During the late 1970s, a Royal Air Force « Belfast » strategic freighter approached on final to Chicago O’Hare. (What’s a Belfast? Read on!) Callsign: « Ascot 1234. »
Ascot 1234:
« Chicago tower, Ascot 1234. »
Chicago:
« Ascot, say your aircraft type. »
Ascot 1234:
« Ascot 1234 is a Belfast. »
Chicago:
« Uhhh, what in heck’s a Belfast, Ascot? »
Ascot 1234:
« It’s a big 4-turboprop freighter bit like a pretty C-132. »
Chicago:
« O.K., Ascot, you’re cleared to continue behind the landing 737. Do you have that visual? »
Ascot 1234:
« Ascot 1234, affirmative to continue. »
United 123:
« Chicago Tower, this is United 123. »
Chicago:
« United 123 Chicago, you’re cleared to continue behind the landing Belfast. »
United 123:
« The landing what? »
Chicago:
« United 123, don’t you know a Belfast when you see one? »
Chicago (and United) could be forgiven for not knowing what in heck a Belfast was: Only 10 were ever built. But we (53 Squadron, Royal Air Force) flew them all round the world, and we loved ’em … .
