Corporate flight departments, UK

[Mooncrest]

Asda bought C421 G-EAGL from Systime and operated it for a wee while. Then along came B200 G-BOMM, which was eventually sold.

[Old and Horrified]

I'm not sure about Westland Helicopters having a HS125 (earlier post), particularly as they only have a grass runway at Yeovil, but they certainly had an Agusta 109, G-WEST, while I was there which I was lucky enough to get a ride in on a couple of occasions. I think it has now been disposed of.

[G-MILF]

Motorola used to have something, can't remember what, based at Farnborough/Blackbushe and of course there was Air Hanson itself at Blackbushe which was Hanson Concrete.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Who owned/operated the Gulfstream I and then G2/3 based at LHR in the 70's/80's ? Often parked up near Hunting's hangar or thereabouts ?

[G-MILF]

Originally Posted by SpringHeeledJack

Who owned/operated the Gulfstream I and then G2/3 based at LHR in the 70's/80's ? Often parked up near Hunting's hangar or thereabouts ?

You don't mean Robert Maxwell's do you?

[treadigraph]

I headd that United Biscuits were supposed to be upgrading their King Air 200 to a Starship - assume that never happened?

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by G-MILF

You don't mean Robert Maxwell's do you?

Maxwell's aircraft were VRBOB (G3) and VRBRM (G4) based at Farnborough and GRMGN (Squirrel) based on top of the MGN office block (I think).

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by G-MILF

Motorola used to have something, can't remember what, based at Farnborough/Blackbushe.

Motorola had a Citation 750 at Farnborough.

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by treadigraph

I headd that United Biscuits were supposed to be upgrading their King Air 200 to a Starship - assume that never happened?

I think it did happen; there was certainly one based at Blackbushe for a while but it didn't last long.(Too noisy) Strangely Piaggio Avantis are just as noisy but there are still a few about.

[TCU]

My dad used to be a Rank Xerox marketing manager (based at HQ in Euston Rd)

As he went up the pecking order, he eventually got the right to use their rather smartly painted Luton based HS125-700B G-BGTD for trips to Europe...a pleasant upgrade for him from the regular Air UK Sheds and F27's he used to ride out of our local airport Stansted

[ex82watcher]

LEC refrigeration had a small fleet at their own airfield next to their factory in Bognor Regis,and which I think was comprised of a C172,an Islander and an Aztec,I think David Purley,son of the founder,kept his Pitts there too,before he was killed in it.

[Mooncrest]

Dennis Vanguard at Coventry. I can't clearly remember what they owned over the years. HS125, various Gulfstreams, a 737 or BBJ ? Might have been a Lockheed Jetstar at one time. I think they were all registered in Bermuda.

[dixi188]

Originally Posted by Old and Horrified

I'm not sure about Westland Helicopters having a HS125 (earlier post), particularly as they only have a grass runway at Yeovil, but they certainly had an Agusta 109, G-WEST, while I was there which I was lucky enough to get a ride in on a couple of occasions. I think it has now been disposed of.

Around 1983 Westlands bought G-AVRF and it was operated by Glos Air out of BOH. Our boss used to use it as his personal runabout sometimes. I had a flight in it to Ostend when a Jetstream had an event over Belgium.

[dixi188]

An old friend of mine flew a Citation II and then HS125-800 for Humber Kitchens (part of MFI). They were looking to go trans Atlantic with a Gulfstream IV or Falcon 50 and Martin was getting quite excited, then a new bean counter arrived and they decided to charted an aircraft when needed and Martin lost his job.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SpringHeeledJack View Post
Who owned/operated the Gulfstream I and then G2/3 based at LHR in the 70's/80's ? Often parked up near Hunting's hangar or thereabouts ?
You don't mean Robert Maxwell's do you?

No, but it/they 'might' have had N-regs, possibly attatched to a US corporation.and used for flying around Europe and further afield.

[kenparry]

In the late 70s/early 80s, GKN ran an HS125 based at LHR - a friend of mine flew for them

[ETOPS]

when a Jetstream had an event over Belgium.

Had a firsthand account from the pilot after that - Jetstreams were certainly built strong

[ShyTorque]

Dyson still run their own helicopters.

[Liffy 1M]

Originally Posted by chevvron

Maxwell's aircraft were VRBOB (G3) and VRBRM (G4) based at Farnborough and GRMGN (Squirrel) based on top of the MGN office block (I think).

I read a biography of Maxwell recently in which it was stated that he was wont, before boarding his helo at the top of the company office block, to urinate from the roof onto any unfortunates on the street below. Charming.

[t211]

I used to fly with a Guy Called Barry Thomson who owned Rig Design Services Over the years had several company Aircraft.
V Tail Bonanza G- ATII
Beechcraft Baron B55 G - BAXR
Beechcraft Duke G-DUKE
Ted Smith Aerostar G-RIGS.
I have a lot to thank him for Thank You Barry