Blair Force One
Discussion
www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13465857,00.html
At least the slimey git won't get to use it!!!
sky said:
US-Style Jet For Premier
Updated: 08:06, Sunday November 20, 2005
Downing Street is said to be considering plans for a Prime Ministerial jet.
Already dubbed 'Blair Force One', the long-haul jumbo would be similar to that used by President Bush.
But Tony Blair will miss the launch as funding will not be available until 2008.
The Royal Flight fleet, which ferries the Royal Family and ministers around the globe, is ageing badly.
Sir Peter Gershon, the Government's efficiency adviser, has been asked to examine the most economical means of updating it.
Sir Peter will recommend a 747 jumbo, a smaller short-haul plane and a helicopter, according to Sunday newspaper reports.
Downing Street stressed the report had yet to be delivered. "We are not going to pre-empt that," a No 10 spokeswoman said.
Sir Peter has apparently told Chancellor Gordon Brown the scheme would need a big initial outlay but will pay for itself in the long term.
At least the slimey git won't get to use it!!!
A Boeing 747...bloody ridiculous....why support US industry for such a thing?
At least make it an Airbus, that way it's supporting British and European industry and not our tobacco chewing "friends" across the pond.
If they're going to do it, make it the new A380 because it'll squarly trump the Yanks for a while to come and they'll be livid and probably not let it into US Airspace because they're jealous, ala Concorde all those years ago.
Bush has probably given Blair a cheap deal on a secondhand one
At least make it an Airbus, that way it's supporting British and European industry and not our tobacco chewing "friends" across the pond.
If they're going to do it, make it the new A380 because it'll squarly trump the Yanks for a while to come and they'll be livid and probably not let it into US Airspace because they're jealous, ala Concorde all those years ago.
Bush has probably given Blair a cheap deal on a secondhand one
R988 said:
Just charter a 747 if they need it, or if they need ECM then just use an RAF C-130, might not be so keen to go to war then
Have you ever been in a C-130? I guess that you haven't because you recommended it as an alternative to an airliner. Trust me, they have to be one of the most unpleasant ways to travel by air - travel sickness is chronic as you side down the sides with your back to fuselage and the windows are next to impossible to see out of.....
Even if added with decent seats, you would have to wear ear defenders if you are in the air for more than 30 minutes. Its hardly a suitable comparison - for anyone...
A 747 to carry 20 or so people ? Yeah , that makes sense. It would be a sad day if they couldn't think of anything British, or at least European to buy, over an old 747.I think they missed a chance to keep 1 Concorde in the air that would double up as transport for the PM and Royal family, plus airshows.Yes it would cost a fortune , but when did that ever come in to it ? Do it in style I say.
Just what is the deal with all this 'future news'? Seems like every day newcasters tell me somebody is 'expected to announce', what reports or investigations 'soon to be published' are going to say and so on. The cynic in me says it is so the originators can let the story out and still say 'sorry I can't talk about that yet', and by the time the thing's official it's old news. Is this just another type of spin?
off_again said:
Just charter a 747 if they need it, or if they need ECM then just use an RAF C-130, might not be so keen to go to war then
Have you ever been in a C-130? I guess that you haven't because you recommended it as an alternative to an airliner. Trust me, they have to be one of the most unpleasant ways to travel by air - travel sickness is chronic as you side down the sides with your back to fuselage and the windows are next to impossible to see out of.....
Even if added with decent seats, you would have to wear ear defenders if you are in the air for more than 30 minutes. Its hardly a suitable comparison - for anyone...
I think thats what R988 was getting at !!
I know Silvio Berlusconi (sp) turned up to the European cup final @ Old Trafford in an Italian airforce Airbus (A320 I think). Seems reasonable to have some VIP transport available for our lot. I s'pose if you want a really brit plane you could make up a Nimrod and fit some seats 
and give it a fancy name...how about 'Asteroid'?
Or a 747 kitted out with the biggest Trents. Would have to have a complete 'in your face' union flag paint job a la Austin Powers
>> Edited by planetdave on Sunday 20th November 17:33
and give it a fancy name...how about 'Asteroid'? Or a 747 kitted out with the biggest Trents. Would have to have a complete 'in your face' union flag paint job a la Austin Powers
>> Edited by planetdave on Sunday 20th November 17:33
bmgm3 said:
A 747 to carry 20 or so people
Considering all the 'congestion' and 'green' taxes he's bringing in a 747 does seem a little inappropriate - must 'even' use more fuel than an urban 4x4, still Cherie will probably get some sort of charter/hire going to swell the Bliar coffers even more.
bmgm3 said:
.......keep 1 Concorde in the air that would double up as transport for the PM and Royal family, plus airshows.Yes it would cost a fortune , but when did that ever come in to it ? Do it in style I say.
Excellent idea.....now we're talking. And we may aswell get a priministerial/Royal yacht back on the seas too whilst we're at it. Go the whole hog!!
dvs_dave said:
A Boeing 747...bloody ridiculous....why support US industry for such a thing?
At least make it an Airbus, that way it's supporting British and European industry and not our tobacco chewing "friends" across the pond.
If they're going to do it, make it the new A380 because it'll squarly trump the Yanks for a while to come and they'll be livid and probably not let it into US Airspace because they're jealous, ala Concorde all those years ago.
Bush has probably given Blair a cheap deal on a secondhand one
I don't chew tobacco.
lewistintin said:Exactly, that's why we don't need one, the Americans already do it for us...
Am I the only one who thinks its a good idea? Maybe not a boeing, but at least a prime minister jet. He is the prime minister. All the American presidents rate very highly the effectiveness of having airforce one. Its a command centre as well
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