Monarch Airlines 'British Medical'

[Mooncrest]

About fifteen or sixteen years ago I remember a Monarch 757 flying into Leeds Bradford one afternoon. The spotty M had been painted out, as had the Monarch titling but it was still obviously a Monarch aircraft going by the remaining colours, registration and so on. As far as I can remember this was a one-off. Does anyone have any more information about the flight(s) and if there were others ? The other obvious difference was the 'British Medical' callsign being used, rather than Monarch.

Thankyou.

[IcePack]

Monarch & Brittania had the medivac contract for Gulf War 2. The aircraft were configured with stretchers as well as seats. Routes were from Akrotiri to somewhere in the UK depending which hospital was considered to be the most appropriate for the casualties on board. Some flights had to remain “unpressurised” (cabin at sea level) & came all the way back low level.
Monarch & I assume Brittania received a signed plaque of thanks from her majesty.
(I should add only certain crews were cleared to operate these as normal rules did not apply)

[Mooncrest]

Thankyou Icepack. I assume these were MOD contracts, which might explain the (half-hearted) attempt to make the aircraft appear anonymous and the 'fictitious' RT callsign, not to mention restricting the flights to certain crews only.

[DaveReidUK]

Thankyou Icepack. I assume these were MOD contracts, which might explain the (half-hearted) attempt to make the aircraft appear anonymous and the 'fictitious' RT callsign, not to mention restricting the flights to certain crews only.

Nothing fictitious or unofficial about the "British Medical" callsign, in fact it still exists in ICAO Doc 8585, corresponding to designator BMD, assigned to British Medical Charter.

[Mooncrest]

Thanks Dave. I assumed the callsign was just dreamed up for a one-off series of flights.