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RAF VIP Transport

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Snoop 95
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RAF VIP Transport

Post by Snoop 95 » Thu Nov 19, 2015 8:49 am

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

5MAAPS
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by 5MAAPS » Thu Nov 19, 2015 9:00 am

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 !

RubyRoo
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by RubyRoo » Thu Nov 19, 2015 9:37 am

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.

Vulcanone
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by Vulcanone » Thu Nov 19, 2015 9:57 am

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

Vulcanone
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by Vulcanone » Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:00 am

Mods

This is already discussed in the SDSR thread.

Can it be added to that?

T

RubyRoo
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by RubyRoo » Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:06 am

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.

POL
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by POL » Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:15 am

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?

RubyRoo
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by RubyRoo » Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:17 am

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.

page_verify
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by page_verify » Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:24 am

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

POL
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by POL » Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:39 am

RubyRoo wrote:Where were the 2 'newer' 146's acquired from in the first place?
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.
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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Wingman_90
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by Wingman_90 » Thu Nov 19, 2015 11:29 am

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?
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John W
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by John W » Thu Nov 19, 2015 12:13 pm

About time too !!

John

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TonyO
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by TonyO » Thu Nov 19, 2015 12:31 pm

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?

f-4
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by f-4 » Thu Nov 19, 2015 1:14 pm

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...

Vulcanone
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by Vulcanone » Thu Nov 19, 2015 1:29 pm

Some Gold seating perhaps......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34864328


T

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C24
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by C24 » Thu Nov 19, 2015 1:58 pm

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).
C24.
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Agent K
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by Agent K » Thu Nov 19, 2015 2:15 pm

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...
I suspect additional avionics/comms equipment as required for such a role would quickly eat up a £10M budget.

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KINROTATE
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by KINROTATE » Thu Nov 19, 2015 2:47 pm

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?
Aviation, breath it in your lungs will stain.

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Thunder
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by Thunder » Thu Nov 19, 2015 3:33 pm

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

martmpf
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Re: RAF VIP Transport

Post by martmpf » Thu Nov 19, 2015 3:39 pm

Don't they lease one out to Thompson's for holiday traffic anyway?

Mart

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