‘Scene’ at the RAF Cosford Air Show & Museum Aircraft 2 on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

A Father’s Day outing courtesy of son Andrew saw us both at the Show and Museum for the first time in many years.

 

Some of the exhibits live outside because of their size. 

 

It is these I worry about. 

 

What with the effects of weather and atmospheric pollution, I wonder how long we can hope to keep them.

 

Looking at the aircraft that are featured in this blog, I felt that Bristol Britannia looked shabby and possibly the aircraft most at risk.

 

As always, time will tell.

 

XM497 ‘Royal Air Force’, Transport Command, Schedar.

Bristol Britannia Type 312

on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

Not quite what it seems.

 

The original XM 497 was a Bristol Britannia C.1 which first flew in August 1960 and was delivered to the RAF in December of the same year. 

 

On withdrawal it was to have become OO-YCF on the Belgian civil register but this was not taken up and the aircraft passed to the fire school at Stansted where it perished in 1981.

 

The current XM 497 was built  as a model 312 in 1957 for ‘British Overseas Airways Corporation’ (BOAC) registered G-AOVF. 

 

It has never served with the RAF but for display purposes it has been painted to represent the original.

 

It was converted to a freighter in 1964 and leased to ‘British Eagle Airways’. 

 

It spent the rest of its working life with various airlines including ‘Monarch’ and ‘Donaldson International Airways’ before being retired to Cosford in May 1984.

 

 

 

 

XV202 ‘Royal Air Force’ Transport Command.

Lockheed Hercules C130K/C.3 XV202

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Built by Lockheed at Marietta in Georgia, USA. 

 

One of a batch of Hercules numbering 66 that were delivered to the RAF between 1966 and 1968.

 

XV202 was delivered as a C. Mk1.

 

In the early 1980s it was one of 30 aircraft that were converted to C Mk.3 configuration by Marshalls of Cambridge.

 

This involved inserting a fuselage plug 15 feet in length.

 

It spent its early years in the Far East before coming home in1971 to become part of the Lyneham Transport Wing.

 

Retired in 2011, it was flown into RAF Cosford on 12th. August 2011.

 

 

 

 

XR808 ‘Royal Air Force’ Transport Command.

Vickers VC10 /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

The VC-10’s came into ‘Royal Air Force’ service via two routes.

 

The first was with a straight order for transport aircraft which were delivered in the mid 1960’s to be operated by No.101 Squadron.

 

The second was when the ‘Ministry of Defence’ bought second hand airliners to convert to tankers to replace the Handley Page Victor tankers. 

 

They were worn out after their service during the Falklands conflict in 1982.

 

XR808 was one of the former group.

 

 

 

 

XR808 ‘Royal Air Force’ Transport Command.

Vickers VC10 /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

XV249 Royal Air Force.

Hawker Siddeley HS 801 Nimrod R1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Delivered to the RAF February 1971 as a MR1 (Marine Reconnaissance).

 

Converted to MR2 configuration in 1985 with updated avionics and other systems.

 

Withdrawn and stored in October 1992. 

 

Converted to R.1 standard in October 1995 for use as a ‘SIGINT’ (Signals Intelligence) aircraft.

 

One of 4 aircraft to serve in that role with No. 51 Squadron.

 

 

 

 

204 / V ‘Royal Netherlands Navy’

Lockheed Burbank SP-2H Neptune

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

A long range maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft.

 

Always one of my favourites and unusual that it employs both piston and jet engines.

 

The piston engines for normal cruise with the the jets being added for additional speed over the target.

 

Designed and built by Lockheed at Burbank, California initially for the United States Navy. 

 

It also served in ‘Royal Air Force Coastal Command’ between 1952 and 1957.

 

I remember being on holiday in 1956 at Scarborough when standing on top of the cliffs at the castle, one of the RAF’s aircraft, still in its former US Navy colour scheme of all over midnight blue flew past me at a lower height than I was.

 

The RAF roundels on the upper wing surfaces were quite clearly visible.

 

 

 

 

L-866 ‘Royal Danish Air Force’.

Convair Catalina PBY-6A

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

An amphibian which combines the roles of anti submarine, maritime patrol and being able to land on water, air-sea rescue.

 

The Catalina design dates back to the late 1930’s but this one was built by Convair at New Orleans in 1943.

 

‘Convair’ being an abbreviation of Consolidated Vultee Aircraft.

 

Sold to Denmark in March 1957 where it spent much of its service life based in Greenland.

 

On my previous visits to Cosford, the Catalina has always been inside. 

 

Being moved to an outside location is, I hope, only temporary, as no train, bus or aircraft kept outside indefinitely fares well in the British climate.

 

An item that I only saw this week was that an American company is to start building an updated amphibian version of the Catalina.

 

Not bad for a design over 80 years old.

 

There’s still life in us old’uns yet!!

 

‘Scene’ at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2 The Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

It was always my intention when I named my blog ‘railsroadsrunways’ nine years ago to give as even a spread of coverage as was possible to the three forms of transport.

 

Unfortunately, of late, for various reasons, the ‘runways’ element has been neglected.

 

The increases in security at military bases. The loss of shows at RAF Waddington and Scampton. The general run down of the numbers of military aircraft which, as a result of the Ukraine war, might see an upsurge in spending.

 

Then there has been the Covid pandemic which removed the civil airliner coverage almost overnight.

 

The ‘Royal International Air Tattoo’ started life 50 years ago as simply the ‘International Air Tattoo’ and during that time, most of the events have taken place at ‘RAF Fairford’ in Gloucestershire.

 

The use of ‘RAF’ in the name of the base is a bit of a misnomer because it is the ‘United States Air Force’ who are the resident operator.

 

Usually with bombers from either the B1, B2 or B52 fleets together with their  air refuelling tanker support.

 

Lockheed started design work on the C-130 in 1951. It first flew in August 1954 and entered service with the ‘United States Air Force’ in December 1956.

 

Today, albeit with different engines and systems, Lockheed Martin are still building what is recognisably the same aircraft.

 

You could have started your working life at Lockheed as a 16 year old apprentice on the C-130 and retired at 66 after 50 years service without having worked on anything else.

 

Remarkable!

 

ZH869 ‘Royal Air Force’.

Lockheed C-130J Hercules HC4

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

It first flew in June 1997 registered N130JV and was delivered to Marshalls at Cambridge in December 1998.

 

 

 

 

13-5776 ‘United States Air Force’.

Lockheed Martin C-130J Commando 2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

130609 ‘Royal Canadian Air Force’ RCAF-ARC.

Lockheed Martin CC-130J

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Delivered May 2011.

 

 

 

 

346 ‘Royal Jordanian Air Force’ GUTS AIRLINE, aqaba.

Lockheed C-130H Hercules

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

701 ‘Royal Bahraini Air Force’ (RBAF).

Lockheed C-130J /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

It first flew in April 1999 as N7328.

 

New, registered ZH880 to the ‘Royal Air Force’ as a Hercules C5 in May 1999.

 

To the ‘RBAF’ in 2018.

 

 

 

 

701 ‘Royal Bahraini Air Force’.

Lockheed C-130J /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

‘Scene’ at RAF Cosford (Transports)

We are particularly fortunate in the UK with the availability of Aviation Museums. Apart from the Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford. There is the Imperial War Museum’s collection at Duxford and The Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon.

 

They of course are the major collections but there are many other private museums probably the best of which is at Newark in Nottinghamshire. 

Another excellent aviation museum is the East Midlands Aeropark which is located adjacent to the East Midlands Airport. See my blog dated 17th. December 2013 for details.

I have visited all of them at various times but its 4 years or so since I visited Cosford so it was a long overdue return.

 

Most of the exhibits are indoors but two major transports live outside.

 

XV202

A Lockheed Hercules C130K/C.3 

 

Built by Lockheed at Marietta in Georgia USA. One of a batch of Hercules numbering 66 that were delivered to the RAF between 1966 and 1968.

 

XV202 was delivered as a C. Mk1.

In the early 1980’s it was one of 30 aircraft that were converted to C Mk.3 configuration by Marshalls of Cambridge. This involved inserting a fuselage plug 15 feet in length.

 

It spent its early years in the Far East before coming home in1971 to become part of the Lyneham Transport Wing.

 

Retired in 2011, it was flown into RAF Cosford on 12th. August 2011.

 

XM497

A Bristol Britannia 312 named ‘Schedar’.

 

The original XM 497 was a Bristol Britannia C.1 which first flew in August 1960 and was delivered to the RAF in December of the same year. On withdrawal it was to have become OO-YCF on the Belgian Civil Register but this was not taken up and the aircraft passed to the Fire School at Stansted where it perished in 1981.

 

The current XM 497 was built in 1957 for ‘British Overseas Airways Corporation’ (BOAC) registered G-AOVF. It has never served with the RAF but for display purposes it has been painted to represent an aircraft that did.

 

It was converted to a freighter in 1964 and leased to ‘British Eagle’. It spent the rest of its working life with various airlines including. ‘Monarch’ and ‘Donaldson International Airways’before being retired to Cosford in May 1984. 

 

It was restored to its ‘BOAC’ livery and from 2008 it was repaired and re painted to represent an aircraft of

‘Royal Air Force Air Support Command’.

 

VP952

A De Havilland DH 104 Devon. 

Developed from the civilian Dove, one of 30 supplied to the RAF from 1947. It eventually served with 207 Communications Squadron based at RAF Northolt from where it was reduced to being a maintenance airframe serial 8820M. It regained its service serial for display purposes.

 

WV746

A Hunting Percival Pembroke C1. 

Delivered to the RAF in June 1955. Formerly a VIP configured aircraft when it served as the C in C of RAF Air Support Command’s personal aircraft.  It then went on to work for No 60 Squadron at RAF Wildenrath in Germany.

It became maintenance airframe serial 8938M. It regained its service serial for display purposes.

 

XL993

A Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer CC2. 

One of 7 CC 2’s produced. It was the military equivalent of the civilian Series 3 which were powered by the uprated Alvis Leonides 531 engines.

Delivered in 1958 and eventually became maintenance airframe serial 8388M. It regained its service serial for display purposes.

 

XP411

An Armstrong Whitworth (AW) 660 Argosy C1.

This Rolls Royce Dart powered freighter was developed from the civil ‘AW’ 650. The major difference being that while the civil machine could be loaded from the front and rear, the military version had the nose loading facility sealed and was modified to carry the bulbous weather radome. A stronger floor and clamshell rear doors also featured. It was also equipped for para dropping.

 

New in 1962 it was initially issued to 105 Squadron in Aden. It later served with 114 and 267 Squadrons before being retired in 1975. It was used as a ground instructional airframe at RAF Cosford before being transferred to the Museum where it wears the livery of Training Command.

 

XR 371

A Short Belfast C1.

Another Rolls Royce powered freighter (this time the Tyne). Only 10 of these heavy lift transports were built. Entering service in 1966, the Belfast fleet barely lasted 10 years. Some were sold on for use in the civil market.

XR 371 was the last Belfast built and after service with 53 Squadron at Brize Norton it was retired to Cosford in 1978.

 

TS798

An Avro York C1.

 

The York was the wing, engines,wheels and tailplane of the Avro Lancaster married to a new square section fuselage that did service both as a freighter and an airliner in the postwar period. The war ended before this aircraft was delivered to the RAF so it became  G-AGNV with first of all ‘British Overseas Airways Corporation and then ‘Skyways’.

 

Many Yorks flew on the Berlin Airlift delivering coal amongst other things. One interesting feature of this aircraft is that the cabin windows are painted onto the sides of the fuselage.

 

KN 645

A Douglas Dakota 4 (the Mk 4 was the equivalent to the USAF’s C 47B).

Formerly 44-77033 in American service. From 1945 it became General Montgomery’s (Monty) personal transport. To enable it to fulfill that role it was fitted out as a VIP aircraft complete with kitchen, armchair, settees and even a cocktail cabinet...! 

It continued to lead a VIP ‘life’ being allocated to the British Military Governors in Germany. Serving eventually on the Royal Flight, the aircraft being used during a visit the Queen made to Nepal.

By 1970, it was the last Dakota with the RAF and was retired to RAF Northolt for preservation. Originally painted in ‘D-Day’ markings it was given its present colour scheme in 2005.

I used to hang my completed Airfix kits from my bedroom ceiling as a lad. I never thought that I would see it done with the real thing....!

 

TX 214

 

An Avro Anson C 19.

Developed from a 1930’s vintage Coastal Command patrol and attack aircraft the Anson  was developed through a trainer version to the transport seen here. Continuing in production until 1947, the last of their kind with the RAF were withdrawn in June 1968.

TX 214 was built at Yeadon (Leeds) it served with various communications flights and squadrons including the RAF Staff College flight, HQ Reserve Command an Metropolitan Communications. withdrawn in 1963 to Storage at RAF Henlow, it came to Cosford in December 1978.

 

TG 511

 

A Handley Page (HP) Hastings.

 

Powered by 4 Bristol Hercules engines, the Hastings was intended to replace the 

Avro York in the RAF’s transport squadrons.

 

Built in March 1948, as a C.1 the thirteenth of an order for 100, the aircraft served on operations such as the Berlin Airlift with various squadrons including No’s 47 and 99

 

In 1950 it was modified by ‘HP’ to  Met. 1 standard for use as a weather reconnaissance aircraft with 202 Squadron  in Coastal Command.

 

In 1959 it was further modified by ‘HP’ as a T.5 for use by the Bomber Command Bombing School (BCBS) for use in training navigators and bomb aimers for the ‘V’ bomber force.

 

I first new the aircraft in the 1970’s when it was based at RAF Lindholme near Doncaster by which time the ‘BCBS’ had become the Strike Command Bombing School.

 

It was withdrawn in 1977 and arrived at RAF Cosford in August of that year.

‘Scene’ at the East Midlands Airport (EMA)

I HAVE DECIDED TO RE RUN THIS PARTICULAR 'BLOG' WHICH RAN ALMOST TWO WEEKS AGO. IN THAT TIME I HAVE FOUND THAT ALTHOUGH THE IMAGES APPEAR ON FLICKr, THEY ARE NOT RELATED TO THE TEXT. SO HERE'S HOPING............

I have been taken to task in some quarters for the content on my ‘blog’. As someone put it.

 

“A lot of Roads, some Rails and very little Runways”.

 

Which I must admit is true. That is probably a reflection on the fact that buses run past the end of the road I live on. The nearest Railways are some miles further away and the local airport even further than that. On top of which is the fact that security at airports is so much tighter these days.

 

However, summertime means the odd airshow can be attended and the occasional airport visit can be pulled in.

 

The ‘EMA’ is my local airport and it is now in its 50th. year of operation. Viewing from the airport premises is virtually impossible. The days of the ‘waving off gallery’ are long gone and there are few locations around the perimeter that are accessible. 

 

The best of these is from the grounds of the East Midlands Aeropark (EMAe). (see my 'blog' for December 17th. 2013 for detailed coverage). This is located just outside Castle Donnington just off the main road. 

 

They are only open for a limited number of hours a day and there is a £3 charge but for that you get toilets, a cafe, a view of most of the activities without a barbed wire fence blocking the view and the ‘EMAe’ collection of aircraft. They alone are worth the charge.

 

So a lovely warm summers day and little else to do. so off I went.

 

The Irish based operator ‘Ryanair’ is a major user of the airport flying scheduled services with a number of aircraft being based there.

 

EI-EFA

One of over 300 Boeing 737-800’s in the fleet. This one carries special branding to promote the Swedish city of Nykoping.

EI-ENJ

This Boeing 737-800 carries branding promoting the Polish region of Podkarpackie.

 

 

EI-EVI climbs away on yet another rotation.

 

 

 EI-DAF, EI-ENJ, EI-ESP, EI-DYS and EI-EVS were others of the type that put in an appearance on the day.

 

 

Another major visitor to the ‘EMA’ is ‘Jet2’. This Leeds based operator specializes in holiday flights. I have in the past seen jet2 Boeing 757’s but the aircraft I saw on this visit were all Boeing 737’s.

 

G-CELB

There can be little doubt about where this 737-377 is from. Dating from 1986 this machine has had a long and varied career having worked in Australia for ‘Ansett’ for 16 years as VH-CZL.

 

 

G-CELF

Another 737-377 that started its career in Australia with ‘Ansett’ being new as VH-CZM in 1988. It had a spell with ‘America Air West’ as N113AW before going back to Australia as VH-CZM. A spell in Singapore with ‘Region Air’ as S7-ABB followed before joining ‘Channel Express’ and eventually 'Jet2' in 2004.

 

G-GDFF

A 737-85P. New to ‘Air Europa’ in 1999 as EC-HGP it was stored briefly in November 2011 before coming to ‘Jet2’ in  December 2011.

G-CELV

Another 737-377 that started its career in Australia with ‘Ansett’ being new as VH-CZI in 1986. It became G-CELV with ‘Channel Express’ and then ‘Jet2’ in 2002.

G-GDFC

A 737-8K2, New in 1998 to ‘Transavia’ (Holland) as PH-HZC. It has been leased to various operators in the USA  (as PH-HZC), Canada (C-GHZC) and India (VT-SPY) before joining ‘Jet2’ in 2011.

‘Monarch Airlines’ (MA) is a relatively new operator on a regular basis at the ‘EMA’. With a history dating back to 1967, ‘MA’ is based at Luton Airport. In May 2012 they announced that they were to open a base at the ‘EMA’ to replace in part some of the routes that were vacated by ‘bmi baby’ when that airline was closed down.

 

G-OZBU

An Airbus A321-231 new to ‘Easyjet’ as G-TTII in 2008 moving to ‘MA’ in 2009.

G-OJEG

An Airbus A321-231 it was new to ‘MA’ in 1999.

 

It is interesting to note that the the fin tail colour schemes are different on these 2 aircraft.

G-OOBM

A Boeing 767-324ER of ‘First Choice Airways’ (FCA) just after liftoff on its way to Florida.

Built as EI-CMH for GECAS (a leasing company), it served ‘Vietnam Airlines’ as S7-RGU and then as VN-A765.

 

It became G-OOBM when it came to ‘FCA’ and became a Thomson Airways machine when ‘Thomson’ took over ‘First Choice’ in 2008’.

 

G-BCEN

A Britten Norman BN-2A-26 Islander. Although carrying no titles that I could see, the basic livery is that of ‘HM Coastguard’ for whom the aircraft at one time was operated by ‘Air Atlantique’.

 

 

G-JEDW

A Bombardier DHC-8-402Q of ‘Flybe’. It was delivered new to the airline in 2004. Although the aircraft is marketed as a Bombardier machine the ‘DHC’ gives away the origins of the design which was by De Havilland Canada.

G-ECOH

Another Bombardier DHC-8-402Q of ‘Flybe’. Delivered new to ‘Flybe’ in 2008, it had a short spell sub-leased to Brussels Airlines in 2012. The purple orange and red colour scheme is an attractive addition to the colour scheme.

 

 

There are of course aircraft other than airliners that use the airport. Representing these is

 

G-MOSJ 

A Beech King Air 90 owned by ‘Moss Aviation’ based at Southend.

1625

A Lockheed C-130H of the Royal Saudi Air Force.

It seemed ironic that in England of all places it was seen as necessary to cover the cockpit windows to keep the heat out. (Mind you, it was a bit warm).

M-JCBB

A Grumman Gulfstream G650 of locally based JC Bamford Excavators Ltd. (JCB).

 

This world famous and recognized company started just after the war when Joe Bamford set up his own business having bought a second hand welding set.

G-TASS

An Agusta AW109SP of the East Midlands Air Ambulance adds a nice local touch to end with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further photos can be seen on my Flickr 

 

‘Scene’ at the East Midlands Airport

I have been a regular viewer at the EMA for many years and passing on my way elsewhere, I had to call for an hour or so. 

 

I have discovered that the East Midlands Airpark which lies to the side of the runway and is located just out of Castle Donnington village has a mound that allows good views over the wire fence that otherwise restricts photography.

 

Opening at the Airpark is restricted in winter time but the advantage it gives is well worth the small fee charged. 

 

There is also the Airpark’s collection to view. 

 

EI-JIV

Lockheed L382G Hercules operated by ‘Air Contractors’. Although Irish registered, it is based at the EMA and is reputedly the only civil registered L-100 Hercules in Europe.

 

G-LSAI

Boeing 757-21B of Jet2.com having just landed. Previously with ‘China Southern Airlines’ as B 2803.

 

OK-TSA

Boeing 737-8S3 of ‘Jet2.com’ leased from ‘Travel Service’ (TS) in the Czech Republic for the summer of 2013. 

From new in 2001 it has been with ‘Pegasus Airlines’ in Turkey as TC-APH followed by a spell in storage before going to TS in April 2013.

 

EI-EFC

 

Boeing 737-8AS captured just after take off. ‘Ryanair’ has, at the last count over 300 of this type in service.

 

G-COBO

Aerospatiale 72-212A of ‘Aurigny.com’ on finals. It has been with Aurigny since its delivery in 2009.

 

G-ZBAF

Airbus A321-231 of ‘Monarch Airlines’ again on finals. Now 7 years old it had 6 years with ‘Royal Jordanian Airlines’ as JY-AYG before moving to ‘Cyprus Airway’ as 5B-DCO prior to joining Monarch in April this year.

G-TURF

Reims Cessna F406 Caravan 2 of ‘Atlantic Reconnaissance Ltd’. working for the ‘UK Coastguard’. Previously on the Dutch register as PH-FWF. 

 

 

G-BMPC

Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer takes to the skies.

 

The registration on this Boeing 757 freighter parked outside the ‘DHL’ cargo facility is obscured by its tailplane. However most of these that I have seen before have been German registered.

 

G-GDFH

Boeing 737-3Y5 of ‘Jet2.com’ having just landed. Previously with ‘Air Malta’ as 9H-ABT and ‘Norwegian Air Shuttle’ as

LN-KKC.

 

G-FDZB

Boeing 737-8K5 (WL) of ‘Thomson Airways' carrying ‘Thomsonfly.com’ titles. Now 6 years old it was new to Thomson but has been sub leased to ‘Sunwing Airlines’ a number of times.

 

G-NIKO

Airbus 321-111 of’ Thomas Cook Airlines’ was previously with ‘Airtours International Airways’ and ‘My Travel’.