Farnborough 1990

[John Farley]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/johnfarley/An225atFY_zps1c6af46c.jpg

A long time ago on a thread here that I can’t be bothered to find now, I mentioned that I had flown on the flight deck with the crew of the An 225 during their validation at Farnborough 1990.

A member of ATC at the time denied the aircraft had ever been to Farnborough and I must have been thinking of the An 124.

Tidying up the paperwork in my loft today I found this pic. Perhaps the ATC man concerned might recognise his control tower.

Don’t fret my friend - some experiences one does not forget!

JF

[chevvron]

Don't know who that could have been John, I was stationed there from 1974 (when I first met you when I was the most junior ATCO there!) to 2008 but I know it was there as I wrote the flying display programme all week and was able to access the aircraft and the flight deck on the last public show day with my fiancee. I had written it down to display on that day but despite the offer of BAe to pay for its fuel, it didn't fly which disappointed a lot of people.
It was noticeable on a previous trade display day that it was followed by the Red Arrows. After it landed and was backtracking, we saw a mass movement of spectators towards the exits; they'd seen the '225 and weren't interested in the Arrows!!
Thinks: I wonder if I was one of those who's heads you can see in the tower?

[John Farley]

Ta chevron!

One day I may try and find the original thread. One day.

J

[John Farley]

There was always rivalry between Warton and Dunsfold pilots and one day at Paris the 225 was useful.

‘Cos I had some good Russian mates I got them to let me show Paul Hopkins (a Warton test pilot) round the aircraft. Having set it all up before hand I was walking round the show with him past this aircraft and he started to Oooh and Aaah about it. “Would you like to look round it? “ I asked. So with no further ado I walked him into it and nodded to the crew on the way. His face was a picture. They even took his pic!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/johnfarley/PaulHandJFF225Paris_zps725e37ed.jpg

[Lightning Mate]

Blimey John - you looked worse for wear even back then.


Not as much as I do though.

[treadigraph]

In case anybody cries "the camera doth lie", I remember it well, standing on the crowd line somewhere mid-field, the left wing tip seemed to be almost above us as it took off...

Never seen it since, does it ever visit the UK on freight charters?

[mmitch]

It was at Manchester last year. Utube video here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmD5w7z8iDk
mmitch.

[Airclues]

Is this the thread?

http://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/2379-225-flies-again.html

[John Farley]

Ta Airclues but not that thread.

Don't worry I know which thread it is but I am just not saying!

(we all make mistakes...)

J

[Haraka]

I remember how graceful the beast looked as it turned in the mid-distance after take off and the Farnborough commentator's remark of it resembling "one of the old big Latacoère flying boats".
Earlier in the day the 225 taxied over from the static park towards the Western Squadron area. One chap was hanging out of the front port side door, obviously keeping an eye on the terrain as it trundled merrily along, taking a short across the grass.
The day it flew ( Friday?) the gossip was that BAe had paid for the fuel.