Aircraft Lengths of Service
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Nomad, that was the point, spar main spars were fatigued just sitting there.
Leaving aside the period up to 1945 when many types had a very short lifetime there are a couple of fairly short-lived types in the post war years. The Swift F1 entered service in 1954 and the last F7 left in 1961. The Basset CC1 lasted a little longer in RAF service, managing nine years from 1967-1974, while the Belfast managed just 10 years in service.
No doubt there are types (as opposed to marks) with much shorter lifetimes - maybe others can find examples
No doubt there are types (as opposed to marks) with much shorter lifetimes - maybe others can find examples
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
The Bassett and Belfast were out of service for economic reasons rather than being superseded. Equally both were job creation types rather than best in class.
The Bassett, as an Anson/Dove replacement was a perfect committee specification - navigator, Decca, toilet (for VSOs to off load numerous cups of coffee).
The Annie could carry a V-bomber crew and kit. So could 2 Bassetts.
The Bassett, as an Anson/Dove replacement was a perfect committee specification - navigator, Decca, toilet (for VSOs to off load numerous cups of coffee).
The Annie could carry a V-bomber crew and kit. So could 2 Bassetts.
IIRC part of the life extension for Meteors was drilling, inserting grease nipples and then lubricating the aileron bearings as they had been 'lubricated for life' at the factory.
I remember the pre-flight walk round on our Vampires involving getting hold of the ailerons and shaking them to see how much they rattled.
I remember the pre-flight walk round on our Vampires involving getting hold of the ailerons and shaking them to see how much they rattled.
Odd to think that if the B52 carries on until 2040 as suggested, that would be equivalent to a progressively upgraded Vickers Vimy continuing in front line service until around 2007.
P-N I had a chum who got a posting as a Basset Nav straight out of Stradishall. I flew on a jolly with him to Northolt once and thought he had landed a real doddle of a job - trundling up and down the airways on Decca. Not really the job to give a keen young nav though, maybe better given to an old spec aircrew who just fancied a quiet life.
I am surprised that none of the fish heads have jumped in to point out that HMS Victory launched in 1765 and currently Flagship of the First Sea Lord takes a bit of beating for a long serving piece of military kit!!!!!! It can't fly I suppose but it does have style.
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Never mind fly, I don't think that Victory can float any more can it? At least no-one has suggested claiming the Sopwith Pup at Cosford (which would be the equivalent I suppose).
Surely the Vampire and Meteor were in service longer than that, at least up to (was it?) 1986 and the tragic crash at Mildenhall. There was a Vampire in the hangar at Scampton (one of the Vintage Pair's spares) that was still 'on charge' in 1991. Rumour was that an OC Eng had ordered the wing spar drilled so the jet was instantly, and permanently, unairworthy immediately following the crash
Oldest type to enter service with the RAF must be the C-135..... first flew 1956 , entered service 2014. Imagine the Vickers Vimy had entered service in 1975.....
Shortest service career in recent years (well officially at least) must be the DA42 Twin Star, November 2008 to July 2009.
Shortest service career in recent years (well officially at least) must be the DA42 Twin Star, November 2008 to July 2009.
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So far as WW2 piston-engined fighters go, El Salvador sold off its Mustangs and Corsairs in 1974. These had been used in combat during the 'Soccer War' of July, 1969.
