Plane on a trailer through Hendon?

[AlexiusG55]

At about 9.30 last night I saw a very large articulated lorry (Oversized load placards, flashing orange lights, escort vehicles and everything) going through the Hendon/Mill Hill area of North London with what appeared to be some sort of fast jet with the wings removed under a grey cover on the back, followed by another similar-sized lorry in the same convoy carrying the wings. Does anyone know what this was or where it was going?
I'm assuming it was something to do with the RAF museum, but I'm not sure and I would be interested to know the aircraft type- the shape wasn't too obvious under the cover, I only glimpsed it briefly across a roundabout, and it was dark.

I might crosspost this in GG if that's OK (not sure about rules on that sort of thing here) but I thought that since it's a plane I should post ti here first.

[Eric Mc]

Not aware of any comings or goings at Hendon but there are occasionally movements of exhibits to and from the museum.

Is this not Battle of Britain week-end? Perhaps there was a one off display being transported to or from the museum.

[Simpo Two]

The last of the RAF going to the Post Office after being sold on eBay?

[Eric Mc]

Simpo Two said:

The last of the RAF going to the Post Office after being sold on eBay?

Maybe the RAF are pulling some airframes out of the museum in order to bolster home defence - seing as the entire air defence of the UK is down to probably 20 aeroplanes.

[Simpo Two]

I should think that if we did have any home defence, and some invader was unfortunate enough to be shot down by it, the EU would make us pay £1Bn compensation and allow the downed pilot's family to live here free of charge in perpetuity. So it's probably best just to leave them to sneak in in trucks through Dover.

[Boatbuoy]

Talking to a friend of mine who looks after Harriers at RAF Cottesmore, the force commander's GR9 that was painted in old GR3 colours for the final flight activities has recently been redied for re-location to Hendon. It could be that?!?!?!

[350Wedge]

A little info here but doesnt say what.

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/news/article.cf...

[Eric Mc]

Tornado F3?

[350Wedge]

Eric Mc said:

Tornado F3?

They've already got a Tornado F3 and F1 on display there although not in the milestones of flight display. Whatever it is, it appears to be going in there.

They also already have a Harrier GR3 in milestones of flight so if its a Harrier it would be a duplication (obviously different version though if its the GR9 alluded to earlier that's Hendon bound). The GR3 is suspended from the roof so it would be a BIG operation to remove it for a GR9.

[anonymous-user]

Just having a look at some pics I took earlier this year, and noticed the GR3 isn't hung from the roof, it is mounted on a stand supporting the main and nose gear. It could probably be easily lifted off.

[350Wedge]

Think I was getting slightly mixed up with the Duxford GR3, I was only up a Hendon a few weeks ago!

[perdu]

I saw the GR3 on its stand a few weeks ago. Thought what a good method of display it is, leaving no load on the mainwheels or the bendy bits.

Bursting to know what is going on in there now

[Silent1]

FYI, the americans have bought most of our harriers to use for spares.

[anonymous-user]

Have they? Hadn't heard of that one. Some were in pieces at Cottesmore and some have engine runs every so often. I hadn't heard anything about the US buying them for spares since the original rumours about 9 months ago, which I didn't think were true.

[Boatbuoy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

As I understand, 4 aircraft are being 'crated up' as a shipping trial to the US. If all goes to plan, a further 78 airframes (with engines), plus spare engines, plus general spares will follow. All for the bargain price of £230m!!!!!!!! If you take each complete airframe at £27m and do the maths you'll see that we've somewhat undersold them! Criminal!

None will fly as complete aircraft again, they will be put into dessert storage and systematically broken for spares.

If that all falls through I believe the Thai airforce are also interested.

[Eric Mc]

Are they being stored in Dream Topping then?

[Boatbuoy]

Eric Mc said:

Are they being stored in Dream Topping then?

?

[Eric Mc]

Boatbuoy said:

they will be put into dessert storage .

Made me smile.

It probably tastes better than "spraylat" - although it is unlikely to be any more nutricious.

[Boatbuoy]

Eric Mc said:

Boatbuoy said:

they will be put into dessert storage .

Made me smile.

It probably tastes better than "spraylat" - although it is unlikely to be any more nutricious.

[Boatbuoy]

So, did we get to the bottom of this thread? What was the new arrival?