Every cloud has a silver lining...

TobyV · Post by **TobyV** » 26 Jul 2006, 21:31

Well out of the sorry Cosford-scrapping affair, we (Trident Preservation Society) managed to obtain the steps that used to take visitors up to Papa Hotel. Neil Lomax is working on repainting them into BEA colours:

Before:

Currently:

DispatchDragon · Post by **DispatchDragon** » 26 Jul 2006, 21:42

nice Toby

All you need now is a bedford ramp van, a BEA gpu and honey wagon
and you set

Leif

TobyV · Post by **TobyV** » 26 Jul 2006, 22:02

The BA classic vehicles collection is being disbanded and Neil was rather hoping they might get the BEA Moggie van

GPU sadly wouldnt be of any use as we're not allowed to power up the original systems for similar reasons that none of the Concordes can be powered up. However, it does have its own 240V AC mains supply and supplementary lighting and a number of other 'new' systems have been (or will be) installed

delticbob · Post by **delticbob** » 27 Jul 2006, 09:53

TobyV wrote:.... we're not allowed to power up the original systems for similar reasons that none of the Concordes can be powered up.

Sorry I must have missed that explanation :redface:

Why are you not allowed to power up the systems?

I think I read that all the BA Concordes had had their hydraulic fluids drained. Is that true with the Trident too?

Its not like the old birds will fly again. Look at the two Victors, Bucchaneers & Comet - all live & taxiable but grounded.

Bob

TobyV · Post by **TobyV** » 27 Jul 2006, 09:57

Yup Trident was drained too. This one has had her wings clipped and has no ailerons anymore anyway. BA do not permit any original electrical or hydraulic systems to be run for insurance/h&s reasons. It is permitted to fit your own lighting systems in though.

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 27 Jul 2006, 12:30

There is something really classical to the BEA markings on those steps.....Much better than the present BA ones you see on their aircraft!!!!

Just as an after-thought......maybe BA should have just changed the 'E' to a 'W' and gone with the name BWA when they amalgamated BEA with B.O.A.C........British World Airways and maintained the colours of BEA. What do you think?

Post by **Garry Russell** » 27 Jul 2006, 13:41

There was a move among some staff at least to try and get them to retain the red wings citing that it was cheaper the paint the BOAC than strip the BEA as the BEA fleet was larger.

Also they used the visibility argument but to no avail.

Garry