The Cameron Jet
 

Dave dares to tread where Tony wouldn't go.


David Cameron to get own plane for official trips - BBC News

It's most likely just a VIP partial cabin interior for one of Air Tanker's fleet with a supplimentary Cert for some extra ECM pods on the back.

Not exactly extravagence....

It was the one-eyed Scotsman that knocked BlairForce One on the head.

Jealousy?

That's how I see it. The trouble with Blair is that he wanted a brand new widebody jet - probably a 777. Dave Force One is a modification of an existing aircraft at a fraction of the cost. Of course, various regulars on Jet Blast (which is where I suspect this is going to be moved PDQ) won't see it like that.

Well, maybe if you gave your leaders some real aircraft "perks", you'd get better leaders.

Uh, oh, well... Hat, coat, adios!

For Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, one of these for each would have been ideal.


Kamikaze aircraft to go on display for first time - Telegraph


(I believe that Tony Blair wanted an A340 for his Blairforce One)


Clive

Ohka
 

The Telegraph article says: 'The aircraft... was one of just four brought back to Britain from the Far East to display in museums. It is not known what ever happened to the other three...'

I'm sure I remember seeing one dangling from the ceiling in the Science Museum. Perhaps a bit too unsettling (or genuinely educational) for modern sensibilities and removed, along with that whole floor devoted to the Port of London in the '60's...

Er, sorry for the thread drift. I see no reason why the UK shouldn't have a Head of State aircraft, especially if using the Voyager really does save money over leasing.

Camforce One
The opaque nature of government expenditure, made worse by generous dollops of smoke and mirrors, make it near-impossible to determine if the £10m to be invested in this project represents good use of tax-payers money. I remember that the old Royal Yacht was slipped into the defence budget dressed up as a hospital ship, yet when it was needed in the Falklands was found not to be suitable, so I hope that Cameron's Chariot is not going to be similarly dealt with. I read that the consortium known as Airtankers are paid undisclosed sums to provide and operate the RAFs fleet of passenger/freight/tanker aircraft, all based on the Airbus A330, so I'm assuming that a few first-class seats, some dividing curtains and extra comms gear will suffice, but we'll see.

Solid research from the Torygraph I see. Well as of 2 days ago there was one sat in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...chesterMSI.jpg


And BBC *really*? 2000 quid an hour for an A330?? Did someone drop a zero?

The nation's tank transporters are operated by a civilian company.

Perhaps, to cut costs, it's assumed that the typical State trip can be combined with a refuelling sortie, with the grandes legumes going round in circles for a few hours. After all, going round in circles seems to be SOP for those types...

I expect it will make decent business sense, particularly for the shareholders of AirTanker. Remember that there is an obscene element of surplus capacity in the 14 aircraft PFI fleet and, since it is paid for , used or not, they may as well find something to do with them. Others will know better but £10m sounds about right for a VIP conversion?

The Voyager layout
 

G_CGTN


I think you are confusing heavy lift a/c with the A330 Voyager operated by Air Tanker Limited as a military troop transport / IFR a/c for the RAF and other EU air forces.


The interior of the Voyager is quite comfortable and better than BA world traveller class. If you turn left at the front door, there is a segregated cabin of six rows with its own toilet, where normally Senior Officers, flight engineers, resting crew and any paying pax are seated (such as on the runs to Ascension Island and Falklands).


I am sure that front cabin could be reconfigured as VIP on one of the Voyagers and any lucky commissioned Army officer would be more than pleased to use Dave's seat if it was empty.

I don't see the problem. If Dave or god forbid Corby, has to travel by air we, the tax payer, have to pay.

I'm sure the normal route of chartering a BA 777 is not cheap so why not provide a multi purpose alternative?

I would presume it would provide Royal cover as well.

Look at how much Obamas new aircraft costs, all so they can get to HI for vacation..not to mention the 3 identical to confuse where he is at....

Seems like the UK is getting away pretty cheap.

No, I was referring to land transportation of battle tanks by road vehicles - now done by Army reservists under the control of a civilian contractor:-

British Army heavy equipment transporter contract

The (civilian) drivers are required to enlist as Army reservists (TA).

Recent service in the Armed Forces will be an advantage

This conversion will be similar but not so big as was the vc10 to royal flights, just a vip fit, it is a "simple" role change one lot of kit out another one in.

However I doubt if it will involve the engineering prep for a royal flight (long distance tour) where major components over half life were changed ie engines etc and a fully fitted reserve aircraft followed it once it was 1/2way to next stop, and a herc ahead with all the baggage.

Seems a much cheaper option than chartering to me, re crews surely they are not supplied by airtankers company.

Probably not flight crew though.

http://www.airtanker.co.uk/about/what-we-do

However:-

Flight Crew
 

Probably not flight crew though.
===============


G-CPTN, Yes you are right, the Air Tanker flight crew are not military. They are a bit risk averse - like flying 4 hours in still air with seat belt light on and toilet doors locked, but trolley cart out every half hour with flagons of drinks to keep troops hydrated. (Elfin Safety!)


A Major seated in 1a said " for f***s sake, stop serving drinks to my men or unlock the bog door"

Tony did have his own personal BA 777 with extra kit fitted for when he wanted to use it. Think it was the one that recently caught fire.