Blairforce 1 and 2

[Reheat On]

Informed sources sugest that the national flag carrier [with the wierd fins] has been approached to lease 2 x B777 for presidential duties at the snip-like sum of £600K per month.. .. .1 What are the implication for tasking since allegedly they may seek military crews - yet to be decided. .. .2 What bets on MoD picking up the budgetary tab at the expense of.................[ fill in the blanks]. Thanks Tone.... .. .3 Will we see hi-viz ethnic roundels on the 777s to allow military airspace freedoms, one ponders?

[Jackonicko]

Two 777s? I just don't understand why he'd even need one jet that size? A 'Presidential' 146 for most things, with Ad hoc chartering/borrowing from 101 and/or 216 would seem far more in keeping with Britain's place in the world. Or perhaps a second-hand 737 or 767? But paying that much on two 777s? Delusions of grandeur rather than a real need, perhaps?

[Unwell_Raptor]

Will we see a stampede of chaps in light blue suits towards the Holy Grail of a 777 type rating?

[BEagle]

"Now look," (pointy finger, serious eyebrows),"it's a modern image we need to project abroad. When I - I mean we're licking George's bum in The War Against Terrorism, we need efficient, rapid transport to take me and my ego worldwide. I mean, let's face it, protection of our diamonds...sorry, our interests are best served by face-to-two faced meetings" (Concerned expression, sweaty armpits)"We simply can't rely upon ageing and unreliable aeroplanes which still smell of Maggie's perfume and Dennis' scotch like the VC10. It might be alright for the military to fly around in 40 year old aeroplanes, but this is New Labour and we need to move ahead with the times - this will be a shining example of smart procurement, OK?" (Stern look) "But Cherie and I and the kids won't be using it on holidays, of course - 'Two Jags' can have it then - it'll be big enough to carry his fat ar$e about" (Ingratiating smile and sycophantic laugh).

[Talking Radalt]

......cut to Johhny Vegas playing "uneducated voting type stopped in street for opinion".. .. ."Wot Arrr wonnt ter knerrr, is whaaaah that mister Blurr can't go in them planes wot the Queen uses or even go with us voters on BA cos afterall he's not even Royalty like wot she is?"

[Lucifer]

And how much do they make from the journos down the back then? They stick Blair and the cronies up the front for the private chats, the staff at large in Club, and the Klingons at the back, so they've got to get a 3-class aircraft; its a good advertisement for Britain, and highly visible at that with the swish Chatham tails.. .. .It is quite frankly a bargain, and its a disgrace that the PM and high rankers don't have anything like others to travel about it, with the reach to get to all over the world, and the prestige accorded to the UK in the world today.. .. .Yes it would be nice to have a couple of 76s kitted out for dual VIP/tanker role, but when have civil servants ever pulled their fingers out to get things sorted quickly?. .. .I'm sure what it means by 2x777s is that 2 will be fitted with the necessary VIP protection kit etc rather than 2 permanently parked for the whim of the PM. Now that would be silly. Sorry, of course that's what it is. oh dear.

[Sven Sixtoo]

Given that the mighty 10 is no longer up to the task of moving the PM, we can of course calculate the weight of St Tony's ego from the required increase in payload.. .. .However, it's going to be a very odd configuration, with 1st class over the wing to keep the C of G in limits . . .. .. .Sven

[stablepowerset]

however getting hold of the Jordanian Royal tri-motor that was on offer not that long ago was deemed far to expensive, fully kitted out, all the protection ya need, crews already qualified to fly it, techies there to fix it!!! it even had its own parking spot!!! But as ever the lords and masters in ther wisdom decided that it didnt have the Gucci badge on the side so the chance to aquire it was gone!!!!!!! must have spent the money on the new no1 I am gonna get!!!

[Blacksheep]

Only the Prime Ministers of crumbling old third world ecomonomies such as Japan fly around on the state airline. I know the French leaders pop around in a leased Air France Concorde, but what does the German Chancellor fly around in? A Luftwaffe B747-400? Oh Lufthansa, I see. You mean there's a difference...?. .. .Heads of Sta..sorry Prime Ministers of thriving, thrusting, economic miracles that have a "Special Relationship" with the United States of America need transport more fitting to their status as World Leaders. We can't let our Tony fall to the level of the French or Germans now can we? . .. .**********************************. .Through difficulties to the cinema

[Whipping Boy's SATCO]

Whilst international heavyweights such as the Botswanan Defence Force, the Czec Air Force and the Irish fly around in Gulfstreams and Challengers.

[Wycombe]

Blacksheep,. .. .In fact, the JASDF have 2 744's to ferry the Japanese Monarchy and Govt Heads around the World.. .. .They usually travel together and if you happen to be near where there's a G8 Meeting happening you'll see them.. . . . <small>[ 19 March 2002, 08:49: Message edited by: Wycombe ]</small>

[Blacksheep]

Not only seen them, we were involved with them for ground handling during APEC earlier this year. SDF are responsible for them operationally but JAL do all the technical stuff and maintenance. The aircraft that we handled was pretty much a bog standard 47 in JAL colours and layout.. .. .**********************************. .Through difficulties to the cinema

[Mad_Mark]

Come on guys, can't you see that Tony Two Boeings needs these aircraft. He is planning to have them kitted out as mini number 10 (11) Downing Streets, so he never has to spend any time in old Blighty. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> After all, once he achieves his goal as the President of the United States of Europe, he will need them so he can travel over all his lands, from the Atlantic coast in the west to sunny eastern Med.. .. .Mad Mark!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" />