Pinochet's Departure

[Midland 331]

Circa 2000, I seem to recall a Chilean Military 707 making a smoky and heavy departure, seen on prime-time TV, from either Waddo or Doncaster International.

I've often pondered on the ground handling issues, and if there was a tech. stop en-route to Santiago.

[Asturias56]

London santiago is circa 7250 miles..

wiki gives max 707range at circa 5750 miles

[DaveReidUK]

Pinochet departed Waddington on 2nd March 2000, wrong-footing most of the press who had been waiting for him at Brize Norton, where his 707 had been waiting since the end of January. His departure was reportedly delayed to allow delivery of a last-minute gift to him from Margaret Thatcher.

On This Day (http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/2/newsid_2771000/2771229.stm)

[Liffy 1M]

Here's an interesting synopsis of how the General's departure was conducted.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert_Bruce-Chwatt/publication/323535761_The_return_of_General_Pinochet_to_Chile_in_March_2 000_from_detention_in_the_UK/links/5aa242a10f7e9badd9a60a51/The-return-of-General-Pinochet-to-Chile-in-March-2000-from-detention-in-the-UK.pdf?origin=publication_list

[compton3bravo]

One of best headlines done by the Daily Mirror some years ago was 'dictator meets General Pinochet'. Just goes to show want an abnoxious person Thatcher was.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Perhaps it flew via Ascension Island and then on to Santiago ?

[DaveReidUK]

Perhaps it flew via Ascension Island and then on to Santiago ?

The outbound flight fro Santiago to Brize Norton routed via Bermuda, so maybe it returned by the same route?

Edit: No, it did indeed route via Wideawake.

[Midland 331]

Thanks, all.