You just will not believe this, the Mighty Belfast may return
A fascinating aeroplane.
I remember being surprised watching one taxi at Lossiemouth, with all the control surfaces flapping gently in the breeze, looking worryingly as though they were disconnected, until the engines ran up and enough hydraulic power was available. At least I think that was the explanation later given to me by Jock Manson, who used to fly them. All along time ago !
I remember being surprised watching one taxi at Lossiemouth, with all the control surfaces flapping gently in the breeze, looking worryingly as though they were disconnected, until the engines ran up and enough hydraulic power was available. At least I think that was the explanation later given to me by Jock Manson, who used to fly them. All along time ago !
I had a colleague who had flown with them, who recounted an amusing tale (apologies if it's apocryphal, but he was there and told it to me in person). During GW1 they got a contract to support the MOD with flights to the region, and the crews were called for a meeting with the Flight Ops Manager who explained the details and asked for volunteers. Many pilots snorted and said "sod that" and left. The FOM then addressed those that remained and said "thank you very much and, oh, did I mention we'll be paying you $1,000 per sector?"!
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Really,
I remember being posted into RAF Manston in 1979 en route from Ramsgate station in a taxi I was surprised to see a Belfast parked by the road that crossed the airfield. I can’t remember if there was more than one or when they left. There were other interesting aircraft on the burning area. An Argosy and a Victor K1 dominated the scene.
I always wondered if the Belfast would be re-engined to give it a new lease of life. But I guess it would have been too expensive. Now wondering what contract has been lined up for it. 🤔
I remember being posted into RAF Manston in 1979 en route from Ramsgate station in a taxi I was surprised to see a Belfast parked by the road that crossed the airfield. I can’t remember if there was more than one or when they left. There were other interesting aircraft on the burning area. An Argosy and a Victor K1 dominated the scene.
I always wondered if the Belfast would be re-engined to give it a new lease of life. But I guess it would have been too expensive. Now wondering what contract has been lined up for it. 🤔
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Yes I saw a photo of several of them parked there; thnk it was called the 'Northern Grass' pan.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
I believe they were originally meant to jet-powered. Nothing wrong with the Tyne on the Vanguard, but at probably twice the weight and twice the drag???
The development from circa 1955 of what became the Belfast is detailed over several pages of C H Barnes' book, "Shorts Aircraft Since 1900." It seems that all manner of versions were considered along the way - and the original name appears to have been the 'Britannic.'
"Am pressing east. Crew scurvy free. God Save the Queen!"
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A fascinating aeroplane.
I remember being surprised watching one taxi at Lossiemouth, with all the control surfaces flapping gently in the breeze, looking worryingly as though they were disconnected, until the engines ran up and enough hydraulic power was available. At least I think that was the explanation later given to me by Jock Manson, who used to fly them. All along time ago !
I remember being surprised watching one taxi at Lossiemouth, with all the control surfaces flapping gently in the breeze, looking worryingly as though they were disconnected, until the engines ran up and enough hydraulic power was available. At least I think that was the explanation later given to me by Jock Manson, who used to fly them. All along time ago !
Declaration of interest: Back in the 1970/80s I had many good friends in Shorts, where workmanship was superb particularly on the Tristar podding contract, where Hercs flew out the finished product three at a time. After long service Piper's alloy heater muff developed cracks and wore around the exhaust pipes; the muff disappeared into Shorts, returning a fortnight's lunchtimes later as an exact replica in titanium. The Arrow is still flying in Bulgaria and the titanium muff appears to have been made yesterday. Tommy the Toolmaker and his chums greatly enjoyed their ensuring photo trip around the Mountains of Mourne.
One feature of Shorts aircraft was that many or most were built with yellow compound between all faying surfaces, perhaps a hangover from Sunderland practice? An ARB surveyor told me that corrosion was never a problem with Shorts machines. And for all the Belfast's faults, isn't it odd that a commercial company was able to make serious money from operating it on world charters?
All a long time ago, of course, everything different these days ...
One feature of Shorts aircraft was that many or most were built with yellow compound between all faying surfaces, perhaps a hangover from Sunderland practice? An ARB surveyor told me that corrosion was never a problem with Shorts machines. And for all the Belfast's faults, isn't it odd that a commercial company was able to make serious money from operating it on world charters?
All a long time ago, of course, everything different these days ...
My dream job was flying for Heavylift, and I got it! But it lasted for three whole hours!
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One feature of Shorts aircraft was that many or most were built with yellow compound between all faying surfaces, perhaps a hangover from Sunderland practice? An ARB surveyor told me that corrosion was never a problem with Shorts machines. And for all the Belfast's faults, isn't it odd that a commercial company was able to make serious money from operating it on world charters?
(Jointing compound also known as Knacker lacquer - adds lustre to your cluster)
I remember flying a Britannia from Brize to Bahrain with two engines for two Belfast that were stuck in Bahrain with engine failures, but that was before the fast mods at the rear end of the mighty slow flying machine!
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it was about 30 years ago we were told to stop using it and they removed all the tins we had... I seem to remember a report about it, whether correct or not i do not know, but is is still being used in industry.
As for P*p*rs corrosion proofed aircraft, we had one with a wing leading edge damage, looked great internally everything primed, but when we pulled the skins off, everything was primed ok, all except the overlapping skin joints that were bare metal. The one place corrosion starts.
As for P*p*rs corrosion proofed aircraft, we had one with a wing leading edge damage, looked great internally everything primed, but when we pulled the skins off, everything was primed ok, all except the overlapping skin joints that were bare metal. The one place corrosion starts.
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I would love to these fly again, the last time I saw one was a Stansted in Heavy Lift colours in the early nineties just before the Antonovs arrived. Incidentally, the current AMM for the B787 GEnx engine still lists the Belfast as a approved aircraft to transport a complete engine, semi stripped, but with the fan module attached. Only the B747 and B777 are its equivalents. The Antonov An-22, An-124 and the late An-225 can air transport a fully built engine, but no mention of Civvy C17 and C130's.
Don't know much about it but from a reuse point of view would that require a C of A ? and would that not require a design authority and an OEM spare parts supply for the airframe and the Tyne's. Cannot see Shorts and Rolls Royce being about and up for that.
In that case I can only assume it'd have to go on a permit to fly, like the Vulcan, which puts all sorts of restrictions on it, like limiting it to the country where the permit is issued and prohibiting commercial use.
Seem to recall all these arguments being rehearsed when the bearded pullover wanted to bring Concorde back.
In that case I can only assume it'd have to go on a permit to fly, like the Vulcan, which puts all sorts of restrictions on it, like limiting it to the country where the permit is issued and prohibiting commercial use.
Seem to recall all these arguments being rehearsed when the bearded pullover wanted to bring Concorde back.