**** Force One

[MartG]

It seems Boris doesn't like to fly in all-grey aircraft, so is getting an RAF Voyager repainted...

https://news.sky.com/story/boris-johnsons-jet-gets...

A pity he can't think of anything better to spend money on

[Marlin45]

[quote]One source said the paint job sounded like something "from Austin Powers".
[/quote]

So has he/she/it seen the proposals or is it just an anonymous acknowledgement on social media fetish?

[Leithen]

Not the best timing perhaps, but when has that ever bothered Boris?

A bit odd when there's a national airline using the same colours with hundreds of aircraft sitting idle, but hey ho.

[dazwalsh]

I for one welcome it, nearly every other developed nation has private aircraft dedicated for heads of state yet we use an air to air refueler from the RAF, at least we can make it look pretty. And considering how much we waste each day, like utter needless waste, this 100k is a drop in that ocean.

I hope it comes out of that paint shop in a restrained scheme though, and not a big union jack draped over it.

[MartG]

Leithen said:

A bit odd when there's a national airline using the same colours with hundreds of aircraft sitting idle, but hey ho.

That national airline isn't actually British owned anymore

[hutchst]

MartG said:

That national airline isn't actually British owned anymore

Is that the same one that's paying an American company to service its Rolls Royce jet engines while we're closing down Rolls Royce engine service facilities across the UK?

[Leithen]

dazwalsh said:

I for one welcome it, nearly every other developed nation has private aircraft dedicated for heads of state yet we use an air to air refueler from the RAF, at least we can make it look pretty. And considering how much we waste each day, like utter needless waste, this 100k is a drop in that ocean.

I hope it comes out of that paint shop in a restrained scheme though, and not a big union jack draped over it.

Wikipedia listing here;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_transports_of_he...

[Magog]

Leithen said:

dazwalsh said:

I for one welcome it, nearly every other developed nation has private aircraft dedicated for heads of state yet we use an air to air refueler from the RAF, at least we can make it look pretty. And considering how much we waste each day, like utter needless waste, this 100k is a drop in that ocean.

I hope it comes out of that paint shop in a restrained scheme though, and not a big union jack draped over it.

Wikipedia listing here;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_transports_of_he...

Andorra

The government does not have any presidential aircraft, but they once flew to a summit on a Spanish Air Force Boeing 707.

[Countdown]

Sounds like a vanity project funded by the Taxpayer.

[DeltonaS]

Leithen said:

dazwalsh said:

I for one welcome it, nearly every other developed nation has private aircraft dedicated for heads of state yet we use an air to air refueler from the RAF, at least we can make it look pretty. And considering how much we waste each day, like utter needless waste, this 100k is a drop in that ocean.

I hope it comes out of that paint shop in a restrained scheme though, and not a big union jack draped over it.

Wikipedia listing here;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_transports_of_he...

Some interestings ways to spend 'tax payers" money:

Swaziland (population 1,1m) has a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and an Airbus A340-300

Gabon: Before 2016, the Gabonese government operated one second-hand Boeing 777-200 for use by the President of Gabon. It was previously owned by British Airways, Khalifa Airways, leased from Air Algerie, then stored at Boeing after the lease. After it was bought, the aircraft was ferried to Charlotte Airport to be converted to VIP use, then ferried to Libreville. Due to the Gabonese government failing to pay US$8 million for cabin outfitting, it was impounded at Orly Airport in February 2015 before returning to service two months later. It is currently stored. Nowadays, the government travels on rented private jets.

The Kazakhstan government fleet consists of the following aircraft (August 2015):
1 x Boeing 737-700 BBJ
1 x Airbus A320
1 x Airbus A321
1 x Tupolev Tu-154
1 x Boeing 757
1 x Airbus A330-200

[Zirconia]

Can they get his gurning visage wrapped on the front?

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

Given his love of extra-maritals,they could call it Air Phallus One

[Leithen]

take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:

Given his love of extra-maritals,they could call it Air Phallus One

Current Class, Next Class and Past Class?

[tribalsurfer]

Leithen said:

Current Class, Next Class and Past Class?

No Class like it in the tail.

[Shuvi McTupya]

The leader of the country wants to show some pride in his country by flying the flag and people are complaining.

Remainers by any chance?

[Leithen]

Shuvi McTupya said:

The leader of the country wants to show some pride in his country by flying the flag and people are complaining.

Remainers by any chance?

Squirrel!!!

[anonymous-user]

I think it sounds great.

He should have something more modern like an A350 though. Or go full retro and rock up in a BOAC livery VC10 Like the queen used to do.

Maybe have a dedicated aircraft and Boris could share it with the royals?

[djc206]

I find it very odd that as one of the worlds wealthiest nations we don’t have a couple of decent aircraft specifically for VIP flights. The old 146’s are an embarrassment and have a pathetic range.

[InitialDave]

dazwalsh said:

I for one welcome it, nearly every other developed nation has private aircraft dedicated for heads of state

If we did that, he wouldn't be allowed to use it, would he?

[Jag_NE]

DeltonaS said:

Leithen said:

dazwalsh said:

I for one welcome it, nearly every other developed nation has private aircraft dedicated for heads of state yet we use an air to air refueler from the RAF, at least we can make it look pretty. And considering how much we waste each day, like utter needless waste, this 100k is a drop in that ocean.

I hope it comes out of that paint shop in a restrained scheme though, and not a big union jack draped over it.

Wikipedia listing here;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_transports_of_he...

Some interestings ways to spend 'tax payers" money:

Swaziland (population 1,1m) has a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and an Airbus A340-300

Gabon: Before 2016, the Gabonese government operated one second-hand Boeing 777-200 for use by the President of Gabon. It was previously owned by British Airways, Khalifa Airways, leased from Air Algerie, then stored at Boeing after the lease. After it was bought, the aircraft was ferried to Charlotte Airport to be converted to VIP use, then ferried to Libreville. Due to the Gabonese government failing to pay US$8 million for cabin outfitting, it was impounded at Orly Airport in February 2015 before returning to service two months later. It is currently stored. Nowadays, the government travels on rented private jets.

The Kazakhstan government fleet consists of the following aircraft (August 2015):
1 x Boeing 737-700 BBJ
1 x Airbus A320
1 x Airbus A321
1 x Tupolev Tu-154
1 x Boeing 757
1 x Airbus A330-200

I may be way off the mark but I presume Kazakhstan can justify the fleet (in part) because it will be able to fill the tanks for next to nothing?