Belfast to Dublin
By Jan Koppen
On the night of February 07, 1996, I made a FAM-trip o/b Heavylift Shorts Belfast G-HLFT from Amsterdam to Dublin. The Big Short was operating the nightly KLM Cargo flight AMS/DUB vv.
The Belfast is quite a large aircraft, as can be seen in this photo when it is compared to the personnel loading her.
Heavylift Belfast G-HLFT at AMS 1996, prepping for another cargo run to the Dublin.
Captain Collins commanded flight KL0919(HLA0401) on its way to Dublin.
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The reorganisation of the new RAF Strike Command was to have repercussions on the RAF’s Belfast fleet and ushered in the retirement of a number of aircraft types, including the Bristol Britannia and De Havilland Comet in 1975. By the end of 1976 the Belfast fleet had been retired and flown to RAF Kemble for storage.
TAC HeavyLift purchased five Belfasts for commercial use in 1977 and operated three of them from 1980 after being reworked to receive commercial certification. Ironically, some of them were later chartered during the Falklands war, with some sources suggesting that this cost more than keeping all the aircraft in RAF service until the 1990s. HeavyLift's Belfasts were again contracted to support the RAF during the first Gulf War, transporting vehicles and helicopters too large to be carried by the Hercules fleet. Following entry to RAF service it became apparent that a major drag problem was preventing the initial five aircraft attaining Short’s desired performance. Modifications and testing were carried out, particularly on aircraft SH1818 (which was at the time perfecting the RAF’s requirement for CAT 3 automated landings at RAE Bedford) and a new rear fairing was built improving the fleet’s cruising speed by 40 mph. |
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The flightdeck is HUGE.
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When you slept, these men were working your Cargo business.
Except for Dave Swallow (in the backgroumd of the right photo), I can't recall their names.
Except for Dave Swallow (in the backgroumd of the right photo), I can't recall their names.
Freight doors open, Heavylift’s Short Belfast unloads its precious cargo.
Another quick turnround for G-HLFT as it disgorge her cargo from Amsterdam, Holland, at Dublin.
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The HeavyLift Short Belfasts were hard worked aero planes.
Just relieved of its cargo from the Continent, HeavyLift Short Belfast G-HLFT takes time out before reloading for the return trip.
After being retired from TAC HeavyLift service, several were parked at Southend Airport for a number of years, until one aircraft was refurbished and flown to Australia in 2003.
This aircraft is no longer flying. Now registered RP-C8020, it was moved to the general aviation (western) side of the Cairns airport in August 2011. A couple of days late the HeavyLift titles were painted over, however, the registration RP-C8016 was still visible.
A second, G-BEPS (SH1822), was to have joined her in Australia following refurbishment at Southend Airport but was scrapped in October 2008.
he last production Belfast (Enceladus, XR371) is preserved at the RAF Museum Cosford. Recently this aircraft was repainted before being displayed under cover at the National Cold War Exhibition.
This aircraft is no longer flying. Now registered RP-C8020, it was moved to the general aviation (western) side of the Cairns airport in August 2011. A couple of days late the HeavyLift titles were painted over, however, the registration RP-C8016 was still visible.
A second, G-BEPS (SH1822), was to have joined her in Australia following refurbishment at Southend Airport but was scrapped in October 2008.
he last production Belfast (Enceladus, XR371) is preserved at the RAF Museum Cosford. Recently this aircraft was repainted before being displayed under cover at the National Cold War Exhibition.
- The End -
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