An AN26 of RAF-Avia was an unusual morning visitor to Southend this morning dropping of a cargo consignment. Antonov’s are increasingly rare visitors to Southend now, especially during the day.
Here’s the front of YL-RAD parked on stand in the sunshine:
YL-RAD RAF Avia AN26 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr
It departed after a stay of around 1 and 1/2 hours, making an incredible racket on a long takeoff roll with a very shallow rate of ascent.
YL-RAD RAF Avia AN26 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr
Black smoke is visible on this shot as the gear is retracted, disturbing the anti-airport campaigners as it goes!
YL-RAD RAF Avia AN26 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr
And finally I thought I;d share a photo of a regular Southend visitor HZ-SKI, a B727 parked on stand. It;s been sat there for over 3 weeks now, probably taking advantage of the relatively cheap parking at Southend after a spell of maintenance.
HZ-SKI B722 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr
Having said cheap parking, it should still be paying £643 a day for the privilege of parking at Southend!
I hope this is of interest.
By: MSR777 - 29th October 2011 at 19:51
I used to do load sheets and turnaround supervision for Sterling, when they used to come into STN with 727-200s, Caravelle 10Bs and for one season, DC8-63. Their crews were absolute gentlemen, in sharp contrast to many British crews that I dealt with.
By: Arabella-Cox - 29th October 2011 at 18:19
Oh yeah, a tar runway is a bonus to us jungle jocks :dev2: (I was actually flying for Sterling Airways – TNT at the time 😉 )
By: Jamie-Southend - 29th October 2011 at 17:43
And 27vet, how did you find SEN for flying into, with its relatively short runway? (being extended as we speak).
Mind you looking at your profile pic, guess it was “a piece of cake” ?
Jamie
By: Jamie-Southend - 29th October 2011 at 17:40
Great pics thanks for sharing.
By: AeroPics - 29th October 2011 at 16:55
Flying a North Korean An26 in the 80s sound like quite an experience to me! So is flying a 727 into the short and narrow runway at Southend. However the 727s have relatively good runway performance???
I believe that the hotel which 27vet mentions is still around, however it is closed at the moment whilst undergoing restoration. It was meant to open for last summer, yet the owner insists it is going to reopen. They acquired a couple of former RAAF HS 748 fuselages a couple of years ago which they intend to use for weddings!
For good measure, I’ll add a couple more, both ATRs, and only one being Irish both landed after the Plane Stupid protesters were cleared of the runway and arrested!
Based maintainence company Inlflite which specialises in 146s, has previously offered basic support for Aer Arann, but this is the first visiting ATR which has come in for maintenance, in the form of a Golden Air ATR72 from a regional airport in Sweden.
SE-MDC Golden Air AT75 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr
Any finally, another Aer Arann ATR42, arriving just over 2 hours late from Waterford. EI-BYO is the most elderly aircraft in the relatively old Aer Arann fleet, being originally delivered to Ryanair in 1989. Despite being the oldest, it’s certainly the smartest, wearing the best of the 3 liveries which Aer Arann aircraft are flying around in.
EI-BYO Aer Arann AT43 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr
By: Arabella-Cox - 29th October 2011 at 14:30
I’ve had the privilege of bringing a 727 to Southend for maintenance back in 2000 or 2001. Stopped in a “hotel” which had several blocks of rooms named “Spitfire” etc.
By: MSR777 - 29th October 2011 at 11:02
Very nice shots. The lethargic rate of climb on those Antonov twin props is legendary. I flew on a North Korean one on a domestic flight back in the mid 80s. I also only had half a seat belt! As has been said, it is a shame that this kind of variety is disappearing from UK skies.
By: Newforest - 29th October 2011 at 08:13
Glad you’ve joined the Forum to keep us up to date! 😀
By: AeroPics - 28th October 2011 at 22:17
Newforest – I’m afraid your wrong on both accounts there! Al-Tameer Co. Ltd. was a former operator of HZ-SKI. Now it’s operated by Twinjet Ltd. and available for charter, and when flying carries African Presidents etc. They also operate an A319CJ G-NMAK, which unfortunately never visits Southend for maintenance.
Thanks a lot for the rest of your comments, It’s such a shame that variety is being lost from the skies. However nice the E-Jets are for example, they’re a lot more boring than the good old 146. At least there is variety in the few and far between movements at Southend!
By: Newforest - 28th October 2011 at 21:44
Somebody in Saudi Arabia! 😀
O.K., Operated by Al-Tameer Co. Ltd. 😉
By: Arabella-Cox - 28th October 2011 at 21:11
The Antonov 24-26-32 series are great planes in their own right. That 727 looks magnificent too, who does it belong too?
By: FLY.BUY - 28th October 2011 at 20:53
Nice capture of the Antonov! Not many Russian manufactured stuff around in the British skies anymore, pity.
By: EGTC - 28th October 2011 at 20:38
Awesome.
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October 28, 2011 at 3:05 pm