Old Boeings and French Embraers at Southend….

Southend has an usual produced an interesting assortment of aircraft recently. I’ve missed a few gems, but also got a few decent bits recently…

First the 500th E jet on approach to Runway 24 for painting into Hop colours – one of very many Embraers to have been repainted….

F-HBXC Air France by Regional E170 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

And one of the repainted ‘Hop!’ Embraers departing again. I certainly much prefer the Air France scheme…

F-HBXN HOP for Air France E170 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

F-HBXN HOP for Air France E170 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

Now the latest addition to Southend’s passenger flights – a Volotea 717 operating the first of the weekly Palma services for Thomson and the first visit of the type from Southend. Doesn’t look like a Boeing being based on the MD series yet. A relativelyt young aircxraft – only 9.8 years old. The Volotea livery is rather nice…

EI-EXA Volotea B717 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

The latest addition to the Jet2 fleet – G-GDFV arriving from Montpellier after having wiglets fitted (formerly EC-LKO). One of the oldest Boeing 737-800s around at 14.5 years old….

G-GDFV ‘Jet2’ B738 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

A slightly older aircraft in the form of the Jet2 Manchester Boeing 737 returning from an airtest after some maintenance with ATC Lahsam at Southend. Only 26.7 years old….

G-CELI Jet2 B733 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

I’m always like to leave the best (an this time the oldest) until last. A Boeing older than one of the Jet2 fleet still flying is quite difficult to find. But a visit from Boeing 727 HZ-SKI fits the bill – a relatively young 727 only 35 years old. The weather was rubbish, but the first Boeing 727 to arrive at Southend for almost 18 months was a very welcome sight. Arriving Runway 24 – I got there in the nick of time.

HZ-SKI B722 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

Taxiing in to the ramp:

HZ-SKI B722 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

As always – I hope these are of interest!