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Post by jake3 on May 20, 2015 3:53:08 GMT 1
The six tristars retired by the RAF are to fly again, AGD systems of West Palm Beach FL have bought the aircraft and have already registered with new N numbers. They are to be offered back to Air Forces around the world in there previous roles as tankers and troop / medivac carriers. Will nice to see the old birds still flying..  |
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Post by Biggles on May 21, 2015 0:46:34 GMT 1
A bit of kick in the teeth for Britain. lets hope the SNP don`t see the advert it could form the basis of an embryo Scottish Air Force.
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Post by viscount on May 21, 2015 8:23:59 GMT 1
In what possible way can this be a "kick in the teeth for Britain"?
Selling the aircraft will have brought in a small sum for the treasury, and saved the cost of scraping an aircraft which likely has no parts in common with any other aircraft in the RAF fleet and few in any other fleet. Unlike the VC-10 which had reached the end of their fatigue life without further and costly radical life-extending rework, the RAF Tristars were retired for the cost cutting benefits of operating one modern type in the refueling and (post Afganistan shrinking) long range transport tasks. Due to their highly modified state the Tristars could not be used in other role than troop transport and air-to-air refueling. Good luck to the American company who thinks that the can sell them on - who would want an aging and maintenance heavy (although formerly well maintained) aircraft in a role few Nations can afford or really need, even if their air force chiefs aspire to the role? I expect to see them stored in the desert then scrapped. Could be wrong though.
As for the "Scottish Air Force", which seems to be something of an obsession in some quarters. First you need an enemy (potential or real) with a need to defend yourself against. To require troop transport, first you need a large Army. To require air-to-air refueling first you need a air defence fighter force. Mind you Tristars always did look good with the rampant yellow Caledonian lion on the tail, or maybe painted tartan National colours. Am I taking "Biggles's" post seriously, no I am not! Was "Biggles" being serious, well only he knows. Regrettably humour does not transmit well electronically, though some say it does if you add a 'smiley'.
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Post by thetexpat on May 21, 2015 17:29:23 GMT 1
From what I understand, the L-1011s will be operated under contract similar to the OMEGA AIR B707s air-to-air refueling B707s!
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Post by eelmoor on May 23, 2015 9:36:27 GMT 1
Due to the amount of modifications on the ex RAF aircraft the design authority rests with marshalls at cambridge, i would doubt very much that Marshall would be willing to support the maintenance hungry L1011s on missions in far flung parts of the world! I also don't believe there is an L1011 simulator left in serviceable condition
In the world. I fear the desert or even current location is where these lovely aircraft will die :-(
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Post by Biggles on May 23, 2015 20:06:49 GMT 1
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