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:
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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.
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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!
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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. |
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. Aaron. |
I enjoyed several Belize runs.
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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
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Shortly before they went bust ,Redcoat were operating a CL-44 registered G-BRED if my memory serves me correctly |
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. |
Originally Posted by LynxDriver
(Post 7863647)
The old Britannia fuselage used for static filming may still be extant on the fire dump there.
Google Maps |
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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.
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What a sad sight.
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Boo hoo :{ It was the first airliner I flew in 1970 when it was with Lloyd International Airways.
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LynxDriver; I have emailed you.
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I have just discovered this Redcoat post card amongst my old photos. From the colour scheme it is ex IAS Cargo. G-AOVF or VS
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps9d5a0f34.jpg |
Great photograph; would that be at LTN?
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Almost certainly LTN Airport.
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that's definitely Stansted !
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Stansted it is then. (i haven't been to STN or LTN for 25 years!)
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Found this pic of the CL44 - good view of the hinges for the tail
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howardair/8685342257/G-BRED CL-44 Redcoat Air Cargo | Flickr - Photo Sharing! |
CL44 photo, now that's Luton
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The other episodes of BUCCANEER are now on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...ugjwvh8CMyyKHY |
Ooh, good find! Will have a go at casting those to me telly later!
Edit: technology is marvellous! Opened YouTube on telly and it immediately asked me if I wanted to sign in using my phone... |
Originally Posted by Watson1963
(Post 11542835)
The other episodes of BUCCANEER are now on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...ugjwvh8CMyyKHY Just when I was getting into Buccaneer after 40 years ! :* |
Originally Posted by DH106
(Post 11547900)
It seems all but 2 episodes are now 'hidden' - they were all available a few days ago. :sad:
Just when I was getting into Buccaneer after 40 years ! :* |
Originally Posted by treadigraph
(Post 11547905)
Me too... got to episode 9. Try and remember to contact him later...
Much better quality as well |
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Cheers Bean!
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We never got to see this in the Antepoades so many thanks everyone.
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I remember the series being broadcast the first time. Having watched an episode recently I didn't realise how bad the acting was.
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Now extremely dated in terms of racial attitudes, class distinctions and accents, but the footage taken on the ramp at Luton unintentionally captured (usually in the background) quite a variety of the aircraft and carriers of the period. Also, while some of the sound of the Britannia was probably dubbed, some at least conveyed the rumbling engine sound of the type quite well.
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Back end of 1979 I was working for Airline Engineering at Luton. One day a new Portakabin appeared outside one of the hangars. Someone then sprayed it with dirty paint to make it look old.
Thought it strange, but later saw it was used in the Red-Air TV series. |
Oh great! Only 13 episodes and they never got to reweigh that cargo. So many unanswered questions.
What's that you say? It's only pretend? |
Originally Posted by Mooncrest
(Post 11549316)
I remember the series being broadcast the first time. Having watched an episode recently I didn't realise how bad the acting was.
I was staying in a hotel near to the M1 Jnc, it may no longer be there, hopefully!, where some hotel room shots were filmed. Came back one evening to find the hotel, had, without informing me in advance, kindly relocated all my stuff to another room. to enable the original to be used for filming...quite why I don't know. However, amongst the cables and technical stuff draped along the corridor where the crew... and cast....along with a diverse selection of half empty bottles. |
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