VC10 type aircraft with winglets

[fustall]

Hi
Last week in the Rushden,Northants area, I saw an aircraft that looked like a VC10 with winglets?
I have looked at the IL-62 lookalike,no winglets,also I have looked at CRJ1000,I am certain I saw 4 engines on the back.
The aircraft was at about 3 to 4000 ft in a banking turn towards the old Thurleigh airfield,Bedford.
Any ideas??:hmm:

[Lord Spandex Masher]

Possibly a private 727, there are a couple kicking around Europe from time to time.

Google for images as I can't seem to post one at the mo.

[VC10man]

Perhaps they are putting winglets on the RAF VC10s and putting them back in service.
Jet2 should be interested.:=

[DaveReidUK]

Last week in the Rushden, Northants area, I saw an aircraft that looked like a VC10 with winglets?

10/10 for specifying where you saw the aircraft, and now you could dramatically improve your chances of getting an ID if you could be a bit more specific than "last week".

A day would be good, approximate time of day even better.

[TEEEJ]

Could it have been an RAF Sentinel? Obviously it doesn't have four engines but from certain angles it can be confused with a VC-10, IMHO.

Photos: Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Sentinel R1 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK---Air/Bombardier-BD-700-1A10-Sentinel/1496597/L)

Photos: Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Sentinel R1 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK---Air/Bombardier-BD-700-1A10-Sentinel/1727355/L)

Photos: Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Sentinel R1 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK---Air/Bombardier-BD-700-1A10-Sentinel/1600873/L)

[fustall]

Thanks for the replies,looks as if the Bombadier might be the one,looking at the photo's,but I am sure I saw four engines like on a VC10.
As for the day and time I would of thought it obvious I would of added them if I could remember them:=,that is why I stated the sighting as last week,something that was fact!:rolleyes:
Definitely not a B727,my father flew them for years.
Aircraft could of been going into Luton or Stanstead,do Russian A/C fly into these airports?,Have the Russians upgraded their ageing IL-62's ?:hmm:

[treadigraph]

I did notice a Rossiya IL-62 out of Stansted on FR24 late last week (when Putin was around), doubt they have winglets...?

[boeingbus2002]

Two IL-62 and a IL-96 at STN on Thursday. Arrived midday ad departed around 1800-1900 for Putin.

[DaveReidUK]

Aircraft could of been going into Luton or Stanstead, do Russian A/C fly into these airports?

Not as a rule. However a pair of IL-62s arrived at Stansted last week (2nd of August to be precise :O), presumably special flights in connection with the Olympics.

Here they are landing:

RA-86466 Ilyushin IL-62M Rossiya Airlines | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/keith_burton/7703061438/)

RA-86561 Ilyushin IL-62M Rossiya Airlines | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/keith_burton/7703061558/)

Have the Russians upgraded their ageing IL-62's ?

Not in the winglet department. :O

[boeingbus2002]

Hope this works

[DaveReidUK]

Hope this works

It would appear not. :)

[ilesmark]

No doubt I'm going to get flamed for writing this, but I was surprised to hear of Putin's IL-62s landing at Stansted (and sorry not to see them!) I thought Russian stuff was mostly banned from the EU nowadays thanks to noise restrictions etc.

[Airbanda]

IIRC, while airline ops are forbidden there is an exemption in the noise regs for machines on 'state' duty.

[Airbanda]

Cannot think of anything with four engines at rear other the IL62 or VC10 and neither seems likely to sprout winglets.

What direction was the OP's machine headed?

At this end of the county, just over the M1 from Northampton, we get Birmingham inbounds just released to Brum coming down to FL60 and turning from N to route own nav Honiley. Castle Don inbounds are heading roughly north and around FL170. Type and livery discernible with naked eye.

Other n/s stuff is mostly dots at FL250 or so except for slower climbing heavies off LHR.

Military stuff more likley to be E/W to/from for Brize or Fairford when active. Again, type usually discernible by eye and for VC10 or Herc, by ear too.

[ilesmark]

@Airbanda - understood.

Mark

[fustall]

Now that it has been mentioned I saw the aircraft nearer the end of last week:O,the aircraft came over from the West and then banked South towards Luton/Stanstead,I am certain I saw four engines,T-tail and winglets:hmm:Thanks for all the replies:ok:,interesting:confused:

[Hartington]

Has anyone put winglets on a Jetstar?

[fustall]

The A/c in question was large,ie not a Gulfstream,Bombardier,Bizjet type,approx 100ft wingspan,100ft fuselage.
I definitely saw winglets and I am sure I saw a stack of four engines at the back.
Just wondering if Putin and his entourage's IL-62 has had an upgrade with winglets ie a one-off,but then the photo's say no to this!:hmm:

[DaveReidUK]

Has anyone put winglets on a Jetstar?

AFAIK, no aircraft type with 4 rear-mounted engines has ever been fitted with winglets.

[Simtech]

I saw both IL-62s depart Stansted while waiting for my flight - they definitely did not have winglets. Made a pleasant change from the ubiquitous Ryanair B738s!

[Flightmech]

Must have been a 727 surely. Aircraft from Bahrain, Ivory Coast and Peter Nygaards own machine have been in and out of STN lately and have winglets.

[Dave Barnshaw]

Until now-maybe!.:rolleyes:

[fustall]

As I have said I would recognise a B727,maybe with the bank angle I presumed the engines were all on the fuselage sides,definitely had winglets and T-tail.
So more than likely a B727 or possibly a IL-64 whilst banked(ailerons up/down) mistaken as winglets? or a special IL-64 with winglets(LOT,Cuban,Eastern European,North Korean etc).:hmm:
Thanks to everyone for all the input and ideas:ok::ok::)
Next time I will have my camera at the ready.:)

[ilesmark]

Fustall - make sure you DO have your camera ready for when you next see an IL-64:D It would be a VERY special plane indeed ;)

[DaveReidUK]

The two IL-62s can be ruled out, just had a quick look at Stansted WebTrak and neither went anywhere near the OP's location either inbound or outbound.

[boeingbus2002]

There was also a Slovak Tupolev. No winglets though! Same day after 1930.

[fustall]

I have been thinking on the same lines,possibly a TU-154 with winglets??:hmm:

[PURPLE PITOT]

Fustall, your size estimate would put it bang int glex/gulfstream teritory.

[fustall]

Funny you should mention the Gulfstream,my brother T21 said it's probably that:O
Just looked at the G650,100ft wingspan approx.
The aircraft I saw just looked bigger ie VC10 size,I cannot scale the G650 from the photo's on Gulfstreams site,also they only seat up to 8 PAX.
Does anyone have any Gulfstream movements at the back-end of last week,probably going into Luton or Cranfield,as the height when seen was approx 3-4000ft.:confused::hmm:

[DaveReidUK]

Based on the reportedly observed features so far:

"looked like a VC10 with winglets"

"looks as if the Bombadier might be the one"

"large, ie not a Gulfstream, Bombardier, Bizjet type"

"I am sure I saw four engines like on a VC10"

"Definitely not a B727"

"more than likely a B727"

"four engines, T-tail and winglets"

"approx 100ft wingspan, 100ft fuselage"

"possibly a TU-154 with winglets"

My money's on a Ryanair 737. :*

[fustall]

@DaveReid
I started this thread because I was not sure what I had seen!I am familiar with most types of A/C as I come from an Aviation orientated background that spans 54 years(I was born on RAF Leeming camp!).
I am an ex glider pilot too,also flew many times with my late Father in 1-11's,B727's.
Yes there are lots of contradictions,maybe this is due to a 10-15 second glimpse, of a yet to be identified aircraft.
If you cannot come up with some positive remarks may I suggest you go and troll on another thread.:p

[DaveReidUK]

Yes there are lots of contradictions, maybe this is due to a 10-15 second glimpse, of a yet to be identified aircraft.

I don't have any problem with your inability to ID the aircraft, I probably couldn't have either, based on such a brief glimpse.

But then nor would have I expected anyone else to come up with an identity if I was only able to give them a vague description, and no information at all as to timings.

If it helps, your current theory of a Gulfstream going into Luton is as likely as any - GLF4s/GLF5s are a common sight there, but that unfortunately means you are unlikely to be able to pin it down to a specific movement.

[fustall]

Found this scouring the Web:-
Odd LCA with no markings at Moffett Federal Airfield: I need help for ident, page 1 (http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread302798/pg):):hmm:

[Newforest2]

Interesting the poster can identify the manufacturer of the winglets on the mystery plane but not the plane itself! ;)

[ajh52]

Around 10.20 this morning on approach to BHX RWY 15 over Erdington Birmingham, 4 rear mounted engines, high T tail and winglets, looked like a VC10 to me...

[Dave Barnshaw]

Can't wait to see the first pic.of this aircraft,hurry up guys and get cracking with your camera's.:rolleyes:

[Groundloop]

Around 10.20 this morning on approach to BHX RWY 15 over Erdington Birmingham, 4 rear mounted engines, high T tail and winglets, looked like a VC10 to me...

Quite a few of these at BHX everyday....

Eurowings CRJ9 D-ACNJ | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenplane/7285674830/)

[ilesmark]

4 rear mounted engines, high T tail and winglets, looked like a VC10 to me...

Are you sure you posted the right Flickr link?

[Groundloop]

Are you sure you posted the right Flickr link?

Yes, cos there ain't no such beast as a:-

4 rear mounted engines, high T tail and winglets, looked like a VC10 to me...

[ilesmark]

Groundloop - understood now - if you'd put the AJH52 comment in quotes the first time I'd have understood before :ugh:

[filthyrichandcatflap]

Pprune Gold ....

[fustall]

Aircraft ZJ691 (2005 Bombardier Sentinel R1 ASTOR C/N 9123) Photo by Graham Reeve (Photo ID: AC577459) (http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/577459.html:ugh::ugh::ouch::rolleyes:)

:ouch::ugh::ugh::hmm::O:rolleyes:

[SpringHeeledJack]

From a distance the spar holding the engines might give the impression that there were 2 engines and the grey colour, especially with all the lumps and bumps could give one the illusion that it was fatter/bigger than it is and therefore, Hey Presto! A VC-10 with winglets :8 ;)



SHJ

[DaveReidUK]

A VC-10 with winglets

Well a small one. :*

[Dave Barnshaw]

Yes fustall,you definitely saw a Sentinel,and Dave Reid said his money was on a Ryanair 737-how much did you lose Dave?.:rolleyes:

[DaveReidUK]

Yes fustall, you definitely saw a Sentinel, and Dave Reid said his money was on a Ryanair 737 - how much did you lose Dave?

£1. Now I can't afford to use the loo on a Ryanair flight.

Though technically my tongue-in-cheek suggestion hasn't been proved wrong yet - we're now back on the identification made originally in post #6, so who's to say we're not going to go round the loop again? :O

[fustall]

If you just look at the back end of the Bombardier Sentinel it looks very similar to a VC10,especially if you don't have anything to scale it to,ie Grey sky:ouch::O
Definitely not a Ryan Air 737:rolleyes::ok:

GJD Services Ltd, aviation salvage & maintenance - News 3 (http://www.gjdservices.co.uk/News-3.html)

[SpringHeeledJack]

Just as an example of misidentifying an aircraft, only today I was looking at the clouds and perhaps several miles away taking off from London City airport was a swept-wing aircraft that for about 20 seconds looked like.....Concorde!!! (but without winglets) ;) Really, the perspective and angle just made the shape, but then it banked to the right and the perspective changed and it was back to being 'only' a Falcon of some sort. I knew that it wasn't Concorde, but it damned well looked like it. Perhaps an even more fleeting glimpse might have convinced someone that those Frenchies had whipped their stored one out for a suprise return :)



SHJ