By: Smiler - 17th October 2003 at 15:39
Wow, cheers for that.
As for HS 748’s we also have one of those at Boscombe that I also happend to carry out an engine ground run on that very same day. (7 day engine runs, required if the aircraft have not flown)
This aircraft is XW750.
Regards,
Smiler.
By: Joe Petroni - 16th October 2003 at 19:03
Smiler
The Andover in the photograph suffered a starboard engine failure during a STOL t/o.
As you know the Dart is fitted with a low torque switch and auto feathering system so should just this situation occur, the engine will auto-feather and prevent you having a 14′ diameter disc on one side and all the drag that entails. Unfortunately for reasons best known to the RAF they disabled the system on the Andover in the early days.
So if you look at the picture it was taking off from left to right the right hand engine failed causing the aircraft to corkscrew round and into the ground, you can just see the right hand wingtip starting to crumple.
As I said the f/deck crew survived, but unfortunately some of the guys in the back didn’t survive, IIRC it was The Falcons Parachute display team. What made it worse was it happened on a press day hence the photo.
Do you remember 607? I could tell you a few stories about that one 😮
ageorge
Yes Emerald still operate a large fleet of 748’s, I think they are now the largest operator of the type.
By: ageorge - 16th October 2003 at 18:43
Out of interest do Emerald Airways still operate the HS748 ?? , doe’s anybody have any photo’s ?? . Thanks.
By: DOUGHNUT - 16th October 2003 at 15:11
The only preserved Andover is the ex 115 sq one at Cosford. Most of the ex RAF aircraft were sold overseas, some went to New Zealand in the 1970’s other have gone to various African civil operators.
The real shame is that no HS748, the civil version that became the Andover are preserved. I know that some 748’s are still working for airlines so all is not yet lost but I fear that a similar fate awaits them as did the last UK Viscounts. Due to a their value on the second hand market they will be sold overseas and probalbly stripped for spare parts. The CAA used a 748 for many years as a flight systems checker, when replaced its spent some time at Staverton, I always felt that this aircraft could have been added to the DAS airliner collection. A chance sadly lost.
DOUGHNUT
By: Smiler - 16th October 2003 at 12:44
Yeah I know about XS596,606 and 646. I was runing the engines on XS606 when I started to think about how many there were hiding away.
As for the noise, terrible! They always seem to start up during tea break aswell! At least it’s not so bad when you’re the one sat in the hot seat as opposed to being the poor sod trying to enjoy a quiet cuppa and a magazine. There only rivaled by those annoying Harriers that like to hover outside.
What actualy happend in that photo anyway? It looks a bit like it’s about to pile in big time but I can’t imagine both crewmen escaping if it did.
By: Arthur - 16th October 2003 at 09:34
Originally posted by Joe Petroni
Sounds more like a 115 sqn aircraft to me!
Nope, the local ones with the Gazelle on the tail were the ones driving me mad at Wildenrath. I guess it was because they appearantly had a secondary training task (IIRC their primary job was local transport throughout Germany and to/from the UK, and do an occasional bit of recon flying to Berlin). They didn’t do any of the facilities checking 115 was so… renowned… for.
By: Joe Petroni - 16th October 2003 at 08:20
That was XS642, it was broken up for scrap in 1994.
It was rumored to only have a few hundred hours on the airframe!
By: Ant.H - 15th October 2003 at 23:53
Just while we’re on the subject of Andovers,does anybody know the identity and fate of an extremely sad looking desert-camo painted example which used to sit over on the far side of Benson airfield 10+ years ago?Used to see it when I went flying in 6AEF Chipmunks when I was an Air Cadet.
By: Joe Petroni - 15th October 2003 at 22:31
Originally posted by Arthur
Andovers? Oh, gawd…
A sunny afternoon at Wildenrath, around 1990. An Andover of 60sqn flies off, and stays away for half an hour.
Then it comes by for a touch and go.
And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over.
AGAIN.At least when the Pembrokes were doing that, it sounded nice. And you were less inspired in making totally corny jokes.
Going round and around?
Sounds more like a 115 sqn aircraft to me!
By: Arthur - 15th October 2003 at 22:15
Andovers? Oh, gawd…
A sunny afternoon at Wildenrath, around 1990. An Andover of 60sqn flies off, and stays away for half an hour.
Then it comes by for a touch and go.
And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over.
AGAIN.
At least when the Pembrokes were doing that, it sounded nice. And you were less inspired in making totally corny jokes.
By: Joe Petroni - 15th October 2003 at 22:11
Only one which is XS 639 at Cosford, and it was looking a bit sad last time I saw it. The training school also have a PR version XS641 , which is similar to 596 the open skies aircraft.
There is also 606 and 646 at Boscombe, which I am sure you know about.
I think unfortunately the Andover is only interesting to people that have had an involvement with them, and I have and I have to say that I really rate them. Anyway here is a picture (albeit very bad one) of one that definately will not be preserved. I met one of the blokes in the front once (both survived).
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October 15, 2003 at 7:52 pm