RAF says goodbye to its BAe146s (updated)

According to RAF News, the end is near for the BAe146 in its service. Two of the former BAe146 CC2 transports are bound to find their way to museum collections.

ZE701 (c/n E1029) illustrated here will arrive at Duxford, Cambridgeshire on 24 January 2022. It will replace Duxford Aviation Society's Dart Herald in the outside line-up, and this is going on loan to another, as yet unspecified, museum.

The second one, ZE700 (c/n E1021), will end up in the South Wales Aviation Museum at St Athan in South Glamorgan.

The BAe146s were delivered to the RAF new from the factory on 18 February and 9 July 1986. Initially even a third BAe146, ZE702, was flown but later disposed of and sold as PK-OSP.

ZE700 and ZE701 were operated by RAF Northolt No 32 (The Royal) Squadron. In their hands the 146s became a familiar sight in their role of transporting senior government ministers, MOD personnel, and occasionally members of the Royal Family. The 146’s defensive aids suite enabled it to safely transport military commanders, personnel, and smaller freight items in high-risk environments overseas such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 2013 two additional BAe146s were taken over from TNT Airways. OO-TAY (c/n E2211) became ZE708 and OO-TAZ (c/n E2188) became ZE707. These were designated BAe146 C3.

Now, after only eight years, RAF’s final two BAe146s will also be disposed of on short notice. Unlike the older CC2s, both C3s have been sold to civilian owners. They have been acquired by Pionair Australia, and will join the Bankstown, New South Wales-based operator’s existing fleet of three of the QC cargo type.

A decision regarding replacement aircraft is said to be under consideration and an announcement on this topic is expected soon.

Info: RAF News, Paul Middleton