I don't know for sure about the Belfast but it doesn't look good... :(
Unless someone else can give some gen!

I passed through Cairns last month, and there was a nice shiny Belfast on the cargo ramp. What is happening there ?

Heavylift Cargo Airlines (Australia) operates the last airworthy Belfast although it's registered in the Philipines. It started life in the RAF Serial XR365 (Hector), was sold to Heavylift (UK) as G-HLFT, then after refurbishment at Prestwick a few years ago joined Heavylift Australia as 9L-LDQ. It was subsequently re-registered RP-C8020, still with Heavylift Australia. It operates ad-hoc outsize cargo charters mainly in Asia and Australasia.

If you Google "Heavylift", search !!!!!!!!!!!!!! and check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorts_Belfast you'll find more photo's and info.

There's another Belfast at Southend (G-BEPS) which was being prepared for a return to airworthiness but it's status is currently not known. There's a thread in the History and Nostalgia forum elsewhere on PPRuNe concerning this aircraft.

I believe that Heavylift will be surveying the CL-44-o and Belfast G-BEPS before the end of March after which a decision will be made about their respective futures. I hope there's a positive outcome.

Concerning the CL-44: I unfortunately cannot name my sources, but I got rather strong and reliable signals by "those in the know" that Heavylift will not continue the effort to get "Guppy" back to "ferry-worthiness".

It has transpired that some vital technical/maintenance papers are missing. If these papers cannot be traced, found and shown to the full satisfaction of the CAA that same CAA will not allow Guppy to leave Bournemouth under her own steam... :{

Sorry to be the messenger of bad news Phil,


but if Dave was also known as flight engineer "TCP" working on TriStars apart from Tyne engines then I will have to inform you that Dave died last year... :(

See
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=280849
and
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=280848 .

Perhaps his quotes at
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showpos...4&postcount=35 will be some sort of consolation...

CL 44 / Belfast
 

The CL44 Logbooks were taken by Malcolm Porter and Geoff Leach of the CL44 Association. The CL44 is going no where.
The Southend Belfast maybe a different story.

CL44-O Log books
 

I am led to believe (reliably) that the Chairman of the CL44 Association-(who is named in previous messages) is NOT in possession of the aircraft log books.
Similar to all other 44 'veterans'-I do hope for a successful conclusion to the apparent current inactivity.

It is a shame that by the actions of some individuals the Guppy's fate has been sealed. I have no doubt that without the interference of some people the aircraft would have left BOH under it's own power a long time ago. Now it will be leaving in a skip. Very sad indeed!

Are the "vital technical/maintenance papers" and the "Logbooks" the same thing or are they two separate issues?

The logbooks and documents are the same thing. The aforementioned persons took the data and logbooks and tried to buy the aircraft cheap from HVY. The bluff has been called ?

With regard the logbook denials the judge will decide ?
:ugh:

RRTyne,

Since you know where the logbooks CANNOT be found (to actually know this requires access to inside information)...

...I assume you can also fill us in on the current state of affairs regarding the Belfast at Southend and/or what the near future holds for her...

Missing Logs
 

Dear Stratocruiser,

I-along with many others, rely purely on whatever I hear. Inside Information I do NOT possess. One has to listen to second/third hand talk/gossip from a variety of sources and form a judgement based on that!
Being close (geographically) to the 44, I do detect very little activity but this does not infer that a whole bunch of engineers and crews aren't going to appear tomorrow.
The only crumb of fact that I can impart is that the CL44 Association has announced that due to the content of its next News-Sheet, it will be distributed amongst the club by normal mail and not (as is usual) by inserting it on its website.
As for the Belslow-I was at SEN recently and detected a similar amount of action there-but I confess I was there only briefly. Keep the faith my friend.

Missing Logs
 

Dear Stratocruiser,

I-along with many others, rely purely on whatever I hear. Inside Information I do NOT possess. One has to listen to second/third hand talk/gossip from a variety of sources and form a judgement-however, I feel confident that the statement regarding the current non-keepers' of the logs is accurate.
Being close (geographically) to the 44, I do detect very little activity but this does not infer that a whole bunch of engineers and crews aren't going to appear tomorrow.
The only crumb of fact that I can impart is that the CL44 Association has announced that due to the content of its next News-Sheet, it will be distributed amongst the club by normal mail and not (as is usual) by inserting it on its website.
As for the Belslow-I was at SEN recently and detected a similar amount of action there-but I confess I was there only briefly. Keep the faith my friend.

Belfasts
 

The Belfast at Southend is now "N" registered and will leave to join her sister in Asia/Pacific once ferried through USA for Maintenance.

Shame the Guppy did not make it. To many games ?

rrtyne
 

As the line goes " You can't handle the truth "
Last chance CL44 Logbooks or scrap skip for the old girl ,give G.L. a call ?

The maintenance reps are at Southend on the Belfast if you wish to drop them off ( CL44 logbooks ) ?

It seems the CAA took a strong and decidedly unhealthy interest in this aircraft. :(

Guys think we shud get a B707 op going? Just done my B707/720 type tech .......Bit late by 40 years but........just need circuits now! Anyone want a 707 newbie? but with 727 command experience.

There is no evidence of anyone having been anywhere near the Belfast for the last year. It is in a poor external condition with 2 props missing, what is the N reg then.

No evidence of any N registration application yet!:confused: