Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Misc. Forums > Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner)
Reload this Page >

Virgin B747-200 at RAF Valley

Wikiposts
Search
Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner) If you're not a professional pilot but want to discuss issues about the job, this is the best place to loiter. You won't be moved on by 'security' and there'll be plenty of experts to answer any questions.

Virgin B747-200 at RAF Valley

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 25th Feb 2017, 20:39
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Virgin B747-200 at RAF Valley

Random question for tonight.

On 12th August 1996, Virgin B747-200 G-VGIN performed a low flypast at RAF Valley, North Wales. I remember seeing some old images of said flypast a few years ago and have just come across one again today and refreshed the old memory box, so, the question is, does anyone know what this flypast was in aid of?

Image:

RAF Valley 1990's - G-VGIN 12 8 96 - V-A-S Members Galleries

Many thanks
LAX_LHR is offline  
Old 26th Feb 2017, 12:43
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: UK
Age: 59
Posts: 2,712
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Pretty sure an ex-Red Arrows leader used to fly them, so may be a connection?
Wycombe is offline  
Old 26th Feb 2017, 13:15
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: 50+ north
Posts: 1,253
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Reminds me of a similar VS B747 fly by at SOU. It had arrived early for a display at what was then RNAS Daedalus (Lee on Solent) Air Day. Offered him delaying action by flying an approach at SOU, with a low approach/go around. He accepted.

Apparently a spectacularly low go around, enjoyed by most airport staff. Result? 56 noise complaints and a question in the House of Commons! Was never chastised for this, just very P****d off as I was stuck in Approach and was the only person on the airport not to see it!
TCAS FAN is online now  
Old 26th Feb 2017, 17:14
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 435
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
TCAS fan - i saw a European 747-200 do a similar thing a few years ago at SOU as well - very impressive but am sure it did cause a bit of concern to the M27 traffic at the time
paulc is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2017, 02:14
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southampton
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
About 35 years a British Airways Boeing 747 did a similar thing at SOU and about 4 years ago a Condor Boeing 767 did the same.
canberra97 is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2017, 04:14
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Siargao Island
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When Branston was doing his Blue Riband thing across the Atlantic apparently one of his B747's beat up St Mary's Airport in the Scilly Isles.
Harry Wayfarers is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2017, 08:08
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 15,816
Received 201 Likes on 93 Posts
DaveReidUK is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2017, 09:25
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 560
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No caption to your photo, but I was on the 'last' VC.10 flight which beat up the runway at Farnborough.
Newforest2 is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2017, 11:28
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Siargao Island
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I recall a detachment to Brize Norton during 1977 when of an evening we would regularly have a VC10 and a Concorde pounding the circuit ... And people question why I took up drinking
Harry Wayfarers is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2017, 12:33
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 15,816
Received 201 Likes on 93 Posts
Originally Posted by Newforest2
No caption to your photo
Sorry, I didn't caption it as the photo has featured on PPRuNe a couple of times previously - it's G-ARVM at the 1977 Silver Jubilee Air Show at White Waltham.

I didn't see that one, but I recall a WTF moment when this skimmed over my Maidenhead rooftop with everything hanging out on its way to do the same thing at WW in 1986:

DaveReidUK is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2017, 16:34
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Southwater
Age: 73
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by DaveReidUK


Wonderful!
RedhillPhil is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2017, 16:36
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Southwater
Age: 73
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Harry Wayfarers
When Branston was doing his Blue Riband thing across the Atlantic apparently one of his B747's beat up St Mary's Airport in the Scilly Isles.


Branston eh? Did he get in a pickle for allowing that beat-up by one of his aeroplanes?
RedhillPhil is offline  
Old 2nd Mar 2017, 10:34
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Redhill Phil

I agree with your sentiment of "wonderful" for the VC10 Flyby at White Waltham. Unfortunately the airline management did not feel the same way! I have flown several times with the copilot on that flight who went on to fly Concorde and 777s. An absolute gent, a superb pilot and GA enthusiast.
suninmyeyes is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.