Tankers
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Tankers
In May, 2003, a civilian 727 tanker was reported stolen in Angola. Some reports say it is still missing, others say the mystery was quickly solved. Regardless, I am puzzled in that the a/c was a tanker. I thought only the military had need for such a/c.
Are there a great many civilian tankers in use? What do they carry that delivery by land or sea is not feasible or impractical?
Are there a great many civilian tankers in use? What do they carry that delivery by land or sea is not feasible or impractical?
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Missing B727
rjemery
I may be wrong but I believe the B727 in question was a cargo aircraft. I'm pretty sure that I have read somewhere that the aircraft after being stolen was spotted elsewhere in Africa, but as to it's current situation & status I have no idea!
As far as I know, no B727 have ever been converted &/or used as tankers. The only civilian registered tankers I know of are Boeing 707's used or operated by IAI or Omega. I believe they are only used to demostrate & sell airbourne refueling to nations that cannot afford an airbourne tanker fleet like the RAF or Americans. I believe also that they lease themselves to lessor air forces to use for airbourne refueling. As for us civi' guys it's pick up fuel when you can at whatever airport
Hopefully someone with a better idea will reply to you, hope I have helped. I think I will try & track down this B727 (I will let you know if I find anything).
Happy Christmas & a Happy New Year, brgds
MriyaDream
back to work
I may be wrong but I believe the B727 in question was a cargo aircraft. I'm pretty sure that I have read somewhere that the aircraft after being stolen was spotted elsewhere in Africa, but as to it's current situation & status I have no idea!
As far as I know, no B727 have ever been converted &/or used as tankers. The only civilian registered tankers I know of are Boeing 707's used or operated by IAI or Omega. I believe they are only used to demostrate & sell airbourne refueling to nations that cannot afford an airbourne tanker fleet like the RAF or Americans. I believe also that they lease themselves to lessor air forces to use for airbourne refueling. As for us civi' guys it's pick up fuel when you can at whatever airport
Hopefully someone with a better idea will reply to you, hope I have helped. I think I will try & track down this B727 (I will let you know if I find anything).
Happy Christmas & a Happy New Year, brgds
MriyaDream
back to work
I believe the aircraft was configured to carry diesel out to mine sites in the bush ,rather than as an air to air refueler.
Security situation on the ground/lack of suitable roads being the reason it had to be flown. Obviously very expensive but the economics of what was being mined must have been worth it.
Security situation on the ground/lack of suitable roads being the reason it had to be flown. Obviously very expensive but the economics of what was being mined must have been worth it.
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A thread that covers the missing B727 is as follows:
http://www.pprune.com/forums/showthr...ght=stolen+727
It was therein that I learned it was a tanker. And while numerous sightings are recounted, reputable news sources still list the a/c as missing.
Yes, I guess remote mining operations would need to have diesel flown in. I would think, though, that to get any ore out, a road would have to be built in any event. A diamond mine might be an exception.
http://www.pprune.com/forums/showthr...ght=stolen+727
It was therein that I learned it was a tanker. And while numerous sightings are recounted, reputable news sources still list the a/c as missing.
Yes, I guess remote mining operations would need to have diesel flown in. I would think, though, that to get any ore out, a road would have to be built in any event. A diamond mine might be an exception.
727 missing
Sounds like this is the a/c the US Security people are trying to track down, I read about it in a mag some time ago, they said it was fitted with internal tanks for extra range (?) A South African Engineer went missing with the a/c but is thought not to have been at the controls. It was last reported as being in a hangar in some West African country with a new paint job.
