Discussion
Olf said:
Apparently his entourage on this trip numbers 1,500. No wonder he needs big planes. Anyway, Eric, you said it should be replaced soon, I imagine that's to bring AF1 into the 21st century which is fair enough, rather than due to air miles which surely must be a fraction of those of a normal commercially flogged 747?
IIRC, according to the USAF, they are not "cost-effective" to operate. I'm sure they will end up in a museum just like some of the others.Olf said:
Apparently his entourage on this trip numbers 1,500. No wonder he needs big planes. Anyway, Eric, you said it should be replaced soon, I imagine that's to bring AF1 into the 21st century which is fair enough, rather than due to air miles which surely must be a fraction of those of a normal commercially flogged 747?
Aircraft are aged on "hours of life" rather than "miles covered". Some items are lifed based on the hours they have flown, some items are lifed based on the length of time they have been installed in the aircraft. The problem for the presidential 747s is that they are series 200 aircraft. The 747-200 production line shut down in 1989 to make way for the Series 400. Some of the replacement parts required to keep the two 747s airworthy wiill themselves be getting old as there is limited commonality between a 747-200 and 400.The 2 Executive 747's are an impressive sight. If you've never seen them and have even the slightest interest in Aircraft they're well worth a trip if they're in the UK. They are remarkably shiney 
I last saw them when Bush Junior came to visit that odious little git Blair in Sedgefield back in 2003. I'll have a dig through my back-ups and post a few photos shortly.
I last saw them when Bush Junior came to visit that odious little git Blair in Sedgefield back in 2003. I'll have a dig through my back-ups and post a few photos shortly.
Im working nr to Stansted today, if there was ever a day to commit crime elsewhere in essex todays the day, there are 100s and 100s of police in the area.
Traffic cars, normal cars, bikes, vans, 4x4s, just about every type of police vehicle about.
Cant be another officer on duty in essex at all, they are all up here.
Traffic cars, normal cars, bikes, vans, 4x4s, just about every type of police vehicle about.
Cant be another officer on duty in essex at all, they are all up here.
Heard AF1 on the scanner last night going into Stansted. Was followed by a 757 (C32) Callsign SAM91.
There have been 4 Sea Knights and 2x VH3D Sikorskis at Mildenhall. 2x Met Police Helicopters were also going to be involved in the transfer from STN to London.
I think there were 4x Chinooks and 2x Blackhawks in Ireland aswell.
The E4B Doomsday plane would also have been around, and possibly another VIP jet for the entourage.
There have been 4 Sea Knights and 2x VH3D Sikorskis at Mildenhall. 2x Met Police Helicopters were also going to be involved in the transfer from STN to London.
I think there were 4x Chinooks and 2x Blackhawks in Ireland aswell.
The E4B Doomsday plane would also have been around, and possibly another VIP jet for the entourage.
Eric Mc said:
Olf said:
Apparently his entourage on this trip numbers 1,500. No wonder he needs big planes. Anyway, Eric, you said it should be replaced soon, I imagine that's to bring AF1 into the 21st century which is fair enough, rather than due to air miles which surely must be a fraction of those of a normal commercially flogged 747?
Aircraft are aged on "hours of life" rather than "miles covered". Some items are lifed based on the hours they have flown, some items are lifed based on the length of time they have been installed in the aircraft. The problem for the presidential 747s is that they are series 200 aircraft. The 747-200 production line shut down in 1989 to make way for the Series 400. Some of the replacement parts required to keep the two 747s airworthy wiill themselves be getting old as there is limited commonality between a 747-200 and 400.mattdaniels said:
Is it true that people are just posting to this thread without actually reading it?
Have a back.I thought it warranted further querying that AF1 does not always refer to either of the two big jets that are usually AF1, but in fact any aircraft that is carrying POTUS. Eric did explain this, but it still wasn't clear if it could apply to any aircraft other than the two presidential jets that are usually AF1 & AF2.
I can only apologise if I have needlessly extended your viewing time on this thread by posting unhelpful and unnecessary comments.
Or maybe that's you?
Buggles said:
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
I believe an Arab has a 747 decked out just for his horse transportation problems in life.
I know a chap who works as one of the flying horse movers.
Apparently it is quite a sight.
I know that the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Sa'id, he has two Custom 747's kept in a hangar at Muscat International Airport. I know a chap who works as one of the flying horse movers.
Apparently it is quite a sight.
I was at the Ford Dunton Supercar trackday last year and saw this go over.
It is an Omani 747SP. Note the additional bulge on the top of the fuselage. I think this is some satellite communications fit.
It had apparently been at Stansted. I'm hoping AF1 comes over on Thursday.
Last time I saw AF1 was a couple of years ago, in very fading light coming in over Thaxted.
It is an Omani 747SP. Note the additional bulge on the top of the fuselage. I think this is some satellite communications fit.
It had apparently been at Stansted. I'm hoping AF1 comes over on Thursday.
Last time I saw AF1 was a couple of years ago, in very fading light coming in over Thaxted.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 24th May 21:07
From George W's 2003 visit to the North East. I wasn't really interested in who was on board, but i took the camera to work and booked half a day off so i could grab a few shots of the aerial activities
It's a clean machine...
On approach to Durham Tees Valley, or Teesside Airport as it was known at the time.
You can't beat a bit of vapour..
On the ground...
One of the VH-60N's. No idea if this was "Marine One" or not..
Tail end of one of the VC-25s
Damn fences!
After a quick dash back home i shot this from the garden. They were patrolling the whole time El Presidente was on the ground in Sedgefield.
End of the visit and the 2 VH-60Ns leave for the Airport.
I wouldn't mind another crack at this lot, now that my camera kit is a bit better and i can actually take a decent photo every now & then
It's a clean machine...
On approach to Durham Tees Valley, or Teesside Airport as it was known at the time.
You can't beat a bit of vapour..
On the ground...
One of the VH-60N's. No idea if this was "Marine One" or not..
Tail end of one of the VC-25s
Damn fences!
After a quick dash back home i shot this from the garden. They were patrolling the whole time El Presidente was on the ground in Sedgefield.
End of the visit and the 2 VH-60Ns leave for the Airport.
I wouldn't mind another crack at this lot, now that my camera kit is a bit better and i can actually take a decent photo every now & then
Just the one 747 (VC-25) Callsign "Air Force One" when the President is onboard.
The only other 747 is the E-4B which will not be based here but likely to be in another country nearby. This could provide an airborne command post in the event of an emergency. These particular aircraft were in the air on 9/11.
One of the support planes going into Stansted last night was a 757, I believe designated a C-32.
The only other 747 is the E-4B which will not be based here but likely to be in another country nearby. This could provide an airborne command post in the event of an emergency. These particular aircraft were in the air on 9/11.
One of the support planes going into Stansted last night was a 757, I believe designated a C-32.
In Ireland I read they had the "two" marine one helicopters, one being a decoy, the same with "two" cadillac ones, so thats why I thought they might run the the two 747s. I realise that Ireland and UK dont probably count as dangerous a fly zone as say Iraq but still strange they stop the duplication effort with the main Jet.
Also what about this Vison Air Boeing 767-222 call sign N767VA flying right behind airforce one. Who are Vision Air, whats their alleged connection to the government if any and does this passenger plane carry just personel or has it other more serious functions.
Also what about this Vison Air Boeing 767-222 call sign N767VA flying right behind airforce one. Who are Vision Air, whats their alleged connection to the government if any and does this passenger plane carry just personel or has it other more serious functions.
300KPH said:
In Ireland I read they had the "two" marine one helicopters, one being a decoy, the same with "two" cadillac ones, so thats why I thought they might run the the two 747s. I realise that Ireland and UK dont probably count as dangerous a fly zone as say Iraq but still strange they stop the duplication effort with the main Jet.
Also what about this Vison Air Boeing 767-222 call sign N767VA flying right behind airforce one. Who are Vision Air, whats their alleged connection to the government if any and does this passenger plane carry just personel or has it other more serious functions.
IIRC Vision Air is owned by the CIA, and sometimes takes people to be beaten in secret prisons all over the world.Also what about this Vison Air Boeing 767-222 call sign N767VA flying right behind airforce one. Who are Vision Air, whats their alleged connection to the government if any and does this passenger plane carry just personel or has it other more serious functions.
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