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Originally Posted by melmothtw
(Post 10470490)
Of course they are going to be second hand, Boeing doesn't make the NG anymore.
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Originally Posted by melmothtw
(Post 10470490)
Of course they are going to be second hand, Boeing doesn't make the NG anymore.
NG production will continue for the foreseeable future - just at a much lower rate than before. |
Modification of the airframes is due to be performed by Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge. Remember the ZD949 fiasco: October 2006 - Marshall Aerospace is awarded a £22M contract to upgrade the RAF TriStars' avionics and FMS including a 'glass cockpit' as the 'MMR upgrade'. This should have been a relatively low-risk programme as it used elements of the C-130 cockpit upgrade already underway for the RNAF. November 2007 - ZD949 arrives at Cambridge for the trial installation with a planned completion date of Q3 2008 at which time the second TriStar would begin conversion. 2008 came and went. 2009 came and went. January 2010 - ZD949 finally makes its first flight with the MMR upgrade. October 2010 - SDSR indicates that the TriStar will start to leave RAF service in 2013; TriStar MMR programme is to be discontinued. December 2010 - After 100 hours of flight test, ZD949 finally passes MoD review and is due to be back in service in Spring 2011. 2011 - Due to the change in out-of-service date now planned for the TriStar and with the A330MRTT due in service by the end of the year, ZD949 remains at Cambridge in a pristine state under 'storage' and is to be 'reduced to spares' - a euphemism for being scrapped - as it would be too expensive to convert it back to its original state. October 2011 - A330MRTT now 'Voyager' fails to meet release to service date; now expected to be 'sometime in January 2012'. January 2012 - Voyager still not in service. February 2012 - Voyager still not in service. March 2013 - Voyager still not providing an AAR service; 3 x VC10 have to stagger on until Sep 2013. September 2013 - VC10 retired, but Voyager still not providing a complete AAR service. March 2014 - TriStar retired, but Voyager still not providing a complete AAR service. May 2014 - ZD949 finally scrapped having never been returned to RAF service during a wasteful, expensive 7 year programme. :mad: |
Whilst back at Cambridge the till keeps ringing.....
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Although not for long, it could be Duxford, Cranfield, or Wyton...
They're moving! Marshalls on the move... Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group announced the relocation of Cambridge Airport earlier this afternoon (May 14).Along with its relocation, the company has announced it will be putting the airport site forward for development as part of the next Local Plan.The Newmarket Road site could provide space for 12,000 new homes as well as around five million square feet of business and commercial space.The family business has said it will continue to prioritise "supporting and retaining its valued and highly skilled workforce" through the move.Commenting on the announcement, Alex Dorrian, Executive Chairman of Marshall said: "This is a momentous day for Marshall when two opportunities coincide to create a launchpad for ambitious long-term plans for the future of Marshall and also for Cambridge."Our commitment to our businesses, our employees, and to Cambridge is driven directly by our shareholders. This is the beginning of an exciting phase for Marshall during which time we will build on our successes and focus ever more closely on delivering a unique Marshall experience to our customers."There is a great deal of ground to be covered before any decisions can be announced and that work is now underway. We will also be working closely with the local planning authorities, as they move to the next stage of the development of the 2030+ local plan." Members of the media were invited to a press conference this afternoon, where news of the move was released. The news of the Cambridge Airport relocation has come as a shock to many people across the city When will the relocation take place?During the conference, Alex Dorrian, Executive Chairman of Marshall, said the development is likely to be completed by 2030.In the meantime, the company's focus will be on its employees and looking after its customers.In a statement released today a spokesperson for the company said: "We have many significant contracts under way and have recently been increasingly successful in winning new business which will keep us busy for many years."We already have in place a substantial investment programme for the business and the Cambridge site, including the refurbishment of several of our ageing hangars and this will not be affected by the announcement today."
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has said it is considering three potential new locations: Cranfield, Duxford and Wyton. |
Wyton would need a bit of work carrying out to fill in all the rabbit holes under the runway.
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Too late now I know, but Marshalls were looking at Colt a few years ago weren't they?
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I wonder if Duxford being in the mix is news to the Imperial War Museum?
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Originally Posted by Martin the Martian
(Post 10471373)
I wonder if Duxford being in the mix is news to the Imperial War Museum?
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[QUOTE=Party Animal;10428305]
[/QUOTE]I thought the usual UK method was to rip out all the perfectly good equipment, give loads of money to BAE to integrate an untested, questionable, mix of gear to get it to the proper level of UK content.... I understand the flight deck is being extended to fit in a navigator and flight engineer. Helps to give the bus drivers extra SA and capacity and keeps the TD in check when he suggests some absolutely stupid operation of the aircraft! ;-) |
Originally Posted by Davef68
(Post 10471689)
I'm sure they would happily take the rents (and the landowners on the South side) but the restricted runway length there might be an issue (5k feet rather than 6 K at Cranfield, 6.5K at cambridge and ~8K on Wyton's old main runway)
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They got a B-52 in there. :E Admittedly with no intention of ever taking it out again.... |
Originally Posted by Tay Cough
(Post 10475444)
They got a B-52 in there. :E Admittedly with no intention of ever taking it out again.... |
Originally Posted by SWBKCB
(Post 10470359)
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Originally Posted by Davef68
(Post 10475479)
Seen a rumour suggesting these are two white-tail 737NGs rather than ex-airliners. Which might go some way to explain the story that the Uk aircraft will be -800 aircraft
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Originally Posted by Davef68
(Post 10475479)
Seen a rumour suggesting these are two white-tail 737NGs rather than ex-airliners. Which might go some way to explain the story that the Uk aircraft will be -800 aircraft
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Originally Posted by Martin the Martian
(Post 10475536)
That would make more sense, but I do wonder how much will actually be saved by converting those two airframes rather than just ordering new build.
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E-7 Wedgetail Conversion Contract Awarded
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Are there no certification issues in basing UK Wedgetail on the -800 airframe rather than the -700?
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