View Full Version : Boeing 707 AWACS Servicings
MiG Eater
16th Feb 2007, 20:50
Does anyone here know and is able to advise where the RAF B707s are serviced? Is it kept in house at EGXW or back to the manufacturer. Work Related.
Many thanks in advance.
Nick
Yeller_Gait
16th Feb 2007, 21:01
They do not go back to Seattle, most of the servicing is done at Wadd. Not sure if Marshalls still involved. I will leave it at that and let one of the experts fill in the gaps. Y_G
Pontius Navigator
16th Feb 2007, 21:15
The biggest radar reflector in Lincolnshire can handle 2 E3. Inside there is a 'Texas Tower' a superb erection that creates a working deck around the fuselage and from which it is relatively easy to reach the upper parts.
The tower was not cheap but was a lot cheaper than shipping the jets to the States.
Even the USAF does its servicing in-house. There is a massive facility at Tinker for all sorts of engineering maintenance. Supposedly the longest building in the US. A hangar tour is done on a tractor and trailler.
MiG Eater
16th Feb 2007, 21:40
Fantastic, many thanks.
brickhistory
16th Feb 2007, 22:19
WARNING - Major Thread Creep - WARNING
It was always fun and a cheap way to get back home when swapping jets from Kadena to Tinker.
On one occasion, the phone directory company thought it would be a show of support to the military community in OKC to feature the mighty E-3B or C (can't remember which) on its cover.
'Tis unfortunate that the wing commander didn't see the funny side of the 'ZZ' tailcode instead of the 552d's 'OK' on said cover.
We now return you to your regular thread.
Saintsman
17th Feb 2007, 09:35
Major maintenance is carried out at Waddington by FR Aviation Services in association with BAES and Northrop Grummen (who are the prime contractor and are now design authority).
Magic Mushroom
17th Feb 2007, 22:36
Always remember some wag ('Stealth' iirc) commenting as a visiting Tinker jet taxiied past 23 Sqn soon after TELIC:
'Why do USAF E-3s have 'OK' on the tail when they're so cr@p?!':}
Regards,
MM
sonicstomp
18th Feb 2007, 14:34
And those that thought OTAN on the E3As was a rear-view mirror friendly decal! :)
Exercise at Leuchars and NATO E3A arrives - and dinks wingtip taxying in. GL decides to send replacement which arrives - and slide deploys when door is opened.
GL has, at this stage, run out of spare E3As ans send the 707 freighter/trainer with spare parts to fix number 2. 707 duly arrives and, as it is taxying in, an anonymous voice comes over the airwaves...
"Sh*t.....this one's lost the radome"....