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?:)

Tridents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

LAST EDITED ON 09-04-01 AT 07:29 PM (GMT)[p]Yeah, I reckon the DC-8 is a good looker too! I like the air scoops under the chin… make it look like it means business. DHL have just retired theirs recently….. shame.

My favourite though has to be the Trident. Yet another world beater, inadequately marketed by British government/industry. It was (in my opinion) retired far too early and could have been retrofitted with a Spey hushkit without great expense. It breaks my heart to see G-AVMP (?) on Manchester’s fire dump (been there since 1981) everytime I go there. When I flew to Luton recently, I glimpsed a fuselage of an airliner in the fire dump. It did’nt look like a Trident though…… any ideas???

Oh yeah and the Chinese retired their Tridents back in 1992, the last one going into service in 1972. There should have been more life left in them surely??? Shame.

Paul.

RE: What I think?

Sorry Airbus! I was pissed when I wrote that! I get a bit confrontational sometimes!

Paul.

RE: Concorde – Whats the story?

Yeah, but all the Boeing gig is all on paper. Europe did it in the 60’s. The Wright brothers may be the first to fly, but we were the first to send people wholesale supersonic! Boeing are’nt really brave enough to do it! Forget your ‘artists impressions’ and hypersonic bullshit, we have the real deal and have had so since 1969!!!!!!! How about that Boeing?

Paul.

RE: Deep Vein Thrombosis

When I was a kid, I remember coming back from Spain on one of the old B737 200’s that Brittannia had. Even as a 9 year old kid, I rememeber my knees being being stuck firmly into the seat in front. Did anyone complain? Did anyone collapse? No! Ok it’s not ideal, but we all want cheap flights don’t we? Considering the ammount of people that fly each day, can anyone say what percentage get DVT. I bet it’s incalculable in the sense that it’s about 0.001%. Therefore, I stick to my opinion that it’s just a load of hot air. Anyway, how come military aircrew never suffer from this? I’m sure that a navigator stuffed in the back of a Tornado on a transit to Goose bay would be much more at risk. Immobile, and strapped into an uncomfy ejector seat… you’d think he’d be a prime candidate would’nt you???

Paul.

RE: Favourite UK Charter Airlines

Well I may sound a bit odd now, but used to love Dan-Air! Remember them? Also, Air Europe were really good too. When I was a kid I went into the cockpit and the pilot let me engage a switch (presume it was the autopilot) in the centre console between the two pilots. It banked to starboard over the Pyrenees when I did this. Cool 🙂

Happy days.

Paul.

RE: Deep Vein Thrombosis

Well I agree in principle, but are YOU truly in a position to pay a few hundred quid more?

I know I’m not.

Paul.