About G-ARPO Archives - Save The Trident

2019 Open Dates

Posted on January 27, 2019March 19, 2019 by admin

Want to come and visit G-ARPO? If you visit on one of our regular open days, you will get to experience life on board a 1960s jet airliner which has been lovingly restored. Come see the cockpit, the cabins restored as they were in both British Airways and Northeast Airlines service, and the display information about this aircraft. Our knowledgeable team are always on han...

About Us

Posted on January 27, 2019January 28, 2019 by admin

The world's last surviving complete Hawker Siddeley HS.121 airliner Welcome to Save The Trident. Our aircraft is on display at Sunderland and represents an important part of British aviation history. The Trident was an airliner that heralded many new technologies that we take for granted today, including automatic landings and triplicated systems, and it was also one of...

Happy Birthday Queen Elizabeth – Trident Picture

Posted on April 22, 2016April 22, 2016 by admin

This week our Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 90th birthday. We've been sent this picture of her following a flight back to Heathrow on board Trident 3B G-AWZV following a five day royal tour of Yugoslavia along with Prince Philip and Princess Anne on 21st October 1972. In uniform from right to left:- Capt Charles Owens (Chief Pilot), Capt Jeff Ingleton, SFO Carl Sc...

Another photo of G-ARPO in service

Posted on December 16, 2015 by admin

We've recently found this photo of G-ARPO in service with BEA at Heathrow. Thanks to the photographer, Steve Burland, for letting us use it. We love seeing our Trident when it was active, so if you have any pictures of her please send them in for our archive, and to share with you all online!

Work begins on horizontal stabiliser

Posted on September 8, 2015September 8, 2015 by admin

Work has begun on preparing and securing some of the parts of G-ARPO which have been stored since she arrived in Sunderland 6 years ago. Last weekend members of the team were at the museum to begin work on the horizontal stabiliser, beginning the process of combating corrosion which has appeared in the structure. Around three quarters of the damaged fairing on t...

When G-ARPO’s engine exploded!

Posted on March 27, 2013April 1, 2013 by admin

We recently spoke to another former pilot of our Trident 1C, John Preston, who recounted the story of the only emergency in his flying career which actually took place on G-ARPO. As part of the crew preparing to fly the aircraft back to London from Rome on 1st October, 1970, upon commencing their take-off run the number 1 engine suddenly exploded causing them to abandon take...

G-ARPO’s last commercial flight

Posted on March 16, 2012April 9, 2012 by admin

Some photos have recently surfaced of the day of our Trident, G-ARPO's, last commercial flight on 16th March 1983. Andy Butcher, a former Trident pilot who flew all three variants of the aircraft at different points in his career, was Captain on the final passenger flight which saw the aircraft fly from Glasgow to London Heathrow. Following this it was put in storage for a n...

Trident Move Complete!

Posted on August 19, 2011September 2, 2011 by admin

Over the past two days we have managed to reach a major milestone in the project to save Trident 1C G-ARPO. We have now moved the entire aircraft to the North East Aircraft Museum. Yesterday, we managed to move the starboard wing and the horizontal stabiliser. Today, the port wing and tail fin were moved, along with the remaining bits and pieces that had been removed (flaps,...

The last flight of a Trident 1C

Posted on June 18, 2010April 21, 2014 by admin

In case you didn't know, our Trident - G-ARPO - was the last Trident 1C ever to fly. Makes her a fitting one to restore don't you think? She had been laid up at London Heathrow in the BA maintenance area for a while, with her stablemates all being scrapped or sent to fire grounds around the country. Finally, the call came to send her up to Teesside Airport (as Durham Tees Va...

G-ARPO First Flight 45 Years Ago Today

Posted on January 13, 2010 by admin

45 years ago today, on 13 January 1965, our Trident G-ARPO made her first flight from Hatfield. As the 15th Trident built, she shortly began a life flying with British European Airways, and later British Airways, out of London Heathrow to destinations throug hout Europe and the UK. Today she is in remarkably good condition considering her age and is ready to be res...