Belfast

[Brogs]

SHORT FINAL


During the late 1970s, a Royal Air Force "Belfast" strategic freighter approached on final to Chicago O'Hare. (What's a Belfast? Read on!) Callsign: "Ascot 1234."

Ascot 1234:
"Chicago tower, Ascot 1234."

Chicago:
"Ascot, say your aircraft type."

Ascot 1234:
"Ascot 1234 is a Belfast."

Chicago:
"Uhhh, what in heck's a Belfast, Ascot?"

Ascot 1234:
"It's a big 4-turboprop freighter — bit like a pretty C-132."

Chicago:
"O.K., Ascot, you're cleared to continue behind the landing 737. Do you have that visual?"

Ascot 1234:
"Ascot 1234, affirmative to continue."

United 123:
"Chicago Tower, this is United 123."

Chicago:
"United 123 Chicago, you're cleared to continue behind the landing Belfast."

United 123:
"The landing what?"

Chicago:
"United 123, don't you know a Belfast when you see one?"

Chicago (and United) could be forgiven for not knowing what in heck a Belfast was: Only 10 were ever built. But we (53 Squadron, Royal Air Force) flew them all round the world, and we loved 'em ... .

[jcwaugh747]

And for your viewing pleasure.

[Brogs]

Nice one John

[chevol]

It looks like a very good machine, any idea why so few were built?
Luc

[raa57]

It looks like a very good machine, any idea why so few were built?
Luc

According to wiki it was due to the Sterling Crisis of 1965, and the US wanting britain to buy Lockheed C130s in exchange for loan money
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Belfast Section underneath operational history gives a bit of info

Terry

[Brogs]

Politics always sticks its dirty nose in, our numpty of a Government is now buying their replacements for the Nimrod from America, Lunacy !
" "The lunatics have taken over the asylum when the government orders the Ministry of Defence to break up £4bn worth of world-class defence equipment.
The Nimrod aircraft carry sophisticated radars and listening equipment
"The decision to scrap the Nimrod leaves a huge gap in the UK's defence capability and is a betrayal of the workers that played a part in its manufacture."