View Full Version : REDCOAT AIR CARGO / RED-AIR / BBC TV
LAS1997
21st May 2013, 08:21
Back in 1979 / 1980 the BBC produced a drama series called Buccaneer, about a fictitious cargo airline 'Red Air'. Redcoat air cargo were employed to supply their Britannia aircraft for the show.
I am trying to locate a VHS tape copy of the series; I have written to the BBC several times and have the usual standard response saying that there are no plans at present the release the series on DVD.
If anyone has a copy of the series on tape; please get in touch. Also if anyone has any interesting memories of the series; it would be good to hear them.
Cornish Jack
22nd May 2013, 16:33
Don't have the tapes but recall the series. IIRC, the aircraft were owned by Harry Green - an ex-Signaller/AEOp who flew on Brits in the RAF and set up the company when he left. They had (again IIRC) a nasty during take-off in snow and the company eventually went into liquidation. Apologies if the foregoing is rubbish ... mental muscles past their sell-by date!!:sad:
falcon12
22nd May 2013, 17:09
Sorry no tapes but I do remember that the series writer, Ted Childs I think,
came down to Manston and sat in the cockpit of one of the Brits in on maintenance and chatted for a long time with a Dad Newphry, a well respected skipper who told a number of stories/incidents when operating the Brits on cargo charters in Africa.
Some of these tales did subsequently appear in the RED Air TV series which added a certain degree of authenticity to whatever theme the episodes were trying to portray.
As to the RED Air aircraft, I always thought they were owned By Ian Mclean who had previously leased them to IAS Cargo Airline, they being VP and VS and probably BRAC, its original registration eludes me.
Its all along time ago now. Should have written the book at the time. Hey ho.
brakedwell
22nd May 2013, 18:32
The Britannia in question was an ex RAF 253 serial no XL 639. In civilian life it was E-IBDC with Aer Tauras anf G-BRAC with Redcoat. It crashed after take-off from Boston Logan due to severe icing conditions.
LAS1997
23rd May 2013, 09:07
Thank you all for your responses; it was a shot in the dark about the VHS tape I may add. I have been in contact with 2 Entertain who produce DVD's for the BBC amongst others. Their response was that 'they were looking into it' and will get back to me; if I have any further news I will post.
In the meantime; please continue to share your memories of Redcoat and if you have any pictures of the old company, please post them; it would be interesting.
brakedwell
23rd May 2013, 10:17
I flew G-BRAC during Aug -Sept 1978 when Redcoat were a short of Captains. Mostly West Africa trips and one to Taif in Saudi Arabia. Mike Owen, who was running Redcoat then, gave me this letter opener, which might be quite rare now.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/aviation/ScreenShot2013-05-23at105403_zpsb17da9e7.png
teeteringhead
23rd May 2013, 12:35
And the Chief Pilot character in the Buccaneer series was called :eek: Tony Blair!
My records show that Redcoat had various Britannias over time, both BOAC-original and RAF-original ones, from mid-1977 to the end of 1981, which had all already been handed down through a variety of other independents. They rarely operated more than a couple at once, The loss of BRAC at Boston was in February 1980.
Some of the Britannias had a red tail with white logo, while for others this was reversed.
The livery of the "Red Air" aircraft was a minimal title alteration and it was perfectly apparent whose aircraft it was. It was apparently done on one side only, and they did one air-to-air photo sortie which gave them enough footage for the series.
AARON O'DICKYDIDO
23rd May 2013, 17:01
The Britannia in question was an ex RAF 253 serial no XL 639. In civilian life it was E-IBDC with Aer Tauras anf G-BRAC with Redcoat. It crashed after take-off from Boston Logan due to severe icing conditions.
These aircraft used to do supply runs into RAF Belize during the70s. On the above trip was the wife of an RAF supply Sgt. She was hitching a ride back to UK after a holiday with her husband.
Aaron.
brakedwell
23rd May 2013, 17:48
I enjoyed several Belize runs.
IB4138
23rd May 2013, 18:48
Brit, G-AOVS, in Redcoat colours, was on the fire dump at Luton for many years.
Don't know if it's still there.
irishair2001
23rd May 2013, 19:04
Shortly before they went bust ,Redcoat were operating a CL-44 registered G-BRED if my memory serves me correctly
Shannon volmet
26th May 2013, 17:37
Shortly before they went bust ,Redcoat were operating a CL-44 registered G-BRED if my memory serves me correctly
You are correct, ex Transmeridian Air Cargo, G-AZKJ :)
LynxDriver
27th May 2013, 01:44
You may be in luck! Somewhere in my loft are three VHS cassettes containing all the Buccaneer episodes when the series was repeated on UK Gold in the mid 90s. I was working at LUT when the series was being filmed and wanted a copy for posterity!
The old Britannia fuselage used for static filming may still be extant on the fire dump there. Though more likely it has succumbed to the elements after 30 years exposure.
The old Britannia fuselage used for static filming may still be extant on the fire dump there.
Is this it ?
Google Maps (http://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=51.879309,-0.362286&spn=0.000826,0.002642&t=h&z=19)
DaveReidUK
28th May 2013, 07:02
Is this it ?It certainly is (or was).
http://www.oldprops.ukhome.net/Britannia%20G-AOVS%20d1.jpg
LTNman
28th May 2013, 07:47
The aircraft is still at Luton after being dragged into the long grass from the fire training ground years ago. As per the google screen shot you can see the route it took.
brakedwell
28th May 2013, 08:01
What a sad sight.
Fly380
28th May 2013, 08:22
Boo hoo :{ It was the first airliner I flew in 1970 when it was with Lloyd International Airways.
LAS1997
28th May 2013, 15:17
LynxDriver; I have emailed you.
brakedwell
9th Jun 2013, 14:08
I have just discovered this Redcoat post card amongst my old photos. From the colour scheme it is ex IAS Cargo. G-AOVF or VS
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/aviation/RedcoatBrit_zps9d5a0f34.jpg
LAS1997
9th Jun 2013, 15:38
Great photograph; would that be at LTN?
brakedwell
9th Jun 2013, 17:56
Almost certainly LTN Airport.
that's definitely Stansted !
brakedwell
10th Jun 2013, 04:14
Stansted it is then. (i haven't been to STN or LTN for 25 years!)
topgas
10th Jun 2013, 07:30
Found this pic of the CL44 - good view of the hinges for the tail
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howardair/8685342257/G-BRED CL-44 Redcoat Air Cargo | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/howardair/8685342257/)
LTNman
11th Jun 2013, 07:27
CL44 photo, now that's Luton
Watson1963
20th Nov 2023, 14:40
The other episodes of BUCCANEER are now on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdpqz-8kHRuBmdg7hjuXjDZnfOFVn3NFg&si=xzugjwvh8CMyyKHY
treadigraph
20th Nov 2023, 15:35
Ooh, good find! Will have a go at casting those to me telly later!
Edit: technology is marvellous! Opened YouTube on telly and it immediately asked me if I wanted to sign in using my phone...
DH106
29th Nov 2023, 08:58
The other episodes of BUCCANEER are now on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdpqz-8kHRuBmdg7hjuXjDZnfOFVn3NFg&si=xzugjwvh8CMyyKHY
It seems all but 2 episodes are now 'hidden' - they were all available a few days ago. :sad:
Just when I was getting into Buccaneer after 40 years ! :*
treadigraph
29th Nov 2023, 09:09
It seems all but 2 episodes are now 'hidden' - they were all available a few days ago. :sad:
Just when I was getting into Buccaneer after 40 years ! :*
Me too... got to episode 9. Try and remember to contact him later...
Me too... got to episode 9. Try and remember to contact him later...
https://ok.ru/video/c17257165
Much better quality as well
DH106
30th Nov 2023, 05:13
https://ok.ru/video/c17257165
Much better quality as well
Wonderful ! Thanks Bean :)
treadigraph
30th Nov 2023, 10:51
Cheers Bean!
Fris B. Fairing
30th Nov 2023, 20:28
We never got to see this in the Antepoades so many thanks everyone.
Mooncrest
1st Dec 2023, 10:17
I remember the series being broadcast the first time. Having watched an episode recently I didn't realise how bad the acting was.
Liffy 1M
1st Dec 2023, 14:15
Now extremely dated in terms of racial attitudes, class distinctions and accents, but the footage taken on the ramp at Luton unintentionally captured (usually in the background) quite a variety of the aircraft and carriers of the period. Also, while some of the sound of the Britannia was probably dubbed, some at least conveyed the rumbling engine sound of the type quite well.
dixi188
1st Dec 2023, 17:50
Back end of 1979 I was working for Airline Engineering at Luton. One day a new Portakabin appeared outside one of the hangars. Someone then sprayed it with dirty paint to make it look old.
Thought it strange, but later saw it was used in the Red-Air TV series.
Fris B. Fairing
3rd Dec 2023, 04:50
Oh great! Only 13 episodes and they never got to reweigh that cargo. So many unanswered questions.
What's that you say? It's only pretend?
Krystal n chips
3rd Dec 2023, 11:28
I remember the series being broadcast the first time. Having watched an episode recently I didn't realise how bad the acting was.
Far be it from me to cast doubt on their acting ability, but...
I was staying in a hotel near to the M1 Jnc, it may no longer be there, hopefully!, where some hotel room shots were filmed. Came back one evening to find the hotel, had, without informing me in advance, kindly relocated all my stuff to another room. to enable the original to be used for filming...quite why I don't know.
However, amongst the cables and technical stuff draped along the corridor where the crew... and cast....along with a diverse selection of half empty bottles.
Sotonsean
3rd Dec 2023, 19:06
I remember the series being broadcast the first time. Having watched an episode recently I didn't realise how bad the acting was.
I totally agree with you, it's awful isn't it. If there wasn't a Britannia as star of the show I don't think that the majority of us would have even watched it.
Many of us have fond memories of classic television from that era but watching them now often makes you cringe. Even with real time footage rather than a film studio most of what we remember doesn't quite feel the same after watching it forty years later. Most of the acting along with the scripts are excruciating to watch. (Dad's Army exempt)
Another example is "Triangle". Not aviation related but it was definitely a favourite of mine around the same time. I tried to watch it again a couple of years but I didn't even finish watching the second episode 🙃
Expatrick
3rd Dec 2023, 19:21
Another example is "Triangle". Not aviation related but it was definitely a favourite of mine around the same time. I tried to watch it again a couple of years but I didn't even finish watching the second episode 🙃
But, but, Kate O'Mara!
I remember being on the platform of Haslemere station as she walked up & down the platform, with a hundred male heads following her progress, like watching tennis - only better!
Sotonsean
4th Dec 2023, 17:15
But, but, Kate O'Mara!
I remember being on the platform of Haslemere station as she walked up & down the platform, with a hundred male heads following her progress, like watching tennis - only better!
Oh yes I can appreciate that. She had something didn't she.
BEagle
5th Dec 2023, 17:06
Kate O'Mara was quite amusing talking about 'Triangle'! In the first episode she appeared 'sunbathing' topless (face down) on the deck of the ship - but it was the North Sea on a freezing cold day and she nearly suffered hypothermia.
'Triangle' was an abysmal series with a daft plot!
Sotonsean
5th Dec 2023, 18:55
Kate O'Mara was quite amusing talking about 'Triangle'! In the first episode she appeared 'sunbathing' topless (face down) on the deck of the ship - but it was the North Sea on a freezing cold day and she nearly suffered hypothermia.
'Triangle' was an abysmal series with a daft plot!
I can remember Kate O'Mara being interviewed where the subject of her sunbathing "topless" was brought. If I can remember correctly the footage was actually filmed during the month of February. I can remember from her interview that she brought up the "hypothermia" comment. The North Sea can be inclement at the best of times but February must have been absolutely freezing. Well at least she survived to tell the tale. But sadly she is no longer with us.
Dr Jekyll
7th Dec 2023, 18:30
Watching Buccaneer (thanks Bean) I notice the Britannia crew using the callsign RY249. What flight numbers did Redcoat use? I had an idea they were RYnnn.
Fris B. Fairing
7th Dec 2023, 18:56
Doc J
The wonderful Propliner magazine confirms that Redcoat was using the prefix RY at the time of the demise of G-BRAC.
Propliner #10 of April/June 1981 carried this interesting item:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/731x260/g_aovs_cabin_trainer_df8b9a5cb333403804bbc6f892668f628b51626 6.jpg
Those of us who have been watching Buccaneer will recognise the name in the photo credit as the female lead in the series. I intend to contact the editor in case there is an outstanding prize for spotting the connection. Not all the acting is bad and the plot appears technically accurate. Seemingly there are more Brits than bras in that show.
Dr Jekyll
9th Dec 2023, 15:17
Doc J
The wonderful Propliner magazine confirms that Redcoat was using the prefix RY at the time of the demise of G-BRAC.
Propliner #10 of April/June 1981 carried this interesting item:
...................................... Not all the acting is bad and the plot appears technically accurate. Seemingly there are more Brits than bras in that show.
A nice touch was the team discussing the potential purchase of a CL44. Most of the audience would have no idea what a CL44 was, but it would be an obvious option for a firm operating a Britannia. In fact Redcoat tried to buy one some months after filming was completed, after they lost one of their Britannias.
treadigraph
9th Dec 2023, 15:40
Redcoat did have a CL-44 G-BRED, formerly G-AZKJ with TMAC.
Dr Jekyll
9th Dec 2023, 18:42
Redcoat did have a CL-44 G-BRED, formerly G-AZKJ with TMAC.
Fascinating, AZKJ is actually shown in the program but I don't think the owners markings were visible.
Sotonsean
9th Dec 2023, 19:47
Redcoat did have a CL-44 G-BRED, formerly G-AZKJ with TMAC.
A few photos of CL-44 G-BRED in service with Redcoat. Along with a photo of when the same aircraft was previously operated by Transmeridian Air Cargo as G-AZKJ
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1023x682/8685342257_5075625b7a_b_cfce6544bc04e34338d2118c933978acf3f9 5f6d.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/400x225/63222_1655995022_cb78cf3f4cd7a5eaca133351ee00aab50f1a19c1.jp g
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1280x854/g_bred_canadair_cl_44d_4_redcoat_air_cargo_20e75689df09fa815 1e986ac5101a3dad045c1c9.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1280x854/g_axaa_canadair_cl_44d_4_transmeridian_air_cargo_cc50deaef58 f08f24072e4a1d452f3d470074d39.jpg
This has certainly become a popular thread with some interesting facts brought up.
Because this thread has proven popular, I'm thinking that I might start a similar one soon regarding former British full cargo airlines from 1960 until the present day.
Prior to 1960, there were a lot of short-lived cargo airlines, many of which just came and went and far too numerous to mention. I think that 1960 would be a good starting point as the sixties saw several British cargo airlines start operations. In one way or another, a few of them even continued into the eighties.
SWBKCB
9th Dec 2023, 20:46
The TMAC photo shown is G-AXAA. It's usual to credit photographers.
dixi188
10th Dec 2023, 10:03
Thread drift.
In the late 1970s I was working at Muscat.
There were 2 or 3 TMAC and Tradewinds CL44s night stopping most nights. In the morning we would see them lined up against the sunrise. I noted that the TMAC ones always had the props dressed whereas the Tradewinds ones were all over the place. TMAC had a station engineer and I mentioned one day that the other lot were lazy and couldn't be bothered to park their props. He said they did but over night he would move them just to wind them up.
Happy days.
Ah me, lovely to see pics of '44s reappearing after all these years.
After TMAC (British Cargo as it became) went bust and Redcoat acquired one of the '44s, I thought the one they got was G-AZML, not G-AZKJ.
Uniquely in the TMAC fleet, 'ML had the no. 6 tank (centre) fitted which gave it an incredible endurance. Carried about another 15000 lbs of fuel IIRC.
Pretty sure 16+ hours was the longest I ever flew it for. But then if my memory has let me down re: which plane had the no. 6 tank, who knows. I haven't got that logbook with me or I'd go and look it up.
SWBKCB
10th Dec 2023, 14:51
G-AZKJ did become G-BRED
https://cwsprduksumbraco.blob.core.windows.net/g-info/HistoricalLedger/G-AZKJ.pdf
treadigraph
11th Dec 2023, 19:02
Shirley Anne Field who played Janet Blair has died, she also appeared in The War Lover alongside some B-17s, er, Steve MacQueen...
brakedwell
12th Dec 2023, 10:23
I got on very well with Shirley Anne Field when she was filming the War Lover at Bovingdon.
OUAQUKGF Ops
12th Dec 2023, 10:47
Tell us more !
brakedwell
12th Dec 2023, 10:56
It was a long time ago and we were both very young!
OUAQUKGF Ops
12th Dec 2023, 13:16
[QUOTE=brakedwell;11555331]I got on very well with Shirley Anne Field when she was filming the War Lover at Bovingdon.[/QUOTE
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/650x627/screenshot_2023_12_12_at_14_00_52_the_war_lover_1962_final_f inal_45b2978bee8153db5f9ff7b9df1fd16e9a747c5c.png
" He offered me a ride in that funny little aeroplane over there ! " (IMDb)
brakedwell
12th Dec 2023, 15:05
They all look so young! I got a bit invoved with the War Lover as I did two two hour flight in an Anson with the main door rewmoved and the camera man shooting pictures of passing clouds, which were used in the film.
Gordomac
13th Dec 2023, 09:18
Brakedwell ; Explains all. I wrote to Shirley asking her to marry me. No reply.
treadigraph
13th Dec 2023, 09:24
Gosh Brakedwell, you do look rather like Steve McQueen. Or Robert Wagner... :p
Gordomac
16th Dec 2023, 09:21
Treadi ; He does. That's why I got no reply & Brakedwell always got all the hotties first. Hate guys like that.
brakedwell
16th Dec 2023, 10:00
Listen who;s talking!
DH106
27th Jan 2024, 22:07
Just watching some episodes of Buccaneer and noticed something in some of the external Britannia shots:- what is the pod mounted under the fuselage under the wing centre section? Most Britannia's don't seem to have this.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1103x769/britannia_with_pod_5f7b594fbc8cf82f3656f22e08c06a0d9c950c11. png
Expatrick
28th Jan 2024, 08:46
Just watching some episodes of Buccaneer and noticed something in some of the external Britannia shots:- what is the pod mounted under the fuselage under the wing centre section? Most Britannia's don't seem to have this.
Special fitting for trips behind the Iron Curtain?
brakedwell
28th Jan 2024, 16:07
They were nav equipment aerials, which were fitted to all the RAF Brits. but I can't remember which.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1600x1063/xm496_thule_copy_07488a1ae25256b391999fa9e3662c5ad99c8967.jp eg
browndhc2
28th Jan 2024, 17:13
That is a lovely picture of "Regulus", Which is preserved at Kemble.
I think the Nav aid was Green Satin.
brakedwell
28th Jan 2024, 17:55
browndhc2
The photo was taken at Thule AFB, on a polar Navigation flight up to the North Pole with Spec N Nav’s at the end of their course. We were airborne over 11 hours on that flight.
browndhc2
28th Jan 2024, 19:22
Thank you for the additional information brakedwell, sounds an interesting trip. I seem to recall reading an article in "Flight" about the Boscombe Down Britannia undertaking a North Pole navex to test various bits of Navigation kit that were temporally installed in the cabin.
dixi188
28th Jan 2024, 19:29
I've heard of the Nav question when flying over the North Pole.
It goes somthing like this:-
Q. We are directly over the North Pole so, which direction is New York?
A. Due South.
Q. Which direction is London?
A. Due South.
OK. Now we are in the Sh*t. Fly 257 degrees Grid.
treadigraph
28th Jan 2024, 19:31
I seem to recall reading an article in "Flight" about the Boscombe Down Britannia undertaking a North Pole navex to test various bits of Navigation kit that were temporally installed in the cabin.
Think I vaguely recall that - around 1979?
DH106
28th Jan 2024, 19:52
They were nav equipment aerials, which were fitted to all the RAF Brits. but I can't remember which.
Wonderdful - thanks Brakedwell.
LynxDriver
27th Feb 2024, 00:34
After recently losing Shirley Ann Field, the lovely Pamela Salem has also now passed. Very sad.
After recently losing Shirley Ann Field, the lovely Pamela Salem has also now passed. Very sad.
She was VERY CLASSY as Monica Burton in Buccaneer
Jhieminga
27th Feb 2024, 14:08
Thank you for the additional information brakedwell, sounds an interesting trip. I seem to recall reading an article in "Flight" about the Boscombe Down Britannia undertaking a North Pole navex to test various bits of Navigation kit that were temporally installed in the cabin.
Sounds like the yearly 'Aries' polar flights. A bit of thread drift... but see here for a VC10 version of that flight: https://www.vc10.net/Memories/everything_raf.html#NorthPole
The VC10s of 10 Squadron carried out these flights from 1984 to 1989, the Boscombe Down Britannia carried out these flights before 1984, the Boscombe Down Comet took over the duty after 1989.