VVIP Transport
 

I see from the local TV news that an immaculate RCAF Airbus CC-150 took the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall from RAF Brize Norton to Canada on their 4-day visit, with an equally immaculate RCMP guard of honour.

But what a shame that the UK cannot afford its own aeroplane for the Head of the Commonwealth or for flying members of the Royal Family on State Occasions.

I am sure they could have scraped together a scabby old VC10 and got the lineys to dress up in white overalls.

Is it not standard protocol that the country being visited sends the air craft to collect the VVIPs for official visits, if they have the appropriate equipment? Yes, I know, 10sqn used to swan around but did they ever actually do anything?;)

Couldn't agree more BEagle, even for the PM's use too.

S-D

Perhaps the multi multi multi millionaire family could put their hand in their packets and buy their own?

The Windsors or the Camerons?

S-D

To be fair to the UK, Canadians often need aeroplanes to pop down to the shops.

On the other hand, we do still do ceremonial properly over here.
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/200...ct_468x301.jpg

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/image...7_55244126.jpg

I think you will find the same goes for the UK.

salad-dodger,


Fair point well made. Although it could equally well apply to both, in this instance I was referring to the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's, sorry, the Windsors!

prOOne
I am a newcomer and understand that the forum rules forbid me from telling you what a (fill in your own expletive) you are. So I wont. Please keep your republican bile in your chambers, or wherever you hang your pot these days.

VC10 VVIP lol... What's that then.... Venerable Vintage Impoverished Plane. Why not go the whole hog and convert the Lancaster to a Lancastrian...

Maybe 20 years ago it was still viable as a VVIP, but these days it's equivalent to showing you're arse is hanging out of the back of your thread bare trousers.

About 5 or 6 years ago there was a plan to 'civilianise' VVIP flights with Global Express aircraft to be shared between the Royals and the PM, but the PM of the time was Tony Bleh, so the Royals wouldn't have got a look in and the idea was pigeon holed.

Genstabler - take a chill pill, mate. Republicans are people too ... :}

Canada, a proper country.

Like America but, without the everyman needs a gun culture, but they have health care... :E

Canada does indeed still have considerable national pride.

The anti-royalist ramblings of a champagne socialist are best ignored, in my view. Starving such people of the oxygen of response is the best tactic against trolling.

The VC10 was once deemed fit for flying the Head of the Commonwealth around the world, yet now the risk-averse, yellow streak, MAA-will-screw-me mentality pervading the RAF means that it may no longer carry any passengers.

:uhoh:

mini

"Like America but, without the everyman needs a gun culture, but they have health care..."

And what is wrong with a gun culture ?

Just because the UK and Australian Governments disarmed the civilian population isn't a good thing.

I still have a bow and some arrows - and I can shoot them pretty well too. . . :)

How do you feel about a stint in London, defending Olympic Airspace?

Watching footage of assorted Airbuses (Airbii?) and Boeings conveying heads of state and prime ministers to the G8/NATO summits and the Queen's bash for other monarchs did make me wonder what piece of lowest-bidder chartered tat was used this time to take Cameron to the USA. Or did they splash out and use BA for once? In any case, why the he** don't we have a dedicated aircraft to fly our important persons to other countries?:*

We used to have TQF and 32Sqn - then they were amalgamated.

Then the number of crews were reduced.

Of Course - the number of flights also were reduced!!