RAF C-17 In Minneapolis

[John A. Weeks III]

In driving past the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport on Saturday,
I spotted an unusual aircraft in an unusual location. A large
4 engine high-wing cargo plane was parked at the Humphrey
passenger terminal. Since the plane had winglets, it was a
C-17.

The unusual thing was the markings. A large blue dot with a
smaller red dot in the middle, plus a large slanted blue and
red stripe on the tail, and a graphic of a tiger. It turns out
that this was an RAF C-17, one of 4 being leased from Boeing.
I couldn't see the nose, but photos on the net show a Union
Jack on the nose, which would have ID'ed it for me. I never
thought to get the tail number.

Anyone know why a RAF C-17 would stop in Minneapolis? It
could have been a delivery flight. It was also unusual that
it was at the passenger terminal. Most military planes stop
either at the USAF base on the north side of the airport, or
stop at Signature Flight Services.

-john-

--
================================================== ==================
John A. Weeks III 952-432-2708
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
================================================== ==================

[Brian]

"John A. Weeks III" > wrote in message
...
> Anyone know why a RAF C-17 would stop in Minneapolis? It
> could have been a delivery flight. It was also unusual that
> it was at the passenger terminal. Most military planes stop
> either at the USAF base on the north side of the airport, or
> stop at Signature Flight Services.

Would Minneapolis be a shorter flight to London considering a direct flight
closer to the pole? Maybe they are financing the lease with non-stop service
from the US to London;) Anyone know if the UK Army was training near Minn?

[Nick Pedley]

"John A. Weeks III" > wrote in message
...
> In driving past the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport on Saturday,
> I spotted an unusual aircraft in an unusual location.
SNIP
> Anyone know why a RAF C-17 would stop in Minneapolis? It
> could have been a delivery flight. It was also unusual that
> it was at the passenger terminal. Most military planes stop
> either at the USAF base on the north side of the airport, or
> stop at Signature Flight Services.
>
> -john-
>
Where do C-17's go for regular services etc?

Nick

[TJ]

"John A. Weeks III" > wrote in message
...
> In driving past the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport on Saturday,
> I spotted an unusual aircraft in an unusual location. A large
> 4 engine high-wing cargo plane was parked at the Humphrey
> passenger terminal. Since the plane had winglets, it was a
> C-17.
>
> The unusual thing was the markings. A large blue dot with a
> smaller red dot in the middle, plus a large slanted blue and
> red stripe on the tail, and a graphic of a tiger. It turns out
> that this was an RAF C-17, one of 4 being leased from Boeing.
> I couldn't see the nose, but photos on the net show a Union
> Jack on the nose, which would have ID'ed it for me. I never
> thought to get the tail number.
>
> Anyone know why a RAF C-17 would stop in Minneapolis? It
> could have been a delivery flight. It was also unusual that
> it was at the passenger terminal. Most military planes stop
> either at the USAF base on the north side of the airport, or
> stop at Signature Flight Services.
>
> -john-

No idea what it was doing there, but it wasn't a Tiger on the tail, but a
Puma. 99 Squadron is the RAF unit that operates them out of Brize Norton.

http://www.mcchordairmuseum.org/images/99_SQ_RAF_B.jpg

http://www.mcchordairmuseum.org/images/c-17_raftrmAirlinersNetPhotoID183380.
jpg

TJ

[Adrian]

"John A. Weeks III" > wrote in message
...
><snip>
> Anyone know why a RAF C-17 would stop in Minneapolis? It
> could have been a delivery flight. It was also unusual that
> it was at the passenger terminal. Most military planes stop
> either at the USAF base on the north side of the airport, or
> stop at Signature Flight Services.
>
> -john-
>
> --


Probably picking up spare parts. Some of these are deeemed too important for
commerical carriers. They also carry military passengers sometimes. My
brother in the RAF brought out a nice set of golf clubs that way once.

Adrian Edmonds