RAF unveils its new £200m plane at Brize Norton (From Witney Gazette)
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RAF unveils its new £200m plane at Brize Norton
9:30am Friday 25th May 2012 in Headlines
Picture: OX52123 Ric Mellis
THE latest military airplane was unveiled in RAF Brize Norton yesterday by defence secretary Philip Hammond.
The MP welcomed the £200m C-17 transport aircraft which arrived this week from Boeing’s production plant in California.
The aircraft is the eighth C-17 in the RAF’s fleet and will play a key role in taking supplies and troops to and from Afghanistan.
Mr Hammond, pictured speaking to Sq Ldr Simon Boyle, said: “These aircraft provide vital support to our mission in Afghanistan and this latest addition to the RAF fleet will further strengthen the air bridge between Britain and the frontline.
“We are proceeding with major equipment programmes with renewed confidence now that the MoD’s core equipment programme is fully funded and affordable.”
The plane can carry loads weighing up to 70 tonnes, the same as three armoured vehicles or a tornado jet.
It could also transport three Apache helicopters or one Chinook helicopter.
Comments(5)
King Joke
says...
3:10pm Fri 25 May 12
Joris Bonson
says...
4:39pm Fri 25 May 12
Phian
says...
5:46pm Sat 26 May 12
Sooooooo, it looks as if it wasn't the Yanks who changed it after all.
LORD PETER MACVEY 0X2 6EG
says...
3:26am Sun 27 May 12
Phian wrote:Are you sure that it was not a yank scientist that added the I?
according to the OED, the inventor of this metal Sir Humphry Davy, named it Aluminum .Someone thought it would be a good idea to change it so that the name would be more like other elements.
Sooooooo, it looks as if it wasn't the Yanks who changed it after all.
Noodle999 says...
2:28pm Fri 25 May 12