Garry Russell wrote:
Did you ever fly on the VASP Viscounts?............boosted by eleven ex BEA 701 on the airbridge, another type with much affection judging by the number that were initially preserved.
Garry
They were before my time unfortunately, but it is another well thought of type here, along with the One-Eleven.
Brazilians generally are very polarised over aircraft, there isn't any middle ground about their preferences, so when the public like an aircraft, they really take to it, and when they don't, they choose not to fly on it. The Fokker F100 is a good example, the operators and crews love it, but passengers won't go near the thing. Ocean Air have to call theirs Mk 28s :roll:
Have seen the Atlantic Airlines Electras over Leicester a couple of times, although not particularly recently. I must make an effort to go and see them at least once before they're retired.
PP-SRS was at the Fundação Museu da Tecnologia in São Paulo, but isn't there any longer. I'll try to track it down, and see what's happened to it. There is a good chance it was moved to the new TAM museum, but hasn't yet been restored.
PP-SRO is stored at the Bebedouro Museum, don't look at these photos if you are of a sensitive disposition.......
One I'm sure of is c/n 345, which is being very nicely looked after at the Air Force Museum in Rio. It was operated as a Presidential transport under the designation VC-90 with FAB 2101 as the tail number.
Maybe not so bad.........a lick of paint would make her presentable
I saw pics of one recently that looked as bad or worse than that, then after it was moved and repainted it looked fine...Brazilian one, apart from the badly made replacement wooden props that is.
The presidential machine is a fine example but to me the VASP 701 machines are of interest being the ex BEA fleet and old friends form my earliest memories. Interesting the shark fin aeriel coming through on the fin
Of interest, VASP aslo operated the 810 prototype after rebuild to production standard (G-AOYV) and that was preserved initially... but I don't know how long for. In fact the VASP fleet was of interest being fully developed 810 type supplimented by a fleet of the oldest type 700's going. The differences in the cockpits must have been chalk and cheese to say the least
Garry
Garry
"In the world of virtual reality things are not always what they seem."
