The life of the Tristar.

[SIMEFLY]

As an ex member of 216 sqn i have many happy memories. I was with the sqn during the early 90's.
Does anyone know the future of the tristar fleet?Will the RAF approach Airbus for a multi purpose a/craft?Due to their age there were countless occasions when the aircraft went "u/s" down route, but that didnt upset crews, spending a few more days in fantastic locations????

As for evetually scraping the "airships" I hope that for nostalgic reasons ZE705's resting place would be DUXFORD rather than a desert in the US.:ok:

[newboyintown]

Both Tristar and VC10's are supposed to be replaced by FSTA (Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft).

[Aeronut]

what is so special about ZH705

[Specaircrew]

The front toilets work, very important when your prostate is the size of a beach ball and you've never flown with the guy in the right hand seat before! :-)

[NutLoose]

I remember them arriving :)

The one getting the bottom blown out of it by a BA engineer on a groundrun with a taste for holding in seized Hyd Pump CB's if memory serves me right, and the Autoland without the system on which resulted in a bounce that Barnes Wallis would have been proud of, followed by a judicious hosing down of the local area with fuel in the circuit and the resulting what felt like a 1 year plus rebuild.

[Jig Peter]

"FSTA", I thought, stands for "Future Strategic TRANSPORT Aircraft", as it'll do both the lift and the "flying petrol station" jobs - saw a photo somewhere recently of the A330/MRTT for the Ozzie Air Force being checked out as a receiver, taking on fuel from a French KC-135... I think that first delivery to the RAAF is due in a few months' time, and am very surprised at the leisurely schedule for RAF versions ... :ugh:
(Unless some strategist in an ivory tower beside the Thames reckons that now "us Brits" are out of Iraq, we'll be out of Afghanistan too before the planned in-service date, and the FSTA can then be swiftly binned in a new round of "capability enhancing" manoeuvres)
BTW, to those who think that "spare" 767s/777s parked in the desert would be "easily" available- and to would-be "economisers" in the vicinity of HM's Treasurers - remember that it's not just a question of bolting on a hose 'n drogue kit or three - the KC-767 for Japan is a different piece of kit from the standard airline version, while the 777 has never been fitted out as a tanker at all ... The A330 is way ahead of the game, but why it's been decided to take so long to get it into RAF service is a "wonderment" ... NO way is "spare capacity" in the desert a short cut to replacement of the RAF's Tristars and VC-10s !!! :=:=

[Dr Schlong]

newboyintown is correct - FSTA is primarily intended as a tanker, the transport side of things is an added bonus.

[scpc]

The "T" means Tanker

[NutLoose]

In Labour Speak, is not FSTA not FPTA for Future Posponed Tanker Aircraft? :uhoh:

[411A]

If the chaps in the RAF would simply take care of the TriStars you have, they wouldn't go 'u/s down route.'

Been flying 'em for 29 years, very seldom unserviceable.
There is a reason, of course.
We have Lockheed/Roller factory trained folks looking after them.
Not to mention...plenty of spares, including engines.

[bluepilot]

Whats the difference between 411A and gonorrhea?

you can get rid of gonorrhea!

[Eckster]

Sorry 411A, but we do look after them. 26 years in RAF service means at some point they will break down route.

Spares - you having a laugh, there is a major lack of spares and it's going to get worse.

Still got several years left yet in service with 216 Sqn even after FSTA comes in.

Regards

Eccie
216 Sqn Avionics Technician

[411A]

Spares - you having a laugh, there is a major lack of spares and it's going to get worse.


The RAF must be out to lunch.
In fact, there is quite a large quantity of overhauled spares to be had, yet (seemingly) the RAF is ahhh......asleep at the switch.
Need spares?
All it takes is...cash.
No checks, please.
Perhaps the RAF is woefully short of adequate funding?

And, if so, just how do they propose to support a new(er) type?

IE: no money, no honey.;):}