Surprised it never self-scuttled.

Went for a 4.30 hour trip in a C130 whilst in the falklands, at low level around the islands good fun!!

Read somewhere that "Albert" is about to be replaced (or maybe already has been) by Atlas down south?

ORAC - I remember the 747 low pass over Stanley, but wasn't this the final BA747 before the Timmies took over, probably in 86 (ish) -I did so many tours there in the 80s it all blurs into one. I also remember being stuck in Stanley for days, with my baggage waiting at MPA, cursing the crabs who thought a twice weekly Tristar could replace a thrice weekly 747.
Fonder memories of a jolly in the Herc tanker, low level and banked to what seemed like an unlikely 90 degrees, then playing "fighter affiliation"(?) with the F4s. Halcyon days, although I'd have used a different expression at the start of my 4th tour....

Pic on the BFSAI FB page showed the first Atlas (ZM415) arriving on 28th March

https://www.facebook.com/British.For...antic.Islands/

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...04&oe=5B2DC41D

Might as well do MRR, it’s (allegedly) fork all use for anything else :bored:

Yep .

ahhh excellent. Nice to see every post can get in a bit of A400 bashing so quickly.

I wonder how long it will be before we hear 'the K-model' can't be beaten - its still the best ac around!' etc etc

Let's all reminisce in the good times with our ac and the crews of the day and let those of today get on with what they can in challenging conditions.

Fly safe all

I've never posted here about A400.

However, bottom line is that A400 can't do AAR, can't do airdrop, costs more per unit than C17 and is less capable than C17.

Oh and it can't do what Albert did/does.

But hey, you stay with your narrative. ;)

EX-Ascoteer

You miss my point. There is no denying the capability gap...... yet it is still there.

I prefer to be upbeat and remember good times and look forward to when the new kid on the block can do. I remember all the same bashing when the J came in - some have short memories.

Always look on the bright side of life, da-dum, da-da-da-da-da-dum:)

Aside from the fact that you can't buy a C-17 anymore and so that argument is moot, no it does not cost more per unit.

Luxembourg recently disclosed it paid EUR197 million (USD240 million) for its single A400M, while India has just signed a USD262 million deal for a single C-17.

As for capability, unless you're looking to airlift a main battle tank the A400M will do everything that a C-17 can do, but cheaper.

As for the UK, what does it matter anyway which is best? We have both.

Ex-ascoteer
 

A400 can't do AAR Wrong

can't do airdrop Wrong

costs more per unit than C17 Wrong

and is less capable than C17 Wrong

Oh and it can't do what Albert did/does. Wrong

Nice soundbites.. but hey, you stick with your narrative ;)

I guess only time will tell how durable the 400m really is. So far it has struggled in a lot of avenues, it`s proved extremely costly and poor leadership hasn`t helped Airbus in this case.

Back to the Tanking stories. I recall having to use Kimwipe and water from the emergency flasks to wrap round the hose as the seals on the doors never seemed to reseat properly.

Heidhurtin.

I arrived in MPA on a TriStar around 23rd May 1985 to be in-post as Ops1 at Stanley on 1st June 85. MPA was officially opened about a week before my arrival. The 747 flypast was about 1-2 weeks later. Definitely the first, not the last.

ORAC - I bow to your memory/record keeping being better than mine. As I said, it all seems to blur into a single memory these days, as RE we were much in demand down south back then, but I think that tour was with EOD so must have been 85-86 ish.

How long did the 747 service last before being replaced by the Tristar? I definitely remember the low pass, but I also have pictures (somewhere) of a 747 landing with a spare Tristar engine under one wing, prior to the Tristar taking over fully, and I certainly recall being stranded in Stanley at tourex waiting for the Tristar. Is it possible there were 2 low passes?

Edited to add: it's entirely possible I'm confusing 2 separate tours...

Yep, spot on and why let facts get in the way of a good story. A400 looks like it should have been designed by the Russians . . .

Heidhurtin.

My dates come from record of service in my filing cabinet. Digging on the internet reveals a photo of a Tristar and 5 engined 747 on the pan around the same time, I presume a week later. Further digging reveals that the last BA 747 did a low circuit at MPA on departure before climb out.

The first one got in trouble both for the low level transit to Stanley as well as the low pass down the runway with with wing rock.

Thanks ORAC. I watched the 5-engined 747 land after being forewarned by some RAF chaps. My initial scepticism led to the whole affair costing me a crate! I also recall the low pass over Stanley so perhaps I am confusing separate tours. I think your googling skills may also be superior to mine!

Good to see the cognoscenti still on the case of the A400M.... not