LAS1997
31st Dec 2010, 07:52
25 years ago tonight the last ever BA commercial operation of the Trident took place. Two BA Trident three's G-AWZU and G-AWZO flew into Heathrow together landing simultaneously, one on what was then runway 28L and the other on 28R. G-AWZU was operating an enthusiasts flight (BA9198C) from Amsterdam landing 28L at 19:08:07 and G-AWZO flew in on a BA Super Shuttle flight from Manchester landing 28R at 19:08:08!
Captain Brian Walsh, SFO Bob Owens and Fred Rothwell crewed G-AWZU and Captain John McIlwham, SFO Ian Tait and Derek Smee flew G-AWZO. Where are they now?
As for the Trident three's; G-AWZU was flown to Stansted (5th March 1986) for the airport fire service to train on; finally being broken up in the 2000's; the forward fuselage now owned by Gary Spors (GJD Services) and in storage. The other, G-AWZO, flew back to her birth place at Hatfield on the 18th April 1986 and was presented to British Aerospace (BAe). There she remained until the airport was closed during the 2000's and the vandals got to her. Later broken up; some bits were attained by the Mosquito Museum at London Colney; near St Albans.
The rest of the BA fleet were either broken up on site or sent to various airport fire services around the UK. Some were preserved either in sections or whole aircraft. The most complete Trident three must be G-AWZM at the Science Museum (Wroughton); a Trident two G-AVFA at Duxford and a Trident 1C G-ARPO currently at Teesside airport with the airport fire service and being dismantled for preservation and display at Sunderland in 2011. The other Trident 1C (G-ARPH) was initially saved at Cosford but was broken up in the 2000's when the BA collection was closed down at the musuem; her flight deck was saved and is on display in Scotland. A fully restored Trident three flight deck (G-AWZI) is on display at the FAST Museum, Farnborough airport. It is 'live' and powered up most weekends for visitors.
The Trident may no longer fly; but the memory of this classic British airliner lives on through various associations, clubs and small museum's.
The Heathrow Trident Collection is a private museum and can be viewed by prior notice. It contains bits of Trident's, a flight deck and cabin mock-up, a reference library, models, uniforms and many other items. Contact [email protected] to arrange a visit.
Please share your memories of this aircraft.
Captain Brian Walsh, SFO Bob Owens and Fred Rothwell crewed G-AWZU and Captain John McIlwham, SFO Ian Tait and Derek Smee flew G-AWZO. Where are they now?
As for the Trident three's; G-AWZU was flown to Stansted (5th March 1986) for the airport fire service to train on; finally being broken up in the 2000's; the forward fuselage now owned by Gary Spors (GJD Services) and in storage. The other, G-AWZO, flew back to her birth place at Hatfield on the 18th April 1986 and was presented to British Aerospace (BAe). There she remained until the airport was closed during the 2000's and the vandals got to her. Later broken up; some bits were attained by the Mosquito Museum at London Colney; near St Albans.
The rest of the BA fleet were either broken up on site or sent to various airport fire services around the UK. Some were preserved either in sections or whole aircraft. The most complete Trident three must be G-AWZM at the Science Museum (Wroughton); a Trident two G-AVFA at Duxford and a Trident 1C G-ARPO currently at Teesside airport with the airport fire service and being dismantled for preservation and display at Sunderland in 2011. The other Trident 1C (G-ARPH) was initially saved at Cosford but was broken up in the 2000's when the BA collection was closed down at the musuem; her flight deck was saved and is on display in Scotland. A fully restored Trident three flight deck (G-AWZI) is on display at the FAST Museum, Farnborough airport. It is 'live' and powered up most weekends for visitors.
The Trident may no longer fly; but the memory of this classic British airliner lives on through various associations, clubs and small museum's.
The Heathrow Trident Collection is a private museum and can be viewed by prior notice. It contains bits of Trident's, a flight deck and cabin mock-up, a reference library, models, uniforms and many other items. Contact [email protected] to arrange a visit.
Please share your memories of this aircraft.