First of the RAF's 'New' 146's Delivered

[Chris Trott]

Not going to try an multi-quote, but a couple things -

1) The BAe-146's biggest problem is the engines. They're getting long-in-tooth and that's the biggest issue. If it was economical to re-engine with the AS977 then I think you'd see the -146 around for many more years. Unfortunately, with the engines getting worn out and the noise being loud compared to the modern powerplants, it's just not worth the expense.

2) The A318's are being scrapped not for parts (although that's a plus) but because they were wholly unacceptable aircraft. Airbus suspended production because no one could make money with them and there were tons of quieted problems with the type as far as handling unsuitability in foul weather because it's just too short. The few A318 operators are rapidly exchanging their aircraft for A319s or EMB-170's and EMB-190's. Airbus tried to do what Boeing had done with the 737-500 and -600 and found out just as they did that the market for that size of aircraft is very small. A purpose-built aircraft of that class is much better at handling the market.

3) World Airways & Southern Airways I know have TACAN on their aircraft. Omni International may have fitted it on a couple of theirs as well. Several also have MLS equipped on their aircraft as well. TACAN used to be more common on Military Charter (then MACS, Military Air Charter System) contractors, but nowadays, most of their flying is into civilian airports anyway, so the need for military equipment isn't as great. However, World & Southern do a lot of support for more "interesting" parts of the military, so they go into military bases more often than most and thus the need for the military navigation system.

[TSR2]

Heres a couple more interesting 146 moves...

BAe 146 CC.2 1029 ZE701 Royal Air Force ferried 22mar12 NHT-DUB for paint ex G6-029
BAe Avro RJ70 1254 G-BVRJ QinetiQ delivery 19mar12 MMX-EGDM, regd 21mar12, to be regd QQ102 ex SE-DJP

Looks like QinetiQ are getting theirs after all!

[clavel9]

Heres a couple more interesting 146 moves...

BAe 146 CC.2 1029 ZE701 Royal Air Force ferried 22mar12 NHT-DUB for paint ex G6-029
BAe Avro RJ70 1254 G-BVRJ QinetiQ delivery 19mar12 MMX-EGDM, regd 21mar12, to be regd QQ102 ex SE-DJP

Looks like QinetiQ are getting theirs after all!

Picture of 701 in Dublin:
http://flic.kr/p/bFpUjk

[TSR2]

Cheers for the pic!

Its strange that the QuinetiQ has a QQ reg, never seen that before. I wonder what paint she will wear?

[Garry Russell]

The British don't use the 'Q'

Or never have up until now, not since the very early days, the last use was a civil reg G-EBTQ.

Maybe a special batch for non RAF/AAC/RN military

I saw a Merlin once it a serial less than 100 apparently it was a test before delivery to an overseas Air Force
ZK100 should be the lowest but this was ZK002..

Saying that the French use F-W for test when 'W' isn't in the French alphabet...

[nigelb]

Saying that the French use F-W for test when 'W' isn't in the French alphabet...

I learn something every day on here! No 'W' - that explains a lot!

Win the war, win the war oops, no whistling no wall either

Nigel²

[Chris558]

Why did the 146 have four engines?....Because there weren't enough room for six!

[Garry Russell]

Why did the 146 have four engines?....Because there weren't enough room for six!

[clavel9]

Do aircraft like this get assigned to a squadron or do they stay on some sort of ad hoc arrangement? Given that the new Airbus KC.2/KC.3 are to be run by AirTanker, I suppose what I really mean is whether they are "full RAF" aircraft with military crews or are they flown by civilian or mixed crews.

[Garry Russell]

The "civil" Stuff like the A.330 usually have a civil registration too...this is not the case here .