Sud-Aviation "Caravelle"

[michaelpawling]

I would like to know if somewhere in this wide world a Caravelle exists? Parked somewhere waiting for someone crazy enough and with deep pockets to do whatever it takes to ferry to the East coast USA. Not tomorrow but time is passing. Might there be an example in a collection which could be acquired? If we don't ask we'll never find. Many thanks. Michael Whitcomb

[SpringHeeledJack]

There was until relatively recently a Caravelle in Africa, perhaps Gabon, that was flying but now on the ground. However, unless it's under cover it's chances of being in a decent state is small going by the many classics that you can see parked up at various airports on the African continent. Always liked the Caravelle I have to say.


SHJ

[SpringHeeledJack]

I had a a few minutes free to assuage my curiosity and yes indeed it was Gabon, but the airline Gabon Express ceased operating in 2004, so said Caravelle is most likely sitting in Libreville gathering dust. Here's a little video about the airline that features the HS748 and the Caravelle, simply filmed, but charming.

Gabon Express ? Caravelle e Avro ainda voando #video : Aviões e Músicas (http://www.avioesemusicas.com/gabon-express-caravelle-e-avro-ainda-voando-video.html)


SHJ

[Wookey]

Worked for Sud Aviation/Aerospatiale in 72/73 as an exchange student in Toulouse. At the time they were still building the Caravelle, stretched version for Sterling Airways as I remember. Great looking aircraft but have to say never enjoyed being SLF in them. The guys I worked with reckoned it had a super efficient wing which would allow it to glide from Paris to Toulouse!! Never bothered to verify if this was true or just French bravado.
At the time work was also taking place on Concorde and the Prototype A300 was being assembled in the (then) new hangar next door. Interesting times for a 21 year old aviation nut.

[Mike Tee]

I remember travelling with Hispania from Manchester to Palma in the Caravelle. We where seated front row right side next to a door which had ice forming on the inside as we cruised at 41,000 feet !!.
Another "Caravelle" moment occured some time later when monitoring another Hispania flight into Teesside late on a Friday evening. Visibility was poor with autumn fog and the Caravelle was directed to the holding pattern. I seem to recal he only made a couple of circuits before declaring a fuel emergency and immediate diversion to Manchester, where a straight in approach was completed.
I seem to recall seeing a couple parked up at Perpignan / Rivesaltes a few years back. Maybe they are still there ?.

[seafire6b]

You could do worse than asking SAS!

http://www.pprune.org/nordic-forum/560530-where-sas-caravelle.html

[DaveReidUK]

A sizeable proportion (40+) of the 280 or so Caravelles built are extant, but the chances of getting any one of them back into airworthy condition are close to zero.

[GHEVY]

I had a a few minutes free to assuage my curiosity and yes indeed it was Gabon, but the airline Gabon Express ceased operating in 2004, so said Caravelle is most likely sitting in Libreville gathering dust. Here's a little video about the airline that features the HS748 and the Caravelle, simply filmed, but charming.

That particular Caravelle (3D-SEP) sat idle at Rand airport in South Africa after Gabon Express ran into trouble in Gabon. It was added to the Waltair fleet, run by Jacques "Kiki" Lemaire and registered 3D-KIK. It crashed and burned August 28th, 2004 when executing a landing at Gisenyi Airport (Rwanda). The Caravelle was originally destined to land at Goma, DRC but was refused landing an diverted to Gisenyi. Transair has also been mentioned as a possible operator.

[pilotms]

There is also a very early model of Caravelle at Venlo in the Netherlands, it is sitting in the backyard of a Cardealer.

[DaveReidUK]

Comprehensive listing of extant Caravelles (not all complete aircraft):

World Wide - SudAviation.com (http://sudaviation.com/?page_id=440)