Tri Star bowing out.
Thread Starter
Tri Star bowing out.
The RAF TriStar has made its last flight from Afghanistan.
It will retire on the 31st March.
TriStar makes final flight in support of Afghanistan operations
mmitch.
It will retire on the 31st March.
TriStar makes final flight in support of Afghanistan operations
mmitch.
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,573
Received 422 Likes
on
222 Posts
Yet another type for the increasingly sad knackers yard at Bruntingthorpe.
I feel old again, I pre-date them, remember them coming in to service...
I feel old again, I pre-date them, remember them coming in to service...
There's sad - came back from FI in the third seat for both legs.
Was a member of the Tristar crew quiz team early 86 at MPA (pre RAF Mount Pleasant). Team was always called "If we don't Win, We won't Fly You Home"! On one occasion we did win, which meant beating a hasty retreat from amongst the (very bulky) contractors' personnel, who reckoned we had "stolen" their beer money.
Was a member of the Tristar crew quiz team early 86 at MPA (pre RAF Mount Pleasant). Team was always called "If we don't Win, We won't Fly You Home"! On one occasion we did win, which meant beating a hasty retreat from amongst the (very bulky) contractors' personnel, who reckoned we had "stolen" their beer money.
Last edited by Wander00; 10th Feb 2014 at 10:39. Reason: a further thought
OLD RED DAMASK
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Lancashire born. In Cebu now
Age: 70
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Used to fly them a lot as SLF on Gulf air and BA. Wonderful machines though one I flew with Saudi Air aborted 3 take offs from Khamis Mushayt. Slightly concerned on the 4th when we finally got airborne!
Wonder how many hours the last one had on it?
Wonder how many hours the last one had on it?
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Erehwon
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Much of my flying life was spent in three-holers, both the Tristar and the DC10 of various hues.
Great aircraft, I loved the Tristar more as an office, but the DC10 was probably the better aircraft in a commercial sense.
Sad not to see them flying again, but there are other things in life. I'm just glad I had the time I did.
Great aircraft, I loved the Tristar more as an office, but the DC10 was probably the better aircraft in a commercial sense.
Sad not to see them flying again, but there are other things in life. I'm just glad I had the time I did.
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Lincolnshire
Age: 63
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Enjoying a drink with a Tristar Flight Engineer in the Death Star at MPA (1987). Bemoaning the fact that he still wasn't used to other aircraft getting close and plugging in to refuel he went on to say: "When I first joined Transport Command, formation flying was 2 Britannias travelling to Cyprus on the same day."
A few points:
Last "trooper" flight does not mean last task into/out/over Afghan.
Flight was reportedly from "middle east hub" not Afghan, this is probably a political fudge, because the FSTA cannot go into Bastion, despite the fact that the TriStar is the best platform for the hostile task.
DD. TriStar is a better flying machine than DC10. Don't worry about seeing them around, the Scottish air force will buy them and show the RAF how make money with them!
OAP
Last "trooper" flight does not mean last task into/out/over Afghan.
Flight was reportedly from "middle east hub" not Afghan, this is probably a political fudge, because the FSTA cannot go into Bastion, despite the fact that the TriStar is the best platform for the hostile task.
DD. TriStar is a better flying machine than DC10. Don't worry about seeing them around, the Scottish air force will buy them and show the RAF how make money with them!
OAP
Not yet perhaps!
Saw a piece in USA that Omni the US civil AAR contractor may be interested in them. Ready made AAR assets to add to their portfolio. Mentions less than a £mil for the lot. Cheaper an Omni TriStar on Falklands stby than mega bucks Voyager?
IF - depends how you count - probably 4th seat then - but made very welcome by 216. Mind you I recall the flak the RAF, collectively and individually got if Tristar round trip was missed, as was the case after one continued rather further down the glide path than had been intended. Also recall the aircraft carrying the relatives of those killed in the FI conflict, which suffered a centre engine surge on take off from MPA and aborted take off. That was a shaken bunch of passengers.
PS - Apologies to the Flight Engineer
PS - Apologies to the Flight Engineer
Last edited by Wander00; 10th Feb 2014 at 15:14. Reason: apology
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Tennessee - Smoky Mountains
Age: 55
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Saw a piece in USA that Omni the US civil AAR contractor may be interested in them. Ready made AAR assets to add to their portfolio. Mentions less than a £mil for the lot. Cheaper an Omni TriStar on Falklands stby than mega bucks Voyager?
Terrific.
Top Bunk Tester wrote:
Of course, it would be a brave person who decided to scrap one type when its replacement hasn't yet entered fully into service.
And, of course, if some unforeseen serious issue affecting any single type's role capability should result in it being grounded, the MoD would be rather up that creek without a paddle.....and embarking upon another 'capability holiday'......
Are we absolutely sure about that 
And, of course, if some unforeseen serious issue affecting any single type's role capability should result in it being grounded, the MoD would be rather up that creek without a paddle.....and embarking upon another 'capability holiday'......
Last edited by BEagle; 10th Feb 2014 at 19:44.
