Air International 2006-10
D.Willis - BAC One-Eleven /Aircraft profile/
BAC One-Eleven 203AE, N1541, c/n 015, was the first of the Braniff International Airways fleet to fly, but the sixth aircraft to be delivered in 1965. It is illustrated in the airline's original colour scheme, before the introduction of the multi-coloured Girad livery later that year. Also of note is the original short nose, this being replaced by the longer streamlined version which became standard on all One-Elevens.
BAC One-Eleven 487GK, YR-BCR, c/n 267. Delivered to Tarom in 1981, this was the last Series 475 completed and one of the rarest of all One-Elevens, a dedicated freighter from the start with a cargo door and most windows removed. It was primarily used to transport components from Hurn to Bucharest. In 1986 it was leased to Anglo Cargo as G-TOMO, but returned to Tarom when the airline went out of business in 1992.
BAG One-Eleven 204AF, N1127J, c/n 180, originally delivered in 1968 to Mohawk Airlines. The airline was taken over by Allegheny in 1972, which rebranded itself as US Air in 1979. US Air not only retained the One-Eleven fleet, but added to it overtime with a peak of thirty-one One-Elevens flying for the airline. In a weight-saving measure, the rear airstairs were removed. The last aircraft was disposed of in 1989.
BAG One-Eleven 2400, N650DH, c/n 059. Originally a Series 400 aircraft '059 was converted by Dee Howard into the 2400-series. Rolls-Royce 650 Tays were fitted in an attempt to give the One-Eleven a new lease of life by using far more powerful and economical engines. The first flight in 1990 was three years behind schedule; and although a second aircraft joined the programme in 1991, the same year the faltering project was cancelled.
BAC One-Eleven 520FN, PP-SDR, c/n 230. Originally delivered to SADIA in 1970, the airline changed its name two years later to TransBrasil. As with Courtline, Aviateca and Braniff, its new corporate livery included a multi-coloured fleet with PP-SDR in the 'wheat' version. Other schemes were 'sun', 'wine', 'water', 'Amazon' and 'coffee', symbolising the special attractions and sources of wealth of Brazil.
BAC One-Eleven 528FL, YR-JBB, c/n 238 had several owners over its lifetime. Originally delivered to Bavaria Fluggesellschaft as D-ANUE in 1972, it went on to fly for Hapag-Lloyd, British Caledonian and British Airways. After being stored at Hurn, it was bought by JARO in 1993. This company leased it to several airlines, including Air Alfa, Astan Air and Red Sea Air, in the basic JARO colours but with different titles.
BAC One-Eleven 416EK G-AWBL c/n 132, one of five Series 400 aircraft delivered to Autair International. The airline changed its name to Courtline in 1969, closing its loss-making scheduled services and concentrating on charter operations. The Series 400 fleet was replaced by new Series 500 aircraft which were painted in various vivid colours. G-AWBL was the only Series 400 aircraft to survive the change-over, flying in the turquoise scheme for one season before joining the other One-Elevens that were returned to BAC.
Seen flying into the RAF Museum Cosford, Shropshire, in 1983, is G-AVMO City of Shropshire. This Series 510ED aircraft was delivered to British European Airways on November 27, 1969, and operated throughout its 24 years in service on routes from Manchester and London to Europe. On completion of its final flight it had amassed 41,411 hours in service. It is currently undergoing transfer to the Museum of Flight at East Fortune, East Lothian.
In addition to their largely civilian use, the One-Eleven saw service with a number of air forces, including the Royal Air Force of Oman. This is one of three of the type still operated by 4 Squadron, based at Seeb, Oman.
Delivery of the One-Eleven to American Airlines took place between December 1965 and December 1966. Known by American Airlines as the Astrojet 400, it was used on an extensive domestic network in the northeast and central America, and internationally served Toronto from New York, until finally being withdrawn from service on January 17, 1972.