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PM and Royals to get dedicated Voyager


bentwaters81tfw

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And quite right too! Not the political nonsense, but the fact that we now have a dedicated VIP transport aircraft, just like the rest of the World has.

From Wiki... "The UK is the only G20 nation not to have a dedicated long range Head of State/Government aircraft like France's A330 or Germany's two A340s."

Here's the whole article: VIP Transport

How about a VIP Transport Group Build?

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And quite right too! Not the political nonsense, but the fact that we now have a dedicated VIP transport aircraft, just like the rest of the World has.

From Wiki... "The UK is the only G20 nation not to have a dedicated long range Head of State/Government aircraft like France's A330 or Germany's two A340s."

Here's the whole article: VIP Transport

A good point that was also made during the newspaper review on Wednesday night's BBC News.

In many respects, the RAF is simply reintroducing a role as, back in the day, 10 Squadron's VC10s were often used to make intercontinental VVIP flights. Presumably the only changes that would need to be made to the aircraft would be to install some additional secure communications and self protection kit and a few comfortable seats.

How about a VIP Transport Group Build?

An A330 in the old school grey and white colour scheme would be an interesting WHIF.

Edited by Richard E
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Hiya Folks,


Having seen all of the misinformation and discussion on the TV regarding the new role envisaged for the Voyager in a governmental role,...what is the truth? I`ve heard that it will cost £10m to `refurbish an `old' RAF jet (but shouldn`t that actually read conversion of a brand new privately owned but leased aircraft?) but surely it doesn`t cost so much to add some extra radio`s, swap a few seats around and add some business class `berths'?



Does the £10m cover the cost of additional leased hours too?



It does seem to make sense diplomatically for the Prime Minister to use an RAF (marked!) aircraft, especially one which is fitted with all of the latest countermeasures against missiles etc with a top of the range comms suite and I dare say that the additional leasing costs are going to be cheaper than renting a BA aircraft and crew each time,......but shouldn`t it also be made available to the Royal Family too as I`ve not heard anything publicly about the latter?



Any views (non political of course,....forget Blair Farce One'!) or hard facts are greatly appreciated,



Cheers


Tony.


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That's nice for them :rolleyes: Let's not have any political nonsense though, shall we? :fight:

To be honest I expected this would have been locked by the time I got home from work.

This will be controversial in the press but its not unreasonable, especially as its basically just going to be a tanker with some nice seats.

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Didn`t the VVIP/Royal 10 Sqn VC-10`s at Brize have a specialist interior which could be loaded aboard through the cargo door in stages? I wonder if they intend to do the same thing with the Airbus?

Personally I`d make everybody travel in the same seats,......from squadies to generals to politicians but I suppose the VVIP`s need extra comfort to enable them to work and also look fresh faced and bushy eyed when they reach their destination. The might even contract this part out to Emirates as per the Jennifer Annistan advert!!

Cheers

Tony

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I recall when there was talk of scrapping the Royal Train to 'save money'

A cartoon appeared ( I can't find it) of a double decker bus parked at Buck House displaying 'Royal Replacement Bus Service' complete with 'jobsworth' driver with a fag on. HM and P the G looking on were not amused.

Great cartoon, Idea quietly dropped.

Another string to the bow of the Voyager, I wonder if the 146's will go now?

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Surely in this age of digital & physical security worries, having the PM, senior politicians and Royals using equipment with trusted communications equipment as well as the added safeguard of it being a part of the UK's armed forces must be a good thing?

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I recall when there was talk of scrapping the Royal Train to 'save money'

A cartoon appeared ( I can't find it) of a double decker bus parked at Buck House displaying 'Royal Replacement Bus Service' complete with 'jobsworth' driver with a fag on. HM and P the G looking on were not amused.

Great cartoon, Idea quietly dropped.

Another string to the bow of the Voyager, I wonder if the 146's will go now?

As I read this it is the addition (reinstatement) of a capability (last provided by the VC10's)and not a replacement (not that the 146 could ever do the Voyager tasks anyway).

Edited by Agent K
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I am firmly in the 'about time' bracket on this one. USAF VC-25, JASDF B747s, French A340 etc on the ramp, and here comes the British PM with some anonymous little jet leased from the lowest bidding contractor. Always been downright embarrassing, frankly.

It is to be used for Royal transport as well, I believe. Excellent, particularly as the other Commonwealth air forces have had the equipment to fly the Royal Family in recent years when we have not.

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If the Voyager has a cargo door then surely a modular interior can be rolled in or out in hours, so making any of the aircraft suitable?

As for secure comms, don't they already have this as standard fit?

Trevor

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I think there should be a dedicated aircraft just for the security aspects alone and will it be cheaper than chartering considering the maintenance, crew, fuel etc I don't know !

Guy

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