Question for Brisbane spotters

[phil.l]

Was driving past old Ansett hanger today and they had all 5 red doors open. inside was an A330 in primer, anyone know which one it is? C/N would be good, thanks.

[lloyd fox]

The A330 MRTT taht Qantas is doing for the RAAF

cheers Lloyd

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Phil

If it's the first one it should be c/n 747 (EC-333 from memory)

[Gerard M]

Does anyone have a recent photo of it they feel like sharing;)

Cheers
Gerard

[Bob C]

Hi Peter

I don't think it's the first one which may still be in Europe undergoing flight testing and AAR certification.

I think the one in Brisbane may be c/n 0951 which arrived early in June 2008 for installation of various systems.

BTW, the first A330MRTT/KC30B for the Royal Air Force is not too far away from roll out.

[Joseph Saragozza.]

Does anyone have a recent photo of it they feel like sharing;)

found this one
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6261818&nseq=3

[Bob C]

Speaking of the KC30B, does anyone know if the Government still has a requirement for 1 or 2 VIP configured A330s ?

Would they be in addition to the five already on order or perhaps one or two may be coverted into the dual purpose tanker/VIP transport role ?

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Just to clarify this - there is no active requirement for any VIP configuraion of the KC-30As (not designated KC-30B anymore).

The idea was bounced around a little last year within the media and therefore gained limited traction at Parliament House, especially after the Garuda crash at Jogjakarta in Indonesia in which journos travelling with then Foreign Minister Alexander Downer were passengers. But the RAAF is adament the refuelling capability of the five KC-30As on order will not be compromised in any way by having one or more of them fitted with VIP interiors and used on long overseas VIP missions.

There may be something in the White Paper which is due next month, but whether it's an extra A330 or more likely the provision for leasing-in Qantas or other aircraft from time to time is unknown at this stage.

With regards to the the modifications to the aircraft - the first aircraft is still in Europe undergoing certification testing, the second aircraft is at Brisbane and is largely complete (and was stripped of its EC-333 rego the day it arrived), and if the third aircraft isn't at Brisbane yet, it should be very soon. The fourth and fifth aircraft are due to arrive in Brisbane for their modification work in (I think) August this year and March next year respectively. The delivery of the first aircraft to the RAAF, likely No 2, is due before the end of this year.

Cheers

[Bob C]

Thanks for the clarification Andrew.

[phil.l]

Thanks for all the replys,looking through bins with a bit of heat haze around, EC-333 looked like the rego.

[Joseph Saragozza.]

Just to clarify this - there is no active requirement for any VIP configuration of the KC-30As (not designated KC-30B anymore).

thats a shame, i was hoping for a new VIP aircraft some time soon.

for those who are interested, i have found some interesting pictures or the RAAF tanker including a cabin shot

http://matteosandluigisitalianww3withpg2.yuku.com/forum/viewtopic/id/1091

[Mick F]

Joseph, the RAAF BBJ's and Challengers are near new aircraft! I doubt you'll see a new VIP aircraft for a long time yet.

Mick

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Mick is correct Joseph!

The Falcon 900's were leased for 13 years (89/90 to 02/03) with the Challengers arriving in early 2003; not sure what leasing period was negotiated! If the same period applies then maybe in 2016!

[lloyd fox]

Another MRTT landed BNE today

EC-336 landed at 10am from SIN.

See photo on blog below

http://southeastqldaviation.blogspot.com/