WATCH: G-JOEY hits the Town!

Wednesday 11 April 2018

Plane spotters were treated to a rare sight yesterday as Aurigny’s iconic trislander G-JOEY, travelled along the Town seafront as "The Little Yellow Plane" headed to his new home at Oatlands.

Joey turned plenty of heads as he left Guernsey Airport once more - this time on the back of a trailer, taking him through St Martin’s, down Les Val des Terres and past the Town Church, as part of his final journey.

Bob Froome and Sons Ltd provided the transport with a special escort affording to the popular plane to ensure safety was a priority during the unusual trip. Oatlands Lane was also closed during the pre-planned operation as Joey's new custodians prepared to welcome him. 

Due to Joey's size, the Trislander had to be taken to Oatlands in two stages. The plane's wings were transported in the morning while the main body of the plane, called the fuselage moved across Guernsey during the afternoon - with the distinctive red nose of Joey's face pointing the way.

WATCH: G-JOEY passing the Town Church

The plane did not have a clear 'flight path' as it would have done during its working life in the skies; operated by air traffic control. Instead Joey's journey was slowed by filter in turns and he had to adhere to traffic lights which stopped him en route! The slower journey meant that many passers by were able to get a quick photo of the notable plane as it made its way through Town.  

WATCH: G-Joey travelling through St Peter Port 

“There has been a lot of planning involved in this move to make sure that Joey arrived at Oatlands safe and sound and I would like to thank Bob Froome’s team for their expert support," Aurigny’s Technical Director, John-Paul Williams, said.

"I’m sure members of the public had a bit of a surprise when they saw Joey heading down Les Val des Terres and through the Seafront. It is not every day that you will see one of our Aurigny aircraft on the road. The public would also have had the chance to see a restored Joey looking very smart in his vintage livery as he went past.”  

Before the move, Aurigny engineers had given the iconic Trislander a retro revamp, with Sign Solutions Ltd re-fitting him with the classic logo and Alderney lion. The team of engineers at Anglo Normandy will also put the aircraft back together at Oatlands. The red nosed plane is the last of the Aurigny Trislanders to go to a new home and the decision to keep Joey in the Baiiwick was a popular one when the deal was struck with Oatlands.

"The rest have gone to good homes and now this one will go to its final resting place here in Guernsey where people can see him," Mr Williams said.

Pictured: John-Paul Williams standing by Joey before he left the Aurigny hangar

The aircraft was retired from service in 2015, after serving the islands, Southampton and Dinard for almost 40 years. His new life will see him entertaining children rather than carrying passengers.  

Joey arrived safely at Oatlands, where the wings, landing gears and engines will be reattached in the coming weeks. Joey will then be raised and suspended from a specially engineered steel structure in the roof of the play barn. The owners have engaged specialist engineers who have dealt with suspending aircraft at IWM Duxford and elsewhere. Other construction work has been carried out by local contractors. 

Members of the public should be able to visit Joey later this summer, when the play barn is due to open.

Top: G-JOEY travels past the North Plantation