Saturday 26th October, 0845hrs. I’m typing this ‘upstairs’ in the huge HeavyLift-VolgaDnepr Antonov AN124 on the tarmac at Stansted. The team are on board, the car is on board, the support equipment is on board - and the ThrustSSC logo is on the nose. 25 team members and 83 tons in all. Finally, after 4 years of hard work, ThrustSSC is on her way to Al Jafr Desert, Jordan, to begin high-speed trails. Glynne Bowsher sat opposite me is pleased - he’s got the window seat he always likes to get. There is a problem for him, though - being a cargo aircraft, there are no windows. At least Andy, Jayne and Richard will get to see out - they’re up front in the cockpit.
It has been three hard days work - as well as sorting out their personal affairs, packing, buying sun-tan lotion and insect repellent, and a thousand and one other items, the team have had to move virtually the entire contents of Q Shed to Stansted. The Scania trucks have shuttled back and forth through day and night moving the car and its trailer, Operations Trailer, Supacats, Merlo forklift, ‘Palouste’ air-starters and a host of other items to Gatwick Handling’s warehouse at Stansted ready to be loaded.
On Friday night the team gathered in the Stansted Hilton: some took the opportunity for the first early night in weeks - others are now catching up on lost sleep in the ‘plane. Gio Fuga looks relaxed considering he’s never flown before…
At 0930 the Antonov lifted off Stansted’s tarmac and set course for Jordan. It was a long flight - 5 and half hours - but the team found plenty of things to do, as always. Glynne read his railway and aircraft magazines, Ron Ayers a book, Dean Smith played ‘Pinball’ against Jeremy Davey on the latter’s laptop computer. Other team members just carried on sleeping.
With Jordan being one hour ahead of England - at least until the clocks go back at home tomorrow for the end of Summer Time - it was approaching 1600hrs local time when the Russian cargo aircraft began its descent into the Prince Feisal Al Jafr air-base. It suddenly became apparent that with no windows, we had no warning of the actual landing. Ron had an interesting observation: "Presumably this is how the blind feel in such circumstances." It was a superb landing anyway - very, very smooth. As soon as the Antonov had slowed to taxiing pace the team were out of their seats and down into the hold sorting through their baggage. Out came neatly pressed shirts and trousers, team blazers and polished shoes. By the time the ‘plane was in position on the apron for unloading, everyone was smartly dressed ready to be introduced to the station commander who was waiting to greet them below.
One by one the team filed down the steps towards Project Director Richard Noble who introduced them to the general. He in turn welcomed each of them to Jordan as the television crews, photographers and reporters crowded round. There was no doubt that this was a huge event for the Jordanian people who are making the ThrustSSC Team so welcome. The number of military personnel lined up watching the team emerge was astonishing, and their enthusiasm was unmistakable.
After the introductions and photocalls, it was time to begin unloading. The rear door of the Antonov tucked itself away into the fuselage, the ramp then folded down to reveal the cavernous interior packed with vehicles and equipment - and most importantly of all, ThrustSSC herself. Blazers were quickly changed for overalls decked with sponsors' badges and the unloading began. The freezers of frozen food were first and were whisked away to be plugged in again, then for some four hours forklifts and flatbed trailers lifted and shuttled equipment from the plane to the team’s hangar.
First the rear of the aircraft was unloaded, then the huge nose lifted into the air and unloading from the front could begin. The Jaguar firechase, two Supacats and the Merlo were all driven off - as was the Operations Trailer. Royal Jordanian Air Force personnel all lent a hand as the media crews watched with astonishment the amount of equipment being unloaded.
Finally there was only one item left to come off - ThrustSSC on her special trailer. Transport Manager Brian Palmer slowly eased the Scania down the sloping cargo bay and onto the ramps. With generator powered lights illuminating the scene, ThrustSSC was finally out in the open in Jordan for the first time! The patient crowd finally saw what they had waited so many months to see.
With everything unloaded, the team finally headed to their four houses on the airbase for dinner, showers - and bed. It was a well-deserved rest - and a lot of work awaits them tomorrow. Whatever else, they know they have the best wishes of the British people, the Jordanian people, and those following the project around the world behind them. The coming weeks are going to be very exciting indeed.
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