Over 100 members of the Duxford Aviation Society, IWM staff, press and TV gathered at IWM Duxford on Monday 24 January, to await the arrival of the newest addition to the British Airliner Collection, ZE701, a BAe146 Statesman newly retired by the RAF.
ZE701 flew in just after noon having made a flypast for the keen photographers and press and is pictured with the flight crew.
This unique aircraft will give visitors a rare glimpse of royal air transport provided by the RAF since 1986. The BAe146 Statesman version has capacity for up to 19 passengers and 6 crew, rather than 93 passengers and 4 crew in the BAe 146 100 model on which it is based. The interior has been customised for the Royal family and ministerial use and will remain intact for visitors to see.
Duxford Aviation Society who own and maintain the British Airliner Collection are grateful to Pionair, the RAF/MOD and IWM who facilitated the transfer of this special aircraft to DAS for display to the public.
the flight crew with Geoff Truesdale representing Pionair, second left, and DAS Chairman Peter Archer, second right. Photo by Steve Jeal
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