RAF BAe146 fleet to be sold

[colt99]

As far as I remember it's 2 grey and 2 white that 32 Sqn have.
https://www.janes.com/article/91234/dse ... p-for-sale

[BobW]

What are the chances of 1 type being able to offer a replacement for the roles presently undertaken?
I can't think of anything obvious.

[Supra]

Better chance of a 'single replacement' than selling them for little more than a pittance!
Anybody know if a replacement is even envisaged?

[colt99]

Did wonder if they are expecting Voyager to be used more, but then the RAF will lose its ability to land close to meetings etc and do as the US and others do

[Yammer]

Pretty much every other country operates a modern VIP fleet, some Gulfstreams, some Falcons, some Challengers, some A319 etc.

I appreciate that whatever Govt orders such a fleet will get earache headlines for spending so much on such VIP aircraft - however it does look a bit embarrassing when we turn up in a grey low viz aircraft that was performing tanker duties the day before ( ZZ336 ) or an ageing 146.

How about two Gulfstreams and a couple of A319 sized aircraft.

[Yammer]

Pretty much every other country operates a modern VIP fleet, some Gulfstreams, some Falcons, some Challengers, some A319 etc.

I appreciate that whatever Govt orders such a fleet will get earache headlines for spending so much on such VIP aircraft - however it does look a bit embarrassing when we turn up in a grey low viz aircraft that was performing tanker duties the day before ( ZZ336 ) or an ageing 146.

How about two Gulfstreams and a couple of A319 sized aircraft.

We are a "G7" country - ie one of the richer countries.

[Arthur Tee]

Thought I read somewhere that the A.319 was either preferred choice or had been selected.

Arthur

[Thunder]

The trick to get public approval is to make such a/c available to carry out a Medevac secondary role if necessary.

A couple of G5's or F8X, along side a couple of BBJ's would do the trick.

[Supra]

That'll be handy, my Mums got a hospital appointment Thursday!

[colt99]

I think that was why the 2 latter 146 were in the grey scheme Thunder, to be used in "other roles"

[Nnthusiast]

Wouldn't 737's be the obvious choice?
after all, Poseidon, and Wedgetail would give us a semblance of commonality.

[Arthur Tee]

Wouldn't 737's be the obvious choice?
after all, Poseidon, and Wedgetail would give us a semblance of commonality.

When has ‘common sense’ and the procurement of British military aircraft had anything in common this century?

[Precinct7]

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) source close to the project told Jane's it was "too early in the process to be discussing out-of-service dates and replacements [of the BAe 146s]". He said putting BAe 146 in the brochure was about "testing the market's appetite for a potential sale in the future".

> really who would want to buy 2 x 80's vintage 146's am sure they have been well looked after but the market for them very thin
the other two were 2nd hand from TNT for use in Afghanistan, took them so long to fit them out the war had more or less finished by the time they got out there

replacements ?? a lot of types mentioned above , how about recycling the Sentinels what's there current out of service date ??

[Unknown74]

Get a fleet of Jetstream 41s in. With a Cessna Citation for Harry and Meghan.

[Andy_99]

How about some A310 MRTT's with Booms

Then you could utilise the VIP fit A330 for Long trips, An A310 or 2 in VIP fit for shorter Trips.
Then we can also refuel all of our nice shiny toys that don't use probes.

[CHINOOKER]

A.319s were muted some time ago....think a fleet of 5 were mentioned?. However I believe both Boeing and Embraer are developing "mix-mode" models of thier aircraft! What I sincerely hope is that the demise of the 146,(whenever it happens), does not also signal the demise of both 32sqn and Northolt as a military airbase!. With a nice new runway etc,this would be prime "real estate" if sold as a consequence!

[Precinct7]

"" With a nice new runway ""

sounds like a plan resurface the runway and sell the based aircraft !

noticed on Scramble that that Germany have ordeedr 3 or 4 more Global Express perhaps there old one will do

[Supra]

That's about right! Too long a list to put here of the bases that received a new runway, perimeter-fence, ATC Tower, Shelters, Hangars, Gym, some or all of those & then closed!
Normally 'curtains' for most places after a long overdue makeover.
Reference a new VIP Transport, probably should buy/lease a European aircraft for Government Trips, but given the current UK turmoil I can't get the Boeing 737 Max out of my mind? Perhaps name it the 'Anarchy PM-1'

[Pi]

Northolt can't be used as a civ airfield as its too small to be CAA compliant !

[Supra]

No future as a Civil Airfield! Don't really think that's an option, even without the CAA having nightmares! Also not going to realise anything like the financial return gained if it was sold for Housing development as noted by 'CHINOOKER' above!