G-HRHI

It used to be based at Henlow and might still be.

Yeah it is a real shame that some of them planes werent saved, AMB.
Do you know where the chipmunk is based? I’d love to see that one sometime.

I think its a crying shame that this was allowed to happen – mercedes kept the 500sl that diana used which is now in a museum and yet we sold and parted out an aircraft that she flew? She shouldnt have been sold on by the RAFM.

How much of the royal flight is actually left now? I know some aircraft live on, I know about the helicopter at weston but what other aircraft still exist in their original guise?

One Queens Flight Whirlwind and a Wessex are at Weston, whilst the other Wessex is in the RAF Museum at Hendon. Prince Charles’ Chipmunk is privately owned but still flies in its special Royal red scheme. Alas the fixed wing fleet is another matter as the first QF Heron (XH375) got sold to Canada and converted to a Saunders ST-27 and I think two of the Andovers were sold off in Gambia or somewhere in Africa. The third one ended up with RAE with various lumps and bumps for trials, getting unceremoniously scrapped afterwards. We have a very poor record of recognising the importance of Royal Flight aircraft and preserving them. The MoD are more interested in making money by selling them off.!

I dont think it matters in the slightest! Far more significant Queens Flight machines exist including the Heron in the U.S and the Dove in the U.K -apart from Charles doing his twin training in her I cannot see her being any more significant than any other Basset.

I think its a crying shame that this was allowed to happen – mercedes kept the 500sl that diana used which is now in a museum and yet we sold and parted out an aircraft that she flew? She shouldnt have been sold on by the RAFM.

How much of the royal flight is actually left now? I know some aircraft live on, I know about the helicopter at weston but what other aircraft still exist in their original guise?

Thanks very much for the information. It appreciate it.
Too bad its now being parted out, but atleast its keeping another flying I guess.

The Regal Beagle went to Boscombe Down as a spares source to keep the other Basset there flying. Some of the interior was donated to help fit out the B206 prototype at Shoreham.

A friend of mine tried to buy it. Apparently the problem was the engine/prop combination, which was unique and the props aren’t made any more. Any change of type would have cost thousands.

I feel very priviledged to have flown in XS770/G-HRHI. I think the pilot’s name was Diana at the time?;)

Such ashame given the final outcome.

Sold into private hands I believe.

Why was she removed from Cosford’s museum?

Yes,that is a real shame.

She was a very nice aeroplane when she was in Cosford’s museum some years ago.

Mark

Hey Tony,
Thanks for that. I had wondered why I hadnt seen it there for ages. I regret now not taking a pic when I had the chance. 🙁
All those times i’ve been flying and seen it sat there.

Thanks for the info. Such ashame shes being used for spares now.

Follow on from that listed here

http://www.aviation-links.co.uk/MAMupdate48-2009.pdf

XS770Beagle B206Z Basset CC1 (G-HRHI)MoD, QinetiQ, Boscombe Down (spares use)

Asked my mate who works in the Hangar there, he seems to think it was cleared for one flight only and departed to Boscombe Down about a year ago, if you check Ginfo it shows the permit is expired 2006, but it would not show a single flight only clearance.

http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=60&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=detailnosummary&fullregmark=HRHI