Re Veritair Simulator G-USTA

Hi all

I have received the following email this evening which appears to clear up the confusion regarding Veritairs A109 simulator. (IanG)

Kevin writes

Regarding your post here : http://cardiffstathan.blogspot.com/2009/09/a109-simulator-with-veritair-cardiff_05.html

This is all one aircraft - G-USTA. As you've said, it was used by Castle Air charters, a prolific supplier of aircraft [usually Agusta 109s] to the TV and Film industry as camera ships and "star aircraft".
The aircraft was used in "Interceptor" (the follow up programme to "Treasure Hunt") as G-MEAN, re-registered as G-USTA, sold off, crashed whilst with the new owners, and bought back by Castle as spares.
Fast forward to 2006, and one of Castle Airs other A109s, G-BVCJ is used in the hit BBC TV show "Casualty" as an air ambulance, wearing "Star of Life" and other appropriate markings over her usual blue and white paintwork. In one episode the aircraft crashes, remind me never to visit Holby, it's a dangerous place !
Now the clever bit. Rather than destroy millions of pounds worth of aircraft by crashing a decent helicopter, Castle air simply repaint the bits of G-USTA that the camera will see to look like G-BVCJ, so the port side is not painted. Add a few special effects shots (very easy!) to make it appear that something very nasty has happened to G-BVCJ, and put the already damaged fuselage of G-USTA into the appropriate position. Then don't show the black bits.
Post filming, no point in re-painting a wrecked aircraft just to have it sit around..

Then Veritair buys it, and it's now the flight simulator.

This is using info from Interceptor's Lair, a forum of fans of the aforementioned TV gameshow with links to Castle Air.

I hope you find this Information useful.

Thanks
Kevin McMullin

Many thanks to Kevin for clearing this up ...now we know ! (IanG)