British 727 flying today

[SpringHeeledJack]

Just had a peek on FR24 (12.20pm) and lo and behold there's a G- registered 727 flying around SW England, perhaps a test flight of sorts ? It must be a while since there was last such an occurrence, perhaps Dan Air in the 90's ??

[Betablockeruk]

Can't be going that well.

Squawk 7700 for last 10 mins.

[Narrow Runway]

Could it be the 2Excel oil dispersal aircraft?

Not so rare surely? It (they) are on their AOC.

[Smoketrails]

It is one of the Oil Spill Response machines. Not squawking 7700 anymore btw.

[DaveReidUK]

Both of their R722s have been active in the last couple of days.

[Evanelpus]

Saw one of them give a very spirited display at Duxford last year:cool:

[Double Hydco]

Saw one of them give a very spirited display at Duxford last year

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag21/belfast97/IMGP4542_zpssykyhmts.jpg

[SpringHeeledJack]

Great shot! As much as I like looking at photos of aircraft in typical side on view, I really like shots where there's a connective visual juxtaposition such as above with the sun breaking through the clouds onto the rolling field and aircraft at an unusual angle.

Out of interest how low do these oil cleanup aircraft fly when doing their thing over the sea ? What happened to the C130's that used to do their job, or are they still being used ?


SHJ

[Daysleeper]

Out of interest how low do these oil cleanup aircraft fly when doing their thing over the sea ?

Dunno about the 727, odd choice IMHO but the DC-3 used to be 20-30 ft and the L-188 50 ft.

[Double Hydco]

Not sure about the spraying height, but when we operated the Pelita L100 on the spraying contract in the 1990's, they once famously flew over a caravan site on Selsey Bill and had forgotten to switch the spray off. A retired Wing Commander holidaying there got a more watered down G&T than he was expecting, and we never heard the last of it....

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag21/belfast97/Herc1_zpsngniodwu.jpg

[CHINOOKER]

Currently showing on FR24 is M-STAR a B727,just coasting out At Worthing....came out of Farnborough

[Talkdownman]

came out of Farnborough
Nearly! Lasham.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Then headed to Le Bourget and currently heading to the Middle East. They still look good after all these years, especially with the winglets. I wonder how the economics of operating one stack up, with upgrades and re-engined power plants in comparison to newer steeds such as the BBJ and A319 for example ? Probably faster!


SHJ

[Newforest2]

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boeing_727-2X8(RE)_Starling_Aviation_M-STAR,_LBG_Paris_(Le_Bourget),_France_PP1336839921.jpg

Panoramio - Photo of M-STAR Boeing 727 (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/69669252)

Engines Away! : Architectural Digest (http://www.architecturaldigest.com/AD100/2010/craig_wright/wright_article_022008)

All that is missing is the name of the owner?!