Virgin B747-200 at RAF Valley

[LAX_LHR]

Random question for tonight.

On 12th August 1996, Virgin B747-200 G-VGIN performed a low flypast at RAF Valley, North Wales. I remember seeing some old images of said flypast a few years ago and have just come across one again today and refreshed the old memory box, so, the question is, does anyone know what this flypast was in aid of?

Image:

RAF Valley 1990's - G-VGIN 12 8 96 - V-A-S Members Galleries (http://valleyaviationsociety.net/Coppermine/displayimage.php?pid=17953)

Many thanks

[Wycombe]

Pretty sure an ex-Red Arrows leader used to fly them, so may be a connection?

[TCAS FAN]

Reminds me of a similar VS B747 fly by at SOU. It had arrived early for a display at what was then RNAS Daedalus (Lee on Solent) Air Day. Offered him delaying action by flying an approach at SOU, with a low approach/go around. He accepted.

Apparently a spectacularly low go around, enjoyed by most airport staff. Result? 56 noise complaints and a question in the House of Commons! Was never chastised for this, just very P****d off as I was stuck in Approach and was the only person on the airport not to see it!

[paulc]

TCAS fan - i saw a European 747-200 do a similar thing a few years ago at SOU as well - very impressive but am sure it did cause a bit of concern to the M27 traffic at the time

[canberra97]

About 35 years a British Airways Boeing 747 did a similar thing at SOU and about 4 years ago a Condor Boeing 767 did the same.

[Harry Wayfarers]

When Branston was doing his Blue Riband thing across the Atlantic apparently one of his B747's beat up St Mary's Airport in the Scilly Isles.

[DaveReidUK]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/Aviation/VC10WW1977_800.jpg

[Newforest2]

No caption to your photo, but I was on the 'last' VC.10 flight which beat up the runway at Farnborough.

[Harry Wayfarers]

I recall a detachment to Brize Norton during 1977 when of an evening we would regularly have a VC10 and a Concorde pounding the circuit ... And people question why I took up drinking :)

[DaveReidUK]

No caption to your photo

Sorry, I didn't caption it as the photo has featured on PPRuNe a couple of times previously - it's G-ARVM at the 1977 Silver Jubilee Air Show at White Waltham.

I didn't see that one, but I recall a WTF moment when this skimmed over my Maidenhead rooftop with everything hanging out on its way to do the same thing at WW in 1986:

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/35439468.jpg

[RedhillPhil]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/Aviation/VC10WW1977_800.jpg



Wonderful!

[RedhillPhil]

When Branston was doing his Blue Riband thing across the Atlantic apparently one of his B747's beat up St Mary's Airport in the Scilly Isles.



Branston eh? Did he get in a pickle for allowing that beat-up by one of his aeroplanes?

[suninmyeyes]

Redhill Phil

I agree with your sentiment of "wonderful" for the VC10 Flyby at White Waltham. Unfortunately the airline management did not feel the same way! I have flown several times with the copilot on that flight who went on to fly Concorde and 777s. An absolute gent, a superb pilot and GA enthusiast.