DH125, G-ARYC, flight deck
Salisbury Hall, Herts, 30 October 2016
This was the third DH125 (Manufacturing Serial Number 25003) but was the first to be completed at the Chester factory. It was also the first to be built to the Series 1 production standard. MSNs 25001 (G-ARYA) and 25002 (G-ARYB) were completed at Hatfield with the major components having been shipped from Chester. These first two aircraft, however, we’re essentially prototypes, differing substantially from the third and subsequent aircraft.
G-ARYC was built in 1962/63 and first flew on 12th February 1963. On completion of flight testing she began her career in July ’63 with Bristol Siddeley, being used to test and develop the relatively new Viper 520 Series engine, rated at 3,000lb thrust. This was to be the standard for the Series 1 aircraft (‘YA’ and ‘YB’ started life with the 2,500lb thrust 511 Series).
In early May 1964 ‘YC’ visited 16 countries, covering over 5,000 miles, in one day (19hrs 32mins) thus demonstrating the robustness of the 125’s design and its ability to deal with an intensive operating schedule. Later, when Bristol Siddeley became part of Rolls Royce, ‘YC’ was one of four aircraft used as communications aircraft between Filton and Toulouse for the Concorde’s Olympus 593 engine.
DH125, G-ARYC, flight deck
Salisbury Hall, Herts, 30 October 2016
This was the third DH125 (Manufacturing Serial Number 25003) but was the first to be completed at the Chester factory. It was also the first to be built to the Series 1 production standard. MSNs 25001 (G-ARYA) and 25002 (G-ARYB) were completed at Hatfield with the major components having been shipped from Chester. These first two aircraft, however, we’re essentially prototypes, differing substantially from the third and subsequent aircraft.
G-ARYC was built in 1962/63 and first flew on 12th February 1963. On completion of flight testing she began her career in July ’63 with Bristol Siddeley, being used to test and develop the relatively new Viper 520 Series engine, rated at 3,000lb thrust. This was to be the standard for the Series 1 aircraft (‘YA’ and ‘YB’ started life with the 2,500lb thrust 511 Series).
In early May 1964 ‘YC’ visited 16 countries, covering over 5,000 miles, in one day (19hrs 32mins) thus demonstrating the robustness of the 125’s design and its ability to deal with an intensive operating schedule. Later, when Bristol Siddeley became part of Rolls Royce, ‘YC’ was one of four aircraft used as communications aircraft between Filton and Toulouse for the Concorde’s Olympus 593 engine.