Changing Planes

[uk 75]

Back in 1990 the then Foreign Secretary was delivered to East Berlin by an RAF VC 10. It was interesting to compare the discreet colours and shape of the VC10 with the bright red and white Interflug (East German Lufthansa) Il 62s.
I was reminded of that moment by an image posted on a model aircraft site of the new "official" British Government machine.
Images of both are attached.
The VC10 had carried Her Majesty and her Ministers from my schooldays to the arrival of Mr Blair. Whereas other countries had lavishly painted jets with the names of their countires in bold letters, the British machine noted its service to the Monarch and its Union Flag was restrained.
Is it just me, or now that we are up +&+!! creek without a paddle we have chosen this moment to advertise our homeland.

 

[dan_inbox]

Or maybe HM and her government are simply more craving TV attention...

 

[Foo Fighter]

I think it is a sign of the times we are living in, an attempt to boost national pride and image during the current trials, also account for personalities in power.

 

[riggerrob]

Funny how the vast majority of corporate jet paint-schemes have been going in the opposite direction: boring. Most are just plain, boring white with little more than registration to distinguish them from their hangar-mates. Many biz-jets are leased or owned through multiple holding companies to conceal their true owners.
Three issues drive these boring paint schemes: first, many corporations try to maintain low profiles to avoid stock-holders complaining about executive privileges.
Secondly, they avoid corporate espionage by concealing movements of senior executives. Some corporations can even conceal their registration from ATC radar.
Thirdly, some executives fear assassination, so prefer to travel with the minimum of pomp and circumstance. Fear of assassination probably also motivates national leaders to travel quietly.
Finally, only the wealthiest nations can afford dedicated airplanes for national leaders. For example, the Royal Canadian Air Force only operates handfuls of Airbus and Challenger jet transports. During any given week, those Airbuses might haul cargo, carry diplomatic passengers, transfer troops, refuel CF-18 fighters, etc. Those Challengers have also transported wounded soldiers home from Afghanistan.

 

[Richard N]

If you measured influence by the size of one's airplane...

 

[The Artist]

Then you have this. I've seen three with this livery at one time at KCPS a few times now.

 

[uk 75]

Take a peek at Germany's sleek new Airbus A350 "Air Force One" - The Points Guy

The German government will soon receive its new "Air Force One," a sleek Airbus A350-900, which will replace its aging A340s.

www.google.com

Interesting story.about new German government aircraft
The.German Air Force like the RAF uses grey for its remaining Airbuses

Executive Transport Wing (German Air Force) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

The German contemporary of the VC10 was the.Boeing 707

Aviation Photo #0301161: Boeing 707-307C - Germany - Air Force

Luftwaffe Boeing 707 was operated by FlgBMVg (Government Flight) both in cargo and passenger configuration. Four a/c were in service. - Photo taken at Cologne / Bonn (- Konrad Adenauer / Wahn) (CGN / EDDK) in Germany on June 27, 1977.

www.airliners.net

With their usual tact and well informed journalism British tabloid newspapers took advantage of the word "Luftwaffe" to snigger about its connotations for generations of Brits brought up on the Battle of Britain.
As the word just means "Air Arm" Germany after unification adopted the full name of "Federal Republic of Germany" (like "United States of America" on US machines).
Soviet era leaders used standard Aeroflot machines (spectacularly so with the Tu 114) but Yeltsin, Putin and Medvedev have used a special jet with "Russia" on it.
Using my schoolboy French, this article is worth reading

Petite histoire des avions présidentiels : Caravelle, Concorde, "Air Sarko One"

Caravelle, Concorde, Airbus 330-200 et peut-être bientôt A319neo, peu importe l'avion dans lequel se trouve le président de la République française, le vol est toujours identifié Cotam Unité ou COTAM 0001. Histoire de présidents à 10 000 mètres d'altitude.

www.franceculture.fr

If, like me, you find this subject fun here is the full list of Government machines

Air transports of heads of state and government - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Finally, as some of you will be groaning that these are all "real" planes attached are two "might of beens"

 

[galgot]

Actually, Air France Concorde was used as executive gov transport during Mitterand time. Air France being a state owned company , one Concorde in the fleet had to be ready any time Mitterand had to travel .
Not sure Chirac kept the thing going on.

Edit: that is mentioned in your link in French. Two Concordes in fact could be reserved for gov transport.

That was a big change from the previous poor old Caravelle. Remember reading they almost lost one (with ministers inside) due to pressurization problems over sahara desert, and they had to make an emergency landing.

 

[kaiserd]

Boris Johnson repaint may ruin plane for military use, says ex-pilot

Former RAF transport pilot says ‘no one wants to go to war in a brightly coloured lollipop’

www.theguardian.com