Trident 1C G-ARPO was the 16th Trident built. Here are some facts about it:

Built at: Hatfield, UK
First Flight: 13 January 1965
Delivery: 31 January 1965
Operators: BEA British European Airways, British Airways
Final Service:  16 March 1983, Glasgow-London Heathrow

The aircraft served on the routes of BEA and British Airways for 18 years before it was retired at London Heathrow airport. Following a short period of storage, it was ferried to Teesside Airport (now Durham Tees Valley Airport) in 1983 to be used at the Civil Aviation Authority’s fire training school along with a number of other Tridents.

The school is now operated by Serco, and continues to train aviation firefighters from around the world. Unlike many of its stablemates at Teesside, G-ARPO was spared from burning (and ultimately destruction) as it was only used for evacuation and smoke training. This has meant the aircraft has suffered some neglect and heavy-handedness, but is still largely intact with many interior fittings still present.

Now, at the end of its useful life with Serco, the company has kindly agreed to donate the aircraft to us for relocation and preservation.

Our plan for G-ARPO is to dismantle and take it to the nearby North East Aircraft Museum where it can be reassembled and kept under cover. It will be painted externally, and restored internally with original fittings and an exhibition of Trident memorabilia.

The nose of G-ARPO at Durham Tees Valley

Trident 1C G-ARPO at Durham Tees Valley Airport.