A Dull 146 and a Gleaming BBJ at Southend

Here’s a few more photos from Southend from the last week or so.
First is an exciting (not) RJ85 departing to Keflavik from Southend on delivery to Canada for Waterbomber conversion. This is a former Lufthansa Cityline Aircraft and therefore still has its dark blue tail! The rest of the livery was removed.

N839AC RJ85 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

It took a very long takeoff roll, and even after it rotated, it remained on the ground for quite a long time afterwards. It finally got airborne around 700 feet from the end of the runway.

N839AC RJ85 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

However, it never quite made it to Aberdeen, developing hyraulic problems over Aberdeen, and returning to Southend with a full turnout of fire crews from all over Essex. Fortunately, it landed safely and was towed off the runway, departing again the next day. Unfortunately I have no photos to show from the event.

An ATR42 departed to Waterford in one of Aer Arann’s 4 different liveries. There 4 ATR42s, are painted in no less than 3 completely different liveries. EI-CPT is in the oldest scheme, but still looks reasonable under the morning light.

EI-CPT AT43 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

And finally, something relatively interesting, VP-BBW a 737 BBJ departing Runway 06 on an airtest this morning in ideal conditions. This aircraft is in a stunning scheme, however it is unfortunately rumored to be up for sale, so it may not be a Southend regular for much longer. It’s replacement will be an A3189CJ, which won’t look anywhere near as good as this.

VP-BBW Gama Aviation B73G at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

It was only gone for half an hour shortly returning on Runway 24, with some nice vortices.

VP-BBW Gama Aviation B73G at Southend EGMC 2 by AeroPics, on Flickr

VP-BBW Gama Aviation B73G at Southend EGMC 3 by AeroPics, on Flickr

And then much to my delight, it did a quick visiual circuit at 1000 feet from 06, so here’s it taxiing in on arrival. This was the first time I’ve seen 4 737 movements in a month at Southend, let alone an hour! Here’s it backtracking the runway after its second arrival of the morning.

VP-BBW Gama Aviation B73G at Southend EGMC 4 by AeroPics, on Flickr

Meanwhile the runway extension has been completed and joined up to the rest of the runway. The Kingair Calibrator was calibrating the new ILS and the new runway approach lights this week. even more exciting times lay ahead for Southend!