]

So when the time comes, can we hope for a mass launch from Bruntingthorpe...?

[Supra]

Can we have at least one at RIAT?

[the concerned]

Are they ready to fly or will they need some work. If so hopefully they can use marshalls aerospace again. Be nice to see them back in Cambridge

[baz1]

and when they are sold what will the money be squandered on I wonder!?

[Vulcanone]

They were bought by GJD so I expect they will have maintained them. As for the money well go ask GJD

[Agent K]

and when they are sold what will the money be squandered on I wonder!?

Do you have shares in or part ownership of GJD to be able to talk about them squandering money?

I'd have thought that they'd hold the money as working capital for future activity/opportunities/company development.

[baz1]

I was referring to when we have sold them what will the mod/gov waste the money on , that's plain enough I would have thought!!?

[chrisward123]

Glad to see they wont be scrapped and get a new lease of life.

[Agent K]

I was referring to when we have sold them what will the mod/gov waste the money on , that's plain enough I would have thought!!?

No, not really........ the MoD sold them in 2014 (to GJD), so the money that the MoD got for the sales was then. The money that will change hands now will go to GJD..... hence the correct comment from me.

As to where the money the MoD got in 2014 went, I can only imagine it went into defence funds. As to whether that was squandering or not it seems like you might be an expert to comment.

[baz1]

thanks for clearing that up didn't realise they had already been sold , no not an expert at all by any means.

[Agent K]

thanks for clearing that up didn't realise they had already been sold , no not an expert at all by any means.

No worries and thanks, the world of assets and disposals can be an interesting one, and the price achieved may not always be as expected.

[Supra]

thanks for clearing that up didn't realise they had already been sold , no not an expert at all by any means.

Quite!

[22A]

I recall being told at the time the RAF acquired the Tristars, they didn't really want them, but the KC10 instead. However the Government was preparing British Airways for privatisation and they wanted to get rid of their Tristars.
As a result the RAF was informed / instructed that for the price of four KC10s, they could have six Tristars and a simulator.
Was that simulator included in either the 2014 or the latest sale please? If not, which ATC squadron will grab it?

[Bluetail]

Interesting news, I just wonder where they are going to get pilots and Flight Engineers from as there haven't been any L-1011s flying for some time now and probably most previous crews are well out of qualifications by now. I also suspect each aircraft will require some sort of extensive flight test schedule introduced due to the length of time they have been sitting at Brunty. I also suspect they may well be moved to St Athan first (as its GJDs new home) to undertake flight testing, St Athan being a far superior airfield to do this sort of stuff rather than Bruntingthorpe. I wonder if they may even be operated out of St Athan if they get some NATO contracts.

[jem60]

Bluetail. There is one L1011 flying in the States. Perhaps they could do a lucrative deal on bringing crews up to speed again..

[TS010]

Interesting news, I just wonder where they are going to get pilots and Flight Engineers from as there haven't been any L-1011s flying for some time now and probably most previous crews are well out of qualifications by now. I also suspect each aircraft will require some sort of extensive flight test schedule introduced due to the length of time they have been sitting at Brunty. I also suspect they may well be moved to St Athan first (as its GJDs new home) to undertake flight testing, St Athan being a far superior airfield to do this sort of stuff rather than Bruntingthorpe. I wonder if they may even be operated out of St Athan if they get some NATO contracts.

St Athan's runway is not long enough to operate a fully loaded Tristar.

[Albion143]

Hopefully some of these will one day see the air again!!

[Ghost from above]

St Athan also no longer has the fuel storage to load these aircraft

[xm657]

GJD do not own them. They did for about a day back when they flew in but were resold immediately to a US company. That company went bust I believe and the airframes have changed ownership a few times since.

I really can't see how this new company will be any more successful in finding work for them that the last. And the fact they are the only airworthy Tristars in the world (apart from the sole Orbital launcher) really can't help the costs. They are not the easiest to keep serviceable as the RAF found out!