Blair Force One (x 2)

Woo Hoo

TB now can get to Tuscany or Cliff's pad in the Caribbean quicker now (with fail-over).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5098126.stm

I know it says they are for "official" business, but wait and see if "security" raises it's head

[Millay]

I personally think its about time.

We play a big part in the world of international politics and should be able to travel to these places in safety and ease.

and its not fair to call it fail over as they are both completly different types of aircraft for different jobs.

The queens fleet is on its last legs..

If TB or other official were to die in an crash whilst in an ageing queens flight aircraft ewveryone would be up in arms that we should have updated these years ago... rather do it now not waiting till they fall out the sky.

Originally Posted by Millay

The queens fleet is on its last legs..

If TB or other official were to die in an crash whilst in an ageing queens flight aircraft ewveryone would be up in arms that we should have updated these years ago... rather do it now not waiting till they fall out the sky.

I beg to differ
"On 1 April 1995 The Queen's Flight was absorbed into No.32 (The Royal) Squadron at Royal Air Force Northolt. In 1998 the unit gave up the task of providing helicopters for the Royal Family when the Wessex were retired. The Royal Household awarded a ten year contract to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Hanson Helicopters to provide the Queen with an S-76 and crew.
No.32 (The Royal) Squadron retained two BAe 146 aircraft for fixed wing operations."
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/e...ngs_queens.cfm

and
The Royal Family and government ministers do not use No. 32 Squadron's planes exclusively, with both the Queen and Tony Blair recently using chartered British Airways jets, primarily for intercontinental travel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._32_Squadron_RAF

Look, The fact that the media has dubbed the planes Blair Force One is showing that they cannot make a good story out of this. This is for future Prime Ministers as well, and as Millay says, it is needed

[Millay]

Originally Posted by foreverwar

I beg to differ
"On 1 April 1995 The Queen's Flight was absorbed into No.32 (The Royal) Squadron at Royal Air Force Northolt. In 1998 the unit gave up the task of providing helicopters for the Royal Family when the Wessex were retired. The Royal Household awarded a ten year contract to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Hanson Helicopters to provide the Queen with an S-76 and crew.
No.32 (The Royal) Squadron retained two BAe 146 aircraft for fixed wing operations."
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/e...ngs_queens.cfm

and
The Royal Family and government ministers do not use No. 32 Squadron's planes exclusively, with both the Queen and Tony Blair recently using chartered British Airways jets, primarily for intercontinental travel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._32_Squadron_RAF

Iunderstand what you are saying, but do you really think when there is a need for unplanned travel we should be relying on BA or 32 for planes. Dedicated aircraft are needed for this modern day and age.

Its also worth mentioning that, in the Wikipedia article you linked the reason the PM is using BA is caused by the fact the VC10's are no obsolete. BA;s planes have no counter attack technology on board surly something that is a must in this day and age of ground to air weapons being used so widley by terrorists..

But I do respect your opinion, I just dont agree

I think we need to bear in mind that the President of the US is head of State as well as head of government. Airforce One is a statement of the power of the American state.

Blair is not head of state, but head of government only. He is the Queen's Prime Minister. I am all for us having dedicated aircraft as a statement of British influence in the world, but any such aircraft should be constituted as a modern-day Royal Flight and used by Ministers of the Crown as and when required. We should not be setting up staus symbols that give even the impression that the PM is more important than the monarch. Let's not forget that even Number 10 is a grace-and-favour house that belongs to the Crown.

[Kliro]

Can't we just give him this and see how he gets on??

Originally Posted by Damien

Look, The fact that the media has dubbed the planes Blair Force One is showing that they cannot make a good story out of this. This is for future Prime Ministers as well, and as Millay says, it is needed

When Highwayman Brown gets in we could call it the BROWN BOMBER

---------- Post added at 18:14 ---------- Previous post was at 18:10 ----------

Originally Posted by Kliro

Can't we just give him this and see how he gets on??

To be honest Blair only deserves one of these

The Tories and the Lib Dems say it's a waste of money, I bet they'll be the first to have a go in it?

[SMG]

Its about time the PM got some decent transport. Picture the scene, Airport, red carpet, security, Lines of soldiers, bands, government officials, the countrys president or king/queen stood there waiting & what do you get. A fooking red leaded Dan Air propellor job, or Easyjet. I dont like Blair, but we are getting bloody cheap. Its a total embarrasment for a world leader to hitch hike to a meeting. Skim a tenth of a percent off the assylum seeker bill & we can buy them a jumbo each. Get the aircraft painted RAF colours & put the flipping union flag on it.

Originally Posted by Nidge

The Tories and the Lib Dems say it's a waste of money, I bet they'll be the first to have a go in it?

They'll have to win the next election to do that, and the Strathclyde contingent won't be wanting that

[Xaccers]

Um, a BA boeing 777 is nothing like a Dan Air propellor job, or an Easyjet

[Rodders]

This was taken from the link in 1st post

The flights are likely to be paid for by those who use them, like Number 10, the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Family .

Hmmm.... Surely they mean US the tax payer

Originally Posted by Chris T

I think we need to bear in mind that the President of the US is head of State as well as head of government. Airforce One is a statement of the power of the American state.

Blair is not head of state, but head of government only. He is the Queen's Prime Minister. I am all for us having dedicated aircraft as a statement of British influence in the world, but any such aircraft should be constituted as a modern-day Royal Flight and used by Ministers of the Crown as and when required. We should not be setting up staus symbols that give even the impression that the PM is more important than the monarch. Let's not forget that even Number 10 is a grace-and-favour house that belongs to the Crown.

I do not see this as too much of a problem. Besides, although techincally the queen is 'more important' in practise the PM is more powerful, holds more influence, and is the true 'leader' of the country

Dan Air, now there's a name I've not heard in a few years.