Belfast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: USA
Age: 66
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Belfast
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,803
Received 135 Likes
on
63 Posts
It wasn't nicknamed "Belslow" for nothing. ISTR there were also significant drag issues around the rear ramp, leading to a mod installing a couple of large strakes.
But ... it was BIG and BRITISH
But ... it was BIG and BRITISH
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: NEAR TO ISK
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I recall during 1982 at the start of Op Corporate and not long after the RAF had got rid of them, a couple turned up at Kinloss in Civvie guise to shift large amounts of Nimrod bits. Heavylift made a killing on Op Corporate work.
And didn't the Belfast hold some sort of record for moving outsize loads at one time.
And didn't the Belfast hold some sort of record for moving outsize loads at one time.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,589
Received 271 Likes
on
150 Posts
A Heavylift Belfast delivered Doug Arnold's dismantled Liberator from India to Stansted in the 1980s - not sure if it was all in one go, but they certainly got the fuselage in. I imagine the C-5 and AN-124 are the only other aircraft that could manage that. And maybe the C-133?
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,589
Received 271 Likes
on
150 Posts
Phenomenal memory there Coffman! 
I remember being extremely unimpressed by RAF Belfast crews when as a young paratrooper getting dicked as a baggage handler on a trip to Malaya in 1973/74? It took forever, 5 hours a day for almost a week to get there and then being abandoned by the crew as they departed for their 5 star hotels each night. Never ever forgave them for that.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: 75' from the runway edge and 150' from the threshold
Age: 74
Posts: 247
Received 30 Likes
on
12 Posts
Lovingly Known as Belsow
As a 15 year old cadet, I managed to get a b&w photograph of the first t/o on my parents box brownie from the nearby Holywood Rd. On the photo the aircraft is about 5mm long. Ten years later, as an ops assistant at RAF Kai Tak, I was THE vasf see off crew, seeing a Belsow out of slot 10. Very amusing of the LH driver to stick his head out the window as if reversing a very large truck (which, in essence, it was)
Two things to note.
1. In conversation in later life I was told that Shorts had offered a swept wing, jet engined design (C141 style) but that the MoD or whoever said that there were spare main spars (Britannia?) and turbo props available and were to be used in order to keep costs down. Whether true or otherwise I know not. However as someone once said, They were all counted out and counted back in. In other words, Ten aircraft into service and Ten aircraft out of service. I am Unaware of any other aircraft fleet that ended service with no losses.
2. On the formation of Heavy lift Air Cargo and its' fleet of Belfast aircraft, a telegram was sent to Lockheed Georgia informing there was now a civilian company with the capability of flying their C130 fuselages around the world.
Two things to note.
1. In conversation in later life I was told that Shorts had offered a swept wing, jet engined design (C141 style) but that the MoD or whoever said that there were spare main spars (Britannia?) and turbo props available and were to be used in order to keep costs down. Whether true or otherwise I know not. However as someone once said, They were all counted out and counted back in. In other words, Ten aircraft into service and Ten aircraft out of service. I am Unaware of any other aircraft fleet that ended service with no losses.
2. On the formation of Heavy lift Air Cargo and its' fleet of Belfast aircraft, a telegram was sent to Lockheed Georgia informing there was now a civilian company with the capability of flying their C130 fuselages around the world.
Mention of the use of Britannia spars reminds me that I have some old AATDC (as JADTEU used to be called) documents that discuss the 'new' transport aircraft being developed for the RAF which because it was to use the Britannia wing was to be called the Britannic.
What finally ended up as the Belfast started off as the "Britannic" proposal in 1958, with basically a Britannia wing and tail surfaces with various engine options- the wingspan also growing by 20ft. There was a range of 6 Britannic variants proposed, the last with V.C. 10 type swept wings. The entire evolution saga was very complex and involved several companies.
Eventually a production of 30 was envisaged to make it viable. However once this was in progress the order was cut back to 10.
The Starlifter wing and tail version was a later proposal.
Eventually a production of 30 was envisaged to make it viable. However once this was in progress the order was cut back to 10.
The Starlifter wing and tail version was a later proposal.
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: eastcoastoz
Age: 76
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We're nearly to the end of the first page of this current thread and nobody's yet mentioned the last potentially airworthy one - the Belfast in Cairns.
It's sitting there - waiting for you...
Cairns airport in North Queensland - the owner is open to sensible offers, OK?
There are other Belfast threads on here, they're worth a look.
It's sitting there - waiting for you...
Cairns airport in North Queensland - the owner is open to sensible offers, OK?
There are other Belfast threads on here, they're worth a look.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We're nearly to the end of the first page of this current thread and nobody's yet mentioned the last potentially airworthy one - the Belfast in Cairns.
It's sitting there - waiting for you...
Cairns airport in North Queensland - the owner is open to sensible offers, OK?
There are other Belfast threads on here, they're worth a look.
It's sitting there - waiting for you...
Cairns airport in North Queensland - the owner is open to sensible offers, OK?
There are other Belfast threads on here, they're worth a look.
Been there seen it.
As a young JT fresh out of Brat factory my first posting was Abingdon on Belfast Majors. Beagle must have been lurking around Shippon dispersal about the same time.
After our move back to Brize a couple of years later I got my only non airtest trip on the Deci Malta schedule. Convinced me I really did want to be a GE.
No matter how ugly and underperforming, your first is always your first.
The only thing that could bring me an RB211 for a TriStar in Dubai.
And had a moment to myself when I saw her at Cairns on holiday a few years ago
