REDCOAT AIR CARGO / RED-AIR / BBC TV
 

Back in 1979 / 1980 the BBC produced a drama series called Buccaneer, about a fictitious cargo airline 'Red Air'. Redcoat air cargo were employed to supply their Britannia aircraft for the show.

I am trying to locate a VHS tape copy of the series; I have written to the BBC several times and have the usual standard response saying that there are no plans at present the release the series on DVD.

If anyone has a copy of the series on tape; please get in touch. Also if anyone has any interesting memories of the series; it would be good to hear them.

Don't have the tapes but recall the series. IIRC, the aircraft were owned by Harry Green - an ex-Signaller/AEOp who flew on Brits in the RAF and set up the company when he left. They had (again IIRC) a nasty during take-off in snow and the company eventually went into liquidation. Apologies if the foregoing is rubbish ... mental muscles past their sell-by date!!:sad:

Sorry no tapes but I do remember that the series writer, Ted Childs I think,
came down to Manston and sat in the cockpit of one of the Brits in on maintenance and chatted for a long time with a Dad Newphry, a well respected skipper who told a number of stories/incidents when operating the Brits on cargo charters in Africa.

Some of these tales did subsequently appear in the RED Air TV series which added a certain degree of authenticity to whatever theme the episodes were trying to portray.

As to the RED Air aircraft, I always thought they were owned By Ian Mclean who had previously leased them to IAS Cargo Airline, they being VP and VS and probably BRAC, its original registration eludes me.

Its all along time ago now. Should have written the book at the time. Hey ho.

The Britannia in question was an ex RAF 253 serial no XL 639. In civilian life it was E-IBDC with Aer Tauras anf G-BRAC with Redcoat. It crashed after take-off from Boston Logan due to severe icing conditions.

Thank you all for your responses; it was a shot in the dark about the VHS tape I may add. I have been in contact with 2 Entertain who produce DVD's for the BBC amongst others. Their response was that 'they were looking into it' and will get back to me; if I have any further news I will post.

In the meantime; please continue to share your memories of Redcoat and if you have any pictures of the old company, please post them; it would be interesting.

I flew G-BRAC during Aug -Sept 1978 when Redcoat were a short of Captains. Mostly West Africa trips and one to Taif in Saudi Arabia. Mike Owen, who was running Redcoat then, gave me this letter opener, which might be quite rare now.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psb17da9e7.png

And the Chief Pilot character in the Buccaneer series was called :eek: Tony Blair!

My records show that Redcoat had various Britannias over time, both BOAC-original and RAF-original ones, from mid-1977 to the end of 1981, which had all already been handed down through a variety of other independents. They rarely operated more than a couple at once, The loss of BRAC at Boston was in February 1980.

Some of the Britannias had a red tail with white logo, while for others this was reversed.

The livery of the "Red Air" aircraft was a minimal title alteration and it was perfectly apparent whose aircraft it was. It was apparently done on one side only, and they did one air-to-air photo sortie which gave them enough footage for the series.

These aircraft used to do supply runs into RAF Belize during the70s. On the above trip was the wife of an RAF supply Sgt. She was hitching a ride back to UK after a holiday with her husband.


Aaron.

I enjoyed several Belize runs.

Brit, G-AOVS, in Redcoat colours, was on the fire dump at Luton for many years.
Don't know if it's still there.

Shortly before they went bust ,Redcoat were operating a CL-44 registered G-BRED if my memory serves me correctly

You are correct, ex Transmeridian Air Cargo, G-AZKJ :)

You may be in luck! Somewhere in my loft are three VHS cassettes containing all the Buccaneer episodes when the series was repeated on UK Gold in the mid 90s. I was working at LUT when the series was being filmed and wanted a copy for posterity!
The old Britannia fuselage used for static filming may still be extant on the fire dump there. Though more likely it has succumbed to the elements after 30 years exposure.

Is this it ?

Google Maps

It certainly is (or was).

http://www.oldprops.ukhome.net/Brita...-AOVS%20d1.jpg

The aircraft is still at Luton after being dragged into the long grass from the fire training ground years ago. As per the google screen shot you can see the route it took.

What a sad sight.

Boo hoo :{ It was the first airliner I flew in 1970 when it was with Lloyd International Airways.

LynxDriver; I have emailed you.