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Posted: 07 Apr 2006, 11:03
by britishtourer
What I really want to know is - if I ever manage to get enough money together, could one of these Tridents ever fly again?

Posted: 07 Apr 2006, 11:17
by Garry Russell
No Trident will ever fly again

Not even the Wroughton one

Even if it was made potentially airworthy I doubt if it would be allowed to fly.

Garry

Posted: 07 Apr 2006, 11:26
by britishtourer
I'm sure that it's possible - somehow. At the end of the day, all it takes is money...

Posted: 07 Apr 2006, 12:01
by Garry Russell
BT it would also need manufacturors plans tools jigs licensed engineers as well as test pilot operating manuals and a whole host of other things.

Then authorities would still be unlikely to allow it.

I doubt if everthing needed still exists.

All it takes is money to save the museum exhibts or at least it would assuming that a wad of notes was flashed in front of the scrap man or whoever owns them now, but to preserve them would take more than money.

To restore them to flying condition would be beyond the scope of realism.


Garry

Posted: 07 Apr 2006, 14:24
by britishtourer
Garry, I really do understand what you are saying, but parts and money wise I think it would be possible.

But then there's the European burocracy. That would be the downfall wouldn't it? As a member of the Catalina society, I was appaled when they were told that they required the same insurance as a 737. I was equally appaled when I heard that the Spits were banned from making a flight over London for the VE day celebrations because they were single engined.

In my mind, Europe is going to destroy our warbirds alongside the already destroyed classic airliner flyers so that the only place we can see them is on the ground.

Posted: 07 Apr 2006, 14:40
by Garry Russell
The Trident was never built in the numbers of some of these other types.

Essential spares would not be availiable nor would drawings

We are not going to get a crate of Tridents turn up in Russia.

The Trident is a complex airliner

Sorry mate it's never going to happen which is why we recreate it as best as possible in FS

Here all IS possible given the willingness and time

Garry

Posted: 07 Apr 2006, 14:48
by VEGAS
Question - Speaking purely theoretically here, what would likely happen if they decided that they would put all the hydraulics/oils/fuel/batteries/power etc back into the cleanest example of a Trident and then attempt to take off? Would it take to the air or is it likely to breakup during start up/taxing? Or would it not start at all?

I know it sound like a weird question but its one I have often thought about but have'nt even got the faintest idea regarding aircraft mechanics way of thinking. :roll:

Posted: 07 Apr 2006, 15:04
by Garry Russell
One thing for sure, there is so much safety built into regulations it would fly as a standard well below the minimum requirement.

But aircraft can com apart in a spectacular fashion given a small crack in the wrong place.

Of course it would not be insured

A good example though of long deterioated aircraft flying again in a limited capacity were the Super VC-10's delivered to Filton from Abingdon.

Flap fixed, UC locked down and minimum systems.

But they did fly


Garry

Posted: 07 Apr 2006, 15:16
by britishtourer
It's because they built them better in those days!

Posted: 07 Apr 2006, 15:19
by Garry Russell
No

They are built better now days

It's called progress

Maybe not so glamorous

But a modern aircraft in the same situation as the VC 10's would have flown out in the same way.

The main difference being the amount of electronics used would mean more work to get it going, but modern airframes are better than older ones.


It's just the older ones are nicer to look at and have character.



Garry