727 Winglets

[PANDAMATENGA]

This AM at approx 0830 I saw a 727 with winglets landing at LHR. Anybody know to whom it belongs. Just interested given its rarity!

[BAe 146-100]

Hi,

It could of been the Bahrain Amiri Flight (http://www.airliners.net/open.file/348369/M/).

BAe 146-100

[PANDAMATENGA]

Thanks 146 I reckon you got it in one!! Thats a terrific photo and it certainly looked like that from my distant view in Isleworth.

Many thanks

[brimstone]

But its call-sign if I remember correctly was Nigerian 801.

[eng1170]

I remember working at BA's West base (TBD) as an apprentice and there was a 727 parked up there once which also had winglets and I'm sure RR Tay's fitted! It really had been well looked after and I would think quite spritely as well! I remember the registration was VH-***, (Australia?)

[oncemorealoft]

I saw it too and it wasn't the one in the photo. Had a sort of Government crest on the fin but I couldn't read it all but I'm sure I saw an 'I'. Does the Irish Government have a VIP 727?

[PaperTiger]

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/322004/M/ perhaps?

[Gordinho]

The Nigerian Government has a Super27 for the Prez. I sat next to one of the mx guys on a BA flight into Abuja a couple of years ago...

[Boss Raptor]

Very few airline aircraft have been fitted with the Dugan winglets as the cost/fuel saving is questionable in comparison to the low capital cost of the airframe, a few are to be seen in he US with 'new' Panam. The Nigerian Govt. 727 was in semi-store at Bournemouth and up for sale, they want a new toy and are going through the motions at the mo for a BBJ or A319CJ...

A fair few of the corporate -100's and -200's have them fitted as for them the effective range increase (with low payload) is worth it, and they do look very pretty...on the downside the mod is structurally complex and costly as it involves cutting and re-inforcing the wing spar...on any 30 year aircraft this is an area that most people try to avoid as it is asking for trouble so to speak (we'd rather not know what is going on down there 'til we scrap 'er)

That Nig. Govt. aircraft is in wonderful condition and with the Goodrich Super 27 (-219) mod. is something else, she'll make someone a wonderful lady for years to come...

[tally]

The aircraft you saw was the Nigerian presidential jet. The President was in london last nite and returned to abuja this morning. Like Boss Raptor said it's about to be sold, in exchange for a bbj or a319