Hi, ***PHOTO NOW POSTED – See below ****
I have just seen what I am sure was an RAF Tristar pass my window on short finals here at Gatwick. Anyone know why it is here?
I’ve been based in offices here for the last two years and I don’t recall having seen one in here before during that time. Even one of the girls in the office spotted it as something “unusual”.
Cheers
Paul F
By: Charley B - 13th March 2008 at 08:17
My other half saw one come over his head on the M23-he rang me to see if i saw it-wasnt watching at the time and wasnt quick enough to catch it on the tower freq!!
By: Paul F - 12th March 2008 at 11:52
Hi Super Nimrod,
Thanks for that suggestion – a distinct possibility.
The only other thing I could think of was if it was Charles & Camilla coming back from their jaunt in the Carribean…
Paul F
By: Super Nimrod - 12th March 2008 at 09:19
Its just been announced that Defence secretary Des Browne has arrived in Basra. A connection maybe given its special treatment ? 😉
By: Manston Airport - 11th March 2008 at 18:10
I Think Brize Noton was shut for a few hours due to strongs winds so could of been a diversion not sure.
James
By: bri - 11th March 2008 at 17:24
Perhaps it was ‘Two Jags’ and his secretary…
Bri 😀
By: Paul F - 11th March 2008 at 14:37
I know they can/do visit civilian airports, as proven by the fact that they crop up on the photo thread occasionally, but that is usually when visiting airports in the North.
It just seems very out of the ordinary for a movement at Gatwick – and it’s parking location (as per the photo) was also a little unusual – not on one of the normal “airbridge” stands, nor on one of the regular “remote” stands either.
Apparently after “parking” a “people carrier” and then a “black car” drew up at the bottom of the steps and a few people were seen moving about, then the cars drove away, but there didn’t appear to be any sign of the usual mass movement that you might expect if it were full of service personnel etc.
Seems a rather large type to use to ferry a only a few people around?
Anyone have anything more on this one? I’m failing miserably in my nominated role of office “aviation anorak” on this one 😮 .
Paul F
By: Mark L - 11th March 2008 at 14:18
It is rather a common occurence for Tristars and VC10s to make visits to pretty much any UK airport that can handle them.
Operational/Tactical/Strategic RAF reasons being the norm, repatriation reasons a close second.
By: Paul F - 11th March 2008 at 10:52
And here it is – sorry for the quality, had to use the office “snappy camera” in poor light and bad weather – hence a cr@ppy picture before I even compressed the file 😮
Paul F
By: Paul F - 11th March 2008 at 10:13
Yep, definitely an RAF Tristar, now parked up on the remote stands.
Paul F
Sign In
March 11, 2008 at 9:57 am