|
|
Post by Cityflyer on Feb 5, 2011 19:17:25 GMT 1
Seen over Liverpool  As far as I remember this opperated a Liverpool to London service |
|
|
|
Post by owensy on Feb 5, 2011 20:52:54 GMT 1
It sure did, when it wasnt tech!!
|
|
|
|
Post by viscount on Feb 6, 2011 0:34:57 GMT 1
While there is no doubt that G-HOPP had problems initially, usually when starting after a cold damp winter night out on the apron at Liverpool - in my opinion the early reputation gained and image damage done (just look at Owensy's immediate reaction) went far beyond the number of rotations missed or delayed.
The aircraft was the most comfortable and 'jet airliner-like' of its class. It looked right inside and out, quiet and modern. I flew on it several times, always on time. A delightful aircraft to be a passenger in, far superior to the elderly Fokker Friendship aircraft it replaced.
Delivered to Manx at Liverpool on 29.11.86 and into service on the 'SkyHopper' Liverpool to London Heathrow route from 3.12.86. It served for just a few days under two years with Manx. Last operated, Heathrow to Liverpool 22.10.88. From 30.10.88 the route returned to BMA and jet equipment.
C/no. 008, first flew in Sweden 4.8.84 as SE-E08. Regd in UK as G-BSFI 22.6.84 to Saab Aircraft Ltd/Fairchild Industries Ltd of Windsor. Ordered announced by Birmingham Executive Airways (BEA) 9/84 to supplement their 3 Jetstream 31s. At Southend 7.11.84 as SE-E08, repainted G-BSFI West Malling between 10.11 and 24.11.84, when returned to Southend. Handed over to BEA at Birmingham 27.12.84 and given fleet name "Spirit of Scandinavia". Returned to Linkoping and back to Southend 9.1.85. Delivered West Malling-Southend-Norwich-Birmingham 31.1.85, making the first visit at Liverpool the following day 1.2.85, Birmingham-Prestwick, for training. First BEA commercial service VB800 Birmingham-Copenhagen 14.2.85. Returned to Saab as SE-ISC 13.12.85 and to Swedair/VAG Sverige AB 13.2.86 until 8.86, in basic BEA colours. Demonstrated to British Midland Airways at EMA 20.8.86.
As G-HOPP with Manx 29.11.86 to 26.10.88 (much more detail of this period in posts #7 and #9).
Returned to SE-ISC with VAG Sverige AB (Swedair) very briefly 1.11.88. Leased to Brittany Air International (Brit Air) 3.11.88 until 12.88. Then Netherlines as PH-KJK 17.2.89, merged with KLM Cityhopper 1.8.90. To Kendell Airlines in Australia as VH-KDB 26.11.91. In Australiawide Airlines titles, in store Wagga Wagga, reported 9.01. To REX Regional Express 1.8.02. Converted to a freighter 2008 (now a Saab 340AF) and sold to Pel-Air 1.1.09. By then one of the oldest Saab 340's still in service worldwide. Thought still to be earning its keep into the 2020s.
The Australian details extended using the references provided by Biggles in a later post.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cityflyer on Feb 7, 2011 13:19:48 GMT 1
Viscount, many thanks for the excelent history od "G-HOPP"
|
|
|
|
Post by buspilot on Feb 7, 2011 15:08:52 GMT 1
Remember a LHR-LPL flight one day on HOPP, with Bruce Grobelar sat opposite me. Was a tad misty at LPL and hostess was coming round checking cabin, as she said we were about to land ( all that could be seen through windows was fog) ....when we did, without seat belts on....took the lady a bit by surprise as well as the pax!
|
|
|
|
Post by Biggles on Feb 7, 2011 23:00:03 GMT 1
|
|
|
|
Post by midland500 on Feb 10, 2011 20:07:52 GMT 1
viscount thanks for the info on GHOPP
From what I remember it was quite unreliable missing upwards of 150 sectors due to technical issues whilst it was operating the LPL-LHR route.
there was a time between GHOPP's launch on the route and the return of British Midland and the DC9 that the F27 came back to operate the route by BM on behalf of Manx, Can you recall that and why it happened?
|
|
|
|
Post by viscount on Feb 10, 2011 22:21:26 GMT 1
A little puzzled by the grammar of the question wether I'm to reply about the period at the launch of Manx on the Liverpool - London/Heathrow route, or the final days of Manx before the return of the DC-9.
However, a look back at the enthusiast mags of the day, which contained much detail on the routine as well as the interesting.
The BMA Fokker F-27 Friendship was last used on the London route on Sunday 27th April 1986. G-BMAE arrived on BD598, operated a charter as BD8419 that I had arranged for MAS members to be the last flight from/into the Art Deco terminal at Liverpool. Quite a few of the 44 aboard are members of this forum and I'm sure recall, after 7 minutes of taxi-time, the dusk departure off 09 at 2022, a rapid but steady left turn to make a 250' pass along 26, then to make it fair for everyone a steep 'tear-drop' turn over the Mersey (which from the cabin looked as if the wing tip was stuck in the Mersey mud) for a pass down the length of 08, an exciting 4 minutes of flight. In comparison the rest of the flight was fairly mundane along the N. Wales coast to Llandudno. On return to Liverpool, a futher unexpected pass down 08, to position for a long approach to 27 behind a Hercules, landing at 2105. A great experience provided for us by Captain Sykes and his crew. While Aer Lingus SD.3-60 passengers to Dublin, were the last to leave - we were the last passengers ever to pass through the Art Deco Terminal (1939-1986). After the MAS flight, the aircraft positioned out to EMA. Airport Ops moved wholesale overnight to the new terminal and a new chapter for Liverpool Airport began from the South Terminal on Monday morning.
So from Monday 29th April, the Heathrow service was now operated by Manx Airlines , with flight numbers JE581 through to JE590, all flights by Short SD.3-60, with G-ISLE flying the am rotation, with G-WACK also being used on that first day. The route was operated by G-ISLE, G-LEGS, G-BMAR and G-WACK throughout the summer of '86 (with just one day in 9/86 by the Data-Post schemed G-RMSS, but never by F-27). Less than desirable for a business route, Manx replaced the Shorts with the similar capacity, but pressurised Saab 340, supposedly from 1st December 1986.
Between Mon 24th & Wed 26th November 1986, Saab provided new Saab 340 SE-E68 for crew training at Liverpool. G-HOPP was delivered from paint-shop at West Malling in full Manx scheme direct to liverpool late on Sat 29th November. A 90 minute training flight on the Sunday included formation flying with a Partenavia P.68 G-JVMR over Liverpool City (which provides a date for the initial post photo of this thread). Acceptance problems delayed introduction into service until Wed 3/12 when it flew an extra 'Farecracker' to the IoM in early afternoon, before the late afternoon Heathrow rotation JE587/8, replacing the Short 3-60.
Close on two years later, G-HOPP operated its last Manx service JE584 from London on Saturday 22nd October 1988, then positioned to Luton. It was replaced for a week by recently delivered BAe.ATP G-UIET, although the SD.3-60 was used for some services. BMA returned to the route, positioning in DC-9-15 G-BMAB on 30/10 from Heathrow in the evening, to operate first 'Diamond Service' passenger flight BD581 early morning, Monday 31st October at 0610 hours.
Thats the long answer for 'Midland 500'. Yes, the Saab directly replaced Short 3-60s on the Heathrow service rather than the F-27 as I implied. That's the short answer!
|
|
|
|
Post by midland500 on Feb 10, 2011 23:55:39 GMT 1
The F27 charter must have been a great experience for all onboard.
Sorry viscount my question was a bit confusing, I remember the F27 making a re-appearance on the route around DEC87/JAN88
I guess maybe the SAAB was on maintenance but I dont know for sure,I wonder if you can recall or have any details.
|
|
|
|
Post by viscount on Feb 11, 2011 0:44:56 GMT 1
Yes, Midland 500, you are right, I oversimplified the service of G-HOPP to just introduction and departure. As you point out there was a gap in the middle. G-HOPP departed after evening inbound JE590 on Fri 27.11.87 to Luton for maintenance on return at the end of 12 months lease. Short 3-60s (usually G-ISLE) filled in for a few days until Friendship G-BMAP, in Loganair scheme, arrived on lease 3.12 and operated the Heathrow route from 4.12.87 (in turn temp. replaced by G-BMAE 29 & 30.12.87) until G-BMAP last used evening Mon 22.2.88.
At one stage it was thought Short 3-60s (with G-BMLC likely to be the aircraft acquired) would operate the Heathrow route for the summer once the F-27 was returned. However there must have been a rethink about the (un)suitability of the Short 3-60 for the route, so G-HOPP returned from Luton 21.2.88, on a fresh lease, operated a route proving flight to/from Heathrow 23.2 and re-entered into Manx service am 25.2.88 on JE581. All London flights had to be cancelled Tues 23rd and Wed 24th February due to a lack of an aircraft. The end of service with Manx in October 1988 is covered in an earlier post.
Details from the paper NWAN magazine and Paul Ellison's monthly Liverpool Review section.
|
|
|
|
Post by Samba on Feb 11, 2011 10:40:58 GMT 1
Here's the lady in question taken for me by Adrian, many moons ago. Lovely to fly on, had the feeling of a much larger aircraft. But and there was always a but with the SAAB, the tech problems were terrible, i missed many a flight and ended up going down the road for the shuttle which at least got me to work on time. Bob.  |
|
|
|
Post by Beemer on Feb 11, 2011 21:15:50 GMT 1
|
|
|
|
Post by Cityflyer on Feb 14, 2011 16:57:58 GMT 1
Beemer, thanks for those Excelent Images!!
|
|
|
|
Post by midland500 on Feb 14, 2011 21:58:04 GMT 1
Thanks for clarifying viscount.
and great pictures samba and beemer
|
|
