Originally Posted by
spitfirek5054
Shorts Belfast,what are your views on this?
RAF didn't want it, but got it to preserve jobs at Shorts. Thanks to those operating it, turned into a reasonable (with benefit of hindsight; those there at the time seem to have differing views), but rather slow aircraft, but always vulnerable to the next defence review. Done in by the Mason Review.
Original plan was for the RAF to retain the 'tactical' looking aircraft which supported the Army (thus Hercules, Belfast and possibly the Andovers used by 38 Group, but not Argosys, which were being retired anyway), while the aircraft which looked like airliners (VC10, Britannia, Comet) would be retired and replaced with chartered aircraft.
The draft statement on the Defence estimates said that all 10 would be retained, but someone - allegedly a minister - had asked 'what will we fly on, then?' and upon learning that the answer was 'British Airways, or Dan Air' the RAF was invited to consider retaining some of the VC10 fleet as well, with a figure of 7 being suggested.
The draft statement says:
"The number of VC10 and Hercules aircraft in operation will be reduced from 66 to 47; the Belfast Squadron of ten aircraft is not affected."
After much crunching of numbers, it was concluded that it was better to retain all the VC10s and to retire the whole Belfast fleet instead, and then sell them to a company which would be chartered to provide them on an as required basis.