Tri Star bowing out.
 

The RAF TriStar has made its last flight from Afghanistan.
It will retire on the 31st March.
TriStar makes final flight in support of Afghanistan operations
mmitch.

Yet another type for the increasingly sad knackers yard at Bruntingthorpe.

I feel old again, I pre-date them, remember them coming in to service... :ooh:

There's sad - came back from FI in the third seat for both legs.


Was a member of the Tristar crew quiz team early 86 at MPA (pre RAF Mount Pleasant). Team was always called "If we don't Win, We won't Fly You Home"! On one occasion we did win, which meant beating a hasty retreat from amongst the (very bulky) contractors' personnel, who reckoned we had "stolen" their beer money.

Used to fly them a lot as SLF on Gulf air and BA. Wonderful machines though one I flew with Saudi Air aborted 3 take offs from Khamis Mushayt. Slightly concerned on the 4th when we finally got airborne!

Wonder how many hours the last one had on it?

The last passenger DC10 is also bowing out of service this month.

Real aeroplanes and such a shame!

Wander00

Third seat? Were you standing in for the Flt Engineer :)

Much of my flying life was spent in three-holers, both the Tristar and the DC10 of various hues.

Great aircraft, I loved the Tristar more as an office, but the DC10 was probably the better aircraft in a commercial sense.

Sad not to see them flying again, but there are other things in life. I'm just glad I had the time I did.

Enjoying a drink with a Tristar Flight Engineer in the Death Star at MPA (1987). Bemoaning the fact that he still wasn't used to other aircraft getting close and plugging in to refuel he went on to say: "When I first joined Transport Command, formation flying was 2 Britannias travelling to Cyprus on the same day."

Bruntingthorpe? One is already at Kemble!

A few points:
Last "trooper" flight does not mean last task into/out/over Afghan.
Flight was reportedly from "middle east hub" not Afghan, this is probably a political fudge, because the FSTA cannot go into Bastion, despite the fact that the TriStar is the best platform for the hostile task.
DD. TriStar is a better flying machine than DC10. Don't worry about seeing them around, the Scottish air force will buy them and show the RAF how make money with them! :eek:

OAP

OAP

I'm not a great fan of the PFI but this:

Bastion

from Dec 13 according to the Govt website suggests otherwise.

Not yet perhaps!
 

Saw a piece in USA that Omni the US civil AAR contractor may be interested in them. Ready made AAR assets to add to their portfolio. Mentions less than a £mil for the lot. Cheaper an Omni TriStar on Falklands stby than mega bucks Voyager?

Voyager definitely operates into and out of Bastion.

Quote:
Voyager definitely operates into and out of Bastion.

Yes, even a picture of it. Why the political blurb about "direct" when they operate a non-hostile hub then?

OAP

Are we absolutely sure about that :=

IF - depends how you count - probably 4th seat then - but made very welcome by 216. Mind you I recall the flak the RAF, collectively and individually got if Tristar round trip was missed, as was the case after one continued rather further down the glide path than had been intended. Also recall the aircraft carrying the relatives of those killed in the FI conflict, which suffered a centre engine surge on take off from MPA and aborted take off. That was a shaken bunch of passengers.


PS - Apologies to the Flight Engineer

Shades of the Belfast there. Sell fleet as SNLR. Re-hire capability back.

Terrific.

In BAED we didn't carry an FE; two FOs took turns operating the systems panel.

Top Bunk Tester wrote: Of course, it would be a brave person who decided to scrap one type when its replacement hasn't yet entered fully into service.

And, of course, if some unforeseen serious issue affecting any single type's role capability should result in it being grounded, the MoD would be rather up that creek without a paddle.....and embarking upon another 'capability holiday'......:rolleyes:

Even in your advanced years Beags I note that your crystal ball has passed it's functionals 'satis':ok:

Perhaps you mean Omega Air, though they are already using converted DC-10-40s (ex-JAL) and have more in storage for future conversion, as far as I know. Omni Air are pax-only with B767 and B777 equipment.

You're right, slip of the pen!

Is there any chance of the TriStar being given a stay of execution?

Redcarpet wrote: Well, that would depend upon whether something limits the availability of the intended replacement.....:uhoh:

Top Bunk Tester, it's rather quiet here at the moment....I wonder why?

Well if I were a betting man I think I'd have a flutter.

Mmmmmm Beags deafening isn't it? :oh:

We, in a well known civil airline, probably DID give the Pongos more fun in the TriStar than the old mob did.
Ex Gutersloh, new captain on type, new co-pilot on type.
Just fuel for the UK BUT, r/w length required full thrust departure.
Check alt on SID was 4000ft.
Climbing through 3000ft at circa 4000ft/min cojo calls "One to go." and looks down to retrieve doc from nav bag.
Looks up again to see 4000ft passing still at previous RoC.
Calls "Passing 4000!"
Silence and, ahem, reduced g ensues. :O

Quotations from Para Reg pax:
"F**k me, and I thought the RAF were bad!"
"I turned white back there and it ain't a pleasant experience!" (From Afro Para).

TriStar
 

How many TriMotors are left in service to fill a "gap" if required?

I am sad to hear about the in flight incident with the mil A330. Hope, all recover well. However, the damage to the whole fleet is done, and this will be a sure test of the military airworthiness system.
Talk of the TriStar being extended is warranted as the RAF faces the prospect of having no AAR capability in a months time. In fact, one can speculate that serious failures may have already started with the Prime Ministers promise to provide the French AF with AAR capability for CAR falling flat on its face. However, the effect on TriStar personel will be considerable and, although they will rise to any challenge, they will get scant reward-probably lose out on postings and promotions if the delay continues.
FSTA is screwed-up in many ways, and Billions of pounds have been wasted IMO.
:ugh:

OAP

What's the latest "rumours" on the Tri* regarding any delay due to Voyager?

So Dave has made a promise to help the French? Just remind me how many French ac are actually cleared for AAR against the Voyager.

Vasco, yes the PM promised RAF AAR help with the French in CAR. Guess that this has proved to be a broken promise? For decades, RAF AAR assets have earned huge amounts of military credit when working for other NATO nations. One can only speculate if this will be possible in the future?

OAP

It must make it interesting for inflight refuelling, f**k me where has it gone? springs to mind.

I recall that -22B thrust was required for Gutersloh departures? In any event, without much fuel aboard and only carrying Pax, it would still go up like a scalded angel!

Remember it well . . . :D

Another week and, nothing! No news and yet, there is a trawl on the RAF website to complete a "how to improve this site" survey. Here is the answer - put some news on it! Is the TriStar doing a good job? Is the TriStar the only tanker asset left? Are 216 and their support working hard? What is happening?
It is not a secret that the FSTA is grounded. Why are the efforts of other personel unworthy of a few column inches, you muppets?

OAP

Maybe they're trying to make a positive out of a negative? One tanker fleet grounded, the other due for retirement in six weeks.

Um, where's the former Iraqi information minister when you need him?

TriStar taken over from still grounded Voyager all AAR and Herrick etc. but sagging with u/s aircraft down route already. Crews doing their best with clapped out kit!

Thanks CP! The lack of public info smacks of conspiracy. What is there to hide ?

OAP

Nothing. Voyager is back flying now.