RE: Tridents…….

The main reason that they were retired early was the noise/pollution issues of the late 80’s. They also were’nt as economic as the 73/757’s which were then being brought in, but then again I can’t see why a BAC 1-11 with two Speys and a lower capacity was more economic (?). The Trident was the first aircraft in the world which could ‘autoland’ and did so in thick fog at LHR for the first time in the 1960’s. I would venture to say that the Trident was far more advanced than the B727 and I am sure that to re-engine Tridents with JT8D-15’S or similar would’nt have been beyone the realms of impossibility. The last Trident flight was on 31/12 1986, the day before new EC noise/Pollution controls came into place. A premature end for a great aircraft I think. I am glad to see the BAC 1-11 is still soldiering on although for how long, I don’t know. I can’t really see why a lot of 707’s are’nt still in service really as some of the USAF KC-135’S have now been in service for 40+ years with no problems. A civil 707 with CFM-86’S…. how about that?:)