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WARTHOG WOES UK £4.30 01_AN_NOV_UK.indd 1 Is ittheEndfor theA-10? Evolving Leisure Airline CONDOR Life onthe Front Line VULCAN PILOT NEWS

November2014 AVIATIONN A THE PAST, PRESENTANDFUTUREOFFLIGHT

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Incorporating BRISTOL BRITANNIA IO ION

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FEATURES p12 REGULARS 16 Canadian Lancaster UK Tour 04 Headlines Paul E Eden talked to those involved in the UK visit of the Lancaster commonly known as ‘Vera’. 06 Civil News

26 AIR14: Centenary 11 Models Extravaganza Roundup Marco Rossi reports on the airshow organised by the Swiss Air Force that took place over two 12 Military News consecutive weekends. p56 30 Bristol Britannia – The 22 Preservation News Whispering Giant Charles Woodley charts the development and 36 Flight Bag service of the Bristol Britannia. 41 Aviation Archaeology 38 Aviation Watches As regular as clockwork, pilot and writer Dave 65 Airport Movements Unwin presents the annual Aviation News review of p62 the latest pilot watches and chronometers. 69 Air Base Movements 42 Warthog Under Threat Tom Kaminski reviews the current status of the A-10 71 Register Review as the aircraft faces its toughest test for survival. 76 Air Mail 50 Cold War Warrior – Vulcan Captain Editor Dino Carrara talked to Edward Jarron about his time ying the big delta on the front line and at FREE DVD airshows. Claim your FREE Mirage p77 F1 or Thai Airways Airbus 56 Condor – Evolving Leisure Airline A380 DVD when you take Germany’s Condor has grown into one of the out a two-year or Direct world’s leading leisure operators. Sebastian Debit subscription to Schmitz reports. Aviation News. 62 Antiques of the Air See pages 48 and 49 for more details. Geoff Jones visits America’s biggest antique and classic aircraft y-in. 77 TALES FROM THE LOGBOOK... Main image: A USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II of the 190th FS. Jim Haseltine. Insets (top): The African Aviation Safari Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Lancaster Mk X recently visited the UK. Steve Mark Osborn describes an Aeroprints enthusiasts’ Comber. Inset (top left): A Vulcan of 35 Sqn. Edward Jarron Archive. Inset (bottom left). A Condor trip to South , Kenya and Ethiopia. McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30. AirTeamImages.com/Bob O’Brien Collection. Inset (bottom left): One of Monarch Airlines’ Bristol Britannias at Luton Airport. AirTeamImages.com/Carl Ford

Copies of Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft can be obtained each month by placing a standing order with your newsagent. In case of diffi culty, contact our Circulation Manager. Readers in the USA may place subscriptions by visiting www.aviation-news.co.uk or by calling toll free 800 676 4049 or fax 757 4286253 or by writing to Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft, 3330 Pacifi c Ave, Ste 500, Virginia Beach, VA, 23451-9828. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft, Key Publishing Ltd C/o Mail Right International Inc. 1637 Stelton Road B4 Piscataway NJ 08854. Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft (ISSN: 2047-7198), is published monthly by Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK and distributed in the USA by Mail Right Int., 1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Periodicals Postage Paid at Piscataway, NJ and additional mailing offi ces. Printed in England by Warners (Midland) plc, Bourne, Lincolnshire. (ISSN 2047-7198). The entire contents of AVIATION NEWS INCORPORATING CLASSIC AIRCRAFT is a copyright of Key Publishing Ltd, and can not be reproduced in any form without permission.

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03_ContentsDCPE.indd 3 03/10/2014 15:17 Air Strikes Intensify on ISIL HEADLINES

The UK joined air strikes against ISIL An RAF Tornado GR4 photographed from Navy Atlantique II are also deployed to Al (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) in Iraq a Voyager tanker on an Operation Shader Dhafra. With the additional assets, there will mission. © UK Crown copyright 2014 after a vote in Parliament on September 26 be 15 French aircraft deployed in the area. approved the action. Six Tornado GR4s are Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons and B-1B Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning- at RAF Akrotiri on and dropped their Lancers, together with unmanned air vehicles. Schmidt stated on September 26 that the rst weapons on September 30 as part of US Navy Hornets and Super Hornets  ew country will contribute seven Royal Danish Air what the UK calls Operation Shader. The from the aircraft carrier USS George H W Force (RDAF) F-16s. The Fighting Falcons attacks, supporting Kurdish forces, took place Bush in the northern Arabian Gulf and the US will only operate on missions over Iraqi in the north-west of Iraq. The UK Ministry Marine Corps also took part in the campaign, airspace. has already contributed a of Defence said the rst target was a “heavy operating AV-8B Harriers from the USS transport aircraft to the US-led humanitarian weapon position” which was destroyed by a Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). operation in northern Iraq. Paveway IV bomb, before an armed pick-up Other air forces involved included the Australia has also sent aircraft, with the truck was hit by a Brimstone missile. Royal Bahraini Air Force, Royal Jordanian Air Australian Defence Force Air Task Group During a visit to RAF Akrotiri on October 2, Force and Air Force & (ATG) arriving at Al Minhad, Dubai, UAE Prime Minister David Cameron said a further Air Defence with F-16s, on September 23. The ATG consists of two Tornados would be added to the effort with F-15S Strike Eagles and Qatar Emiri Air F/A-18F Super Hornets from 1 and 6 Sqns, a against ISIL. He also stated that II (AC) Sqn, Force with Mirage 2000-5s. American aircraft 33 Sqn KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport the unit currently in Cyprus and which had also struck a base in Syria being used by the (MRTT) and an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne been due to disband in March next year and Khorasan group, which allegedly has links Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft then re-form on the Typhoon, will continue to al-Qaeda. Meanwhile, the US continued of 2 Sqn. The deployment is in addition with the Tornado for another 12 months so air attacks on IS in Iraq, supporting Iraqi and to the RAAF C-130J Hercules and C-17A that the Iraq campaign can be sustained Kurdish forces. Globemaster III aircraft that are already going forward. Forces in the region are building up, with providing humanitarian and logistic support This development came after air strikes revealing on October 1 that it is to to Iraq. The Air Task Group will now prepare intensi ed when the US and some Middle deploy an additional three ghter aircraft to to respond to future Australian government Eastern nations launched joint attacks in Syria join the six permanently-based Armée de l’Air decisions regarding a possible contribution to for the rst time, on the night of September Rafales of Escadron de Chasse 3/30 ‘Lorraine’ international operations to combat ISIL. 22/23. In addition, Tomahawk cruise missiles at Base Aérienne 104 (BA104) Al Dhafra, Abu Belgium and the stated on were red from US Navy ships. The F-22 Dhabi, UAE. Although yet to be con rmed, September 24 that they will both offer F-16s Raptor also saw its combat debut, dropping it is expected that the additional aircraft will to join operations over Iraq. Belgium will send bombs against key targets. also be Rafales. They will join in France’s six of the ghters, while the Netherlands will Other American aircraft taking part on Opération Chammal, undertaking air strikes deploy eight. September 22/23 were USAF F-15E Strike against IS in Iraq. A C-135FR and French On October 2 the Turkish parliament voted to allow its forces to ght ISIL and deploy outside its borders, as well as to allow foreign forces to use its territory for this cause. As we to press operations are ongoing. Prime Minister David Cameron said in Parliament during the debate on whether to launch air strikes that: “this mission will take not just months, but years, and I believe we have to be prepared for that commitment.” A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet at Al Minhad in the UAE. © Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence

4 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

04-05_headlinesPEDC.mf.indd 4 03/10/2014 14:23 A320neo Maiden Flight

The A320neo performed its maiden flight The A320neo lifts off for its maiden flight from This maiden flight marks the beginning of Toulouse-Blagnac Airport on September 25. on September 25 from Toulouse-Blagnac a rigorous flight test campaign involving eight © AIRBUS SAS 2014 – photo by S Ramadier Airport, France and was airborne for around aircraft encompassing all models and both two and a half hours. The aircraft, F-WNEO, aerodynamic technologies, as well as new new engine options – the Pratt & Whitney was flown by Airbus experimental test pilots cabin features to bring to market a product PW1100G-JM and the CFM International Philippe Pellerin and Etienne Miche de which will consume 20% less fuel per LEAP-1A . Overall, the neo Malleray. Accompanying them in the cockpit passenger.” development fleet will perform a combined was flight test engineer Jean-Paul Lambert. For its first flight the A320neo, powered by total of around 3,000 hours of flight testing. Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brégier Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines, lifted The A320neo with Pratt & Whitney said: “I congratulate the whole A320neo off from Blagnac at around 60 tonnes. During engines will be the first variant in this family development team, groundcrew and aircrew the flight, which routed around southern of aircraft to receive type certification, for making this day happen. The A320neo France, the crew explored the aircraft’s flight followed by entry into airline service in the which has taken to the air today builds on the envelope and systems operation, while fourth quarter of 2015, with Qatar Airways. outstanding success of the A320 family. The their progress was monitored in real-time by The A320neo family includes the aircraft, through its incremental innovations, experts on the ground via a direct telemetry A319neo, A320neo and A321neo, seating up combines the efficient engine and link. to 160, 189 and 240 passengers, respectively.

Etihad Unveils New 737 MAX 200 Launched The latest member of the 737 MAX family, the 737 MAX Livery on A380 200 has been launched by Boeing following a 100-aircraft commitment from Irish carrier Ryanair. In addition to the commitment, which is valued at $11bn at current list prices, Ryanair has options to purchase another 100 examples. The US manufacturer says it has developed the 200- seat 737 MAX 200 in response to the needs of the fast growing low-cost sector, which Boeing is forecasting will account for 35% of single-aisle airline capacity by 2033. While the nucleus of the single-aisle market will remain at 160 seats, this latest edition to the 737 family will provide carriers such as Ryanair – which currently operates its 737- 800s with 189 seats – with up to 11 more seats of potential revenue, plus offering 5% lower operating costs when compared to the baseline 737 MAX 8. Modifications to the jet’s cabin layout include smaller front and rear galleys, which have enabled Boeing to add the extra seats and incorporate two mid-rear fuselage emergency escape doors to meet Federal Aviation Administration emergency evacuation regulations. Etihad Airways unveiled its new livery on its first during a Speaking at the launch, the Irish airline’s CEO Michael special ceremony at the Airbus site in Hamburg, Germany on September 26. O’Leary said: “Ryanair is proud and honoured to become The airline has firm orders for ten A380s and will become the 13th operator the lead operator of Boeing’s ‘game changer’ 737 MAX 200, of the type. Airbus which will expand our fleet to 520 aircraft by 2024 as well as creating another 3,000 additional jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers across , while allowing us to PHOTOS, NEWS STORIES AND ARTICLES grow traffic from 82 million passengers last year to over 150 In order to give the best coverage possible, Aviation News is looking for million annually by 2024. As many of Europe’s flag carriers additional contributors. So if you have photos, news stories or articles of cut capacity on short-haul routes, Ryanair looks forward to modern or historical civil and military aviation subjects we would like to hear using these new 737 MAX 200s to grow at many more of from you. Please contact the Editor at [email protected] Europe’s primary airports.”

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6 CIVIL NEWS building andcerti cating thisfantastic, new- whohavepartners contributed to designing, great achievement for Airbus andfor allour A350-900 Type Certi cation from EASA isa certi cation willfollow shortly. “Receiving the engines. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aircraft ispowered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB (EASA) onSeptember 30,2014. The certi ed from theEuropean Agency received TypeThe A350-900 Certi cation The ‘Heart’ paintscheme isthecarrier’s rst changeoflivery sinceitsCanyon Bluecolours were introduced in2001. JonathanMorgan US carrier unveiled itslatest ofabrand logoonSeptember 8atthestart overhaul programme to give itsaircraft anew look. airline beforeairline acontrolling acquiring stake. government isexpected to recapitalise the base intheformer Ukrainian city, whilethe also establish operating apermanent Sukhoi Superjet100s. will The carrier Il-96s, Tupolevincluding Tu-204s and host ofdomestically-produced aircraft, and Trade willequipRed Wings witha sanctions, Russia’s ofIndustry Ministry peninsula(seerelatedCrimean story). andthenewlybetween annexed 4, whichwas thesoleoperator of  ights Aero on ot subsidiary August Simferopol. Itfollows thegrounding of to thedisputed of on services city government initiative to increase capacity acquired by Red ofa Wings aspart Three former Aero ot Il-96sare to be In order to circumvent EUandUS Acquire Il-96s Red Wings to to Red Wings Time foraChangeatSouthwest A350 GainsEASACertifi cation aiming for afully mature aircraft into atentry has alsobeeninnovative andambitious, efficiency. andairline comfort which make allthedifference inpassenger embodies many extra innovative technologies Airbus President andCEO. “The A350 XWB andpassengers,”airlines saidFabrice Brégier, ready to  y from thenestandbeenjoyed by generation aircraft. The A350-900 isnow which alsoincluded the Titan Moonemblazoned ontherear fuselage./Richard Martin the carrier’s signature black, silver andorange colours andispared down from theprevious version, 10 ofonethe carrier’s three -300QCs, G-ZAPW(c/n24219). The designincorporates the company’s entire eet over thenext 12 months–was unveiled during theroll-out onSeptember Titan Airways hasunveiled itslatest aircraft livery. The re ned colourscheme –to beappliedacross “The A350 XWBmanufacturing programme Titan’s NewColours Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014 for ajetliner.” and efficient test programmes ever developed achieved oneoftheindustry’s mostthorough test hours, we created andsuccessfully quality. Accumulating more than2,600 ight certi cation campaign,ontime, costand Our  eet of ve test aircraft completed the Qatar Airways, before theendofyear. delivering to our rst A350 XWBcustomer, andthisiswhatwe areservice, proud to be 03/10/2014 14:18 Record-Breaking at Gatwick Air traffic controllers at London’s Gatwick movements in a single day from one runway – that: “everything has to be working in perfect Airport have handled a record number of a feat it accomplished four times in August. It sync – from optimising the order of arriving movements over 24 hours for a single-runway set the previous record of 895 in 2008 and has and departing flights through to fine-tuning airport. The new record was set on August 29 consistently set the benchmark for the number the arrival spacing. It’s something we have when there was 906 movements, which broke of movements from a single runway. worked incredibly hard at over many years and their own world record. The achievement came Over the past two years, NATS has worked the team can be rightfully proud of the service at the end of the busy summer season and the to increase Gatwick’s declared capacity we provide.” The NATS team in the tower is last weekend of the school holidays – the total to deliver seven hours of 55 scheduled supported by controller colleagues based at number of movements equating to a take-off movements per day, although even more are Swanwick Control Centre. Steve added: “They or landing every 63 seconds. NATS says it is not uncommon at peak times. play an absolutely integral role, and achieving the only air traffic services operator in the world Steve Anderson, NATS General Manager 900 movements wouldn’t be possible without a to have ever handled more than 900 aircraft at Gatwick, said breaking the record indicates NATS-wide team effort.” David Smith

Qantas 767 New French Airline Farewell Qantas has announced that its final -338ER revenue service will be on December 27 with a domestic rotation between Sydney and Melbourne. The type’s last international flight occurred on September 13, when VH-OGU (c/n 29118) flew a Honolulu to Sydney service. The Australian national carrier is replacing the 767-338ERs with more modern A330-202s that are being returned from its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar Airways as it takes French all-business class start-up La Compagnie has begun flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle delivery of new 787-8 Dreamliners. to Newark’s Liberty International Airport using this -256, F-HTAG (c/n 29307). It is configured with 74 lay-flat seats and will be joined by a second example in December.Cary Liao

Closure of Panshanger Airfield United’s First 787-9 The initial Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, N38950 (c/n 36402), for has been delivered. It is one of 26 of the stretched version United has on order. Following the handover on September 4, the carrier’s technicians performed company-specific software installations and hardware upgrades. The aircraft was flown to the airline’s Houston hub for training flights and entered service on September 22. “The 787-9 builds on the Dreamliner’s fuel efficiency and customer comfort while giving us even more flexibility and range,” said United’s Vice President of Fleet, Ron Baur. The aircraft’s extended range – 8,550 miles (13,760km) – will enable the airline to launch a An aerial view of Panshanger taken during the Aerobatic Day on September 14. Rod Simpson to Melbourne, Australia service from Yet another light airfield disappeared reported on August 12: “The land has been October 16, which will be the longest from the aviation map on September 21, earmarked as a possible location for up to Dreamliner route in the world to date. 2014 when Panshanger Airfield ceased 700 homes as part of the Welwyn Hatfield United Airlines 787-9s are configured in operations. The Hertfordshire grass district plan and is the largest potential site a three-class cabin containing 252 seats, aerodrome was originally established in for development in the borough.” 48 in BusinessFirst, 88 Economy Plus, 1940 as a satellite for nearby Hatfield and Several dozen aircraft made a final visit with additional legroom and increased was an RAF training base during the 1950s. on September 14 for the airfield’s last event, personal space, and 116 Economy. This Subsequently, it was home to the London which was the Aerobatic Day. Panshanger is the 12th Dreamliner to enter service Aeroplane Club and more recently has been was home to a substantial number of private with the carrier – it has a further 53 jets run by the North London Flying School aircraft and its closure will further reduce the on order: a single -8, 25 more -9s and 27 under a lease from Mariposa Investments. number of airfields in South-East England of the larger -10s. The Hertfordshire Mercury newspaper available to private aviation. Rod Simpson

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06-08_10_civilPEDC.indd 7 03/10/2014 14:19 Air Citation CJ3+ Achieves Certifi cation Ends 747 Ops Air New Zealand has  own its nal scheduled passenger service. The

CIVIL NEWS airline is replacing the type with the next generation of long-haul airliners, the 777-300ER and 787-9 Dreamliner. The nal  ight took place on September 12 with ZK-NBV (c/n 26910) Christchurch, operating from to Auckland. It marked the end of the carrier’s 35-year association with the ‘Jumbo Jet’, which began with the delivery of 747-219B, ZK-NZV (c/n 22722). It was the rst of ve of the type and was delivered to the airline on May 22, 1981. The aircraft was immediately put to work on the carrier’s transpaci c services linking Auckland to The Cessna CJ3+, which achieved FAA Los Angeles non-stop. The -219Bs were Cessna received FAA certi cation for its Citation certi cation on September 4. Cessna eventually replaced by a  eet of eight CJ3+ on September 4. This is 379-seat -419s, the rst of which, ZK-NBS the latest in a series of signi cant upgrades to and the ability to use the Automatic Dependent (c/n 24386), was delivered on December the Citation product range. This variant was Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system for 14, 1989. It was immediately leased to rst announced in March 2014 – it has seating new air traffic control requirements. The cabin Cathay Paci c Airways for a 14-month for nine, is certi ed for single pilot operation of the CJ3+ has a wireless media server and period before being returned to Air New and has the latest Garmin G3000 integrated is tted with an Iridium telephone system and Zealand. The nal aircraft has been put avionics suite. The latter includes turbulence high-speed internet capability, while passenger into temporary storage following its last detecting weather radar, Traffic Alert and comfort is much improved with an automatically  ight while its future is decided. Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS II), an controlled pressurisation system. The CJ3+ has advanced Terrain Awareness Warning System a range of 2,070nm (3,829km). Rod Simpson MAS Restructuring Plan A 12-point restructuring plan for Malaysia in what is the most radical overhaul of MAS assets and liabilities transferred to NewCo by Airlines (MAS), aiming to restore the carrier since it assumed its current form in 1972. July 2015. to pro tability in 2017, includes axing 6,000 of A statement from Khazanah said: “At its Current CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya will the airline’s 20,000 workforce. The initiative core, the plan involves the creation of a new remain in post until July 1 before giving way – imposed by Malaysia’s sovereign wealth company (‘NewCo’), which will house the to an as-yet-unnamed replacement. The fund and majority shareholder Khazanah ‘New MAS’ and the migration of the right- secretary general of the Malaysian Airlines Nasional Berhad – was announced on August sized workforce and work practices and Employees Union (MASEU), Alias Aziz, told 29 and came just days after the airline posted contracts into the NewCo.” The recovery plan local press that it was trying to nd alternative a second-quarter net loss of $95.1m. The covers four distinct categories: governance work for those affected by the cuts and that a airline has been severely affected by the and nancial framework; operating business host of airlines in the region had expressed double tragedy of the losses of  ights MH370 model; leadership and human capital; and an interest. “Aside from AirAsia, there are a and MH17. regulatory and enabling environment. lot of other airlines that want workers from The fund is expected to assume full control Key elements include delisting the airline MAS – this includes everyone from engineers of the Kuala Lumpur-based  ag carrier and from the Malaysian stock exchange and then and pilots to mechanics and cabin crew. plans to inject $1.9bn over the next three years full privatisation, which will see all of MAS’s They know that MAS has quality,” he said.

New Scheme Cancels 787s Transaero has cancelled an order for four Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners after deciding to consolidate its mid-sized widebody  eet on the rival . The carrier signed a deal for four 787-8s in April 2012, and the rst example was scheduled for delivery before the end of this year. The decision was not unexpected in industry circles after the Russian leisure carrier’s signature of a letter of intent with Airbus for eight A330ceos and 12 A330neos at the Farnborough International Airshow in July. The new A330s have been earmarked to replace the carrier’s  eet of 16 Boeing 767- Star Air Boeing 767-204(BDSF), OY-SRH, was seen at Cologne/Bonn on September 20 wearing 300ERs and the previously planned 787-8s. the carrier’s new livery. Rainer Bexten

8 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

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Xiamen Airlines Receives 787 IN BRIEF Air Cargo Solutions will acquire up to three Antonov An-12s. The former Avialeasing examples, UK-12002 (c/n 402002), UK-11418 (c/n 402504) and UK-12005 (c/n 4342103), are currently parked in Opa-Locka, Miami, CIVIL NEWS but the Fort Lauderdale-based operator, a subsidiary of Aerovis Airlines, has led a request with the FAA to have the aircraft transferred to the US register. Cubana will increase its  eet of Ilyushin Il-96s to four after agreeing a deal to acquire former Aero ot example RA-96008 (c/n 74393201005), according to press reports in Russia. The aircraft has been in open storage at Moscow/Sheremetyevo since the type’s withdrawal in March. The rst Boeing 787 for a carrier from the People’s Republic of China was handed over on August Aerolíneas has retired its last 29 to Xiamen Airlines. The aircraft, 787-8 B-2768, is one of six the airline has on order. Boeing remaining Airbus A340-200, LV-ZPO (c/n 063). The aircraft, one of four examples delivered in 1999, was ferried from Buenos Aires/Ezieza to Victorville, California, where NEW ROUTES (SELECTIVE) it will be placed into storage pending resale or parting out. The  ag carrier continues to Airline Route Frequency Begins Notes Jet Airways Goa-Abu Dhabi daily 15-11-14 737-800 operate seven A340-300s. Houston George Bush Intercontinental-San Francisco daily A319 will start using its 469-seat Delta Newark-Heathrow daily 28-03-15 767-300ER Airbus A380s on the London Heathrow Turkish Airlines Istanbul Ataturk-Kherson, Ukraine 4 per week 15-10-14 A319/A320 to San Francisco route from March 29, Norwegian -Orlando International 1 per week 30-03-15 787-8 2015. The UK airline, which took delivery Gatwick-Orlando International 1 per week 04-04-15 787-8 of its seventh A380, G-XLEG (c/n 161) on airberlin Berlin Tegel-Rimini 1 per week 23-05-15 Q400 September 11, will deploy the aircraft on Condor Manchester-Heraklion 1 per week 01-05-15 757 ve of its 14 weekly rotations between the Manchester-Bourgas 1 per week 22-05-14 757 two cities. This will be the third US and London City-Hamburg 2 daily on weekdays 27-10-14 Do 328 sixth global destination to be served by the Icelandair Kefl avik-Portland 2 per week 19-05-15 757-200 carrier’s ‘superjumbo’  eet.

Aloha Air Cargo to Add 767 Pipistrel’s WATTsUP Debuts at Blois has con rmed plans to acquire a Boeing 767-300F – its rst widebody type – ahead of the introduction of ve-times weekly  ights from its Honolulu base to Los Angeles in late October. The airline said the new route “will be geared toward freight forwarders, consolidators, passenger carrier partners, and businesses looking to sync up with Aloha’s existing interisland network, for seamless movement of through-cargo shipments to the neighbouring Hawaiian Islands.” The freighter will supplement the airline’s existing  eet of 737-200Fs, 737-300Fs and Saab 340s. The Pipistrel WATTsUP making its public debut at the ULM-Blois event. Brian Nichols, Plane Images

The Pipistrel WATTsUP electrically-powered by Siemens which, at 30lb (13.6kg), weighs trainer made its public debut at the ULM- less than the Virus’s standard Rotax piston Blois event in France on August 30. It rst engine, but develops higher power. The  ew on August 22 and uses the airframe aircraft has an endurance of 1 hour 30 of Pipistrel’s popular all-composite Virus minutes and is being targeted at  ight high-wing light aircraft. Power is provided schools. Aircraft will be available for delivery Your favourite magazine by a 115hp (85kW) electric motor developed next year. Rod Simpson is also available digitally.

See www.pocketmags.com for more details. ORDERS Airline/Operator Aircraft Number Order Placed Notes Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX 8 20 20-09-14 You can also nd us on: easyJet A320ceo 27 18-09-14 Iberia A330-200 8 22-09-14 conversion from options Search Aviation News Magazine Swiss International Air Lines A320neo 15 17-09-14 Eurowings A320ceo 10 17-09-14 Search @AvNewsMag E175 50 17-09-14 to be operated under United Express brand Macquarie AirFinance CS300 40 26-09-14 plus 10 options

10 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

06-08_10_civilPEDC.indd 10 03/10/2014 14:19 Models Roundup Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft reviews the latest models on the market.

Airbus A321 N102NN, 1:400, Item No GJAAL1380. Price £30.00. Gemini Jets Modelled here in the new American Airlines colours of silver mica fuselage with striped US flag on the tail, N102NN was built in 2013. This excellent model is from a new tooling of an aircraft set to become the backbone of American’s short-haul fleet. www.isca-models.co.uk www.airspotters.com www.aviationretaildirect.com

ATR 72-600 Aer Lingus EI-FAU, 1:200, Item No G2EIN427. Price £51.00. Gemini Jets Operated under the Aer Lingus Regional brand and built in 2013, EI-FAU is part of a fleet that will eventually number ten aircraft. Although it wears the distinctive white and green colours of Aer Lingus, the aircraft is operated by Stobart Air. www.isca-models.co.uk www.airspotters.com www.aviationretaildirect.com

Boeing 747-400 British Airways G-BNLV, 1:400, Item No GJBAW1374. Price £43.00. Gemini Jets The numbers of 747-400s in BA service is reducing as the 787 and Airbus A380 slowly replace it. This model shows G-BNLV in the airline’s standard red, white and blue colours and the now well-known tailfin design. www.isca-models.co.uk www.airspotters.com www.aviationretaildirect.com

Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker Air Force 58-0052, 1:400, Item No GMUSA062. Price £35.00. Gemini Jets More than 360 KC-135R tankers were converted from A and E versions, primarily by re-engining with CFM56 turbofans. The aircraft depicted here is currently based at March AFB, California, with the base name appearing in an orange and yellow tail band. www.isca-models.co.uk www.airspotters.com www.aviationretaildirect.com

Airbus A330-300 Air C-GFAF, 1:200, Item No G2ACA366. Price £95.00. Gemini Jets One of eight A330-300s in Air Canada’s fleet, C-GFAF is shown in the carrier’s latest silver-blue scheme with the ‘frosted’ maple leaf on its fin in red. Complete with a wood and metal stand for various display options, this model would be an impressive addition to any collection. www.isca-models.co.uk www.airspotters.com www.aviationretaildirect.com

McDonnell Douglas MD-11 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines PH-KCB, 1:200, Item No G2KLM493. Price £113.00. Gemini Jets Produced from a new tooling, this large model depicts the MD-11 in its 21st anniversary year with KLM. It features the airline’s bright blue livery with dark blue cheat line and grey undersides, as well as its logo on the winglets. The model comes with a stand and options for extended or retracted undercarriage through interchangeable parts. www.isca-models.co.uk www.airspotters.com www.aviationretaildirect.com

Sponsored by SRF Trading Ltd, Unit 1, Bexwell, Downham Market, Norfolk PE38 9LT Tel: 44 (0)1366 380662 [email protected] Available from specialist model aviation outlets and stockists throughout the UK.

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12 MILITARY NEWS takes over themountsof28(AC) Squadron.” 845 NAS to next theMerlin summerwhenit at RAFBensonwillallow thetransition of Col Derek Stafford: “The next training course Strategic Review. Defence andSecurity the FAA was announcedintheOctober 2010 The decisionto move to the25RAFMerlins be retired infavour inMarch oftheMerlin 2016. operated theSeaKingHC4,whichisdueto as itisunofficially known –hasfor 35years Force (CHF). The CHF–or ‘Junglie Force’ Helicopter Force to theCommando Helicopter official transfer from oftheMerlin theSupport Air Squadron. The occasionalsomarked the Air Arm’s (FAA’s) newly stood-up 846Naval helicopters have beentransferred to theFleet disbandment oftheRAF’s 78Sqn. ItsMerlin Oxfordshire onSeptember 30for the A ceremony took placeatRAFBenson, the occasionatManching, Germany onSeptember 16, from where theprototype ew for therst timeon August 14, 1974. Panavia/PhilipHayer German Air Force Tornado 44+61was painted inthescheme worn by theprototype to celebrate 40years sincethetype’s maiden ight. Panavia marked over Salisbury Plain. troops willcontinue to train withitinarestrictedArtillery airspace in Afghanistan, theUAS hometo willreturn Wiltshire where Royal Down air eld in Wiltshire. Following thehandover ofCamp Bastion army’s highly skilledpilotscompletingtheirtraining atBoscombe  at ight trials West Wales Parc followed Airport, byAberporth, the understand better andthereby overcome threats they may face.” for troops conductingoperations ontheground, allowing themto winning technology. Watchkeeper willprovide real-time information forarmy years to come. There isno doubtitwillprove to beabattle- be asigni andreconnaissanceforcant surveillance capability the UAS developed andbuilt intheUKto becomeoperational, andwill visit to Kabul onSeptember 29andsaid: “Watchkeeper isthe rst Defence SecretaryMichaelFallon, madetheannouncementona prepare to draw down from Afghanistan by theendofthisyear. force protection, viacameras andradar, for troops British asthey ofDefencethe Ministry hasstated. The new isproviding capability of unmannedairsystem (UAS) –isfully operational in Afghanistan, The Thales UK Watchkeeper –theBritish Army’s next generation through Life a£455mMerlin Sustainment All 25oftheex-RAF helicopters willpass According to thenew 846NAS CO, Lt Watchkeeper, previously whichisunarmed, underwent extensive Watchkeeper Operational Tornado Celebrates 40Years in Afghanistan RAF MerlinsJointheNavy RAF Benson. AlanWarnes Two former RAF Merlins, ZJ124/H andZJ128/M, wearing Royal Navy titlesattheceremony at with 846NAS leaving for RNAS Yeovilton here. While 78Squadron hasgone, and “...we willcontinue to maintain four squadrons Group Captain SimonPaterson whorevealed: according to itsnew Station Commander, folding mainrotor headandtail boom. Modi cations for role themaritime willincludea Programme (MLSP) at AgustaWestland. More changesare plannedatBenson the squadron hascompleted itsmove to Amberley. year. Full isplannedfor operational capability December2017 after and technician training willbeginintheUSbefore theendof the Cargo Aircraft programme office, onMay 31,2012. C-27Jaircrew Communications Integrated Systems Inc, through the USFMSJoint 35 Squadron to prepare for thearrival oftheC-27J. which was retired inlate 2012, have already beentransferred to Richmond-based personnel previously employed on theC-130H, RAAF’s C-17  eet. hostthesquadron.permanently The baseisalsohometo the infrastructure willbeconstructed at and supporting Amberley to where the re-established 35Squadron willuseexisting facilities. New South Wales, whenthey beginto arrive in Australia inearly 2015, RAAF C-27Jaircraft are initially plannedfor RAAFBase Richmond, 35 Squadron anditseventual  eet often C-27JSpartans. The  rst Base Amberley, Queensland,isto bethefuture operating basefor The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) hascon thatRAAF rmed A $321.77m RAAForder for ten C-27Jswas placedwithL-3 The C-130J Hercules will remain atRAAFBaseRichmond. Many Subject toapprovals, government andparliamentary new facilities C-27Js forAmberley Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014 2016.” AlanWarnes yet, unknown elementofChinookswillarrive in cockpits willbethe rst to arrive. Another as is likely theChinookHC3/5swiththeirglass as oneoperational conversion unithere. It Puma andChinooksquadrons andform them will break outtheconversion  ights onthe conversion unitinJuly/August next year. We next March, inaChinook/Puma we willbring 03/10/2014 16:30 Australia’s F-35 Maiden Flight Last Guardian Retired The US Coast Guard retired the last Dassault HU-25D from service during a ceremony at Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas on September 23. The retirement of serial 2114 marks the completion of the station’s transition from the Guardian to the Airbus Defence and Space HC-144A Ocean Sentry. It’s two other HU-25Ds departed Corpus Christi earlier. In July, serial 2113 was flown to Air Station Sacramento, California for disposal The first flight by a Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II took place on by the General Services Administration September 29 from Fort Worth, Texas. Lockheed Martin (GSA), and serial 2105 was delivered to Corpus Christi International Airport in mid-August. The latter will be placed on Peru Buys Fokker 50s static display at the new Sector/Air Station Two retired Royal Netherlands Air Force airworthiness and improve sales prospects. Corpus Christi facility, which is currently (RNLAF) Fokker 50s, which have been They are being resprayed in their new under construction. in storage for the last two years following colours by Quality Aircraft Painting Services During its career HU-25D serial 2114, retirement, have been sold to Peru’s Fuerza (QAPS) at Lelystad, where U-05 was noted in the last of 41 Guardians in service, de Aviación Naval (Naval Aviation Force). The the paint shop on September 12, while U-06 accumulated 16,017 flight hours. Flying its aircraft, U-05 (c/n 20253) and U-06 (c/n 20287), was outside, stripped of its RNLAF colours last search and rescue (SAR) mission on are currently being prepared for delivery. and awaiting respray. Both were expected September 17, its final operational sortie After being withdrawal from the RNLAF’s to leave before the end of September to join was the following day. On September 26, 334 Squadron at Eindhoven air base, where four Fokker 60s previously acquired from aircraft 2114 was flown to Van Nuys Airport, they had been operated in the VIP transport the RNLAF by the Peruvian Navy, which California and delivered to the North Valley role, the aircraft were flown to Lelystad Airport purchased two Fokker 60 MPAs and two Occupational Center’s Aviation Center as for storage pending sale. The first, U-05, Fokker 60 UTA-Ns in 2010. They are operated an engineering training aid. arrived at Lelystad on September 5, 2012 by the Escuadrón Aeronaval de Exploración The first of 41 HU-25As was delivered followed two days later by U-06 and they (Naval Air Exploration Squadron) at Lima- to the Coast Aviation Training Center in have been flown regularly since to maintain Callao. Bob Fischer Mobile, Alabama, on February 9, 1982. In 32 years’ service, the fleet was assigned to ten air stations, flew more than 500,600 hours, saved 185 lives and assisted in RAF Tornados Search for Kidnapped Girls saving 549 more. Tom Kaminski The RAF has deployed three Tornado to send the aircraft out for the mission. GR4s to assist with multi-national According to defence sources, the operations hunting the schoolgirls Tornados are operating from N’Djamena kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorist International Airport in Chad, where NATO’s Final group in Nigeria. The aircraft, from II (Army France’s long-term Opération Épervier Afghanistan Co-operation) Squadron at RAF Marham, detachment is based. are believed to have departed the Norfolk The aircraft are providing intelligence, AWACS Mission base in the last week of August for their surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) NATO conducted its last Boeing E-3A Sentry deployment. capabilities over the region in which Boko AWACS mission in Afghanistan on September Marham’s Station Commander, Group Haram operates, attempting to track the 21, from Mazar-e-Sharif. This was the Captain Harvey Smyth, had confirmed on organisation’s movements as efforts 1,273rd sortie of Operation Afghan Assist, the August 21 that the base was preparing continue to find the kidnapped girls. designation for the NATO AWACS deployment for Afghanistan. The mission had begun with the first operational sortie on January 25, 2011. The NATO AWACS was deployed in support of the International Security Assistance Force Omani EC225 Visit (ISAF) to provide air command and control, airspace de-confliction, communications relay and radar coverage in Afghan airspace, aerial refuelling flow management and civil/ military aircraft de-confliction. The AWACS also provided enhanced situational awareness for both air and ground commanders. It enabled control of assets, and surveillance and communications support to ground operations, including medical evacuation and personnel recovery. On October 26, 2013, the E-3 Component Omani Airbus Helicopters EC225LP A40-HD departs Groningen-Eelde Airport in reached the milestone of 10,000 flight hours the Netherlands after a fuel stop on August 28 while en route to Stavanger-Sola Airport, Norway supporting ops in Afghanistan. By that time, the for maintenance. Kees van der Mark detachment had flown almost 1,000 missions.

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14 MILITARY NEWS and trusts toand trusts secure herfuture intheUK. tenders from private companies, charities ship canbepreserved andhasinvited Falcon 20andSea Vixen G-CVIX. plus a Wildcat, Cobham Aviation Services HC4s andSeaKing ASAC7 XV649/80, SeaKing HM1andHC3,two HMA8, Merlin ceremony, involving an Apache AH1, Lynx on August thedecommissioning 28during her nal voyage. There were also ypasts entered Portsmouth harbourattheendof helicopters  ew overhead as Illustrious retires after 32years ofservice. helicopter landingplatform asHMS primary HMS 22 before beingwithdrawn from service. Hampshire facility for thelasttimeonJuly August 28. The shiphadsailedinto the was heldatPortsmouth Naval Baseon formal ceremony to theoccasion mark (R 06)hasbeendecommissioned. A HMS next SDSR,duein2015. Construction on had notbeenanticipatedcarrier untilthe maintenance. A nal decisiononthesecond the time, allowing theotherto gothrough willbeavailableleast onecarrier allof in Wales onSeptember 5,ensures at Minister attheendofNATO Summit stored asareserve vessel orpossibly sold. was expected to enter withtheother service, ReviewSecurity (SDSR),whenjustoneship since the2010 Strategic Defence and The future hadbeenindoubt ofthecarrier Wales (R09),willbebrought into service. Royal Navy aircraft carriers, HMSPrince of new announced thatthesecondoftwo Prime Minister David Cameron has be commissionedin2020. Fife anditisanticipated thatthevessel will oa hiNv ibsHlcpes5xEC645T2 AirbusHelicopters Nigerian AirForce Royal ThaiNavy US Army Air Force Mauritanian Islamic Niger AirForce Kenyan AirForce Royal ThaiArmy of NationalDefence Mexico Secretariat Air Arm fhnArFreMDHelicopters Afghan AirForce USAF MILITARYORDERS AIRCRAFT Royal Navy to Operate Royal NavytoOperate The decision,announcedby thePrime The Ministry ofDefenceThe Ministry hopesthe Apache, Lynx, andSeaKing Merlin news,In otherUKcarrier HMSIllustrious Prince ofWales Ocean willbecometheRoyal Navy’s Second Carrier Second Carrier Mil Ulan-Ude Boeing Cessna Cessna Cessna Sikorsky Company Lockheed Martin 6 x MC-130J 6xMC-130J Lockheed Martin 1xHC-130JCombat Lockheed Martin has started inRosyth, hasstarted Illustrious ? xMi-35 ? xMi-171Sh Guardian 7 xAH-64EApache Caravan EX 1 x208BGrand Caravan EX 1 x208BGrand Caravan EX 1 x208BGrand 12 xMD530F 2 xMi-17V5 ubradTp ContractDate 8 xUH-60M Number andType Commando II King II

arrived atLondonStansted onSeptember 30for delivery asairfreight. RickIngham believed to bethe rst oftwo onorder for presidential transportandothermissions. The helicopter with thepresidential eet, undertakesitsmaidenight at Yeovil, Somerset, onSeptember 19. Itis The rst Nigerian Air Force AW101 Srs 641, ZR344(c/n50251), which isdestinedto become NAF280  ypast over theproceedings. the occasion. A third A400M performed a a backdrop to parades ontheapron to mark Escadron de Transport 1/61 ‘Touraine’ acted as Bricy. Two ofthe ve aircraft delivered to the at Base Aérienne 123 (BA123) Orléans- established ataceremony onSeptember 17 the Airbus Defence andSpace A400M was re- The rst unitoftheFrench Air Force to operate type rst  ew. ReneKöhler scheme hadbeenworn by theF-16 prototype andwas appliedto FA-104 to mark 40years sincethe on staticdisplay attheBelgian Air Force Days onSeptember 13 and14 atKleineBrogel AB. The A specially painted BelgiumDefence-Air ComponentLockheedF-16AM Martin Fighting Falcon was 2014 2014 Contractcompletionby September 15 Contractcompletionby September 19 Contractcompletion by September 19 Contractcompletion by September 19 Contractcompletion by September 26 September 2 2014 September 29 Contract completion by Contractcompletion by September 29 September 26 Contract completion by Contractcompletionby September 26 Contractcompletionby September 26 First French A400MUnitStands-up First NigerianAW101 F-16 Prototype Flashback 31/03/17 30/09/15 30/09/15 30/09/15 29/09/15 Mid-2016 Delivery DateandNotes Delivery 07/06/15 30/11/15 30/11/15 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014 September 9. August 13 and0012/F-RBAE (c/n012) on by 0011/F-RBAD (c/n011, ex EC-401) on (c/n 010), arrived onJuly 25,2014, followed on November 13. The third, 0010/F-RBAC de Toulouseby 0008/F-RBAB (c/n008)Ville which arrived on August 2,2013, followed 0007/F-RBAA (c/n007)Villed’Orleans, other unitsand the pilotsreassigned. remaining Eagleswillalsobetransferred to of the64th AGRS untilnext March. The few with alimited number ofF-15 aircraft, aspart initially continue theirmissionasaggressors, Guard units. the aggressor role for various Air National 64th AGRS. Mostoftheunit’s F-15s willleave now be lled solely by theF-16C-equipped and responsibilities ofthe65th AGRS will personnel andoverseas allies. The mission providing aircombattraining for USmilitary 15, 2005,ithad own theF-15C/D Eagle, Since theunitwas stood-up onSeptember ceremony atNellis AFB onSeptember 26. (AGRS) was officially deactivated ata The USAF’s 65th The rst example delivered was Pilots assignedto the65th AGRS will Deactivated Deactivated 65th AGRS 65th AGRS 03/10/2014 17:04

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802 AFM UK Latest.indd 15 02/10/2014 12:02 CANADIAN LANCASTER UK TOUR Summer 2014 saw the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Lancaster appearing alongside the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s aircraft at events across the UK. Paul E Eden talked to those involved as they looked back at a very special tour.

n autumnal mist hung over Lancaster Mk X, marked VR-A (hence Canada, and between us we probably have Lincolnshire’s RAF Coningsby its ‘VeRA’ nickname) in honour of Pilot Officer 4,000 plus crossings of the Atlantic. The early on Tuesday, September 23. It Andrew Mynarski VC – sat outside alongside crossing actually went perfectly until the last Awas a chilly morning. Many in the the BBMF’s Lancaster Mk I, currently known  ve miles, but we’re hugely experienced gathering crowd were grateful for their coats; affectionately as Thumper after the 617 in bad-weather ying and we have all the no doubt freshly emerged from summer Squadron ‘Dambusters’ nose art it wears. modern ‘whizz-bang’ electronics onboard. We storage. A very special summer was drawing While Canadian and RAF personnel quietly essentially did an instrument approach, but we to a close for British aviation enthusiasts, and efficiently prepared the for were within seconds of applying power to head veterans and those members of the public ight, even the weather seemed to respond off back towards Doncaster or Humberside, swept along by the emotion of the Canadian to the grandeur, poignancy and emotion of when we saw the runway lights and were able Lancaster tour. ‘Vera’ was scheduled for a the scene as the sun shone and the mist to put her on the ground.” 10am departure, but even two hours before, began to lift. Perhaps it was making up for its adoring fans were gathering at the fence abysmal showing on Vera’s arrival. ARRIVING IN THE UK adjacent to the Battle of Thinking back to the rain-soaked approach The Canadians had routed from their Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) hangar. into Coningsby on August 8, Don Scho eld, Hamilton, Ontario base via Goose Bay and Vera – C-GVRA/FM213, the Canadian CWHM Lancaster pilot, recalled: “My colleague, Ke avik, Iceland. A spectacular arrival had Warplane Heritage Museum’s (CWHM’s) pilot Leon Evans and I, are both retired Air been planned for the end of their  nal leg

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16_21 CanadianTNDC.indd 16 02/10/2014 15:14 CANADIAN LANCASTER UK TOUR

to Lincolnshire. Coningsby had expected to Main photo: While the BBMF Lancaster is known as Thumper after its 617 Sqn THUMPER MKIII nose launch Thumper and four ghters to escort art, the CWHM bomber has become ‘Vera’, a nickname derived from its VR-A code letters. John Dibbs Vera into the station, with the Above: The CWHM Lancaster tour aircrew included, from left to right: pilots Don Scho eld and Andy also scheduled to appear. Red 10 took off Dobson;  ight engineer Craig Brookhouse; chief engineer Jim Van Dyk; and pilot Leon Evans. CWHM from RAF Scampton in hope that the team could meet up with the incoming Lancaster, return to Coningsby, we’d have the unhappy Stations photographic sorties and UK Bomber but only managed to maintain contact for prospect of having two Lancasters and as Membership passenger  ights. He explained: a few minutes. The weather continued to many as four ghters everywhere else other “It all began about a year ago, when Don clamp down and Vera fought her way on to than Coningsby. And so we landed in less than Scho eld and I sat at a table drinking Merlot Coningsby more or less alone. ideal conditions, but it satis ed the ultimate aim at a BBMF end-of-season dinner. Don said: There were murmurings of discontent from of the trip, which was to get her here.” ‘I wish we could bring it over’, and I said ‘we less well informed visitors to the station that The build-up to Vera’s arrival had begun shall’. So I underwrote the cost of bringing it day, but Don explained: “We were warned a while ago, with the close involvement of across and on that basis the Canadians and when we were up around Newcastle that Richard Lake, Chief Executive of Eastern myself began working as a team. the BBMF ghters and Thumper would not Group, whose companies include Eastern “In simplistic terms it’s not a very big issue be launching. They’d made the very correct Airways; he is also co-owner of Humberside to bring a Lancaster across the Atlantic. It’s decision that if they’d launched and couldn’t Airport, from where the Canadians  ew Action happened many times in the past but

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16_21 CanadianTNDC.indd 17 02/10/2014 15:14 Left: A hangar full of guests gathered at Coningsby to greet Vera at the end of her arduous ight from Iceland. In a highlight of the welcome celebrations, station commander Group Captain Johnny Stringer presented Bomber Command clasps to 20 of the 120 veterans present. Adrian Balch

Below left: Vera turns off Coningsby’s wet runway at the end of her journey to the UK. Sgt Loz Platfoot © UK MoD Crown Copyright 2014

Below: The Canadians seldom missed the opportunity to y their own and the British ag from Vera’s cockpit. Here the aircraft is taxiing in the rain of August 8. Phil Whalley

today’s regulations and authorities mean you between Iceland and the UK, thinking: ‘I’m ying would have wasted time. They all understood have to get over hurdles. We got over those in a Lancaster’. Then you have myriad images of the importance of us getting in ahead of hurdles in a very professional way and once 19- and 20-year olds ying the aircraft in wartime the weather. Fifteen or ten minutes out of the ball started rolling it got its own impetus. and being shot at.” He took a moment to re ect: Coningsby we started seeing cars in car parks, Thwaites came onboard as headline sponsor “Lancasters do have a soul.” lay-bys and country lanes; we knew we were with their Lancaster Bomber beer and the As Vera was pushed the  nal few metres to ying into something special. Coningsby CAN$750,000 that it was going to cost was the BBMF hangar in the awful weather of August was packed with people waving and then it covered by various people and activities 8, Richard Lake might well have felt a huge was remarkable, jumping out and seeing the throughout the tour. sense of relief. Not so, he says. “It wasn’t relief, welcome from the veterans and the air force. “We worked through every aspect of the tour it was a job well done. There was no doubt in For  ve minutes we all went extremely quiet.” and in hindsight I salute the people involved, my mind that it would happen, because the team the insurers, the CAA [Civil Aviation Authority] we had to make this happen operationally and DISPLAY WORK-UP and the Royal Air Force, which was stunning commercially really knew what they were doing. Vera went into immediate maintenance, after in lending its hospitality, professionalism and The aeroplane’s in excellent shape and it’s a four- which the plan was to work up a display routine assistance, for making it happen. Of course, engined aeroplane with a long range. for the two bombers, and a formation with once it got here, my involvement really ceased. “Air traffic had relayed us weather forecasts at least two  ghters. The abysmal weather I just sat back and watched something all the way down because we knew it was continued, however, and not until August 13 unbelievably special, taking place.” going to be tight, and the encouragement were the crews able to begin their display work- Richard had joined Vera on her last leg from air traffic controllers from Northern up. Beginning with the Lancasters some way to Coningsby from Iceland. “It’s a profound down to Coningsby was wonderful,” apart, the display was gradually tightened into experience,” he said of ying in the aircraft. “I he said. “They gave us authority to cut the spectacle witnessed by so many people at had a very deep, personal moment midway corners instead of taking a usual routing that airshows up and down the country.

Taking a break during their display work-up on August 13, the Lancasters sit outside the BBMF hangar. The fence just visible to the left was lined with crowds for most of the day. Darren Harbar

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16_21 CanadianTNDC.indd 18 02/10/2014 15:14 Above: Adding a pair of ghters to the Lancaster formation elevated it to a new level THE VERA EXPERIENCE of spectacle. Here two of the BBMF’s Spit res Jim Dooley worked tirelessly alongside Robin Gibb to raise the £9 million needed to erect the Bomber are in attendance over the south of England, Command Memorial on London’s Hyde Park Corner. The memorial was unveiled in 2012. In Jim’s long with Mk XVI TE311 leading Mk XIX PS915. association with the BBMF he has passed over the opportunity of a Lancaster  ight in favour of “more Jim Dooley/www.fi ghtinghigh.com worthy people” several times, but on September 15 he nally realised a consuming passion, with a Above right: Andy Dobson peers through the 20-minute trip from Coningsby. open pilot’s window, drawing attention to Normally a less than enthusiastic  yer, Jim was decidedly pensive as Vera taxied in to collect him. “I was Vera’s more formal title as the Andrew Mynarski thinking about the sacri ces the thousands of young guys in Bomber Command made and what trepidations Memorial Lancaster. Key-Nigel Price would be going through their minds. It’s quite claustrophobic inside and the spirits of lots of guys seem to be with you as you get in. And it’s loud! The overriding sensation is the noise and although I had earplugs Below: Vulcan XH558 leads the Lancasters over in, I didn’t have my earphones on because I wanted to hear the four Merlins; I even took one earplug out to Lincoln Cathedral on August 21. John Dibbs get the full effect. You get a feeling of power as the engines run up, then the brakes are released and you’re Don Scho eld explained the process: “We’d thundering down the runway. It’s quite smooth as you lift into the air – you look out and suddenly you’re discussed it and traded emails with various up, a strange feeling, and the climb was steady compared to a passenger jet. As soon as you get the nod plans and options. The RAF authorities and from a crew member that you can release the seatbelt and move about, you want to put your head up in the CAA had conceded that the best way for us mid-upper gun turret. to produce a display routine to an acceptable “There’s an awesome view looking along the long fuselage to the cockpit in front. The sky looks beautiful. standard by the easiest, quickest and cheapest It’s not a view you have in any other aircraft, even if you sit in the cockpit – you’ve got 360° of vision. You means, was for us to  y as number 2 and turn around and see the two ns and get an idea of what the mid-upper gunner and, to an extent, what the simply concentrate on formating with Thumper, rear gunner would have seen.” whose crew were in nitely more familiar with Given the Lancaster’s tight, utilitarian interior, Jim noted: “With the turbulence and so on, it’s quite difficult the work-up, the routine and the geography. to move around. There’re lots of hidden lumpy-bumpy things and the following evening I had bruises where We achieved an acceptable standard in a day I’d bumped into things or put pressure against something to hold myself up as I was moving around. And, and a half  at; although I think we subsequently getting over that spar in the middle of the fuselage… I’d been in Thumper on the ground and it’s a real task to get over, but it’s worse in the air; you really want to do it though, to get up behind the pilot.” achieved a much better level of nish.” Flt Lt Tim Dunlop is BBMF Bomber Leader. Thinking back, Jim said it was over too quickly. “It was a humbling and awesome experience that will live He said: “The weather severely hampered us with me forever. You feel the spirit of those young men when you’re up there; it puts a lump in your throat,” he said. and we had to conduct the whole work-up in

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16_21 CanadianTNDC.indd 19 02/10/2014 15:14 August 21 was a day replete with , as the Lancasters landed Three Lancasters finally appeared at East Kirkby on September 7, after at Southend and took the opportunity to pose with Vulcan XL426. a heroic engineering effort to replace Vera’s starboard outer engine. Vulcan Restoration Trust A & K Markham Photographers

a day or so just to make it to our first scheduled as they did. They were working incredibly hard the Lancaster’s number 4 position, under an display at Eastbourne. The Lancaster wasn’t and the display was ultimately limited by the agreement explained by Coningsby’s station designed to fly in close formation, it was capabilities of the aircraft rather than the pilots.” commander, Group Captain Johnny Stringer: intended as a stable bombing platform and Public Display Authority was achieved in “We have made an arrangement which will so it’s not like a fighter that’s designed to be time for the Eastbourne Airshow on August allow the Canadians to have loan of a Merlin manoeuvrable and where you can use lots of 15. Vera and Thumper then embarked engine on a ‘power by the hour’ basis.” little control inputs to keep it tight. on a hectic programme of flypasts and With Vera arriving safely back at her “So when we first got the aircraft together, performances. Inevitably there were a few Hamilton, Ontario base on September 28, we realised this was perhaps going to be a little disappointments given the vagaries of flying the ‘borrowed’ engine will be dismounted and harder than we thought. Even just matching old aeroplanes, however well maintained. returned to BBMF. The aircraft will be left with the roll rates was difficult. As the leader, I had Vera’s much discussed supercharger failure only three serviceable engines as it goes into to keep my roll rates to a minimum and the caused the cancellation of a handful of the hangar for Canada’s winter, but the CWHM Canadian guys were working hard to anticipate appearances and, according to Don Schofield is confident of finding a replacement. what we were doing. “an awful lot of smoke”. “Add to that the aircraft’s momentum; put Battle of Britain Memorial Flight engineers, ON THE CIRCUIT on power in a smaller aircraft and you move working closely with their Canadian colleagues Speaking on September 19, Don told Aviation forwards almost instantaneously, take off as well as Retro Track and Air, which News: “For me, the show at Eastbourne power and it drops back immediately. You volunteered to modify the replacement engine, was one of the best. We go down to 300ft don’t get that in the Lancaster. You put on travelled to Durham Tees Valley Airport to above sea level and at Eastbourne you come power, sit on your hands for a few seconds, change the faulty unit after Vera made an whipping around Beachy Head and, given the then it starts to move forwards. So to remain emergency landing there on August 29. A geography, the Head itself was 200 or 300ft close behind is quite a challenge. I think the Rolls-Royce Merlin 500 engine was altered above us. We came racing round the Head Canadians did an amazing job to stay as close to replace the damaged Packard Merlin in in tight formation and it was like bursting on

Huge crowds gathered to see the Lancasters at IWM Duxford’s September Air Show. Darren Harbar

20 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

16_21 CanadianTNDC.indd 20 02/10/2014 15:14 to the stage in a theatrical production. There was the harbour and all the people, just mind- blowingly spectacular. “We’ve done numerous ights since and it’s difficult to keep them straight in one’s mind. Spectacular moments for me include coming through the Lake District at fairly low level, with the hills on both sides higher than we were, but it’s also the crowds, the public reaction and the reaction of individuals. We had one veteran so overcome with emotion just to touch the aeroplane again that he could not speak. That perhaps encapsulates what this is all about.” Few of those who witnessed the two Lancasters in the air, even if they caught only Thumper leads Vera low over the Derwent Dam in their September 21 tribute to the Dambusters. a glimpse as the aircraft ew by, will forget Cpl Neil Chapman © UK MoD Crown Copyright 2014 the experience, and for many the effect of their presence was profound. The Lancasters XL426 at . us there have been moments that plucked at made dozens of appearances during their A tremendous welcome greeted Vera and the heartstrings.” Noticeably taking a moment time together but there were a few stand-out her crew wherever they appeared, but Don of private thought, Don’s eyes  lled as he occasions. On September 7, Thumper and was deeply moved by the reaction closer to recalled: “When we had a little confusion over Vera ew low over Windermere for 617 Sqn ‘home’. Speaking in the BBMF’s offices in radio procedures, I suggested that instead veteran Archie Johnstone. The ypast had been organised as a 100th birthday surprise by Archie’s son, Robert, and although the “For me, the show at Eastbourne was former airman died in April, the event went ahead in his honour, re-routed to pass over one of the best …it was like bursting on the Brockhole Visitor Centre, where Archie had enjoyed days out with his son, rather to the stage in a theatrical production” than over the veteran’s nursing home. Among other very special displays was September, he said: “We were immensely of using our corporate callsign, ‘Heritage’, we the sight of three running Lancasters at East taken by surprise with the public reception become ‘Memorial Two’, complimentary to Kirkby’s Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre we’ve received in and around Coningsby. Thumper, which is ‘Memorial One’. I thought on September 7, with Vera and Thumper We see that sort of thing on a minor scale at it was unlikely to get the RAF blessing, but performing passes over Lancaster Mk VII home, but here it was getting embarrassing. it was immediately accepted and felt just NX611 Just Jane. The event had been The  rst weekend we had off, Leon and spooky… there’s a lot of emotion.” postponed from September 2 because of I were in the Petwood Hotel and were in, Vera’s engine problems. I think, three complete sets of wedding GOING HOME A highlight for many was the gathering of pictures! Our presence here was hugely After a  nal handful of displays and a both Lancasters and XH558 at anticipated and the reaction to it has been recreation of 617 Sqn’s pre-dams raid RAF Waddington on August 21. The three wonderful. The hotel became home-away- training missions in a momentous ight over Avros departed for formation ypasts over from-home and we had the opportunity to the Derwent Dam on September 21 with Canwick Hill, Lincoln, where the  rst turf was pass over it a few times – the reaction from Thumper, Vera and her Canadian crew were being ceremonially cut for the Lincolnshire staff and residents was just wonderful. ready for home after almost eight weeks Bomber Command Memorial, RAF “The point of the whole operation was not away. On the Friday before departure Don Metheringham, RAF Coningsby and RAF to see a Lancaster, because you can see a revealed: “There have already been tears Marham, before appearing at the Clacton Lancaster quite regularly in the UK and you and there’ll be a lot more before we leave.” Airshow. Later in the day the Lancasters can see one at our museum in Canada. It Vera led a  nal formation of Lancasters and posed with the Vulcan Restoration Trust’s was to see the two of them together. And for four  ghters, leaving an iconic image forever etched into Lincolnshire’s skies. “There must Below: The Canadians led for the nal  ypast over BBMF’s Coningsby facility on September 23. Many among the crowd of supporters were not expecting the escorting ghters and there were have been some dust in the cockpit,” said gasps of delight as two Hurricanes and a brace of Spit res taxied out, having started engines Tim Dunlop, “because as we turned away for out of sight. Spit re II P7350 and Hurricane II LF363  ew off the Lancasters’ starboard side, with Coningsby and left Vera ying on to Iceland, Spit re XVI TE311 and Hurricane II PZ865 to port. Paul E Eden there were tears in my eyes.”

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22 PRESERVATION Julian Jones said: “It hasbeenaprivilege nation. classic British ghter for thebene t ofthe Aviation, safeguarding thefuture ofthe it to theFNHT’s company, subsidiary Naval exceptional actofgenerosity, Jones donated previously operated theaircraft andinan DS Aviation, owned by Julian Jones, had known as ‘Foxy Lady’. -based Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2, G-CVIX, new custodian of theonly airworthyde Heritage Trust (FNHT)as itbecamethe signi cant day oftheFly inthehistory Navy Tuesday, September 16 was amost named ElTordillo, ew several missions at Villa Reynolds, San Luisprovince and, 15.on August inthe Cuarto Argentine province ofCórdoba display, itwas officially unveiled atRío on March 15, 1999. Now restored for static on March 18, 1967, ying for thelasttime was acquired by the McDonnell Douglas A-4B SkyhawkC-222 Built asBuNo142752 inMay 1958, Speaking atthehandover ceremony, The jet served onlyThe jetserved with V Brigada Aérea Falklands Veteran onDisplay Sea Vixen Donation Sea Vixen New MarkingsforBBMFHurricane RNAS Yeovilton poignant.” hasbeenvery over ahundred years. to Seeingherreturn developmentdoctrinal aviation ofcarrier achieved attheforefront oftechnical and that theRoyal Navy andFleet Air has Arm commented: “The Sea Vixen embodiesall oftheFly NavyChairman Heritage Trust receiving theaircraft onbehalfofthe be inexcellent handsinthefuture.” Navy’s Aviation andknow Heritage shewill we are committed theRoyal to supporting with great devotion by DS Aviation and aircraft ying. Shehasbeenlooked after and apleasure keeping thismagni cent during thewar.during Juan Carlos Cicalesi the namesofSkyhawkpilots killed Two Sisters Ridge. The aircraft now bears was onJune 13, against troops British on explosions and  re. Its nal effective sortie soldiers andcrew were killedinthe resulting 8 itbombedtheRFA SirGalahadand48 May 21attack onHMSArgonaut. OnJune the1982during , includingthe Cuarto. JuanMezaviaCarlosCicalesi A-4B Skyhawk C-222isnow ondisplay atRío Commodore BillCovington CBE, Sergeant, later PilotOfficer, Arthur Victor ‘Darky’ Clowes DFMDFCinSeptember 1940. It wears thepilot’s distinctive wasp marking onbothsidesofitsnose. Darren Harbar been repainted inthecolours ofP3395/JX-B, aHurricane MkI own by 1Squadron’s Royal Air Force Battle ofBritain Memorial FlightHawker Hurricane MkIILF363has Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014 Soupart but only 24were completed. Roger that two-seater an earlier ew in1958, The JOB15-180/2 was developed from oforigin, its country Austria, asOE-CAV. and previously ew of inthemarkings D-EKCI, theaircraft was built in1965 y at Belgium.Antwerp, Registered seat lightplanehasbeenrestored to An Oberlerchner JOB15-180/2 three- Ilchester, Somerset, BA22 8HW. 112, House, RNAS Unicorn Yeovilton, Trust’, to Fly Navy Heritage Trust, Room cheque, payable to ‘Fly Navy Heritage at www.fnht.co.uk/t20-appeal.html orby can bemadeby credit card orPayPal and propeller soonafter theincident. having on begun work VX281’s engine outrepairs,Aviation willcarry Services Weald, Essex, onSeptember 24. Weald RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall to North aircraft was successfully trucked from is now possible after thedisassembled to restore theSeaFury to airworthiness even needto bereplaced. require andmay ofthework themajority landing, itsBristol Centaurus enginewill the aircraft’s undercarriage collapsedon landing atCuldrose onJuly 31. Although status afterairworthiness itsemergency Hawker SeaFury T.20 VX281 to donations towards thecostofreturning The Fly Navy Heritage Trust isseeking Sea FuryAppeal Donations to therestoration appeal requiredA fullassessmentofthework Oberlerchner Airworthy Airworthy 03/10/2014 16:27 Little Dipper Replica Constructed using photographs and sketches because the original drawings are still held by the US Army, replica Lockheed Model 33 Little Dipper NX189SE has been built and own at Anoka County Airport, Blaine, Minnesota. The six-year programme, under Al Eke and Jack Smith, resulted in a maiden ight on August 26, exactly 70 years after the prototype (and only other example to y) took off for the  rst time. Eke gained his original inspiration for the project in 1962, when he ‘Air Trooper’ able to carry a single armed and The team behind Little Dipper replica NX189SE worked on the project every read an article about the Little Dipper in the equipped soldier into battle; cockpit access Thursday for six years. Geoff Jones US magazine Air Progress. was therefore by a hinged starboard-side The original, NX18935, was planned as door large enough for a fully kitted soldier. via funding for an army utility aircraft. The US a two-seater with a 60hp engine, but proved The replica uses half a two-cylinder Franklin Army rejected the idea, however, but retained underpowered and was altered to become a engine, producing 45hp, and test pilot Bob the prototype subsequent to its ight trials, single-seater. Designed by John Thorp, who Haversland has own it to an altitude of until it was sold for scrap in January 1947 and went on to create many aircraft, including 2,500ft. broken up. Lockheed realised there was no the Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Lockheed offered Lockheed saw the type as a covert means market for a single-seat civilian aircraft and the Model 33 to the US Army as a personal of entering the post-war civil aircraft market abandoned the project. Geoff Jones

Dayton Stearman Fouga CM191 Airworthy Again Restored The National Museum of the USAF at Dayton, Ohio has restored Stearman PT-13D Kaydet 42-17800 for static display. Boeing donated the aircraft in 1959 and it was on The unique airworthy view in the museum’s World War CM191 is available for sale Two Gallery until its removal in in the USA. Fred Bourdais 2013 for restoration. The Kaydet has emerged in the colours it wore as it left the assembly line One of only two Potez Heinkel CM191s has been at the Hanover Air Show a month later. Heinkel in January 1945. restored to airworthy condition in the US. It made its was unable to get an order from the German Now back in the World War  rst post-restoration ight from Chicago’s Valparaiso Government and the project was abandoned. Two Gallery, the PT-13D will form Airport on August 23. In the 1960s, Heinkel built a The second prototype had not own by this point part of an expanded Tuskegee batch of Fouga Magister trainers for the West German and ended up at the museum at Speyer. However, Airmen exhibition, scheduled for Air Force and then developed the CM191 as a four- the  rst CM191 was acquired by Fred Bourdais February 2015 opening. www. seat version for military communications and civil use. and shipped to the US where it is now registered nationalmuseum.af.mil The  rst of two prototypes (registered D-9532) N8015Q. The aircraft is now owned by Lawrence ew on March 19, 1962, and made its public debut Matt and is up for sale. Rod Simpson

then acquired by the National Rare Mustang Museum of the and placed on loan with Restored the Chanute Air Museum, and a After eleven years’ work, the restoration restoration programme began in of North American P-51H-5-NA October 2003. Mustang construction number 126- The work was carried out 356791, serial 44-64265, has been entirely by volunteers and completed at the Chanute Air Museum funded by contributions from at Rantoul, Illinois. The aircraft  rst enthusiasts and organisations served with the 621st Fighter-Bomber around the world. Named Wing at Pinecastle AFB, Florida, Heatwave, the aircraft has been where it was used as a combat trainer. restored to the highest possible On June 11, 1946 it was officially standard, much of it to airworthy transferred to Chanute AFB as a ground condition, although the project instructional airframe, before its official is non- ying. The Chanute Air withdrawal in 1949. Museum is open daily from Retained at Chanute, the Mustang Chanute Air Museum’s P-51H is believed to 10am to 4pm, but is closed was displayed outdoors and most of its be the only such aircraft on public view in a on Sundays during the winter. See www. equipment was stripped or stolen. It was museum environment. Geoff Jones aeromuseum.org for details. Geoff Jones

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24 PRESERVATION later. July 9. It ew again, to Oshkosh, afew days was  own to Ohio, atPort Clinton arriving on for salein2013. Restored to it airworthiness, Oregon, the Tri-Motor was madeavailable Air andSpaceMuseuminMcMinnville, Ohio. Previously ondisplay attheEvergreen Aviationthe Liberty MuseumatPort Clinton, Airworthy Ford Tri-Motor N9645isnow with Liberty Aviation Museum’s Tri-Motor willbeavailable for passenger ights. MikeShreeve previously been Transair’s gate guard. Stephens Martin during July, exchanging itfor Panavia Tornado PO3XX947, which isnow atBentwaters andhad SEPECAT Jaguar GR3AXZ394. Bentwaters, Suffolk-based Everett Aero delivered theaircraft The Transair pilot shop atShoreham, West Sussex hasanew gate guard inthe shapeof mid-1944, it towed targets with the Central mid-1944, ittowedtargetswiththeCentral 1944. Modi ed withadroguewinchfrom with 30and31Squadronsduring1943 New ZealandAirForce(RNZAF);itserved 1943, becomingthe rst  own bytheRoyal aboard USSWilliamKeithinSeptember Tauranga. and thenplacedontemporarydisplayat years, itwillberestoredovertwoyears Society. LoanedtoClassicFlyersfor ve with theGisborneAircraftPreservation Avenger NZ2505,whichhadspent15years Flyers hasacquiredGrummanTBF-1C Tauranga, NewZealand-basedClassic The Avenger reached New Zealand The AvengerreachedNewZealand Historic AvengerRestoration Ohio Tri-Motor Transair’s Jaguar com WiththankstoGarryBentley it remainedinstorage.www.classic yersnz. then roadedtoWigram,Christchurch,where shipped toLyttletononHMSWaikato,itwas Bought bytheRNZAFMuseumin1985and Transport Societyfordisplayin1976. to theSilverstreamRailwayandVintage work wascarriedoutbeforeitmoved bought NZ2505in1972,andrestoration Borough Councilforuseinaplayground. 1960, itsubsequentlypassedtoOpunake to BennettAviationofTeKuitionMarch7, until itsretirementinthemid-1950s.Sold Fighter Establishmentand41Squadron, libertyaviationmuseum.org Mike Shreeve the Tri-Motor Foundation. Heritage www. airworthyrebuildN9684, onlong-term for Port Clinton, where ithasasecond Tri-Motor, B-25J MitchellGeorgie’sAmerican Girlfrom AviationThe Liberty Museumalso ies North Association for UStours andpassengerrides. be leasedto theExperimental Aircraft Ross McPherson and John Regan Ross McPhersonandJohnRegan Named City of Wichita City , theaircraft will Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014 Mike Shreeve Maiden. www.ericksoncollection.com in Virginia, hasbeenrepainted asMadras 44-8543 (N3701G), formerly withJerry Yagen Meanwhile, BoeingB-17G Flying Fortress to bethe rst modi cation of itstype. to Allison V-1710 power, inwhat’s believed with Paci c Fighters inIdahofor conversion including lms, 30748 hasfeatured inmany TV shows and A popularCalifornia airshow performer, 44- (N8195H) Heavenly Body now onstrength. B-25JMitchell44-30748North American addition to thecollection,withairworthy years outdoors. may have deteriorated too much after 20 for aferry ight to Madras, but itscondition Mini-Guppy N422AU to airworthycondition given to restoring Aero Spacelines377MG US Naval Aviation. Somethoughthasbeen several onloanfrom theNationalMuseumof many hadbeengrounded for sometime. required to alltheaircraft return to  ight, since May.base during was A hugeamountofwork Tillamook Air Museum,was  own to itsnew historic aircraft, previously basedatOregon’s 22. Jack Erickson’s collectionofairworthy at Madras, central Oregon on August relocated to anew museum, whichopened The Erickson Aircraft Collection hasbeen North North Yorkshire. www.pimaair.org Army Air Corps’ 672Squadron atDishforth, upgraded to AH7 standard the andserved XZ185. Builtasan AH1, itwas oneof107 Museum hasacquired Westland Lynx AH7 Tucson, ’s Pima Air &Space rafmuseum.org Paul Morton airframe. instructional running www. transferred to RAFCosford asaground- units atseveral stations before being 1972-vintage aircraft withtraining served Provost T5A XW418 to itsdisplay. The received itin1979. Bedfordshire in1969; themuseum beforeCumbria, itsretirement atHenlow, at Lossiemouth,Moray and Anthorn, Cosford’s Hangar One, WL732 served extensive restoration. Now located in T21 WL732 back ondisplay after an has placedBoulton Paul SeaBalliol Royal Air Force MuseumCosford Cosford Trainer Duo Erickson’s HispanoBuchón,N90602,is Madras hasalready welcomed anew Tillamook retains around 15 static aircraft, Cosford hasalsoaddedHuntingJet Relocated Collection Collection Pima Lynx Erickson Erickson Catch-22. 03/10/2014 16:28

A century of the Swiss Air Force, 50 years of the aerobatic team and 25 years of the Swiss AIR14 PC-7 TEAM: these SWISS AIR FORCE three anniversaries were celebrated in great style this summer CENTENARY during AIR14 at air base, as EXTRAVAGANZA Marco Rossi reports.

aking place in the Canton of , Hunters. Other stars of the  rst weekend landing of a US Army Air Force Flying close to Lake Neuchâtel, AIR14 were to be found in the static park, including Fortress in Swiss territory during World at Payerne was surely the biggest a Mi-8, two Royal War Two, and the latter also performed a Tevent of its kind ever held in Canadian Air Force CF-188 Hornets, and the formation ight with a specially marked Swiss . It also has a strong claim to be much-loved Breitling Super Constellation. F/A-18. regarded as Europe’s best airshow of 2014. While the contribution made by Swiss The sheer quantity of aircraft that planned SECOND WEEKEND aircraft was essentially unchanged for both to attend the show and the availability of The second weekend opened with ‘The weekends, foreign aircraft participation was numerous foreign participants required Spirit of Air Defence’ on September 6. This notably different for each event. the organisers to split AIR14 across two recalled the protection of national airspace A good mix of aerobatic teams, warbirds, consecutive weekends (August 30-31 and in peacetime and during crisis. This day’s transports,  ghters, helicopters and solo September 6-7). The result was an airshow ying displays featured a Dewoitine D.26, aircraft made up the ying programmes, full of impressive statistics: around 350 the marvellous Hellenic Air Force F-16 ‘Zeus’ which were conducted according to a aircraft, mostly military, were gathered, and solo demo, a French Air Force Rafale with perfect (typically Swiss!) timing schedule. these ew 184 displays for a total of 50 ying ‘tiger’ colours, a Royal Netherlands Air Force A number of unique formation ights were hours during the whole week (rehearsals F-16AM, a Royal Air Force Typhoon and an included, among them a joint display by included). In total, almost 400,000 visitors air policing demo involving two Swiss F/A-18s the Patrouille Suisse and PC-7 TEAM (the attended. and a Beechcraft Super King Air. latter equipped with smoke generators for The four airshow days offered different ‘Heavy Metal and Evolution’ focused on the  rst time) on August 31 and September themes and displays. On August 30, air transport as one of the many capabilities 7. Formation ights were also conducted the theme was ‘Sky Outwatch’ which of the Swiss Air Force, and was the main by the Patrouille Suisse’s current F-5E was dedicated to aerial reconnaissance, theme on September 7. The day’s ying Tiger IIs anking their Hunter predecessor commemorating the  rst duty of the Swiss Air programme included an Airbus A380 from the (September 7) and alongside an Airbus A330 Force. Highlights of the day’s ying included manufacturer (making its  rst appearance at of Swiss International Air Lines (August 30 a Swiss Army commando paratrooper team a Swiss airshow), a German Luftwaffe A310 and September 6). During the rehearsal, jumping from a CASA 352; the brute power MRTT simulating the aerial refuelling of a on August 29, a unique formation with Yves of a pair of Su-22M4s, and pair of Euro ghters, Me 262A-1C and an air Rossy on his jet-propelled ‘backpack’ wing a MiG-29. The following day, ‘Above the transport and  re ghting demo by two Swiss and a Swiss Air Force F/A-18 marked the Battle elds’ recalled the Swiss Air Force’s Air Force Cougars.  rst time a human had own alongside a jet ground-attack heritage. Displays included Static park exhibits included two F-15Ds  ghter. the French Air Force’s Ramex Delta two-ship from the USAF’s 48th Fighter Wing and an Throughout AIR14, the homage to the Mirage 2000N tactical demo, a Czech Air KC-767A. Swiss Air Force centenary served as a Force Mi-24V and a simulated attack on the On the same day, B-17 Sally B and a centrepiece, and was replicated each day of air eld by four ex-Swiss Air Force Hawker Morane-Saulnier D-3801 recalled the forced both weekends. The skies over Payerne

26 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

26-28_AIR14DC.mf.indd 26 03/10/2014 12:50 Main photo: To mark the relationship between the armed forces and the national airline, the Patrouille Suisse put up an elegant formation, with Airbus A330-343 HB-JHN of Swiss International Air Lines on both weekends. All photos Marco Rossi

Above right: A unique formation composed of Yves Rossy and a Swiss Air Force F/A-18 during show rehearsals. Unfortunately, the display planned for the last day of the show had to be abandoned due to a technical problem with the helicopter scheduled to transport Rossy to the required height for his performance.

Right: A formation of four of the jet types that helped to write the history of the Swiss Air Force: de Havilland DH115 Vampire T.55 HB-RVF (U-1208), T.68 HB-RVW (J-4203), Mirage IIIDS HB-RDF (J-2012) and F-5F Tiger II (J-3201) c/n M1001. The ypast was part of the homage to the centenary of the Swiss Air Force.

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26-28_AIR14DC.mf.indd 27 03/10/2014 12:50 This Swiss Air Force F/A-18C wore special were graced by aircraft including the ‘retro’ markings to celebrate the centennial. Blériot XI, P-51D Mustang, de Havilland The Hornet made extensive use of ares Vampire, Hunter, Mirage III, F-5E and during its display. various Pilatus types, mostly gathered in formations. Displayed in sequence, they recalled the rich history of the Swiss Air Force, while an interesting static exhibition inside a hangar provided a glimpse of some of the most important aircraft and weapons utilised by the in the last 100 years. The nal tribute took the shape of a large ‘100’ in the sky. This, the last item of the day, was represented by no fewer than 24 F-5Es. This brought down the curtain on an exceptionally well-staged airshow. It was little surprise that AIR14 was honoured by the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) as the “best organised airshow of the year”.

Right: The ‘Final Surprise’, as it was described in the AIR14 ying programme, was this formation: the number ‘100’ formed by 24 Swiss Air Force F-5 Tigers II over ying the Payerne runway. Below: Croatian Air Force Mi-8MTV-1 serial 213 was a rare presence in the static park.

Above: Messerschmitt Me 262A-1C replica D-IMTT/501244 (c/n 501244) performed a solo display.

Left: Alpha Jet A 15211 wears a special paint scheme to celebrate 50 years of Esquadra 103 ‘Caracóis’ (Snails), the ’s advanced training squadron.

28 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

26-28_AIR14DC.mf.indd 28 03/10/2014 12:50 NEW! A 100TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE TO THE AND ACES OF WW1

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536 famous fighters FP.indd 131 16/07/2014 11:04 BRISTOL BRITANNIA THE WHISPERING GIANT The Bristol Britannia was technically sound and well liked by passengers and operators, but arrived too late on the airline scene. Plagued by early engine problems, it only enjoyed a few years’ service with major carriers before being superseded by the ‘big jets’, but went on to make money for independent airlines around the world. Charles Woodley charts its development and service.

he Bristol Britannia had its origins In April 1947 the Bristol Aeroplane on February 2, 1948 to authorise the in one of the recommendations Company submitted its Type 175 project, construction of several prototype aircraft of the wartime Brabazon BOAC selecting it as the most promising of if BOAC ordered at least 25 production TCommittee, set up to determine the competing designs on offer. A meeting models. In the event, the building of three Britain’s post-war air transport needs. between the two rms led to an increased prototypes was sanctioned without a BOAC One of the categories determined by the payload requirement for 42 First Class or 48 order. All three were to be Centaurus- committee was used as the basis for a Tourist Class passengers. powered but with provision made for the 1946 British Overseas Airways Corporation The aircraft was to be powered by Bristol second and third aircraft to be converted to (BOAC) requirement for a ‘Medium Range, Centaurus piston engines. Turboprop take Proteus turboprops at a later stage. Empire’ aircraft to replace Argonaut propulsion using either Bristol Proteus or BOAC nally placed an order in and Handley Page Hermes airliners on Napier Nomad powerplants was considered, November 1948 for 25 aircraft to an enlarged routes to British colonies in Africa and the but at that stage in their development Bristol speci cation capable of accommodating Far East. The new type was to be powered was only prepared to guarantee the aircraft’s 64 seats for day passengers or 38 sleeper by four engines and have accommodation performance with Centaurus engines. berths. By the time the deal was signed for 32 First Class or 36 Tourist Class The Ministry of Supply (Britain’s in July 1949 the cost had increased from passengers. government procurement agency) agreed £400,000 to £445,000 per aircraft.

30 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

30-34_bristolDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 30 02/10/2014 20:02 This photo: Bristol Britannia 102, G-ANBM, of Treffield International at London Gatwick in June 1967. The aircraft was leased from . Bob O’Brien Collection

TURBOPROP CHOICE BOAC operated 15 Series 102s – including pressure turbine on the number 3 engine During 1950 excellent results produced by this one, G-ANBA – and 18 Series 312s. failed and exploded, fragments piercing the Proteus turboprop during bench testing Gordon Swanborough Collection the engine oil tank and starting a erce led to BOAC specifying it for all the aircraft re. Numbers 3 and 4 engines had to be it had on order. In November 1951 yet chief test pilot A J ‘Bill’ Pegg. Problems shut down, and ‘Bill’ Pegg carried out a another reappraisal of the airline’s cabin with lowering the undercarriage on its early forced landing on the mud ats of the requirements established the con guration  ights were resolved in time for the aircraft to Severn estuary. Fortunately the mud as 90 seats arranged six-abreast in Tourist take part in the 1952 SBAC Farnborough Air dowsed the re and there were no serious Class. By this time the type name Britannia Show. By the time the Britannia appeared injuries. had been formally approved by both the at the 1953 show it featured more powerful Three aircraft destined for BOAC were Ministry of Supply and BOAC. Proteus 705 engines. used in a 2,000-hour certi cation test In July 1952 the rst prototype, G-ALBO, There was a setback to the type’s sales programme, and on December 30, 1955 was rolled out of the hangars at Filton prospects on December 23, 1953 when the Britannia was awarded a full Certi cate previously used as the assembly hall for the the second prototype, G-ALRX, was on a of Airworthiness. The rst two Series 102 Bristol Brabazon, and it made its rst  ight demonstration  ight with senior executives aircraft were handed over to the airline that on August 16, 1952 in the hands of Bristol of Bristol and KLM aboard. The low- day.

www.aviation-news.co.uk 31

30-34_bristolDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 31 02/10/2014 20:02 Left: Laker Airways Britannia 102 G-ANBM at Liverpool in 1967. Two former BOAC examples launched Laker operations from May 1966, pending delivery of BAC One-Elevens. AirTeamImages.com/Bob O’Brien Collection

the problem, and the type  nally entered public service when BOAC’s G-ANBJ inaugurated Britannia schedules between London and Johannesburg on February 1, 1957. The three-times-a-week service took 22hrs 50mins and involved stops at Rome, Khartoum and Nairobi or Salisbury (Southern Rhodesia) in each direction. The Britannia was the largest airliner in service at the time, as well as the fastest and quietest, and dubbed ‘The Whispering Giant’ in BOAC publicity. Britannia services to Sydney and Tokyo followed during the year. By then 15 Series 102s were in service, but BOAC then amended its order to specify that its  nal ten aircraft were to be of the new long-range Series 300 stretched variant of the Britannia. The airline then increased the order to 18, to be designated as Series 312s in BOAC service. Aircraft of the Series 310 range had Above: Britannia C.1 XL636 joined RAF Transport Command on June 4,1959, serving until additional fuel tanks over the 300 series. January 1976. Gordon Swanborough Collection The carrier took delivery of its  rst Series 312 at London Airport on September 10, Below: Britannia 314 G-ASTF at Gatwick in 1967. Caledonian Airways (Prestwick) began operations with the type in March 1965, ying its  nal Britannia service on March 9, 1971. David Hedges 1957, and, after further problems with the Proteus engines were resolved, placed the variant into service on the London Heathrow-New York (Idlewild) route on December 19. Initially restricted to a once-weekly frequency, these were the  rst transatlantic scheduled services to be operated by turboprop aircraft, and the  rst North Atlantic schedules to be operated by British-built aircraft. On these prestige services the Britannias were con gured in all-First Class ‘Majestic Class’ layout, with 26 ‘slumberette’ fully reclining sleeper seats and 26 conventional BOAC SERVICE base to Africa in March 1956, and almost seats. Services to Chicago followed in April Six more Series 102 Britannias were immediately experienced engine ame-out 1958 and the following month the Series delivered to BOAC during 1956, but prior problems while ying the Britannias through 312s replaced Douglas DC-7Cs on London- to their entry into commercial operation icing conditions in tropical zones. The cause New York-San Francisco ights. However, four BOAC Britannias were pressed into was eventually traced to the design of the the long-range Britannias entered service government service, transporting troops to engine air intake, which curved through just ten months ahead of the Comet 4 Nicosia, Cyprus, during the 1956 Suez crisis. 180°, enabling dry ice crystals to form on and Boeing 707, and their time in  rst-line BOAC had begun a programme of crew the inner walls of the engine cowling before transatlantic service was to be short. After training and route familiarisation ights breaking away and entering the compressor. the jets had taken over the role the Series from its Hurn, Bournemouth, training It took until the end of 1956 to fully cure 312s were used to replace ’102s on the

This Canadian Paci c Air Lines Britannia 324, CF-CPE, was one of a pair leased from Bristol Aircraft between October 1959 and April 1961. Key Collection

32 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

30-34_bristolDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 32 30/09/2014 16:01 BOAC. On November 6, 1957 XA-MEC began Britannia services on Aeronaves’ prestigious Mexico City-New York, making it the first airline to operate Britannias into the US city, ahead of BOAC and El Al. RAF BRITANNIAS In February 1955 Bristol received an order from the Ministry of Supply (MoS) for three mixed-traffic Series 252 Britannias, which the MoS hoped to lease out to UK charter airlines as part of a modernisation effort. In the event, the aircraft were assimilated Above: One of the three Britannias operated by African Safari Airways (ASA). Gordon into a fleet of 20 Britannias for RAF Swanborough Collection Transport Command, which were operated Below: Redcoat Air Cargo Britannia 253F G-BHAU at Düsseldorf in 1979. A former RAF aircraft, it was still as Britannia C.1s. They featured uprated with Redcoat when the carrier ceased operations in December 1981. AirTeamImges.com/ATI Collection Proteus 255 engines and strengthened floors and could accommodate up to 117 troops, 53 stretcher cases with medical attendants or 37,400lb (17,000kg) of freight. All but five of the RAF aircraft were constructed on a new production line at Short Bros and Harland in Belfast and the first, XL636, arrived at RAF Lyneham on June 4, 1959. Two squadrons, 99 and 511, operated the type from Lyneham, with frequent detachments of two aircraft at a time to Hong Kong to transport Gurkhas to and from Nepal. RAF Britannias were used alongside Johannesburg route, and to restart BOAC There were ten round-trips each month, commercially operated examples on the services to in October 1958 taking on average 30hrs 33mins ramp- 1965 airlift of barrels of oil from Nairobi to after a four-year suspension. to-ramp. Canadian Pacific Britannias Zambia, following Southern Rhodesia’s BOAC inaugurated a round-the-world were later placed on to routes to Sydney, unilateral declaration of independence and service on March 31, 1959 when a Series Auckland, Tokyo and Hong Kong as well its closure of the oil pipeline to Zambia in 312 Britannia flew westbound across the as a transcontinental service linking retaliation for Britain imposing sanctions. Atlantic and Pacific to Tokyo, where it met Vancouver, , Toronto and By the time the airlift ended on October up with a Comet 4 that had arrived there Montreal. In all, the airline operated eight 31, 1966, RAF Britannias had completed via an eastbound routeing. Britannias. 1,563 sorties. The last complete year of operations El Al Israel Airlines took delivery of RAF Air Support Command (as RAF by the full BOAC Britannia fleet was 1961. three Series 313 Britannias between Transport Command became at midnight The airline began advertising Series 102s September and November 1957 for use on July 31, 1967) continued to use for sale late that year, and in November between Israel and the US via various Britannias on numerous humanitarian 1962 the remaining 14 were taken out of cities in Europe. The carrier opened missions, including the 1973/74 airlift of service. Withdrawal of the Series 312 fleet scheduled transatlantic services via 210,000 refugees between Pakistan and began in September 1963 and the final London with 4X-AGB on December 22, Bangladesh when two aircraft carried BOAC service by the type was operated 1957. A fourth ’313 was delivered in 9,166 displaced persons. Following a from Bermuda to New York by G-AOVL on 1958. The small fleet also flew European round of defence cuts the Britannia fleet April 26, 1965. services between Tel Aviv and Amsterdam, retired with the disbandment of 99 and 511 Athens, Brussels, Paris, Rome, Vienna Sqns in January 1976. The aircraft still OTHER MAJOR CUSTOMERS and Zurich. had low airframe hours and were offered The Bristol sales team dispatched Cubana de Aviación ordered four Series for sale to commercial operators. Britannias on major sales tours of Europe, 318 aircraft, inaugurating services with Scandinavia, the US and Canada during them on the Havana-Mexico City route on SECOND-HAND SERVICE 1956 and secured a limited number of December 22, 1958. The following month The introduction of jet airliners led to overseas orders – but overall sales were the type was introduced on Cubana’s the early retirement of the Britannia by disappointing, especially as in 1957 it popular Havana-New York route. its original operators, but these versatile seemed Trans World Airlines and United Another new Britannia service linking aircraft went on to give many years of Airlines were close to placing substantial Havana with Madrid began on June 5, useful service to independent airlines orders. In the event, only 85 airframes 1959, followed on February 28, 1961 by around the world, especially in the UK. were to be completed. a Havana-Prague route which included Holiday charter airline Euravia Canadian Pacific Air Lines ordered refuelling stops at Gander, Shannon or purchased six ex-BOAC Series 102s which the long-range variant for worldwide Bermuda and Santa Maria in the Azores. had been in storage at Cambridge and had operations from its Vancouver base, and From 1973 Cubana began replacing its them converted to 112-seat configuration. on June 1, 1958 Series 314 CF-CZA Britannias with Ilyushin Il-62 jets, but one, Before its first service with the new type inaugurated the first-ever scheduled CU-T669, was still airworthy in 1984 when – from Luton to Tenerife on December 6, services by turboprop airliners over it was transferred to a new Cuban carrier, 1964 – the airline had changed its name to the North Pole, linking Vancouver and Aero Caribbean. Britannia Airways. By the summer of 1966 Amsterdam via a refuelling stop at Aeronaves de México acquired two eight were in service, but the introduction Frobisher on Baffin Island in the Arctic. Series 302s originally earmarked for of Boeing 737s led to the retirement of

www.aviation-news.co.uk 33

30-34_bristolDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 33 30/09/2014 16:01 BRITANNIA SURVIVORS The last  ight by a Britannia took place on October 14, 1997 when Series 253 EL-WXA landed at Kemble air eld at the end of a long ferry  ight from Lanseria in South Africa. It is now in the care of the Bristol Britannia XM496 Preservation Society and can be seen at Kemble restored to its RAF Transport Command livery with it original XM496 serial re-applied. Monarch Airlines donated Britannia Series 312 G-AOVT to the Duxford Aviation Society after retirement and on June 29, 1975 it was  own into the Cambridgeshire air eld, where it is displayed in Monarch Airlines livery. Britannia Series 308CF G-ANCF sits behind the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the old Speke Above: Britannia 312F XX367 of the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Airport in Liverpool. It is currently undergoing Down, a former Air aircraft acquired in November 1971. It retired in early 1984. Stephen Piercey a programme of rebuilding and restoration Below: A Cubana Britannia. The carrier took on four Series 318s from December 1958. It retired its and will eventually be displayed in the livery last one in July 1984. Malcolm Nason of former operator British Eagle International Airlines. Series 312 G-AOVF is on display at the RAF Museum at Cosford, painted in RAF Transport Command livery and as XM497. Meanwhile the preserved forward fuselage of the second prototype Britannia, G-ALRX, is currently stored at Filton as part of the proposed Bristol Centre.

the turboprops, G-ANBL operating the last Britannia Airways service by the type on December 29, 1970. The most proli c UK independent Airlines, operated a  eet of 17 Series 300 two ’312s for holiday charter  ights from operator of the Britannia was British Britannias on UK domestic and European Luton. Caledonian Airways (Prestwick) Eagle International Airlines which, as scheduled services, inclusive-tour Ltd replaced its Douglas DC-7Cs with Eagle Airways, took delivery of its rst, charters, trooping  ights to the Far East former BOAC Britannia 312s, using them a Series 318 on lease from Cubana, and Ministry of Defence freight charters extensively on transatlantic group charter on April 5, 1960. From October 1960 to the testing range at Woomera in  ights. Britannias wearing the new livery of Australia. Britannias were still in service Other UK operators of the type Cunard-Eagle Airways began operating when the airline ceased operations on included Laker Airways, British United low-fare ‘Skycoach’ passenger services November 6, 1968. Airways, Lloyd International, Donaldson from London to Bermuda and Nassau and BKS Air Transport used Series 102s International and Transglobe Airways. onwards to Miami. for scheduled services between Heathrow Former RAF Britannias were used By 1966 the airline, once again under and Newcastle and for inclusive-tour extensively as freight haulers, especially the control of its founder, Harold Bamberg,  ights, and when Monarch Airlines by operators in Africa, where the type and renamed British Eagle International began operations in April 1968 it used ended its operational life.

Withdrawn in March 1975, Monarch Airlines Britannia 312 G-AOVT ew to Duxford for preservation on June 29 that year. It is owned by the Duxford Aviation Society and is on display at the historic air eld. Key-Nigel Price

34 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

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A CENTURY OF AIR WARFARE WITH NINE (IX) YANK BOMBER BOYS IN NORFOLK – SQUADRON RAF – STILL GOING STRONG A PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF THE Book USAAF IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR Written by: Gordon Thorburn Book Price: £25.00 Written by: Peter W Bodle FRAeS Price: £25.00 Given IX Squadron’s century of service – it formed as a Royal Flying Corps unit in December 1914 – Compiled from the photographic collections author Gordon Thorburn begins his history with a of individual troops and station photographic look at the origins of bombing and airborne radio. sections, this unusual book gives a view of The unit was a pioneer in both elds. US Army Air Force operations in Norfolk. The The excellent narrative describes the primary aviation fare is the Consolidated B-24 squadron’s early and inter-war history in Liberator, but a scattering of other types, considerable detail, before the author embarks into an unusual US and RAF, appears, including a Bristol presentation of its World War Two campaign. A run through of aircraft Beau ghter, captioned on page 218 as a types and operations might be expected – IX Squadron Lancasters “British medium bomber”. It is regrettable that some photographs may or may not have been responsible for causing Tirpitz to capsize appear to have suffered in quality from being reproduced beyond in an attack  own alongside 617 Sqn, for example (opinions on which their scanned dimensions, rather than from being more than seven unit dropped the vital Tallboy depend on which squadron personnel decades old. one is talking to) – but instead the story is presented through the eyes The captions are generally weak, but sufficient to identify of different aircrew and groundcrew. The result is as engaging as it is locations and the units depicted, although most readers will simply informative. be absorbed in the photographs. There are scenes of domesticity Through the Cold War, IX Squadron operated the and and regular air eld life, as well as more harrowing images of crashed English Electric Canberra, before returning to Avro with the Vulcan. The and, in some cases, burning bombers. Those fortunate enough to latter gave way to the Panavia Tornado as the unit once again took on live in or around Norfolk will enjoy the possibility of spotting a familiar a pioneering role, introducing the swing-wing strike aircraft into RAF air eld, pub or other location. This is a book to be dipped into at service. There are hair-raising accounts from crews involved in the leisure, rather than read cover to cover. Tornado’s rst combat operations over Iraq in 1991 and coverage of Published by Fonthill Media; ISBN9781781553565, available from subsequent action over the Balkans, Afghanistan and . www.fonthillmedia.com All of the many photographs are reproduced in black and white, which is a pity given the many colour images of IX Squadron’s FROM SPITFIRE TO METEOR operations from more recent times. Readers will notice that the Bristol Book Scout shown on page 18 is a Bristol Fighter and might puzzle at Litening being described as a radar defence pod rather than a targeting pod, but Written by: Albert Horton given the extent of the book’s coverage, these are minor criticisms. Price: £9.75 plus postage Published by Pen & Sword Aviation; ISBN1783036346, available Given the quality of reproduction of its black from www.pen-and-sword.co.uk and white photographs and inconsistent typography, the self-published origins of this OSPREY AIRCRAFT OF THE ACES book are immediately apparent, but neither – SPITFIRE ACES OF NORTHWEST detracts from the excellence of its content, EUROPE 1944-45 which essentially comprises the memoirs of Royal Air Force ghter pilot Albert Horton. Book Horton graduated onto the Supermarine Spit re in June 1949, Written by: Andrew Thomas after training on the and North American Price: £13.99 Harvard. Moving on from the Merlin-engined Mk 16, he accumulated This new title from Osprey is number 122 in its the majority of his Spit re hours on the PR.Mk 19 and FR.Mk 18, acclaimed Aircraft of the Aces series and the both of them Griffon engined. Photographic reconnaissance became fact that it is written by RAF authority Andrew Thomas, with cover his speciality and Horton was posted to the Middle East with 208 artwork by Mark Postlethwaite and colour pro les by Chris Thomas, Squadron. all under the careful editorial guidance of Tony Holmes, will add up to His was a fascinating time, for the RAF was transitioning to jets recommendation enough for many readers. and he made the change from piston power to the Gloster Meteor For those not familiar with Aircraft of the Aces, this would be an FR.Mk 9, gleefully noting that he  ew faster in a Spit re than he was excellent rst volume. Dealing with the Supermarine Spit re in its permitted to in the Meteor. Horton gives engaging recollections of last year of service over Northwest Europe, it abounds with artwork,  ying in the relative freedom of the immediate post-war world and the photographs and rst-hand accounts set into Andrew Thomas’s excitement of service life. authoritatively researched narrative. The beautifully rendered pro les This is a book written by someone who was there, and his – 36 altogether – illustrate Mks VB, VII, IX and XVI, and are complete passion for  ying and the Spit re in particular, shines through. with extensive captions. An appendix detailing individual pilot scores, Although it repeats a couple of photographs and would bene t from a bibliography and comprehensive index round off another superb tighter editing in places, this modest book is recommended as an package from Osprey. engaging, illuminating and entertaining read. Published by Osprey Publishing Ltd; ISBN9781782003380, Published by Robert Davies; ISBN9781291969085, available from available from www.ospreypublishing.com www.lulu.com

36 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

36_FlightBagDC.mf.indd 36 03/10/2014 14:40 THE MEN AND MACHINESNEW! SPECIAL SPECIALOF GERMANY’S BLITZKRIEG

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646 Luftwaffe Eagles Page.indd 87 13/08/2014 10:57 AVIATION WATCHES As regular as clockwork, pilot and writer Dave Unwin presents the annual Aviation News review of the latest pilot watches and chronometers.

Bremont Boeing Model 247 Bremont and Boeing have recently begun a collaboration and these Christopher Ward C1000 new timepieces will exclusively use Boeing aeroplane materials that Typhoon FGR4 - RAF Version have never before been incorporated in watch manufacture. The The latest watch from Christopher Ward 247 represents the debut chronograph in the collaboration, named is hugely sophisticated and technically after Boeing’s rst twin-engine commercial advanced in homage to the RAF’s aircraft, and the two ‘twin-like’ sub dials Typhoon FGR4. The high-tech ceramic tastefully re ect this inspiration. One version case is built around a titanium sub- is manufactured from Custom 465® frame for additional strength, while Stainless Steel, which is a double the ceramic used is one of the most vacuum-melted, age-hardened alloy advanced composites in the world. that has been specially developed Seven times stronger than steel, it is for the aerospace industry for its claimed that only a diamond is capable superior strength, hardness and of making a mark on it. The movement is corrosion resistance. a self-winding automatic and there is a very A second version uses Boeing detailed, deep-etched Typhoon medallion on aviation-grade Ti-64 titanium for the the caseback. case. Both feature the unique Bremont I liked the understated high-density webbing strap with titanium Trip-Tick case construction; the hardened buckle and the clear, easily read face under an anti-re ective case incorporates screw down crowns and crystal. Some nice touches are that the SuperLuminova numerals on chrono pushers, together with an exhibition the charcoal dial are based on those used for the Typhoon’s Head- sapphire crystal caseback. Water-resistant to 100 metres, it features Up Display, while the ghter’s familiar delta-wing shape can be seen an automatic movement with 42-hour power reserve, hour, minute on the counter-balance of the second hand and the distinctive small and second hands, a date window and chronograph functions with foreplanes at the tip. Look closely and the chronograph eyes have small counters for seconds and 30 minutes. The metal dial features been indented with the shape of the aircraft’s afterburners. In my SuperLuminova coated hands and numerals with two colour variations opinion this is a sophisticated chronograph. under an anti-re ective scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Five-year mechanical guarantee, £1,500. It is available with either a Seattle Hybrid (leather-polymer composite) www.christopherward.co.uk strap or a NATO military Bremont Boeing nylon strap. As is typical of Bremont chronographs, this is a smart, elegant watch that would look LACO Sydney equally at home in a cockpit or cocktail lounge. This is quite an intriguing watch. Based on the Three-year warranty, £4,495. speci cation created in 1940 by the German www.bremont.com Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Imperial Air Ministry) for a  ieger (pilot) watch, the Citizen Red Arrows Skyhawk A-T Titanium hour hand indicates on the inner index, If you like your watch to have more than a few functions then look while the minute and second hands no further than the Citizen Red Arrows Skyhawk! It offers a truly indicate on the outer index. Watches of remarkable number of features, including world time in 43 cities, two this style are also sometimes referred alarms, 99-minute countdown timer and 1/100 to as “beobachtungsuhren” or “b-uhren” stopwatch, a perpetual calendar and E6B- (observation watches), and were produced by type rotary slide rule, and power reserve just ve manufacturers, one of which was Laco. indicator. Powered by Citizen’s famous This classic aviator watch features a Type-B Eco-Drive system and continually matte black dial under a sapphire crystal, with and automatically updated via radio C3 SuperLuminova on the hands, numerals and signals, it is very accurate. There index, giving excellent low-light visibility. The case is one small caveat – it comes with is stainless steel with a brushed IP black nish, carried by a 20mm an operating manual that contains solid link stainless steel bracelet and has a folding clasp engraved more data than some Aircraft Flight with “LACO 1925” while the automatic mechanical movement can be Manuals, and serious study of it is viewed through the sapphire crystal exhibition caseback. It is water recommended rst to get the most resistant to 50 metres. I rather liked its cool, understated retro look, from this watch. Despite all the features, while being one of the smaller watches on test it could be worn as this wasn’t the largest watch on test. easily with a lounge suit as with a g-suit. Five-year guarantee, £499. Two year guarantee, £355. www.citizenwatch.co.uk www.AviationWatches.co.uk

38 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

38-39_WatchesDCDC.mf.indd 38 03/10/2014 12:47 AVIATION WATCHES

MTM Special Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903 Ops Cobra Founded in 1865, Zenith has been involved in aviation for almost The latest timepiece from MTM a century. One of the  rst watch manufacturers to create ight Special Ops Watches is the instruments to equip aircraft, the company soon gained a reputation limited edition Cobra, and – as for creating instruments that were well regarded for their precision we’ve come to expect from and exceptional ability to withstand vibration, magnetic  elds and MTM – it’s a real beast of a variations in temperature. Consequently Zenith altimeters, watches watch. Packed with features, and chronographs soon became extremely popular with pilots. A including a compass rose particularly famous watch (much sought after by collectors) is the and classic E6b-type slide Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20. It played an important part in the rule on the unidirectional/ burgeoning airmail business and ratcheting bezel, super from 1939 was also  tted into the luminous numbers and instrument panel of a number of an alarm, the movement aircraft, such as the Caudron is quartz and it’s battery used by the powered. French Air Force. The case and band are solid When Zenith decided to pay titanium, the crown is of the homage to the Wright brothers, locking, screw down type, while the company produced 1,903 the glass is scratch resistant, anti- Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type re ective sapphire crystal. It comes in 20 GMT 1903s. Although the sort of heavy-duty plastic box you associate with power tools and with a 48mm-diameter it’s each watch is individually numbered. I really liked the accompanying quite a large watch, the clear, unambiguous and comprehensive instructions. case is made from titanium Three-year guarantee, £997. so it is not as heavy as it www.nightgear.co.uk looks. The movement is automatic with a minimum Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter of 50 hours’ power reserve, Oris calls this watch the ‘Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter’ and it’s a small ‘seconds’ indicator is not joking – it does have a rather large crown – in fact there are at 9 o’clock, and the red-tipped two of them! The stainless steel crown at 2 o’clock controls the pointer is a 24-hour second time- time functions, while the screw-in crown at 4 o’clock controls the zone indicator. altimeter. Air must enter the case so the aneroid capsule can sense It is a very accurate the pressure to enable the altimeter to function. The watch case representation of a classic features a double domed sapphire crystal with anti-re ective coating aviator’s watch; I liked the large for enhanced readability and is water resistant to 10bar/100 metres ratcheted crown and the good- when the crown is screwed down. When open it displays sized Arabic numerals, set on a a red ring at the base of the crown, which illustrates black dial and under a sapphire crystal with anti-re ective that air can enter. A membrane prevents moisture treatment on both sides. According to Zenith, “the luminous and dust from entering the case when the crown glow of these delightfully vintage  gures stems from a  rst ‘old is unscrewed and the altitude can then be read radium’ treatment covered with a more classic SuperLuminova on the outer internal bezel, while the inner treatment. The effect is fascinating and the resulting part (which is recessed) uses the rear of appearance unique, since this ingenious combination the yellow tipped hand to indicate the creates a creamy shade, enlivened by tiny retro accents barometric pressure. that cannot be identically reproduced from one watch Oris is to make two versions of the watch to the next.” The dial is certainly delightfully retro and available, one with the altitude scale in metres easily readable, while the caseback features a stamped and another in feet. The black dial features insignia depicting the Wrights with the ‘Flyer’ at Kitty white hands, and it has a classic automatic Hawk on December 17, 1903. The individual number of mechanical movement. I liked the strap and each watch appears on a special plate screwed to the neat date window but – as is often the case – side of the case middle, like an aircraft rivet, while the it’s a bit too big for a dinner shirt. However, the wristband suits the watch perfectly, being a rugged strap wearer might like that, because as nobody else at made from beige suede leather. Its lining features a heat- the table is likely to be wearing an altimeter it’s quite embossed motif with the inscription ‘Zenith Flying Instruments’ a conversation piece, as well as a timepiece. as well as the brand’s historical logo. Three-year guarantee (one-year extension optional), Two-year guarantee plus free extra year when registering the £2,350. watch online, £5,800. www.oris.ch www.zenith-watches.com

www.aviation-news.co.uk 39

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628 AFD for AFM A4.indd 13 07/08/2014 15:12 AVIATION ARCHAEOLOGY Buried Spitfi re Parts Discovered The Aircraft Research Group with part numbers identifying it as Orkney & Shetland (ARGOS) has having belonged to a Spit re LF.Vc unearthed the near-complete port VC. Investigations to identify the wing of a Supermarine Spit re particular Spit re it belonged to and other signi cant Spit re parts are ongoing, complicated by the following the investigation of a dump fact that the other components site on one of Orkney’s former discovered may not be from the air elds. ARGOS is withholding the same aircraft. precise location as it continues to The armament had been work closely with the landowner, removed prior to the wing (and, who has been very co-operative in perhaps, whole aircraft) being allowing this fascinating project to scrapped. Frustratingly, it seems progress. that the gun bay access panels Examining aerial photographs were not replaced – these BY DAVID J SMITH of the site, which lies on private removable covers were often property, a group member had stencilled with their aircraft’s spotted “something aircraft-shaped”. serial number. It is hoped they A site investigation in August was might have been discarded in the followed by a dig which initially immediate area and not yet found. turned up a great deal of rubbish, Other markings stencilled on but as the team worked towards the the wing’s internal structure are edge of the tip they discovered the Westland Aircraft build numbers, buried wing. so ARGOS has established that, Digging carefully, they exposed what The remarkably intact Spit re wing, after its at the very least, the wing was built by the turned out to be an open machine-gun bay discovery on Orkney. William Shearer company, although not necessarily the entire and, before the wing had been completely lifted on nylon strops suspended from a farm airframe. Work continues to determine if uncovered, a part number pre xed ‘300’ was front-loader. the wing was from an aircraft based at the found on an internal component, indicating Clear of the ground, it became obvious air eld or one that crashed on it or nearby. this was a Spit re wing. The wing was later the section was a clipped ‘C’-type wing, With thanks to Andy Saunders

Opened in 1944 and closed to  ying in Radar Pioneer RAF Strubby 1945, RAF Strubby was home to 280 Sqn, RAF, using Vickers Warwicks on Memorialised Honoured air-sea rescue; 144 and 404 Sqns, Royal Until recently, the link between Brechin in Canadian Air Force  ying anti-shipping Angus and one of the 20th century’s great sorties over the North Sea as the Strubby scientists was marked only by a small plaque Strike Wing, with Bristol Beau ghters; on the wall of the house in Union Street and 227 and 619 Sqns, RAF on Avro where he was born. Now, however, thanks Lancasters. Now the station has been to the Watson-Watt Society, a permanent remembered in a memorial unveiled on monument to the achievements of Sir Robert its former site near Alford, Lincolnshire on Watson-Watt has been erected and was August 24. Veterans who  ew from the unveiled by HRH The Princess Royal on base, other ex-RAF personnel and local September 3. The radar system Watson-Watt dignitaries were present to witness the helped develop was instrumental in the RAF unveiling. winning the Battle of Britain. Bomber Command’s most easterly UK Born and raised in Brechin, Watson-Watt station and home to 5 Group Anti-Aircraft – a descendent of James Watt of steam School, Strubby lost 65 Lancasters to engine fame – later studied in Dundee. The operations and accidents. It remained in Air Ministry initially approached him about RAF hands until the 1970s, after which the feasibility of developing a ‘death ray’, but Conoco used a portion of the site as a instead he successfully bounced a radio The new memorial to RAF Strubby and its helicopter base, serving North Sea oil rigs. wave from a BBC short-wave transmitter off personnel. via Dye With thanks to Janet Dye a Handley Page Heyford bomber, proving that radio detection and ranging (radar) could work. Wellington Crew Remembered Installed as superintendent of Bawdsey Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire has a new Personnel from local RAFA branches were Research Station in Suffolk in 1936, Watson- memorial to the crew of Vickers Wellington in attendance, along with members of 1279 Watt and his team went on to track aircraft X LN281, a Market Harborough-based 14 Squadron, Air Training Corps. at distances of up to 100 miles (161km), Operational Training Unit aircraft that crashed Melton Aviation Society, a sub-group of developing the Chain Home series of radar on August 13, 1944. Unveiled on August the Melton Mowbray RAFA branch, was stations around the British coastline which 17, it remembers the seven crewmembers instrumental in the memorial’s creation, proved crucial in warning of Luftwaffe attacks. who died and the sole survivor of the and members expressed their thanks for The new statue was designed and created accident, Sgt George Raby. Sir Dusty donations, especially those of Rutland by sculptor Alan Herriot and depicts Watson- Miller, President of the Royal Air Forces Building Supplies, which built the memorial, Watt holding miniatures of a Spit re and a Association (RAFA), unveiled the monument Mowbray Fireplaces for its granite plaque radar tower. before a group of approximately 70 cadets, and Midland Co-Operative Funeralcare for dignitaries, relatives, townsfolk and veterans. the engraving. Brian Fare

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41_AvnArchDCmfDC.indd 41 30/09/2014 15:54 WARTHOG UNDER THREAT Although many fi ghter pilots have looked down on the ‘Warthog’ it is loved by most who have fl own it, revered by friendly troops and feared by the enemy. Tom Kaminski reviews the current status of the A-10 as the aircraft faces its toughest test for survival.

eveloped at the height of the Cold duties beyond those for which it was originally Following the collapse of the Soviet War, the Fairchild Republic A-10 designed. It continues to perform CAS and Union, the US Air Force made the rst of Thunderbolt II, affectionately known ‘Warthogs’ excel in the combat search and several formal attempts to divest the A-10 Das the ‘Warthog’, was intended as rescue (CSAR) role, serving as an escort for  eet when it proposed replacing it with F-16s a low-cost, survivable close air support (CAS) helicopters and providing close air support in the CAS role. Although US lawmakers aircraft and designed speci cally to destroy during personnel recovery missions. Besides initially intervened, it was arguably Saddam Soviet tanks and armoured vehicles using its air interdiction deep inside the forward edge Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait that ultimately internal, seven-barrel GAU-8/A 30mm cannon. of the battle area, and armed reconnaissance saved the Warthog. Following the 1991 Since entering service, the aircraft has seen missions, which call for the aircraft to locate Gulf War, the USAF reduced the size of the combat over Iraq, the Balkans, Afghanistan and attack targets, it also serves as a forward A-10A  eet by standing down several active- and Libya and has evolved and taken on air control (FAC) platform. duty units, and nearly 200 aircraft had been

42 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

42-47_WarthogDCMFDC.mfDC.indd 42 03/10/2014 16:33 Left: A-10Cs operated by the ’s 74th Fighter Squadron, deploy flares during a mission over southern Georgia on August 18, 2014. Known as the ‘’, the squadron is one of two assigned to the group based at Moody AFB, Georgia. USAF/ SSgt Jamal D Sutter

Right: The initial A-10C flies along the Florida coast from Eglin AFB, on March 25, 2010. Serial 81-0989 was conducting the debut flight of an aircraft powered solely by a biomass-derived jet fuel blend. The first A-10C continues to support testing with 96th Test Wing’s 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin. USAF/SMSgt Joy Josephson

placed in storage by late 1993. Despite those the end of the current Future Years Defense ‘twin bases’ at RAF Bentwaters and RAF retirements, by 1997 some 375 A-10As were Plan (FYDP) will further reduce the force to Woodbridge and rotated through four forward still in service, and upgrades to those aircraft just 48 combat squadrons in 2019. operating locations (FOL) in Germany. At its were under way. According to the USAF, it can no longer peak, nearly 30 squadrons fielded the aircraft Subsequent realignments reduced the afford to retain the ‘single-mission’ aircraft and in the continental United States (CONUS), fleet to 356 aircraft and the USAF’s Fiscal can utilise other platforms for the CAS mission. Alaska, Europe and the Republic of Korea. 2014 budget request included plans to The Warthog, however, continues to receive The last European-based A-10s were retire 102 A-10s including 21 from the active support from elected officials, and numerous withdrawn from Spangdahlem AB, Germany component, 61 and committees generated amendments to the in 2013. 20 Air Force Reserve Command, and the appropriation bills that prevent the USAF from Rather than Europe, the A-10A recorded elimination of five squadrons. Once again, retiring the aircraft. Although the US House its first combat missions over Iraq during however, elected officials came to the rescue of Representatives has already approved Operation Desert Storm on January 15, 1991. and as a result the number of aircraft retired its version of the defence appropriations bill, When combat operations concluded, the 152 was reduced to around 50 plus those that which blocks the retirement, the aircraft’s aircraft that were deployed had flown around had been authorised previously. Additionally, survival will not be official until a final 8,100 sorties, destroyed 987 Iraqi tanks, 500 the final National Defense Authorization Act negotiated Fiscal 2015 defence bill is sent to armoured personnel carriers, 926 artillery (NDAA) specifically blocked the Air Force the President later this year. pieces and 1,106 trucks, and demonstrated a from spending any money to divest additional mission capable rate of 95.7%. Subsequently A-10s before the end of 2014. EARLY YEARS the Warthog saw combat over the Balkans in In February 2014, the USAF released its The first of two YA-10 prototypes flew in May support of Operations Deliberate Force and Fiscal 2015 budget request, which called 1972, and six pre-production development, Allied Force in 1995 and 1999, Operations for retirement of the remaining fleet of 283 test and evaluation (DT&E) aircraft followed in Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom A-10s between 2015 and 2019. The service February 1975. Production deliveries began beginning in March 2002 and April 2003, and claimed that retiring the aircraft would result in March 1976 and the first operational wing more recently Operation Odyssey Dawn over in total savings of $3.7bn over five years, was stood up at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Libya in March 2011. freeing up funds for new aircraft programmes Carolina, in September 1978. The last of a Beginning with the installation of an inertial including the F-35A Lightning II. Despite total of 713 A-10As was delivered in 1984. navigation system (INS) in 1980, the A-10A ongoing combat operations, fiscal constraints The first A-10As arrived in Europe at RAF received several upgrades. The Low-Altitude caused the USAF to reduce its strength from Bentwaters, Suffolk for assignment to the 81st Safety and Targeting Enhancement (LASTE) 75 combat-coded fighter squadrons to 55 by Tactical Fighter Wing on January 26, 1979. introduced computerised weapon-aiming early 2014 and resulted in the retirement of The type became a mainstay in Europe and equipment. Fielded in 1991, LASTE provided 334 fighter aircraft. Projections indicate that 144 aircraft were eventually assigned to the computer-aided capabilities, including ground- collision avoidance, enhanced attitude control Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command’s 47th for aircraft stabilisation during gunfire, and Fighter Squadron line up on the ramp at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, a low-altitude autopilot system, as well as during the Hawgsmoke 2010 competition. The 47th FS at Barksdale ballistic weapons control and target detection AFB, Louisiana, was one of the victims of the last round of A-10 and tracking. retirements, before being reactivated as the type’s formal A Global Positioning System (GPS) training unit (FTU) at Davis-Monthan AFB. followed. Additionally, night vision USAF/TSgt Jeff Walston modifications were installed on more than 370 aircraft by the mid-1990s and an Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation System (EGI) capability was incorporated, beginning in 1999. In 2007, the first of around 100 A-10As, operated by the ANG and AFRC, received modifications that replaced the aircraft’s original 4 x 4in (10.1cm x 10.1cm) television monitor with a single 5 x 5in (12.7 x 12.7cm) liquid-crystal, multi-function colour display (MFCD) and the Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL), which allowed the aircraft to receive data from, and transmit it to, other platforms. Additionally, the AN/AAQ-28 Litening AT advanced targeting pod,

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42-47_WarthogDCMFDC.mfDC.indd 43 03/10/2014 16:33 which was rst elded by with the 104th FS in the aircraft in 2003, was August 2007, and the fully integrated with the unit rst employed aircraft’s systems. The a Joint Direct Attack result was the A-10A+, the Munition (JDAM) during rst of which began  ight- the A-10C’s initial testing at Davis-Monthan deployment to Al Asad AFB, Arizona, in November AB, Iraq, on September 2007, before an initial 19, 2007. deployment to Afghanistan Delivery of the nal which began in mid-2008. A-10C, serial 80-0213, occurred at Hill in July PRECISION 2011. Although the ENGAGEMENT majority of the 349 The aircraft’s most production upgrades were signi cant upgrade was carried out by the OO- developed by Lockheed Martin, which An Idaho ANG A-10C res its 30mm cannon ALC’s 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron served as the prime contractor from 1997 on a training mission over the Saylor Creek (AMXS), more than 40 aircraft, based in until 2009. Development of the Precision Range. Jim Haseltine Germany and South Korea, were upgraded Engagement (PE) programme, which locally by SABCA (Sociétés Anonyme Belge combined several smaller upgrades into WEATHER ‘HOG’ de Constructions Aéronautiques) at Brussels a single project, began in February 2001 An A-10C that was last assigned to the 355th South Charleroi Airport, Belgium, and Korean when Lockheed Martin was awarded a $74m FW’s 354th FS is undergoing conversion into Air’s (KAL) Aerospace Division at Gimhae Engineering & Manufacturing Development a thunderstorm-penetrating weather research International Airport in Busan, South Korea. (EMD) contract. platform, under a $13m project funded by the The PE provides the pilot with new The rst A-10C was unveiled at Eglin National Science Foundation. Once completed, the systems and capabilities and incorporates AFB, Florida, in January 2005, and plans Storm Penetration Aircraft (SPA) will be operated two 5 x 5in (12.7 x 12.7cm) MFCDs, a by the Naval Post Graduate School’s Center for called for the modi cation of 357 A-10As to central interface control unit (CICU) that Interdisciplinary Remotely Piloted Aircraft Studies the A-10C con guration by 2009 at a cost of (CIRPAS), which is located at Marina Municipal provides digital stores management system $360m. Airport near Monterey, California. The plans (DSMS) and avionics systems integration In February 2005, the Ogden Air Logistics originally called for the conversion of an A-10A as well as improved data management Center (OO-ALC), now Complex, at Hill (which was to be unmanned) for this mission. and diagnostics capabilities, plus a new AFB, Utah, issued a production contract to However, rather than providing support for a single Armament/HUD Control Panel. Replacing Lockheed Martin Systems Integration for the A-model, the USAF made an A-10C available for the components of the original armament rst PE production kits. The initial upgrade project (which will use a pilot). The modi cations to control system, the CICU also interfaces kits were delivered to Hill in March 2006 and A-10C serial 80-0212 are being carried out by Zivko with other mission subsystems and collects, Aeronautics at Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport, the rst A-10C  ew at the base in August integrates and displays information from near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and include 2006. The PE programme was accelerated armouring the leading edges and control surfaces, various subsystems, including the AN/AAQ- by 18 months to meet operational needs, replacing components that are vulnerable to hail, 28 Litening or AN/AAQ-33 Sniper targeting which resulted in concurrent elding and and installing a system that prevents icing on the pods, radios and processors. Upgrades to development. The 422nd Test & Evaluation  ight surfaces and engine nacelles. Additionally, the LASTE system’s integrated  ight and Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada, conducted the 30mm cannon is being replaced by a second re control computer (IFFCC) were also Development Testing (DT) and Operational electrical system that will power the science incorporated into the CICU. Hardware and payload using the gun-hydraulic system. Much Test & Evaluation (OT&E) with assistance Below: Two A-10Cs from the Idaho ANG’s from the Maryland Air National Guard’s of the aircraft’s cloud sampling and atmospheric measurement equipment will be carried in 190th Fighter Squadron  y a training mission 104th Fighter Squadron. The A-10C external pods. over the Sawtooth Mountains in central Idaho. achieved initial operational capability (IOC) Jim Haseltine

44 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

42-47_WarthogDCMFDC.mfDC.indd 44 03/10/2014 16:33 Above left: The ‘business end’ of an A-10C of the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Kandahar Airfield. Although successive precision munitions upgrades have been completed, the seven-barrel GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm cannon remains a key weapon. USAF/TSgt Chad Chisholm Above right: Armourers load 30mm ammunition into an A-10C at Bagram AB, Afghanistan. Despite the undoubted success of the Warthog in Enduring Freedom, the aircraft’s supposed single-role limitations count against it as the USAF seeks to trim its expenditure. USAF/ SSgt Stephenie Wade

software upgrades to LASTE added HUD 210 multi-band and multi-mode, beyond-line- (LARSV12) on aircraft operated by the ANG (head-up display) symbology that supports of-sight (BLOS) radios and the AN/AAR-47 and AFRC. First fielded by the ’s targeting pods, data link and smart weapons missile approach warning system. 74th Fighter Squadron in 2013, the HMCS, integration. In July 2010, the USAF selected which is also utilised by the upgraded Block The installation of an Up Front Controller Raytheon to integrate a Helmet Mounted 30 F-16C and the MC-130W, provides day/ (UFC) allows the pilot to input data and Integrated Targeting (HMIT) system with the night colour displays. select options through the HUD and A-10C. Development began in response to Seventeen active USAF, ANG and simplifies workload by integrating many an Urgent Operational Need (UON) issued AFRC units currently operate around 300 weapons, navigation and HUD commands in September 2008. Under that effort, A-10Cs. Between April 2013 and May 2014, into a single piece of equipment. Target, Gentex Corporation’s Scorpion Helmet 49 A-10Cs were placed in storage with the threat and friendly information provided via Mounted Cueing System (HMCS) was 309th AMARG alongside 122 unmodified SADL is displayed on the MFCD, which integrated as part of the Suite 7B software A-10As. As a result, the USAF’s 81st serves as the Tactical Awareness Display upgrade, which also included the AN/ARS- Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem AB, the (TAD). Additionally, a new control stick 6(V)12 Lightweight Airborne Radio System Arkansas Air National Guard’s 184th Fighter grip and right throttle that are common Squadron in Fort Smith and the Air Force Below: The view inside the cockpit of a 190th with the F-16 and F-15E enable fingertip Reserve Command’s 47th Fighter Squadron Fighter Squadron A-10C stationed in Boise, control of aircraft systems and targeting pod at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, were all Idaho. Jim Haseltine functionality, and MIL-STD-1760 inactivated. The latter unit was capabilities were incorporated subsequently reactivated at on six stores pylons, providing Davis-Monthan, replacing the the aircraft with a new ‘smart’ 45th Fighter Squadron and taking precision weapons capability. In over a formal training unit (FTU) order to support the new systems, role which had been done by DC electrical power output was the ’s 358th doubled. Fighter Squadron, which was The PE enables the A-10C inactivated. to employ advanced targeting pods (ATP) and deliver numerous WARTHOG SUPPORT inertially aided munitions (IAM) The A-10A was originally and other ‘smart’ stores. Weapons designed for a service life of loads include up to four 2,000lb 6,000 flight hours but by 1976 (907kg) GBU-31 or six 500lb this had been extended to 8,000 (227kg) GBU-38 JDAMs, six CBU- hours, and to 16,000 by 1996. 103/104 Wind Corrected Munition Beginning in 2002, the first of Dispensers (WCMD), or 2,000lb around 350 early production GBU-10 and 500lb GBU-12 laser aircraft underwent a Service guided bombs. Life Extension Program (SLEP) In 2009, the A-10C was cleared that allowed the wings to reach to deploy the GBU-54 Laser the 8,000-hour service life. The JDAM (LJDAM). The aircraft is wings installed on the 582nd and also capable of carrying up to 98 subsequent A-10As were known Advanced Precision Kill Weapon as ‘thick skin’ wings and were System (APKWS) in LAU- designed for a longer service 131 pods. Testing of the laser- life. As a result, those aircraft guided APKWS, which is based on did not require the structural a Hydra 70 (2.75in) rocket with an modifications carried out under M151 warhead and fuse, began the ‘Hog Up’ programme. in February 2013. Subsequent Completed in September modifications installed AN/ARC- 2013, the SLEP was carried

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42-47_WarthogDCMFDC.mfDC.indd 45 03/10/2014 16:33 CURRENT A-10 FLEET WING/GROUP SQUADRON LOCATION AIRCRAFT UNIT CODE – Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia USAF Warfare Center (USAFWC) – Nellis AFB, Nevada /OG Eglin AFB, Florida 422d TES ‘Green Bats’ Nellis AFB, Nevada A-10C OT /USAFWS 66th WPS ‘Brown Birds’ Nellis AFB, Nevada A-10C WA

Ninth Air Force (9AF) – Shaw AFB, South Carolina 23d Wing/23d FG 74th FS ‘Flying Tigers’ Moody AFB, Georgia A-10C FT 75th FS ‘Tiger Sharks’ Moody AFB, Georgia A-10C FT 20th FW/495th FG Shaw AFB, South Carolina Det. 303 (see Note 1) Whiteman AFB, Missouri A-10C KC /Air Forces South (12AF/AFSOUTH) – Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona 355th FW/OG 354th FS ‘Bulldogs’ Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona A-10C DM 357th FS (FTU) ‘Dragons’ Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona A-10C DM Air National Guard Units – Joint Base Andrews-NAF Washington, Maryland 122d FW/OG 163d FS ‘Blacksnakes’ Fort Wayne IAP, Indiana A-10C IN 124th FW/OG 190th FS ‘Skullbangers’ -Gowen Field, Idaho A-10C ID 127th Wing 107th FS ‘Red Devils’ Selfridge ANGB, Michigan A-10C MI 175th Wing/OG 104th FS ‘Fighting Orioles’ Martin State Airport/War eld ANGB, Baltimore, Maryland A-10C MD Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Units – Robins AFB, Georgia (10AF) – NAS JRB Fort Worth/Carswell Field, Texas 442nd FW/OG 303rd FS ‘KC Hawgs’ Whiteman AFB, Missouri A-10C KC 476th FG 76th FS ‘Vanguards’ (see Note 2) Moody AFB, Georgia A-10C FT 944th FW Luke AFB, Arizona 924th FG 47th FS (FTU) ‘Dogpatchers’ Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona A-10C DP 926th Group 706th FS (see Note 3) Nellis AFB, Nevada A-10C WA Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) – Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio Air Force Test Center (AFTC) – Edwards AFB, California 96th TW/OG 40th FLTS Eglin AFB, Florida A-10C ET Pacifi c Air Forces – Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii /Air Forces Korea (7AF/AFKOR) – Osan AB, Republic of Korea 51st FW/OG 25th FS ‘Assam Dragons’ Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea A-10C OS

Notes: 1. A-10 Joint Test Force. 2. Aircraft previously assigned to the Sacramento ALC’s Engineering Flight Test department. 3. No aircraft assigned. Squadron operates aircraft assigned to co-located 53rd and 57th Wings.

Abbreviations FG Fighter Group JRB Joint Reserve Base USAFWC USAF Weapons Center AB Air Base FLTS Flight Test Squadron NAF Naval Air Facility USAFWS USAF Weapons School AFB Air Force Base FS Fighter Squadron NAS Naval Air Station WPS Weapons Squadron ANGB Air National Guard Base FW Fighter Wing OG Operations Group ACW Air Control Wing FTU Formal Training Unit TES Test & Evaluation Squadron Det. Detachment IAP International Airport TW Test Wing

An A-10C from the Arizona ANG’s 188th Fighter Wing res an AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile. Jim Haseltine

46 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

42-47_WarthogDCMFDC.mfDC.indd 46 03/10/2014 16:33 Two A-10s from the 25th Fighter Squadron on a training mission from Osan AB, Korea. The Warthogs of the 25th FS ‘Assam Dragons’ are the last to be permanently stationed on foreign soil. Jim Haseltine

out on around 40 aircraft annually by the received orders for 173 EWA sets. wiring previously required for the AN/AAS- OO-ALC, the 309th Aerospace Maintenance The rst EWA was delivered to Hill AFB 35 Pave Penny laser spot tracker system and Regeneration Group (AMARG), SABCA in March 2011 and, following installation by is being removed. The initial modi cation and KAL. Those aircraft that underwent the 574th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was completed in May 2012 and production SLEP are now monitored as part of the (AMXS), the aircraft  ew with its new wings installations began in October the same year. Scheduled Structural Inspections (SSI) that for the rst time that November. Testing Around 12 aircraft can be modi ed monthly will combine with additional modi cations was completed in January 2012 and A-10C and so by mid-September 2014 the DSL had to ensure the aircraft can operate to 16,000 serial 80-0173 was formally rolled out at completed modi cations on 217 A-10Cs. hours or beyond. The SSI is carried out Hill AFB on February 15. Installation of The DSL began replacing the aircraft’s every 2,000  ight hours, 1,600 landings, or the new wings takes between 100 and 150 liquid oxygen system with an on-board eight years. days depending on whether it is a ‘stand- oxygen generating system (OBOGS) in On June 29, 2007, Boeing received alone’ installation or the replacement is March 2014. The rst updated aircraft a contract to construct up to 242 sets being carried out along with scheduled was delivered in the April and ten A-10Cs of Enhanced Wing Assemblies (EWA) depot maintenance. By September 2014, from the 355th and 442nd Fighter Wings for installation on the A-10A  eet, based the OO-ALC had installed the new wings had been modi ed by September 2014. on the ‘thick skin’ wing tted to the late- on 60 A-10Cs and completion of the effort is Requiring 25 days for installation and production A-10s, and rated for 16,000  ight scheduled for Fiscal 2017. checkout, the OBOGS project includes hours. Installation of the wings extends the Operated by the 309th AMARG’s 576th structural and wiring modi cations and service life of the aircraft until the 2030 time Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration improves the aircraft’s ability to operate from frame. The centre section for each EWA is Squadron (AMARS) at Davis-Monthan, remote locations. constructed at a Boeing facility in Macon, the ‘Desert Speed Line’ (DSL) is currently Although the proposed Fiscal 2015 Georgia, whereas the outer wings are built completing a series of modi cations that budget removes funding for any planned by Korean Aerospace Industries. Although install the wiring necessary to support the A-10 upgrades, it continues to fund those the project was subsequently reduced to HMCS. Additionally, those A-10Cs assigned modi cations that are required in order to 233 sets, as a result of budget cuts and to ANG and AFRC units are receiving keep the aircraft viable until the anticipated planned retirements, Boeing has to date only LARS installations, and the equipment and phase-out in 2019.

A 74th FS Thunderbolt II at Kandahar in Afghanistan. Neil Dunridge

www.aviation-news.co.uk 47

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operating the electronic countermeasures The Vulcan played an important part in the Cold War, (ECM) equipment used to jam radars. and with November 9 being the 25th anniversary Edward was posted to 35 Squadron in 1967 at RAF Cottesmore, Rutland where 9 of the fall of the Berlin Wall, XH558 recently fl ew a and 12 Sqns, which also  ew the Vulcan, special commemorative fl ight. Editor Dino Carrara were also based. The Vickers Valiant had been retired and so the V-Force comprised talked to Edward Jarron, Vice-Chairman of the the Handley Page Victor, standing guard with the Vulcan as the UK’s strategic nuclear Vulcan to the Sky Trust, about his time fl ying the deterrent. The frontline Vulcan force at that big delta on the front line and at airshows. time also consisted of three squadrons each at Scampton and Waddington. Each squadron had ten crews. ir Commodore Edward Jarron squadron. It would then take almost a year (Ret) joined the RAF in the 1960s on the front line to become combat ready. QUICK REACTION ALERT (QRA) with the aim of becoming a ghter Once you attained this you were quali ed to All squadrons had a crew at 15 minutes Apilot, however, after completing the go on nuclear QRA [Quick Reaction Alert].” readiness to launch, 24 hours a day. QRA advanced  ying course on the Folland Gnat He added: “The whole tour was with the crews would usually wait in the squadron at RAF Valley, Anglesey, he – like the majority same crew and we got to know each other’s headquarters, though were allowed to be on his course – was posted to the Vulcan strengths and weaknesses. I reckon it took anywhere on the station provided they were force, which was being built up at the time. us a year to really function well and  y and together as there were tannoys all over the He was sent to 230 Operational ght the aeroplane properly.” A Vulcan base. Four or ve targets were assigned to Conversion Unit (OCU) at RAF Finningley in crew consisted of the captain, co-pilot, nav/ each crew. “All of my targets were military South Yorkshire to learn to  y the Vulcan on a radar (who entered xes into the navigation ones in the Soviet Union or Eastern Europe, six-month course involving 50 hours in the air. equipment to get the aircraft to the target), mainly air elds. The furthest one was to the Edward said: “All the OCU taught was how to nav/plotter (for longer-range navigation) west of Moscow and many were in what is  y the aircraft. You were assigned to a crew, and the air electronics officer (AEO) who now Belarus. We would be required to sit in so ve guys would leave together to go on a was responsible for all the electronics and a top-secret vault and familiarise ourselves

50 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

50-55_VulcanTNDCDCmf.indd 50 03/10/2014 15:27 Main photo: Edward Jarron climbs away from NAS Glenview in 1977 en route to a display over the shore of Lake Michigan alongside Chicago. Edward Jarron Archive

Right: The then Sqn Ldr Edward Jarron is on the far right. To his left is co-pilot Flt Lt John Hills, then AEO Flt Lt ‘Chip’ Brunsden and nav/plotter Flt Lt Dai Barnes. This photo was taken during Edward’s second stint with 35 Sqn when he was a captain and ight commander. Edward Jarron Archive

with them in great detail, and then we would The crews were tested regularly, mostly eventually they stood us down and we had be quizzed on them.” A number of hours per on what were called Edam exercises. just got back to sleep at around 4.00 am week were speci ed for this purpose. Edward said: “We would hear blaring from when we were called out again, but this time At the start of a QRA stint the aircraft the tannoys: ‘Exercise Edam, Exercise Edam, they didn’t say ‘Exercise Edam’ so we shot would be readied, which involved the nav/ readiness state 05 is now in force.’ That out and I really began to wonder if we were radar crewman climbing into the bomb bay meant we had to go to an alert state of vr going to war. It turns out it was a command- and selecting the settings on the nuclear minutes readiness and so we would jump wide exercise, known as a Mickey Finn, and weapon to make it live: “We would set the jet into the crew car [each crew had its own they were generating the whole V-Force.” No to a combat ready state so that if scrambled vehicle] and speed out to our aircraft, climb matter where a crewman was, he would be we could climb in, just press the buttons and in, strap in, shut the door, get all the electrics recalled to the station. For aircrew living off- go. Normally when we went out to a Vulcan on but not start the engines, bringing us up base there was a cascade telephone system on a training sortie it would take up to an to readiness state 05. We could be held at in place for them to call the next person on hour to check everything out and then get that state for hours. At readiness state 02 the list. Edward explained: “All the aircraft airborne.” He added: “Initially, the QRA aircraft we taxied out of the QRA area to the ‘ ngers’ would be generated, including ones in deep had a single Yellow Sun nuclear weapon on [Operational Readiness Platform/ORP] at service and unserviceable, which took a few it, all the ‘go’ bags inside with maps, tracks the end of the runway. With engines running days until the entire force was at readiness to target, codes, etc. However, later in the there was clearly a limit to how long we state 15 with simulated nuclear weapons on tour Yellow Sun was replaced with the much could be kept there. On an Exercise Edam board. Usually Mickey Finns were called on smaller WE177 bomb with the same nuclear we would then be stood down to readiness a Monday and about the Thursday we would yield. Its size meant it could be hung from the state 05, taxi back, park, ll the aircraft with  y a high-low-high sortie and that was the centre position of three main hangers in the fuel and resume 15 minutes readiness. Each end of the exercise.” bomb bay. This left room for two extra fuel crew had an Exercise Edam roughly every He added: “When  ying on an exercise we tanks on the front and rear hangers, giving couple of days, often in the middle of the wouldn’t have a weapon onboard – we never an additional 16,000lb (7,257kg) of fuel. In a night.”  ew with live nuclear weapons – but instead typical high-low-high mission pro le this gave Edward recalled one particularly used a Weapon Response Simulator (WRS) an extra hour’s endurance at low level on memorable instance: “There was an Edam which would mimic the internal systems of top of the total of ve hours that the internal exercise at 2.00 am on a cold winter’s night the nuclear bomb and tell you if the weapon 72,000lb (32,659kg) of fuel allowed.” and so we were shivering in the cockpit – would have worked properly.”

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50-55_VulcanTNDCDCmf.indd 51 03/10/2014 15:27 about 5 miles downrange. We were told: ‘the shockwave may cause a nose-down change of trim, and some structural damage to the airframe may occur.’ What they omitted to say was that we would also have the contents of a half-mile crater heading towards us, so we would be hoping for the best!” He added: “Before the weapon could be released there were a lot of switches that needed to be put in the right position by the captain, co-pilot and nav/radar to make the weapon live in the air and activate the release Edward’s first posting on the Vulcan was to RAF Finningley and 230 OCU. This shot shows the mechanisms. We had a set drill on the run-in famous XH558 visiting RAF Leuchars in September 1967, when it was assigned to 230 OCU. to the target and if you didn’t do it right it Craig Bulman collection wouldn’t drop or detonate. This was what the NUCLEAR PROCEDURES readiness state 15. WRS was designed to check. In a real-world scenario an increase in The Yellow Sun nuclear bomb was huge “After an attack the plan was to stay at low tension would have meant the Vulcans and only just fitted in the Vulcan’s bomb bay; level for as long as the fuel would permit until deploying to dispersal airfields, four at each the much smaller WE177 was therefore exiting Warsaw Pact territory and, depending location, to make the force less vulnerable a great step forward. The nuclear attack on the target, land in locations such as to attack. While on the Vulcans, Edward mission profile trained for was to climb to and bases in NATO countries on undertook exercises at some of these high level, then at 200 miles (322km) before Continental Europe.” wartime airfields which included Bedford, entering Warsaw Pact territory, descend He continued: “It was a big and relatively Elvington and Machrihanish. to 200ft (61m). For Yellow Sun the aircraft slow airplane and had we been required to There was a strict procedure that had to would be pulled up and the bomb released penetrate enemy airspace during the day we be followed, as one would expect, for such a onto the target, then the captain would turn were not overly optimistic about getting to the destructive weapon. On an operational alert the Vulcan away and also try to get as high target, but at night doing 400kts using the the crew would open the ‘go bag’ and remove as possible before the bomb hit the ground terrain following radar (TFR) and ECM I think the sealed envelopes containing codewords and detonated. Clear of the blast the Vulcan a large proportion of the force would have got that would have to match those transmitted would return to low level, fuel permitting. through.” from Bomber Command. The first codeword For the WE177 Edward said: “We would The destructive power of what we would would permit the aircraft to go to readiness have performed a laydown attack – this be carrying led to some lengthy discussions state 05 and there would be another for state involved flying directly over the target at 200ft and soul-searching among crews. “Most 02. If, however, the decision had been taken and releasing the bomb, which was parachute young guys joined the air force for the sense to launch there would be a separate one for retarded and had a 30-second delay, to give of adventure, the flying and social life and all that too. Once airborne the crew needed us more time to get away from the blast. We of a sudden, and it does seem like all of a to have received a further codeword by the would be going at about 400kts – 7 miles a sudden, you’re there on a dark winter’s night 8° East longitude line otherwise they were minute – so would be 3½ miles away when it with an aircraft outside fitted with a nuclear to turn back. There was also a codeword went off. The shock wave would travel at the bomb and ready to strike a target deep in to stand down, return to base and assume speed of sound, so it would catch us up at the Soviet Union – and there is the ethical

The whole of 35 Sqn in 1967. In those days only aircrew were assigned to a flying unit. Edward Jarron is third from the left on the front row. Those to the far right, wearing flying suits, were on QRA. Edward Jarron Archive

52 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

50-55_VulcanTNDCDCmf.indd 52 03/10/2014 15:27 A 35 Sqn Vulcan B.2 at RAF St Mawgan in August 1975. Andrew Thomas

was already a Russian speaker, so, following the necessary training, he was sent to Moscow as Assistant Air Attaché. On his return, some ve years later, he hoped for Buccaneers again and was told he was likely to be promoted in the near future to the rank of squadron leader, which would complicate things. If this were to happen half way through the Buccaneer OCU course he wouldn’t be given command of squadron  ight due to his lack of experience on the type and so would be placed back on Jet Provosts. The view from the Vulcan cockpit for the pilots was limited – Edward said it was like looking It was recommended he return to Vulcans through a letter box. RAF Akrotiri and, if promoted, he would become a  ight side: ‘are you really going to do this?’ Every nav/radar was the guy who looked after commander on a bomber squadron. crew went through that and we did talk it it.” He added: “I remember dropping seven He undertook a Vulcan refresher at 230 through – we came to the conclusion that if 1,000-pounders at Garvie Island [off the north OCU, now at Scampton, which also quali ed you decided you couldn’t do it, for whatever coast of Scotland] from 2,500ft because they him to become a captain and was posted reason, you should go and tell the boss the weren’t laydown [parachute retarded] and no- to 50 Sqn at Waddington in 1974. Edward following morning – though you would be out one warned me about the shockwave – and it commented: “The difference between being a of a job. The way that we reconciled it was hit the aircraft like a sledge hammer – seven captain and a co-pilot was night and day – it that we were committed to preventing the use times! In a microsecond my eyes scanned was marvellous! That’s when I really enjoyed of nuclear weapons against us – we were every instrument in the cockpit looking for  ying the Vulcan and gave up any thought of “The Vulcan would out-turn and out-climb a Lightning at 40,000 to 45,000ft...”

about deterrence. Nuclear weapons had and signs of a catastrophic failure. I thought we’d converting to fast-jets.” still have one prime function, to deter the use lost all four engines!” He did get his promotion after 18 months of nuclear weapons against us. We do not At the end of Edward’s three-year tour on on 50 Sqn and was assigned back to 35 Sqn war- ght with nuclear.” 35 Sqn at Cottesmore as a Vulcan co-pilot as  ight commander and deputy squadron he still harboured a desire to be a ghter commander. By the time of his return to the THE CONVENTIONAL ROLE pilot. The best way to get onto fast-jets was Vulcan force the aircraft was no longer the The Vulcan also had a conventional role initially as a Quali ed Flying Instructor (QFI) UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent – this role and could carry 21 1,000lb (454kg) bombs. and so he applied and was accepted for had been passed to the Royal Navy’s Polaris- Edward explained that the delta had an Central Flying School (CFS) and became an equipped submarines. Mickey Finn force- impressive piece of equipment for this instructor at RAF Syerston in Nottinghamshire wide generation exercises were still held, and purpose: “It was called the 90 Way and was  ying Jet Provosts. He then hoped to go onto Vulcan crews continued to practise dispersing an early computer that allowed you to drop Buccaneers. However, part way through the to other air elds, but aircraft weren’t held the 21 bombs in 90 different variations. The QFI tour he was assigned another task. He on nuclear QRA. On exercise they still

An impressive line-up of 35 Sqn Vulcans at RAF Luqa on in 1968. Godfrey Mangion

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50-55_VulcanTNDCDCmf.indd 53 03/10/2014 15:27 McClellan AFB in California, Hickam AFB on Hawaii, Wake Island and in the Paci c, RAF Tengah in Singapore, RAF Gan in the Indian Ocean, Bahrain and  nally Cyprus.” He continued: “We ew 65 hours and for the whole trip the aeroplane was serviceable. Normally, every time you ew the Vulcan it came back with something wrong, but if you ew every day in dry, high and wonderful climates it was amazing how well it behaved.” Edward explained that the Rangers and other trips were undertaken to “export noise”, giving some relief to UK residents. They also adopted the same readiness states as had Above: A Vulcan from 50 Sqn in formation added variety to the training, as the Vulcan applied when it was the strategic nuclear with another from 101 Sqn. MoD crews were limited at home to one low-level deterrent. Below: By the time Edward joined the route around England and Scotland (this The conventional role was retained and frontline Vulcan force, tactics had changed system was dropped to allow for more variety the squadron also had a secondary duty from high level to low level. This is a 50 in routings). Designed as a high-level bomber, of maritime radar reconnaissance (MRR). Sqn aircraft at low level over Sicily. RAF the Vulcan had been forced to operate at low Edward said: “The Soviet Union would Waddington level because the surface-to-air missile threat regularly send vessels into our waters, so we would be tasked to shadow and sometimes carry out photographic missions on them.” RANGERS Edward went on numerous overseas trips while serving on the Vulcan. Among them were Goose Rangers, which involved ying to the base at Goose Bay, Newfoundland for a week and completing two or three low-level sorties over the Canadian outback. Western Rangers involved ying to Goose Bay and undertaking two low- level sorties, then heading down to Offutt AFB, Omaha for a few more low-level ights over DISPLAYING THE VULCAN the Nevada Desert, back to Goose Bay and During Edward’s second stint on 35 Sqn he was also a display pilot – each Vulcan base had one. Between 1977 and 1978 he ew many displays in the UK as well as at Saint-Truiden Air Base in Belgium, though return to the UK. Other regular destinations his most memorable overseas trip in this role was to perform over Chicago. “We ew out of NAS Glenview, for training ights were RAF Luqa on Malta which is about 15 miles north of the city, and displayed over Lake Michigan abeam the city centre next to and RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus. A particularly the Sears Tower. The approach was down a pleasure beach at 300ft, 400kts – it was terri c and a lot of fun. noteworthy trip involved circumnavigating We did four displays there that week.” the world while on 35 Sqn in late 1967 which As for his routine: “My display lasted seven minutes, had a minimum height of 300ft, included steep turns, a Edward said: “was theoretically to reinforce wing-over through 90° and a steep climb away at the end. During the display we were limited to 240kts at Singapore as it was around the time we were low level for fatigue reasons, so I would authorise a laydown attack on the air eld we were performing at. It pulling out from east of Suez. Along with would start with the Vulcan roaring in at up to 400kts, I’d bang the airbrakes out and pull up for the  rst wing- another Vulcan we routed via Goose Bay, over which would cause the speed to would wash off down to 240kts.” He added: “For a display we would also use what was called the ‘take-off switch’ which gave you 103% thrust.” Below: Vulcan B.2, XM654, in 1975 displaying So how did ‘his’ Vulcan display then compare with what VTST’s XH558 does these days? “I think the 50 Sqn’s recently applied ‘Greyhound’ insignia. handling of XH558 is beautifully done and it’s an excellent display, especially the wing-overs. One thing I It also wears a Union Flag on the tail and No. 1 think is a pity is that there’s no fast bit, as I loved to show the aircraft off like that. When the aircraft is going Group’s panther head on the forward fuselage well it does look very business-like – nose down and black smoke pouring out the back. On XH558 we which were applied to mark its participation keep it to a lower speed to preserve the airframe and the steep climb-out cannot be as steep as it used to in Strategic Air Command’s ‘Giant Voice’, a be with the extra thrust we had on frontline aircraft. Aircraft assigned to the OCU, like XH558, tended to bombing and navigation competition. Edward have the Rolls-Royce Olympus 201 engines, which each had 17,000lb of thrust. Squadron aircraft used the served on this squadron from 1974 to 1975. 301 series with 20,000lb of thrust.” Craig Bulman collection

54 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

50-55_VulcanTNDCDCmf.indd 54 03/10/2014 15:27 Right: A 50 Sqn Vulcan shelters from the elements in a hangar at Goose Bay. Edward Jarron Archive

Below: Goose Bay was a regular overseas destination for Vulcans so they could practise low-level ying in the vast Canadian wilderness. This aircraft was captained by Edward Jarron for this visit in 1975 while on 50 Sqn. Edward Jarron Archive

“I wished we had had a couple of Sidewinders on it!” Edward left the Vulcan force in 1979 having amassed around 2,500 hours on the V-bomber. His career went on to include many more highlights, among them being Station Commander at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire; Deputy Director of Flying Training based within the Ministry of Defence in London and latterly as Chief of the Special Weapons branch at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium dealing with weapons of mass destruction as well as nuclear deterrence and strategy. He left the RAF in 1994 having had led to a change in tactics and this was wasn’t great; it was like looking through a attained the rank of Air Commodore – in 2010 starting to take its toll on the airframes. In the letter box. It would have been fabulous if it he became a trustee on VTST and two years late 1970s the RAF was trying to preserve the had had a bubble canopy.” later its vice-chairman. life of the Vulcans and so installed what were With the Vulcan designed for high-level On November 9 it will be 25 years known as ‘bump meters’. The aircraft would ight it was most manoeuvrable at altitude. since the fall of the Berlin Wall. To highlight normally be own up to a maximum of 350kts This was put to good effect during  ghter the role the Vulcan and the V-Force at low level where the air can be turbulent, affiliation training, where  ghters tried to played in the Cold War, VTST organised and so each exure, or bending of the wing, intercept the bomber as it attempted to evade a commemorative ight on September 25 would be recorded on the bump meter, which them. Lightnings were the most common departing from XH558’s current home at was monitored by the AEO. Each low-level ‘adversaries’: “We’d be at a high altitude and Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield sortie was limited to 200 bumps and if this pick them up on our radar warning receiver (formerly RAF Finningley) and ying over number was reached, the crew would climb and what they wanted to do was be 10 miles the V-Force bases of RAF Scampton, out of low level. ahead of us but displaced, then at about 30° Coningsby, Marham, Honington, Wyton, to our left or right they would start their turn Gaydon, Wittering and Waddington. This FLYING THE VULCAN in to try to get behind you and shoot us down date ahead of the actual anniversary was Edward described the experience: “The (before the days of head-on missiles). Our chosen because XH558 will be undergoing Vulcan was a nice aircraft to y, single tactic was to turn towards them, y over the its winter service in November. Edward is stick and with four little throttles. It’s a big top of them and then we were in a turning proud of his contribution towards keeping the aeroplane but highly manoeuvrable and  ght. The Vulcan would out-turn and out-climb peace during the Cold War while serving on it always did what you wanted it to do. a Lightning at 40,000 to 45,000ft, so we could the Vulcan and gets great satisfaction from However, the view outside from the cockpit get behind them.” With a wry smile he added: his involvement with the VTST.

A 35 Sqn Vulcan lines up on the runway at RAF Luqa in March 1978. Craig Bulman collection

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50-55_VulcanTNDCDCmf.indd 55 03/10/2014 15:27 CONDOR EVOLVING LEISURE AIRLINE

he Condor story begins in the 1950s a new company named Condor Flugdienst became the  rst leisure airline in the world and the aftermath of World War GmbH. Condor relied on turboprops to take delivery of a Boeing 747, which was Two. West Germans were starting including the Vickers Viscount and the soon joined by a second example. The Tto travel again and the demand for Fokker F27 into the 1960s, but the  rst jets aircraft, named Max and Fritz, posed a holiday ights, in particular to destinations were already on the horizon. challenge to the infrastructure at many of the around the Mediterranean, grew rapidly. airports served by the company, and creative In 1955, when West Germany regained CONDOR ENTERS THE JET AGE solutions were required. On trips to Spain, authority over its airspace and German The  rst for Condor entered it was necessary to carry Spanish border airlines were allowed to take to the skies once service in 1965, at a time when wealth in officials to check passengers’ passports in- more, a number of carriers were launched or West Germany was growing rapidly and more ight, as the facilities at the local airports re-launched, as in the case of Lufthansa. people could  nally afford to take a plane could not cope with large numbers of people While Lufthansa took care of the bulk to their holiday destination. Experimenting arriving at the same time. of scheduled ying, several new carriers with new business opportunities, Condor By the late 1970s, market conditions had started to offer charter ights. One of them tried to break into market segments including changed, and Condor was looking for an was Deutsche Flugdienst GmbH, in which executive ying (with an HS125 business aircraft smaller and more exible than the 747. Lufthansa became a shareholder. Services jet in full Condor colours); cargo services, As Boeing had no aircraft of the right size on began with a eet of three Vickers Vikings using Fokker F27s that were no longer offer, Condor chose the McDonnell Douglas and the inaugural service on March 29, 1956, viable for passengers because they could DC-10, which Lufthansa had also ordered, ew pilgrims to the Holy Land and . not compete with the faster jets; or domestic and took delivery of the  rst aircraft in 1979. Other early destinations that remain popular ying, operating a Beech Queen Air on Both 747s were sold to Korean Air Lines. to this day were Majorca and Tenerife. the short hops from Düsseldorf to Munster The 1980s were a difficult time for Condor, The Vikings were soon complemented and Hanover. None of them was overly marked by a very competitive market and and later replaced by bigger, more successful, so Condor concentrated on what numerous rivals  ghting ruinous price comfortable and pressurised Convair 240s. it did best: ying holidaymakers to its growing wars. One solution was the sale of ‘ticket The Convairs also sounded the bell for an network of sun-spots. only’ ights. Previously, only tour packages, era of Condor operating largely the same In 1967 Condor took on charge its  rst including transit and accommodation, had aircraft as the ‘mother’ company Lufthansa. Boeing 707 and while services outside been sold. Another new type, the Airbus This made aircraft easily interchangeable Europe had been operated before, albeit only A310, joined the eet and newer Boeing 737- and reduced maintenance costs. In occasionally, the Boeing 707 put destinations 300s replaced the older Series 200s. 1961, Deutsche Flugdienst was merged such as Bangkok, East Africa and Rio de In 1985, Condor purchased a single with Hamburg-based competitor Condor Janeiro within reach – all new markets for Douglas DC-8-73CF and, according to Luftreederei Hamburg and the result was the fast-growing carrier. In 1971 Condor demand, this was operated by the airline in

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56-61_condorDC.mf.indd 56 01/10/2014 18:56 Wearing the current Thomas Cook/Condor livery with the group’s signature ‘Sunny Heart’ logo, 757-300 D-ABOH gets airborne. AirTeamImages.com/Jan Severijns

From modest beginnings in the 1950s, Germany’s Condor has grown into one of the world’s leading leisure operators and a key asset for its current owner, the Thomas Cook Group. Sebastian Schmitz reports.

a passenger con guration, or as a freighter as the ‘Rizzi Bird’. For the carrier’s 40th bought over the company’s website or other with German Cargo. In 1987, the airliner was anniversary in 1996, different artists were channels. Another rst for the airline was permanently con gured as a freighter and invited to create a special livery for one of the introduction in 1991 of a separate, more thereafter employed exclusively by German Condor’s 757s. The colourful design of New comfortable cabin, known as Comfort Class Cargo. York artist James Rizzi ultimately won, and (later renamed Business Class), on its 767s, led to raised eyebrows wherever the aircraft an innovation that proved very popular with BIGGEST ORDER landed. For Condor’s 50th anniversary, passengers. In addition to Economy Class In the late 1980s, Condor made its biggest another aircraft received a special paint a third travel class, Premium Economy, was ever investment and ordered brand-new scheme: Boeing 757-300 D-ABON was added in 2008 and can now be booked on Boeing 757-200s and Boeing 767-300s to painted in a livery featuring different coloured all long-haul and short-haul routes, while the replace its entire  eet. This order broke hearts and the airline’s then slogan ‘Wir Business Class product is only available on with the tradition of maintaining largely the lieben Fliegen’ (‘We love to  y’). In 2011, long-haul. same types as Lufthansa, yet the decision to Condor also painted its rst ‘retro jet’. Airbus With German reuni cation, Condor’s choose these aircraft made perfect sense, at A320 D-AICA received a scheme based on market grew rapidly as former East Germans least at the time. The Boeing 757 was able that worn by one of the carrier’s Viscounts, were keen to travel to destinations that had to  y non-stop from Germany to the Canary D-ANUR, in the 1960s. been out of reach for decades. Before East Islands, one of the airline’s key markets, German airline Inter ug ceased operations, and was available immediately. The Boeing SUCCESS WITH there were even plans for a joint company 767-300 won out over the Airbus A310 SCHEDULED FLIGHTS called Intercondor to provide leisure  ights because of its ability to  y non-stop to the In the early 1990s, Condor began converting from airports in the former East Germany, Caribbean, even when fully loaded. Another most of its services into scheduled  ights which in the end did not materialise. key advantage of the Boeing 757 and 767 from pure charter operations. The two-letter During the 1990s, Condor subcontracted was a common type rating for the  ight code ‘DF’, an abbreviation of its original four Boeing 737-300s from Germania to crews. A  eet of stretched Boeing 757-300s, name Deutscher Flugdienst, had been used operate  ights from smaller airports on its for which Condor was the launch customer, by the airline for its charters for decades. behalf. When the contract ended in 1997, the later joined the 757-200s. While this variant Unfortunately for Condor, IATA had already decision was made to introduce a smaller never sold in big numbers, Condor happily assigned ‘DF’ to another carrier and ‘DE’ aircraft type into the  eet: the Airbus A320. To employs its  eet of 13 Boeing 757-300s to was chosen instead, and is still used today. make this sub- eet viable, a subsidiary with this day. The  eet of smaller Boeing 757- The three-letter ICAO code ‘CFG’ remained lower cost structures was founded, Condor 200s had been retired by 2006. unchanged. Berlin. Over the years, the Condor Berlin  eet The last 757-200 to leave the  eet Today, the majority of Condor’s services included up to 14 A320s until the subsidiary was D-ABNF, which became well known are scheduled  ights and tickets can be was re-integrated into Condor in 2013.

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56-61_condorDC.mfDC.mf.indd 57 02/10/2014 19:47 2009, after it had already sold a large part of the shares it held in Condor, Lufthansa ultimately disposed of its remaining 24.9% stake and sold it to travel giant Thomas Cook. Many Condor employees took the offer to stay within the Lufthansa Group and left the airline. A few years later, Condor was in discussions to merge with airberlin, a plan that was rejected by the German authorities and  nally abandoned. Should this union have gone through, the Condor brand would likely have disappeared, as was the case with other operators that merged with airberlin, including LTU and Deutsche BA. Above: Prior to receiving its rst jets, Condor relied on rst-generation turboprops including In 2013 Thomas Cook announced that the Fokker F27 and the Vickers Viscount. Viscount 814 D-ANUN, pictured, was visiting its four carriers – Condor, Thomas Cook Liverpool in April 1965. AirTeamImages.com/Bob O’Brien Collection Airlines UK, Belgium Below: Boeing 707-330C D-ABUJ, resplendent in Lufthansa-inspired colour scheme at and Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia – Düsseldorf in 1977. The arrival of the 707 allowed the rst signi cant expansion of Condor’s would work together more closely to make long-haul network. AirTeamImages.com/Wolfgang Mendorf better use of synergies. A new corporate identity, including the ‘Sunny Heart’ logo, was unveiled and will soon be worn by all the group’s 89 aircraft. While the airlines will grow closer together to increase efficiency, they will remain independent for the time being. The Condor name will be retained, as the management is well aware of the strong brand recognition in German-speaking countries. In 2002, all Condor aircraft were painted in the new Thomas Cook colours, with bold ‘Thomas Cook’ titles and only the very small legend ‘powered by Condor’. This move was not a success: following very poor reception by travellers who missed the well- CODESHARES Lufthansa’s services to Australia had been established Condor brand on the aircraft, Enthusiasts visiting Frankfurt Airport in the making a loss for some years and switching more prominent Condor titles were soon early 1990s may remember the unusual to a Condor 767, with a denser seating reapplied on the aircraft. sight of a Condor Boeing 747-400 and a con guration, was a  nal attempt to make Thomas Cook Airlines UK has been ying Lufthansa Boeing 767-300 but these two them pro table. Even with the lower costs 767-300s on Condor ights for several months aircraft remained one-offs. In 1993, Lufthansa of a Condor-operated aircraft, this plan did and Condor was responsible for a number of wanted to serve in Taiwan, something not succeed. Lufthansa stopped ying to routes out of Manchester this summer and that mainland China was very unhappy about. Australia and instead entered codeshare will be again in 2015 (see New Routes table As China threatened to revoke traffic rights agreements with other carriers including in Civil News). to China should Lufthansa start ying to Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines. The Taipei, a clever solution was found, one that Boeing 767, D-ABUC, was repainted in GROWING LONG-HAUL various airlines used at the time: a Lufthansa Condor colours and re-entered its eet. NETWORK Boeing 747-400, D-ABTD, was painted in Condor’s strategy to bet on seat-only Condor colours and started working the route LIFE AFTER LUFTHANSA sales, not packages, has been very using Condor ight numbers as a codeshare Lufthansa had been a shareholder in successful in recent years and allowed the service with Lufthansa. Condor for decades and two companies airline to expand its long-haul operations Only a year later, a Condor Boeing were closely connected. Thus, it came as a pro tably. New routes, such as Windhoek 767-300 was painted in Lufthansa colours. shock for many Condor employees, when in in , Grenada in the Caribbean (a

Condor traditionally ordered the same equipment as its Lufthansa ‘mother company’, and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 was no exception. This DC-10-30 D-ADQO was at Stuttgart in April 1980. AirTeamImages.com/Bob O’Brien Collection

58 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

56-61_condorDC.mfDC.mf.indd 58 02/10/2014 19:48 Above: The arrival of the Boeing 727 coincided with the tourism boom stimulated by the German ‘economic miracle’ and brought Condor into the jet age. Boeing 727-230 D-ABKK in the type’s latter years of service makes a sprightly departure from Düsseldorf in 1986. AirTeamImages.com/Wolfgang Mendorf

in place on its long-haul routes. These expand the network and help  ll its aircraft. In Europe, Condor offers connections with Lufthansa, Air Dolomiti and Czech Airlines, feeding its long-haul services. Other agreements have been signed with , Bangkok Airways, Copa Airlines, Above: Douglas DC-8-73CF D-ADUC in front of Condor’s Frankfurt main operating base in late Bahamasair, GOL in and Volaris 1990. Both Condor and German Cargo operated the former Air aircraft between 1985 and in Mexico, and Air North and WestJet in 1987. AirTeamImages.com/Ralf Meyermann Canada. These offer domestic or regional Below: In the early 1990s Lufthansa used this Boeing 747-400, D-ABTD, for ights to Taipei in connections from points Condor ies to and Taiwan using Condor ight number and as a codeshare with the parent airline. China had all can be booked over the Condor website. threatened to revoke Lufthansa’s traffic rights had it served Taiwan, so the option of using A large number of combinations are Condor circumvented this issue. Sebastian Schmitz possible and, unlike many legacy carriers, Condor offers attractive one-way fares. The airline takes part in Lufthansa’s ‘Miles and More’ frequent- yer programme, one of the world’s leading loyalty schemes, enabling passengers to earn and redeem miles on the Condor network. Frankfurt, where a very strict night curfew was introduced in 2012, has traditionally been the departure point for Condor’s long-haul rotations, but this policy his now changing. Munich and Vienna have seen the introduction of long-haul services to the Caribbean and East Africa and for the 2014/15 winter schedule, Cologne/Bonn will become the fourth long-haul departure re-launch), Fortaleza in northern Brazil Yukon, Vancouver, and Seattle, point, initially with a weekly service to and Minneapolis/St Paul have been added as well as other destinations such as Varadero in Cuba. This July, Condor from Frankfurt. In summer 2014, Condor Baltimore/Washington and Minneapolis/ entered into partnership with Germanwings, ew to 36 long-haul destinations from St Paul. Interestingly, Condor serves a with the latter to provide feeder ights Frankfurt. This number decreases to 32 signi cant number of business travellers on from various European airports that will for the winter season and while many city routes to destinations such as Baltimore connect with Condor’s long-haul routes from airports are served year-round, those in and Las Vegas as it is the only airline to Cologne/Bonn. are typically summer-only, y direct from Germany. Next summer it the only exception being Las Vegas. During will add Portland, Oregon and Providence, INTERIOR UPGRADES the summer, Condor ies to 12 locations Rhode Island. The eet of Boeing 767-300s currently in North America, including Anchorage In addition to its own routes, Condor has stands at 12. By June 2014 all had been and Fairbanks in Alaska, Whitehorse in the a growing number of interline agreements upgraded with a completely new cabin

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56-61_condorDC.mf.indd 59 01/10/2014 18:56 Above: Although phased out in favour of the Boeing 767-300 in the mid-1990s, the Airbus A310 represented an important upgrade to the Condor eet when introduced in 1985. A total of eight of the widebodies were on strength with six passed on to Lufthansa. AirTeamImages.com/Wolfgang Mendorf have begun replacing their 767s, Condor is happy with the type and in no hurry to  nd a substitute. Indeed, in recent years Condor has consistently added used airframes when suitable aircraft become available. With the group’s subsidiaries moving closer together, it seems likely that any future widebody Above: Airbus A320s currently serve the airline along with A321s, Boeing 757-300s and 767-300ERs. order would be a joint venture, in the same This example wears a livery worn when the airline was still owned by Lufthansa. Sebastian Schmitz way that all four operators agreed upon the A320 family as the future backbone of short- Below: Complete with the slogan ‘Wir lieben Fliegen’ (We love to Fly), Boeing 757-300 D-ABON and medium-haul operations. received this commemorative scheme to mark Condor’s half-century in 2005. AirTeamImages.com/TT With the redesign of the 767-300 cabin interior, Condor also introduced what it calls a split eet, with different seating con gurations on the same type. While some aircraft have 18 Business Class seats, three Boeing 767s will be con gured with 30 and deployed on routes where there is a higher demand for Business Class, such as to the Maldives, or the Seychelles. As of May 2014, Condor’s short- and medium-haul eet consisted of 12 Airbus A320s, seating 180 passengers, mostly interior and seats in all three classes and enable us to compete at the highest level used for ights from smaller airports or on in- ight entertainment in all seats. Ralf now and in the years to come.” As such, thinner routes, including to certain Greek Teckentrup, Chairman of the Condor the new interior will be a blueprint for the islands. The airline’s  rst A321 arrived in management board, explains: “We are refurbishment of the long-haul cabins of all 2012 and the three it currently has in its eet adapting our long-haul product to bring it airlines in the group in the coming years. are mostly operating from Berlin, Paderborn in line with the general market situation to While many carriers around the world and Leipzig. The eet of 13 Boeing 757-300s with 265 seats is mostly used on services around the Mediterranean but has also been used for longer ights, for example to the Maldives, albeit with an en route fuel stop. Condor does not offer Business Class seating on its narrowbody eet, yet passengers can enjoy Premium Economy seating, located in the forward section of the aircraft. Here, only window and aisle seats are allocated, and the middle seat is kept vacant for increased comfort.

Left: Boeing 767-330ER D-ABUF at Phuket, Thailand in 2009. AirTeamImages.com/Europix

60 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

56-61_condorDC.mf.indd 60 01/10/2014 18:57 Above: Condor’s rst ‘retro jet’ was Airbus A320 D-AICA, with a scheme as worn by Viscount D-ANUR. Condor Below left: Condor’s Business Class interior, with fully reclining seats, as available on long-haul services. Condor Below right: In Premium Economy, Condor now offers in- ight entertainment in all seats on its 767-300  eet. Condor

After having been a part of the Lufthansa three frequencies [a week] satis es the airline has established its own maintenance Group for decades, Condor has now demand of the market next to classic tourism unit, Condor Technik, in 2008. This takes cemented its place within the Thomas destinations where the aircraft is mainly care of its Boeing 757s and 767s, while work Cook Group. The airline carried 6.7 million booked by our own tour operator Thomas on the Airbus  eet is handled at Condor passengers in 2012, making it number Cook or a third party tour operator.” Technik’s second facility in Berlin. three in Germany, and operated to 75 Since 2012, the carrier has been residing Condor is a household name in Germany, destinations around the globe. Explaining in its new headquarters in Gateway Gardens and with a combination of strong partners the secret of the carrier’s success, Ralf at Frankfurt Airport, where its administration and ongoing  eet renewal and refurbishment, Teckentrup says: “Condor has specialized in and training centre are located. Across the it seems well equipped to master future niche markets where a service with one to runways, on the southern side of the site the challenges.

Boeing 767-31B/ER D-ABUM at Frankfurt this summer. The ‘retro’ scheme harks back to Condor’s operations in the 1960s and 1970s. AirTeamImages.com/Felix Gottwald

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56-61_condorDC.mf.indd 61 01/10/2014 18:57 ANTIQUES OF THE AIR Geoff Jones visits America’s biggest antique and classic aircraft fl y-in.

lacenames become synonymous Above: The star of the show in the author’s eyes was this Waco YKC, NS14137, dating from 1934. with events and the small Iowa All photos Geoff Jones town of Blakesburg is now known Pfor the largest antique and classic Bob Taylor still lives adjacent to the air eld, were reduced by half and a waterlogged aircraft y-in held in the US, the showcase but y-in organisation is now in the hands of grass runway closed the air eld on Saturday, for the Antique Aircraft Association (AAA) his son and grandson, Brent and Barry, plus a August 30. Many aircraft planning to attend and associated Air Power Museum (APM) at dedicated army of AAA volunteers. diverted to the nearby Ottumwa Regional Blakesburg. The AAA/APM Fly-in is an invitational event Airport and some of the pilots contented The AAA was founded in 1953 by local for pilots supported by several US-based ‘type themselves with y-bys at Blakesburg. Pilots  xed-base operator (FBO) manager Bob clubs’, with seminars and workshops running then completed the journey by road, but Taylor (now aged 90) who organised the  rst throughout the four main days of the event many potential attendees cancelled. event in 1954 at nearby Ottumwa Regional (the  fth is mainly for departures). A few ying Airport. In 1971 he bought 80 acres of land demonstrations are given, but not encouraged, RARITIES to the east of Blakesburg and established an and just one manufacturer displayed its aircraft Blakesburg’s central location in the US makes air eld with two grass runways and hangars. this year – WACO Classic Aircraft, currently it a good place for a y-in. Pilots and their The AAA meanwhile transferred its annual building the Great Lakes Model 2T-1A-2 aircraft arrived from the four corners of the y-in to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, for three alongside its well-known biplane re-creations. country along with a Cessna 195 from Canada. years in the late 1980s, but has been at Bad weather unfortunately meant the 300- Highlights included Russell Williams who ew in Blakesburg ever since. plus aircraft expected to attend the 2014 event his polished aluminium Ryan SCW (NC18914)

Immaculate Ryan SCW NC18914 arriving at the event. It is believed to be one of only two of the type currently airworthy in the world.

62 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

62-63_antiques_v2_TNDC.mf.indd 62 02/10/2014 12:13 The Meyers OTW competed with the Boeing Stearman for a US Army trainer contract and lost – this one, NC26489,  own by Gregory Schilsberg, came from Casey in Iowa.

from Auburn near Seattle in Washington State, recently rebuilt NC28329,  nished in a blue over ten years by Dave and Jeanne Allan at one of only two examples currently believed US Navy scheme – although the type never Kelly Airpark, Elbert, Colorado. It is  nished to be airworthy. Lucy Ooi and Alan Whatley served with the USN. Cadet N37435 was in a with a State of Ohio seal decal as it was a came from the east, taking two days and ten Bolivian Air Force scheme to represent one of ‘state’ aircraft – hence its registration pre x of ying hours to reach the event from Warrenton, the eight shipped to Bolivia in 1942 for use as ‘NS’ rather than the usual ‘NC’. Virginia, in their Aeronca Champ, NC4009B. liaison aircraft. Despite the weather having a major impact Artistically painted Travel Air 4000 (NC472N) Big radial types such as the Waco, Howard there were still plenty of interesting aircraft was also a welcome attendee. DGA, Stearman, Eagle Rock and Travel Air types to see at this fascinating event. There was an impressive line-up of were a major attraction. The star of the show For more information on the Antique eight Interstate S-1A Cadets, including in this author’s opinion was the beautiful Waco Aircraft Association (AAA) see Kevin Brown (on his  rst Blakesburg visit) in YKC NS14137, dating from 1934 and restored www.antiqueair eld.com

Cessna 195 CF-KCS was one of six of the type present.

Richard Ceiler’s Travel Air 4000 NC472N, which is based at Thousand Oaks Air eld, California.

Bounsall Prospector N307K and Mono Aircraft Monoprep NC179K (the type was never used by the US Marine Corps despite its scheme) in front of the AAA headquarters at Blakesburg.

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595 AN Specials FP.indd 53 05/08/2014 11:46 AIRPORT MOVEMENTS AIRPORT MOVEMENTS COMPILED BY CARL HOPE A round-up of notable aircraft visiting UK airports.

ABERDEEN International Air Response C-130A, N121TG, arrived at Cardiff Airport on September 8 wearing the colours of Oil Spill Response which is leasing the aircraft. The Hercules is to be based at 3/7 A9C-BRF Gulfstream IV Bahrain Amiri Flight. Cardiff on standby to deal with any oil spills. Phil Woods 7/7 HA-TCV An-26B CityLine Hungary. 8/7 YU- BZM Citation 560 XLS+. 9/7 YR-FKA Fokker 100 3/5 PH-TCS PA-32R-301T n/s; 9H-ICS Challenger An-12B Aero-Charter Airlines; D-CFAI Learjet 55. 23/8 Carpatair; OO-VKB Beech A36. 10/7 OO-VRO 605. 6/5 2-RICH Navion Rangemaster. 7/5 D-ADCL EC-LZD A320-214 Evelop Airlines; EZ-A16 717-22K Falcon 2000LX. 11/7 OO-FPE CitationJet 525B CJ3. ; D-IMOR Phenom 100 n/s; N944AR Turkmenistan Airlines, to USA for maintenance; LY- 12/7 D-IKOB Beech 200; F-GPAF PA-34-200T. 16/7 Robinson R44. 11/5 OY-GWK Falcon 2000S dep 14th. LGC 737-382 Grand Cru Airlines. 24/8 HB-IAU Falcon D-AWUE BAe 146-200 WDL Aviation. 17/7 F-PMHJ 12/5 PH-DTS Diamond DA42 dep 13th. 14/5 F-HECD 2000EX. 25/8 D-CELI Citation 550 Bravo; F-HBPP Van’s RV-8. 18/7 D-CRIS Astra SPX. 21/7 OY-SNK Falcon 7X; HB-DIC Mooney M.20J dep 17th. 15/5 HA- CitationJet 525B CJ3. 27/8 HZ-A2 A320-214CJ Alpha Falcon 2000; ES-AEA & ES-AEB E170ST Estonian SIT PA-31T Cheyenne II. 18/5 D-IHKM Beech C90A; Star to MAEL; D-CDRF Learjet 45. 29/8 LZ-ABR Air. 22/7 F-RACC DHC-6-300 GAM00.056, French HB-VDW Learjet 45. 29/5 D-EFQD SOCATA TB-20 An-26B Air Bright. 31/8 YR-FKA Fokker 100 Carpatair; AF. 23/7 OY-JRU MD-87 Danish Air Transport; 2778/ still present 1/6; T7-NIK Falcon 2000 n/s; XA-CHC D-CFGG Learjet 35A; D-CFAI Learjet 55. SI EC725R2 EH01.067 French AF. 25/7 SE-LTN PA- Challenger 300 still present 1/6; DU-142 AW139 28R-201; D-CDRF Learjet 45. 28/7 OE-IGG Global Dubai Air Wing. 30/5 2-TRAV Gulfstream IV n/s; BLACKPOOL Express; EC-KKO Citation 550 Bravo. 30/7 D-ASTY 9H-LEO Citation II n/s. 31/5 OO-TMF PA-28-181 n/s. 1/6 OO-LAC Beech 200C; YU-BZZ Citation 550 A319-112 Germania; EI-RDE E175STD Alitalia. Bravo. 7/6 F-GVAK Robin DR.400/180. 10/6 OE-9482 BIRMINGHAM Hoffman HK.36TTC Super Dimona dep 12th also 16th 4/8 OO-MAP Cessna 404. 6/8 EC-JTT CRJ900 Air 1/8 EW-394TI An-12BK Rubystar also 22nd. 2/8 n/s. 11/6 F-GBVN Robin DR.400/180. 15/6 D-GDON Nostrum. 9/8 EC-JOY CRJ200LR Air Nostrum. 11/8 9H-WII Citation 650 VII. 5/8 B-6058 A330-243 China Diamond DA42 dep 17th. 17/6 OK-EMA Citation 680 HB-VYS Phenom 300. 12/8 D-CARO Citation 680 Southern; OY-JTF 737-382QC Jettime op for Alitalia; Sovereign. 18/6 OE-GJP CitationJet 525B CJ3. 23/6 Sovereign. 14/8 HB-JUS Gulfstream G450. 19/8 TF- D-CAAE Learjet 55; OE-GBD Gulfstream G150. LX-LAB PC-12; OK-UNI Citation 680 Sovereign. SIF Dash 8-314 Icelandic Coast Guard. 20/8 9H-WFC 9/8 LY-SPE 737-36Q Small Planet Airlines; F-HCJE 27/6 F-BRVH CEA DR.220 n/s. Legacy 600. 21/8 OY-GKC Citation 560XLS+; Phenom 100. 9/8 LY-FLH 737-382 Small Planet OO-NAD Falcon 7X. 26/8 EC-KRN Gulfstream Airlines op for Alitalia; F-GUEA ERJ145MP Hop!; BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL G200; SE-MAR BAe ATP Sweden. 28/8 I-JAMJ Falcon 2000EX EASy. 1/8 D-CFAX Learjet 2/6 EC-HDS 757-236 Privilege Style op for Thomas D-IPCC CitationJet 525A CJ2+. 29/8 C-GKKN S-92A 35A. 16/8 D-CGGG Learjet 35A; OE-GGG Citation Cook; OE-FMZ Citation 510 Mustang. 3/6 EC-JLI delivered to Bristow. 31/8 EC-JVI Falcon 2000. 560XLS+. 17/8 UR-DWF An-12BK Ukraine Air A321-211 Iberia. 7/6 OM-GTA 737-4Q8 Go2Sky also Alliance; SE-RMJ CitationJet 525B CJ3. 21/8 9H-VLZ 28th. 15/6 D-IBAK CitationJet 525 CJ1. 18/6 9H-VLZ BIGGIN HILL Citation 560 Ultra also 26th; D-CELI Citation 550 Citation 550 Ultra; 9H-WII Citation 650 VII. 26/6 1/5 D-AMSC Challenger 604; SE-RKM CitationJet Bravo. 22/8 HA-TCV An-26B City Line Hungary also D-CBLM Phenom 300; 27/6 SP-MRC Saab 340A CJ2 dep 4th. 2/5 OY-GEF Beech 200GT dep 4th. 25th; UR-CAH An-12BK Ukraine Air Alliance; UR-CJN SkyTaxi. 28/6 SP-MRB Saab 340A SkyTaxi; 9H-WFC Legacy 600. 29/6 I-GSIN Learjet 60XR.

1/7 115/F-RABQ TBM700A EAAT, French Army. 4/7 D-CEFA CitationJet 525C CJ4; LX-LAR Learjet 35A. 7/7 D-CHDC Citation 680 Sovereign. 9/7 D-IVIN Avanti. SE-LRA Saab 2000 Saab. 10/7 ES-AEB E170ST Estonian Air. 13/7 HB-VPG Phenom 300. 15/7 D-EPUS PA-46-500TP. 18/7 OE-LAI Gulfstream G450. 20/7 EC-KES CitationJet 525A CJ2. 21/7 OO- FOX PA-46-350P n/s. 28/7 D-EEAH Bölkow BO 28C. 29/7 D-IPVD CitationJet 525A CJ2. EAST MIDLANDS 2/7 F-HFBY Global 5000. 4/7 RA-82047 An-124-100 US Army EO-5B (Dash 7 Srs 103) N53993, using the callsign ‘Aloma Volga-Dnepr Airlines. 9/7 LX-VCA 747-8R7F Cargolux 91’, visited Edinburgh Airport on September 20 on its way back to the US at the end of a also 21st. 11/7 UR-CJN An-12B Cavok Air. 12/7 deployment. The aircraft is operated by the 204th Military Intelligence Battalion at Biggs Army UR-82073 An-124-100 Antonov Airlines also 15th. Air eld, Fort Bliss, Texas. Chris Melaisi 16/7 LX-VCH 747-8R7F Cargolux also 30th. 17/7

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66 AIRPORT MOVEMENTS COMPILED BY CARL HOPE welcome visitor to Denham Aerodrome inBuckinghamshire onSeptember 13. CliveGlaister Spanish helicopters are arare sightintheUKsoRobinson R44 Raven I, EC-LPO, was a 24th. 22/7F-RACC GAM00.056, French DHC-6-300 7X also30th. 21/7 VQ-BPH Hawker 900XPalso PRN PA-46-500TP dep24th. 20/7OY-EKC Falcon C-145A 6thSOS, 27thSOW, USAF n/s. 17/7 HB- 28th-30th; OO-LVT Mooney M.20J. 16/7 10-0324 CitationJet 525CJ1. 14/7 N63DR Kodiak 100 n/salso both n/s; HB-PLCPA-28RT-201T n/s. 11/7 D-IPCS Citation 500I. 5/7HB-PLZ& HB-PQB PA-28-181s 3/7 HB-DCB Wassmer WA.40 dep 5th; SE-DRZ PC-12 also29th. 30/6D-EDEDMooney M.20J. 25th. 24/6PH-HGGBeech A36TC n/s. 25/6T7-EGD Beech 200n/s. 23/6D-ETMCCessna T.182T dep PHK &OO-JETPA-28-161s bothn/s. 20/6 TF-FMS 19th; D-GDONDiamondDA42 dep19th. 18/6 OY- SOCATA TB-20 dep19th; PH-RRR PA-28-181 dep M-RISE 757-23N Talos Aviation dep21st; PH-AFT 14/6 LN-OEDS-92ANorsk Helikopterservice. 16/6 14th; HB-FPCPC-12. 13/6 300. SP-ZSZChallenger GJP CitationJet 525BCJ3n/s; C-GRJR Avanti dep DR.400/180. 11/6 HB-OTG PiperL-4H n/s. 12/6 OE- 8/6 OE-FWFCitation 510 Mustang; F-GINM Robin 2000LX. 4/6LX-FGBCitation 560 XLS+ dep6th. 2/6 SE-RCMCitation 560XLS. 3/6OY-GKJ Falcon INVERNESS F-WDYD WT-9 Dynamic. 31/7D-ETOX SR22. Cirrus SF340A Fleet Air International; PH-LLV Robin DR.500; Navy.Do 228NGMFG3,German 29/7HA-TAG F33A; F-BXZL Cessna F.172M. 27/757+05Dornier 414 SF340A SkyTaxi also28th. 25/7OM-MCA Cessna F-HBCS; HB-CDUCessna 182P. 22/7SP-MRB Saab F-WKVB ATR 42-300Chalairn/ssincere-registered Mooney M.20F. 21/7D-CNEUDo228-212 RUAG; SOCATA TB-9. 18/7 OO-JETPA28-161. 20/7OY-DFD 28-181. 16/7 F-GVLD SOCATA TB-20. 17/7 PH-FCH CitationJet 525CJ1+also18th. 14/7 OO-NZFPA- Sovereign; F-BLGO Procaer Picchio. 13/7 HB-VWF CJ1+; F-HLAK AW139. 11/7 LN-SOV Citation 680 VPA CitationJet 525CCJ4; OE-FMDCitationJet 525 Global 5000. 8/7HB-TDRCessna 182S. 9/7HB- Beech 58; SR22. LX-WWWCirrus 7/7LX-ZAK 525A CJ2+. SR20. 4/7LX-AIYCirrus 6/7F-GKZA 1/7 OO-WEJRobin R.1180. 3/7LZ-FNBCitationJet GUERNSEY 29/7 D-ILAMCitation 525ACJ2. CitationJet 525BCJ3; D-CWIRCitationJet 525BCJ3. Mustang. 25/7D-BOOCCitation 750X. 28/7OO-LIE 24/7 D-CDRFLearjet35A; EC-LJCCitation 510 Learjet 35A. 23/7F-HGLO CitationJet 525CCJ4. OO-XLS Citation 560XLS+ also28th. 21/7D-CGRC ; D-ERLM Aquila A.210. 26/7F-GJFN Beech

State ofKuwait Airbus 319CJ, 9K-GEA, visited LondonLuton on Airport August 16. RobSkinkis Airlines. 24/8RP-C3439 A340-313X Philippine Airlines. 21/8RP-C3441 A340-313X Philippine 243 US Airways. 18/8 4K-AZ11 757-22L Azerbaijan for Emirates. 17/8 D-CETDLearjet60; N293AY A330- 214 Vueling747-4HAERFOO-THB Airlines; op TNT 15/8 A6-LRA 777-237LR Etihad. 16/8 EC-LZZ A320- Delta Airlines. 14/8 D-AIUH A320-214(SL) Lufthansa. 13/8 Lufthansa. 12/8 ET-ARE 787-8 Ethiopian Airlines. Philippine Airlines. 11/8 D-AIUG A320-214(SL) Philippine Airlines. 10/8 RP-C3437 A340-313X 313X Philippine Airlines. 7/8RP-C3435 A340-313X 4/8 A6-ICU Hawker 800XP. 6/8RP-C3438 A340- LONDON HEATHROW medicaldiversion.Air International, Capital Airlines.Beijing 29/8N767NA 767-324 Omni 27/8 737-5K5 BluePanorama opforAirlines Livingston. 23/8 EI-DTF A320-216 Alitalia opfor Air One; I-BPAL . 18/8 OO-JAY 737-8K5 Jetair y. Aviavilsa. 15/8 EI-EXK A320-232 Livingston; EI-JSK Lankan LHRdiversion.Airlines 13/8 HA-TCV An-26B 642 EtihadLHRdiversion; 4R-ADE A340-313 Sri 11/8 OE-IDP A320-233 White opforAirlines Livingston. BH Air; TC-OBYA330-223 A321-211Onur Air.9/8 Algeria.YU-BTM Citation650 7/8 VII. 8/8LZ-AWA GainJet. 4/87T-VPC Gulfstream IVGovernment of 1/8 LONDON GATWICK D-ELXC Cessna R.182T; YU-SPBCitation560XLS. 9H-ZSN Falcon 7X. 30/7D-CJAF Learjet60. 31/7 525C CJ4. 28/79H-OMKGlobal5000 VistaJet; 24/7 D-HRGREC135P2. 25/7D-CEFA CitationJet AF. Navy o/s. 23/757+05Do228NGMFG3,German EI-FFW 737-85F Meridiana. 3/8SX-ATF 737-406 HA-LKG 737-8CXHA-LKG TravelService; A6-EHHA340- D-AEBR E195LR Lufthansa; N865DA 777-232ER OK-OWN Legacy 650. 28/8 B-3999 737-7BL Aviation Newsincorporating ClassicAircraftNovember2014 31/8 B-8270Gulfstream G550 . 680 Sovereign; CS-PHCPhenom300NetJets Europe. Learjet 45; TC-MJB Challenger604; 5N-EMSCitation OY-TSS Falcon 7X; M-FSAM MD-87. 30/8D-CDRF Global Express; D-CEISCitation 680Sovereign. 29/8 A321-231 Turkish airlines, football charter; VP-BBK 231 Turkish airlines,football charter. 28/8 TC-JRJ ;900EX HZ-HR5737-8AN BBJ2. 26/8 TC-JRE A321- 900EX. 24/8C-GSNGGlobal6000; T7-MJB Falcon 22/8 OE-IHKChallenger604. 23/8PH-LAU Falcon CS-TFQ Learjet45. 21/8B-8131 Gulfstream G550. PA-34-220T. 18/8 PR-CGIGulfstream G550 . 19/8 650. 15/8 HZ-TFMChallenger604. 16/8 SP-OTA 13/8 G550. 12/8 SX-BHR737-5L9 Hermes Airlines. G550; N900NBFalcon 7X. 11/8 D-ADCLGulfstream D-CHRC CitationJet 525CCJ4; B-8152 Gulfstream 680 Sovereign; CS-DPVCitation 510 Mustang. 10/8 OO-FPC CitationJet 525BCJ3. 9/8SU-SMCCitation 6/8 N2FEGlobalExpress. 8/89M-ISJGulfstream IV; 1/8 S5-AAU CRJ900 Adria; OE-LZMGulfstream G650. LONDON LUTON 27/8 D-CAAL Do228-212 Arcus-Air also29th. 28/8 ATR 42-320BlueIslandsto In ite Aviation dep31st. Skytaxi. 22/8D-CAPO Learjet35A. 25/8 G-ZEBS Shannon enroute to USA. 19/8 SP-MRB Saab 340A 11/8 N662CS737-5H5 Jetran Incdepex-storage to 9/8 D-ESGN Aquila A.210. 10/8 N9362 Alouette III. PH-BVL Cessna F.172N n/s. 5/8F-BVTP PA-23-250E. 4/8 SE-DSSRJ100 Malmo Aviation to In ite Aviation; 31/7 D-ICCCCessna F.406 Air-Taxi Europe. DA40; SX-RFA 757-23N GainJet to ATC (Lasham). Líneas Aéreas dep28th. 29/7D-ERDSDiamond In ite Aviation dep4/8; EC-LNQ ATR 72-202Helitt French AF. 25/7SE-DSXRJ100 Malmo Aviation to Taifun 17E. 24/7090/ZF&083/ZEXingusEAT00.319, Mooney M.20Mdep21st. 19/7 D-KMER Valentin & D-KDCKFournier RF-5s alldep17th. 18/7 LX-ART 757-2G5 Air Astana to ATC (Lasham); D-KCII,D-KLIK 36N DiscoveryAir to ATC. (Lasham) 14/7 P4-FAS PH-TXA Citation 510 Mustang. 13/7 5N-BCO737- n/s;Husky P4-EAS 757-2G5 Air Astana dep. 12/7 XLS. 11/7 OK-RTA Cirrus SR22;N60UKAviat AV-1 HB-WZH Pipistrel Virus. 9/7LX-NAT Citation 560 7/7 F-GMCN PA-32R-301T; F-HGTA PA-28R-201; PQB PA-28-181s, HB-PLCPA-28RT-201T alln/s. 1/7 OE-FAN Cessna 441n/s. 3/7 HB-PLZ&HB- LONDON SOUTHEND Turkish Airlines. 30/8 TC-YAA GlobalExpress. VT-ANC 787-8 Air India. 28/8 TC-JOD A330-303 Airlines. 25/8B-KQP777-367ER Cathay Paci c. 27/8 EC-GYI CRJ200 Air Nostrum; D-AJETLegacy 29/09/2014 20:43 AVAILABLE NOW ON WINDOWS 8

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784 AN Digi.indd 67 30/09/2014 16:19 65-66_68_airportsDC.mf.indd 68

68 AIRPORT MOVEMENTS COMPILED BY CARL HOPE 680 Sovereign . Privatair for paintingat Air Livery; OK-UGJCitation 5Y-WHB Citation560XL. 31/7HB-JJA 737-7AK medevac ight. 30/7OE-FXMCitationJet 525ACJ2; the 27th. 28/7RA-74005 An-74TK-100C SharInk, at Air Livery, re-registered G-TCSXandleft on YA-AQT 757-2K2 ex-Sa Airways for painting for Thomas Cook; OO-XLS Citation 560XLS+. 26/7 G150. 25/7EC-LZO767-35DER Privilege op Style Saints FC. dep23rd. 24/7 TC-AEH Gulfstream Government, Slovan Bratislava to play The New Citation 560XLS. 21/7OM-BYO Tu-154MSlovakian SX-BHR 737-5L9 Hermes Airlines. 20/7LX-SEH Charters Manchester United teamto charter LAX; FedEx Stansted diversion; N322SG747-481 . 18/7 N725FD A300B4-2622RF OH-BCX BeechC90Scanwings. 17/7 OE-HAS Pace Airlines; LN-IDCCitation 560Encore. 16/7 IIIB Merlin Airlec Air Espace. 14/7 N767MW 767-277 A310-308F ULS Cargo dep14th; F-GLPT SA226T D-ALFD 777-F30 Lufthansa Cargo f/v; TC-LER Air Livery, to becomeRAFZZ339dep28th. 12/7 EC-333 Voyager KC3 Airbus for Military paintingat Voyager KC310/101 Sqns, Royal Air Force f/v. 11/7 1301 A330-243MRTT UAE AF also14th ; ZZ332 A320-214 White opforAirlines TAP Air Portugal. 10/7 Condor fuelstop, Barbados-Frankfurt. 9/7CS-TRO An-12BK Meridian Aviation. 8/7D-ABUA 767-330ER ZA947 Dakota C3RAFBBMFo/s. 7/7UR-CAJ G-BZJV &G-CDJU CASA 1-131E Jungmann 1000s; Aviation Fair included: G-BRUJ Stearman A.75N1; Morane-Saulnier MS.317. 6/7 Visitors for the2014 Fair included: G-AKKBMilesM65Gemini; G-MOSA LX-LOU Learjet60. Visitors for the2014 Aviation go-arounds.two 3/7VT-NGS 604. Challenger 5/7 Portugal. 2/7ZH101 Sentry AEW1 8Sqn,RAF, 1/7 TS-IEG A319-111for TAPop Syphax, PH-BVT PA-28-181. G-ISLH ATR 42-320BlueIslandsto In ite Aviation; PA-23-250E. 30/8EI-FBL717-2BL Volotea Airlines; D-CAAM Do228-212 Arcus-Air. 29/8F-GOPR September 14 thenext anddeparted day. PhilWoods Fugro Airborne Surveys Cessna208BGrand Caravan, ZS-FSA, arrived atCardiff on Airport South Wales Aviation Group, CIAN, GSAE, The Aviation Society, EGPE ATC,RJ Sayer, www.dtvmovements.co.uk, MShepherd, Aerodata QuantumPlus,A Smith, RHADS. D Turner, JA White,A Greening, G Williams, JGregory, Blackpool Aviation Society, IGrierson, Manston DHaines, Movements, MHarper, Solent Aviation Society/‘Osprey’, KHearn, GHocquard, With BHunter, thanksto: D Apps, DBanks, SLane, GMorris, DBougourd, SMorrison, SBoyd, RRichardson, JBrazier, RRoberts, ERussell, NBurch, PClaridge, A Clarke, ICockerton, KWEde, MFarley, NFrench, PGibson, DGraham, Cargolux; 5Y-MNG Citation550 CitationBravo LX-WCV 747-4R7F Cargolux. 5/4LX-DCV747-4B5F OO-EDV CitationJet 525BCJ3 Liege;Air Service 16th &23rd; OO-EEJ SIAI-Marchetti SF.260. 4/4 2/4 OH-NGBMD-11F Nordic Global also9th, Airlines MANSTON/KENT INTERNATIONAL Germania; OY-KLG Citation 560 Ultra. 25/7OO-ACC to Air Livery dep28/8. 24/7D-AGEQ 737-75B ATR 72-212A Alsie Express; 5U-GRN737-75U BBJ also 26th. 19/7 N650GDGulfstream G650; OY-CLZ Component. 18/7 S5-AAG CRJ200LR Adria Airways 5/7 CE-02ERJ135LR 15 Wing, BelgianDefence-Air Nouvelair. Falcon 29/6D-BIKA 2000EX. DakotaDutch Association; A320-232 DC-3C TS-INS to KLMMaintenance, dep7/7; PH-PBA Douglas 20GT. 27/6OO-TAD BAe 146-300QT TNT Airways OE-FIX CitationJet 525CJ1+. 24/6OO-LCL TB- Sentinel R15Sqn,RAFdepex-Air Livery. 18/6 Nouvelair. 16/6 HB-LUVCessna T.303. 17/6 ZJ692 525A CJ2; TC-FBO A320-214 Freebird opforAirlines 9HWER BBJ3depex-Air Livery; D-INOBCitationJet France depex-KLM Maintenance. 13/6 VP-CEC 737- Maintenance, dep18th; F-GZHD 737-8K2 Transavia 10/6 F-GZHB 737-8GJ Transavia France to KLM I-ADLW ATR 72-212A Air Dolomitidepex-Air Livery. 4/6 TF-FID 757-203A Icelandairdepex-Air Livery. 6/6 NORWICH 29/4 OH-LGCMD-11F Nordic Global Airlines. Oil SpillResponse, training. 26/4PH-SVP PA-28-181. Component. 22/4G-OSRA727-2S2F T2 Aviation/ CM-01 Falcon 20E-5,15 Wing, BelgianDefence-Air T-721 Beech350SuperKing Air BFL,Swiss AF. 17/4 o/s; 251Gulfstream IV102 Sqn,; 80-0156 &80-0160 F-15Cs 493rd FS, 48thFW, USAF Seamax P.22. 14/4 PH-RPBCessna F.172H. 16/4 LX-RCV 747-4R7F Cargolux. 7/4LY-CCT Airmax My Cargo/ACT also13th,Airlines 15th &20th; AMREF Flying Doctor. 6/4 TC-ACH 747-433(BCF) September 9. IanSimpson Beech 200,HB-GLA, ofSwiss was FlightServices seenatExeter International on Airport Aviation Newsincorporating ClassicAircraftNovember2014 Key: f/v rst visit; n/snightstop; o/sovershoot. 30/7 N253GA Gulfstream G280. c/n 1485; UR-DWF An-12BK Ukraine Air Alliance. AJJ Lineage1000 Al-Jabar Aviation; HB-FSGPC-12 ANG dep29th; N112GA Gulfstream G280. 28/7 A6- 27/7 60-0367&62-3531KC-135Rs 121st ARW, Ohio RCAF; N629MA TBM900; 9H-MOSBeechC90GTi. Ohio ANG dep26th. 24/7130609 CC-130J 436 TS, c/n 1484; 59-1458 &62-3511 KC-135Rs 121st ARW, USAF; HB-FSEPC-12 c/n1483 &HB-FSFPC-12 Aviation. 23/701-0040 C-40B1st AS, 89th AW, both ex-Farnborough withN974VV DC-10-40 Omega Airlines; 168889 &168890 F/A-18Fs VFA-106, USN 437 TS, RCAF. 22/7N567CA 757-223 National F-GIXS 737-3H6/F Europe Airpost; 15002 CC-150 VX-1, USNex-Farnborough; 9H-BBJ 737-7BC BBJ; UR-CKM An-12BP Cavok Air. 21/7 167955 P-8A TBM800. 17/7 166472 KC-130J VMGR-252, USMC; 10/101 Sqns, RAF; HB-FSDPC-12 c/n1482; C-FHTH N252GA Gulfstream G280. 15/7 ZZ338 Voyager KC3 Gulfstream G650; 4L-ACE 747-329/F Saudia Cargo; 436 TS, RCAF. 14/7 HB-FSCPC-12 c/n1481; N1TF C-17A 517th AS, 3rd Wg, USAF; 130612 CC-130J C-130J-30s 39th AS, 317th AG, USAF; 98-0051/AK TBM900s. 12/7 08-3174, 08-5674 &08-5683 NASA.N926NA WB-57F 11/7 N900NC&N924CJ C-17A 60th/349th AMW, for USAF support WB-57F; 25th; 07-0712 U-28A319th SOS, USAF; 06-6156 AF. 10/7 UR-CAH An-12BK Ukraine Air Alliance also Airvan. 9/7F-RARF A330-223 ET00.060,French HB-FSA PC-12 c/n1479; LY-BAA GippslandGA-8 Cameroon team for theCommonwealth Games; TBM900. 8/7TJ-CAC 767-33AER Camairwiththe 92-1451 C-130H 169th AS, USAF. 7/7N284MA RAF training; 94-6703C-130H 166th AS, IL ANG; 109th AS, MN ANG. 6/7ZZ664 Airseeker R151Sqn, 5/7 Z-BAM MD-11ER/F AV Cargo; 96-1003 C-130H 90VD Volga-Dnepr Airlines; HB-FBPC-12 c/n1480. BBJ; 9H-WFCLegacy 600. 3/7RA-76951 Il-76TD- N151GA Gulfstream G280. 2/7 VP-BWR 737-79T 1/7 VP-FAZ DHC-6-300British Antarctic Survey; PRESTWICK 31/7 G-FBEAE195LR to dep2/8. Air Livery to dep11/8.Air Livery 29/7D-ASTS Challenger604. KLM Maintenance dep5/8; G-FBEEE195LR Flybe 28/7 N120HH Bell407; VP-BWK A319-111 to CitationJet 525ACJ2+. 27/7HB-GBLBeech95. 29/09/2014 20:43 AIR BASE MOVEMENTS AIR BASE MOVEMENTS FROM MAR WWW.MAR.CO.UK The most interesting aircraft to visit air bases in the UK recently.

RAF CONINGSBY This C-130H Hercules, 1689, passed through Mildenhall on September 19 on delivery to the Afghanistan Air Force. It previously served with the USAF as 74-1689 and is the third Hercules 22/8 ZK315 Typhoon FGR4 delivered from BAE to pass through the Suffolk base on delivery to the Afghanistan Air Force. Four of these Systems Warton. transports are being supplied from surplus USAF stocks. Ryan Dorling

RNAS CULDROSE C-32A 89th AW, US Air Force. 4/9 99-0004 RAF LEUCHARS 7/8 ZZ375 Wildcat HMA2 825NAS. C-32A 89th AW, US Air Force. 5/9 02-1101 C-17A 1/8 92-0375 C-20H 76th AS, 86th AW, USAF. 14/8 437th/315th AW, USAF; 166513/BH & 166472/ 60+05 P-3C MFG3, German Navy. 28/8 58-0100 FAIRFORD BH KC-130Js VMGR-252, USMC; ZJ136/U Merlin KC-135R 351st ARS, 100th ARW, USAF. Movements in connection with the NATO Summit in HC3 28/78 Sqns, RAF. 7/9 04-4131 & 04-4134 Newport, Wales: 24/8 06-6167 C-17A 436th/512nd C-17As 305th/514th AMW, USAF; 06-6165 C-17A RAF LINTON-ON-OUSE AW, US Air Force. 27/8 168335/11, 168327/09, 436th/512nd AW, USAF. 8/9 08-8198 C-17A 18/8 ZZ416 Shadow R1 14 Sqn, RAF. 168302/06 & 168289/03 MV-22Bs HMX-1, USMC 437th/315th AW, USAF. dep 7th; 165738/BH & 166472/BH KC-130Js MILDENHALL VMGR-252, US Marine Corps. 29/8 08-8190 C-17A LAKENHEATH 1/8 07-0779 U-28A AFSOC, USAF also 3rd, 4th, 437th/315th AW, US Air Force; 163261 & 163263 5/8 E141/705-NF, E68/705-MO & E72/705-LA Alpha 5th, 7th, 8th, 14th, 17th & 22nd; 07-0779 U-28A VH-60Ns HMX-1, US Marine Corps; 06-6165 Jets EAC00.314, French Air Force. 9/8 08-8601/RS AFSOC, USAF also 5th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 19th & C-17A 436th/512nd AW, USAF. 31/8 93-0602 C-17A C-130J-30 37th AS, 86th AW, USAF also 14th. 25/8 28th. 3/8 86-0019 C-5B 337th AS, AFRC; 87-0125 437th/315th AW, US Air Force. 06-8610 C-130J-30 37th AS, 86th AW, USAF also MC-130H 15th SOS, 1st SOW, USAF n/s. 5/8 27th. 26/8 95-0104 C-17A 437th/315th AW, USAF. 163311/NY KC-130T VMGR-452, USMC n/s; 1/9 02-1104 & 09-9211 (also 5th) C-17As 27/8 01-0187 C-17A 62nd/446th AW, USAF n/s. E141/705-NF, E68/705-MO & E72/705-LA Alpha 62nd/446th AW, US Air Force; 163265 VH-60N 28/8 05-5139 C-17A 452nd AMW, AFRC; 06-6157 Jets EAC00.314, French AF. 6/8 88-0192 MC-130H HMX-1, USMC; ZJ134/S Merlin HC3 28/78 C-17A 60th/349th AMW, USAF n/s. 29/9 92-3294 15th SOS, 1st SOW, USAF dep 8th. 8/8 10-0728 Sqns, RAF also 3rd and 5th; 07-7181 C-17A C-17A 62nd/446th AW, USAF n/s. & 10-0729 MC-12Ws 9th RW, USAF both dep 10th. 437th/315th AW, US Air Force also 5th; 07-7176 10/8 10-0730, 10-0739 & 10-0742 MC-12Ws 9th C-17A 436th/512nd AW, US Air Force also 5th. RAF LEEMING RW, USAF all dep 12th. 20/8 165741/EZ UC-35C 3/9 ZJ120/D Merlin HC3 28/78 Sqns, RAF; 92- 22/8 ZG707/119 Tornado GR4 arrived from MAW-4, USMC. 26/8 63-3187 C-130E 222 Filo, 9000 VC-25A 89th AW, USAF dep 5th; 09-0016 Lossiemouth for reduction to spares. Turkish AF n/s also 31st-2/9. 28/8 96-1004 C-130H 109th AS, MN ANG n/s; 93-1457 C-130H 156th AS, NC ANG n/s. 29/8 90-0818/SP & 91-0416/SP F-16Cs 480th FS, 52nd FW, USAF both dep 2/9. RAF NORTHOLT 5/8 253 CN235-100MPA 101 Sqn, Irish Air Corps. 6/8 CE-01 ERJ 135LR 15 Wing, Belgian Defence- Air Component. 27/8 258 Learjet 45 102 Sqn, Irish Air Corps; 85 Xingu EPV/28F French Navy. RAF WADDINGTON 5/8 E141/705-NF, E68/705-MO & E72/705-LA Alpha Jets EAC00.314, French AF all n/s. 19/8 MM62180/46-45 C-130J 46 BA, Italian AF. 21/8 C-GVRA/FM213:VR-A Lancaster Mk.X. RNAS YEOVILTON 27/8 ZZ397 Wildcat HMA2 delivered from Two Royal Danish Air Force AW.101 Merlins, M-513 and M-519, of Eskadrille 722 at RAF Valley AgustaWestland to 825NAS. on Anglesey. The helicopters arrived on September 8 and spent the week using the nearby mountain training areas, departing for home on September 12. Paul Heasman Key: n/s night stop; o/s overshoot

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69_airbasesDC.indd 69 29/09/2014 18:09 NEW!

704/14

Produced by AIR International’s worldwide team, 135 The World’s Greatest Tanker... and more, is a 100-page publication giving a comprehensive profi le of the KC-135 Stratotanker and all remaining special mission variants led by the RC-135 Rivet Joint. JUST £5.99 Features include:

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OPERATIONS Seven major US Air Force commands and four allied air forces fl y KC-135 operations around the world: we present comprehensive coverage.

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715 KC-135 Now.indd 87 03/09/2014 11:22 REGISTER REVIEW BY STUART MCDIARMID 71 03/10/2014 16:56 A Pasin, (Villabassa, Trentino-Alto A Pasin, (Villabassa, Trentino-Alto Adige/Sudtirol, ) Durham) RM Cornwell, (Somerford Keynes, Gloucestershire) RS McMaster, Peterborough- RS McMaster, Conington, Cambridgeshire LA Watts, (Pangbourne, LA Watts, Berkshire) P and M Aviation Ltd, (Rochdale, P and M Aviation Greater Manchester) A Jackson, Darley Moor, A Jackson, Darley Moor, Derbyshire Sprite Aviation ServicesSprite Aviation Ltd, Inglenook Farm, Maydensole, Kent RS O'Carroll, Kernam Valley, RS O'Carroll, Kernam Valley, Co. Armagh Tandragee, Durham) Yak 55 2014 Ltd, Barton, Greater Yak Manchester Swift Copter Ltd, (London EC3) BK Harrison, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire Sandaris Ltd, (Swalcliffe, Oxfordshire) Ltd, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire OWNER 882 LAA 385-15219 J Edgeworth, (Darlington, County LAA 323-15042 Hertfordshire) D Perl, (Watford, BMAA/HB/657 2014-1000 70/01 8698 8694 006 1407-7344 LAA 385-15275 Co. P Johnson, (Spennymoor, 900909 11652 ZP-AXL-002 0059 920224 C/N Irish additions are a pair of Boeing 767s for for a pair of Boeing 767s Irish additions are adds two former The Isle of Man register G-TCSX is to be used for VIP holiday work by work by VIP holiday be used for G-TCSX is to latest Airways’ while BritishTCS Expeditions, The G-ZBJH, also appears. Boeing 787, Falcon bizjet this month is Dassault new only A330 Airbus MRTTs, 2000EX Two G-FLXS. AirTanker’s for are G-VYGE and G-VYGJ, behalf of the RAF. on operation which Air Samba, lease and an Urban onward in the countryhas been operating under some years. marksCzech for a China Southern ERJ 145s, Embraer 900DX, a pair of G450, a Falcon Gulfstream and a Gulfstream Challengers Bombardier G650. Kubicek BB30Z BRM Aero Bristell NG5 Speed Wing Van’s RV-7A Van’s Aeropro Eurofox 912(1) Evektor EV-97 TeamEurostar TeamEurostar Evektor EV-97 UK (Assembled by Light Sport Ltd) Aviation UltraMagic S-70 P & M Quik Lite P & M Quik GT450 AVIAD Zigolo MG12 AVIAD (Assembled by Sprite Aviation Services Ltd) Ikarus C42 FB100 (Assembled by Red-Air UK) BRM Aero Bristell NG5 Speed Wing Yakovlev Yak-55 Yakovlev AgustaWestland A109E Power AgustaWestland Axel Gliders AXEL (Built by Zenon Pietruszka) Robinson R66 Sikorsky S-92A G-CIME 406C4B G-CILL 406C7C G-CILG 406C84 G-CILA 406C78 G-CIKT 406C7B G-CIKL 406C53 G-CIKA 406C8B G-CIJA 406C0A G-CIIP 406C85 G-CIIN 406C42 G-CIIL 406C6A G-CIIK 406C6C G-CIIJ 406C5F G-CIIF 406C5C G-CIHJ 406C33 G-CIGZ 406C28 NEW REGISTRATIONS REG’N MODE(S) TYPE REVIEW Boeing 757-200, G-TCSX, previously as ew previously G-TCSX, Boeing 757-200, been added and has Airways with Sa YA-AQT paint scheme This all-black the UK register. to It in Manchester. Air Livery applied by was 27 August departingis shown the airport on it will undergo where Birmingham bound for Engineering Aircraft at Monarch maintenance The aircraft and also gain titles and logos. (UK) and will be Aviation TAG by is operated TCS Expeditions. company travel for own Nik French oil spill response dispersant sprayer for for sprayer dispersant oil spill response 146 Aerospace while British Aviation, T2 at Southend, Aviation Jota G-SMLA is for as G-OZRH with previously own having Boeing 757 at the same base. Spectre Overseas Aircraft Ltd, (Lease to Blue Panorama, Rome-Fiumicino, Italy) Ashbourne, Derbyshire RG Mason, (Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire) Republic of Ireland) (Newtown, West Berkshire) (Newtown, West of Ireland) Vector Aerospace Financial ServicesVector Ireland Ltd, (Dublin, Republic of Ireland) D Shew, (Preston Candover, (Preston Candover, D Shew, Hampshire) TM Donnelly, (Bristol) TM Donnelly, (Bristol) TM Donnelly, OWNER D Shew, (Preston Candover, Hampshire) Candover, (Preston D Shew, Germany Strubby North, DG Caffrey, Lincolnshire W870 SW-WA-1358 D Minnock, (Johnstown, Co. Meath, 1753 (Bristol) TM Donnelly, 11431 Sorn, (Brezovica, Slovenia) Slavko Avi 2023 Co. Meath, Republic ME White, (Trim, 2157 239 C/N 84130 11062 Thuringia, GA Kreis, Erfurt-Weimar, 133

XL-R AS332L Super Puma (Built by Phillips and Powis Aircraft Ltd) de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Morane-Saulnier MS.894A Rallye Minerva 220 (Built Tailwind Wittnam W.8 Company) by Hamilton Toool

hree new types variant new and a new hree appear this month on the UK de- all in the single-seat register, AXEL category. microlight regulated

The latest changes on the UK, Irish, Isle of Man and Guernsey registers. Guernsey and Man of Isle UK, Irish, the on changes latest The REGISTER EI-CMD 4CA088 767-324 Boeing 27392 G-OGAN 40396F Europa Europa Aviation 247-12734 PFA RKW Moss, Carlton Moor Farm, G-MZDS 403CCB Cyclone AX3/503 7253 (Langrick, Lincolnshire) MJ Cooper, G-MZBA 403BD3 Mainair Blade 912 1068-0296-7- G-MYFV 4036C4 Cyclone AX3/503 C 2083050 (Basingstoke, Hampshire) IJ Webb, G-MVEF 402BF3 Solar Wings Pegasus G-MMKT 406C6E Cub 440 MBA Tiger SO85 (Chelmsford, Essex) AR Sunley, G-ERIK 402B6E Cameron N-77 G-CGNL 4063A0 Cameron Z-90 G-CDLV 404E26 Lindstrand LBL 105A 1050 Service Zebedee Balloon Ltd, G-BUPH 4036E1 Colt 25A G-BUBY 403570 Thunder Ax8-105 S2 2115 (Bristol) TM Donnelly, G-ALBD 40145E G-BDBD 401BC8 G-BLXS 406C70 Airbus Helicopters G-AXOH 401840 G-ADNL 4024DC Miles M.5 Sparrowhawk G-ATZZ 4016B1 Reims Cessna F.150GG-BDAY 401BC7 0136 Thunder Ax5-42 S1G-BLAH 4020A7 C Beardmore (Falmouth, Cornwall) 042 Thunder AX7-77 526 REG’N MODE(S) TYPE RESTORATIONS T www.aviation-news.co.uk G-CIIF is a self-sustaining microlight glider, glider, microlight G-CIIF is a self-sustaining built. origin and one of just three of Polish high- open-framed, an is G-CIIP Zigolo AVIAD on display and was Italy winged machine from Association Rally Aircraft Light at the recent G-FDHB was Scout Replica Bristol at Sywell. and is under construction by also at Sywell One. War World of a Scout pilot from relatives G-CIKA, is Quik Lite variant the new Finally, Quik, of the ubiquitous a single-seat version Airliner additions Aviation. P and M from a second Boeing 727 begin with G-OSRB, 71-74_RegReviewFinalTNDCMFDCDC.indd 71 G-CXTE 406C88 BRM Aero Bristell NG5 Speed LAA 385-15290 L Langmead, (Woodburn Green, Wing Buckinghamshire) PREVIOUS IDENTITIES G-DAKA 406C74 Piper PA-28-236 Dakota 28-8111060 MM Zienkiewicz, Stapleford, REG'N P.I. REG’N P.I. Essex G-BLXS ex VH-BZB G-KFBA ex D-KFBA G-DFUF 406C75 Scheibe SF-27A Zugvogel V 6089 RJ Savage, Lee-on-Solent, G-BUPH ex LY-BUP G-MVEF ex EI-ELV Hampshire G-CGNL ex (B- ) (Taiwan) G-MXPI ex OK-SIM G-DRCC 4062B3 Evektor EV-97 TeamEurostar 3717 CJ Corbin, (Iselham, UK (Assembled by Cosmik Cambridgeshire) G-CIGZ ex N224XK G-OSRB ex N480EC Aviation Ltd) G-CIHJ ex N4502G G-SMLA ex N880PA G-DRGL 4020D3 Piper L-21B Super Cub 18-3828 Worldwide Aviation Ltd, Lee-on- G-CIIF ex SP-GAAB G-SWNS ex G-PROJ Solent, Hampshire G-CIIJ ex I-EGGG G-TCSX ex YA-AQT G-EGJJ 406C45 P & M Quik GTR 8695 MD Bowden, , Channel Islands G-CIIK ex UR-SKY G-VYGE ex EC-335 G-EGSL 406C20 Reims Cessna F.152 1446 Corvalis Aircraft Leasing Ltd, G-CIKL ex EC-LVK G-VYGJ ex EC-333 Andrewsfi eld, Essex G-CIME ex OK-0882 G-WFWS ex G-LINS G-ERSE 406C1E Beech King Air 350 FL-931 Ltd, London Oxford, G-DAKA ex F-GJIH EI-CMD ex N838TM Oxfordshire G-DFUF ex BGA3531 EI-FAZ ex OK-GUA 16 G-FDHB 406C5A Bristol Scout Model C Replica PFA 353-14755 DS Bremner, Trustee of (Built by DS & R Bremner and Bristol Scout Group, (Ludlow, G-DRCC ex G-SLNM EI-RUX ex VP-BAX T Willford) Shropshire) G-DRGL ex G-BLIH M-AAMM ex OE-ICH G-FFAT 406C47 Piper PA-32-301T Turbo 32-8024011 Freifall.at, Verein zur Foerderung G-EGSL ex OE-CMR M-EMBA ex B-3062 Saratoga des Fallschirmsports, Punitz, G-ERSE ex N5031Q M-EMBB ex B-3063 Burgenland, Austria G-FFAT ex OO-WPS M-GSIR ex G-TAGK G-FLXS 406B9D Dassault 2000EX 275 TAG Aviation (UK) Ltd, Farnborough, Hampshire G-FLXS ex F-WWGR M-MSGG ex M-ABGU G-FOOT 406C7E Robinson R44 Raven I 1891 Startrade Heli GmbH and Co. G-FOOT ex LN-OSF M-OCOM ex G-OCOM KG, Siegerland, Rheinland-Pfalz, G-GTBT ex G-DCUO M-WIND ex N7780

BY STUART MCDIARMID REGISTER REVIEW BY STUART Germany G-GTBT 405CAB Pilatus B4-PC11AF 040 T Geissel, Segelfl uggelände Marpingen, Saarland, Gwermany G-HMCF 406C50 Evektor EV-97 Eurostar SL 2014-4204 ME Howard, Trustee of RAF G-VGML 406C61 Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 7935 Airbus Helicopters UK Ltd, Microlight (Assembled by Light Microlight Flying Association, Ecureuil London Oxford, Oxfordshire Sport Aviation Ltd) RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire G-VYGE 406AB3 Airbus A330-243 MRTT 1033 Airtanker Ltd, RAF Brize Norton, G-JHLP 406C7F Flylight Dragon Chaser DA115 NL Stammers, (Wells, Somerset) Oxfordshire G-JVET 406C63 Aeropro Eurofox 912(iS) LAA 376-15286 JSG Down, (Sparrow Pit, G-VYGJ 406B79 Airbus A330-243 MRTT 1439 Airtanker Ltd, RAF Brize Norton, Derbyshire) Oxfordshire G-KFBA 406C73 Valentin Taifun 17E 1084 MT Collins, Ringmer, East Sussex G-WFWS 403017 Robinson R22 Beta 1201 Wings for Warriors, Blackbushe, Hampshire G-MXPI 406105 Robinson R44 Raven II 12827 MG Group Ltd, (Wellinborough, Northamptonshire) G-ZBJH 406A9F Boeing 787-8 38615 British Airways PLC, London Heathrow G-OSRB 406C5D Boeing 727-2S2F(RE) 22929 T2 Aviation Ltd, Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffi eld, South EI-FAZ 4CAB03 Urban Air UFM-10 Samba 9/10 J. Halpin, Abbeyshrule, Co. Yorkshire Longford G-OTTS 406C41 Comco Ikarus C42 FB100 Bravo 1407-7346 BC Gotts, Felthorpe, Norfolk EI-RUX 4CAB60 Boeing 767-36N 30109 Celestial Aviation Trading No.2 (Assembled by Red-Air UK) Ltd, (Leased to Transaero Airlines, Moscow-Domodedovo, Russia) G-SINN 406C4D Evektor EV-97 Eurostar SL 2014-4203 JC Miller, Sandown, Isle of Wight Microlight (Assembled by Light M-AAMM 43EA17 Gulfstream G450 4104 Al-Sahab G450 Ltd, (Dubai, Sport Aviation Ltd) United Arab Emirates) G-SMLA 40083F -200 E2047 Meteor Aero Ltd, Southend, Essex M-EMBA 43EA1A Embraer ERJ 145LR 145781 GB-Avia Ltd, (Dublin, Republic of Ireland) G-SSCA 406C57 Diamond DA42NG Twin Star 42.N138 Diamond Aircraft UK Ltd, Gamston, Nottinghamshire M-EMBB 43RA25 Embraer ERJ 145LR 14500804 GB-Avia Ltd, (Dublin, Republic of Ireland) G-SWNS 4010F8 Robinson R44 Raven II 11695 Swan Staff Recruitment Ltd, (Swanley, Kent) M-GSIR 43EA15 Dassault Falcon 900DX 614 Sublime Holdings Ltd, TBA G-SWRE 406C6F Tecnam P2002-EA Sierra PFA 333-14494 W. Swire, (Newbattle, Midlothian) M-MSGG 43EA01 Bombardier Challenger 605 5936 Tonya Ltd, (Cairo, Egypt) G-TCSX 406BE7 Boeing 757-2K2 26330 TAG Aviation (UK) Ltd, M-OCOM 43EA1C Bombardier Challenger 604 5617 Focus Holdings Ltd, (Guernsey, Farnborough, Hampshire Channel Islands) (Operated for TCS Expeditions) M-WIND 43EA19 Gulfstream G650 6080 Nursam Invest SA, TBA

Robinson R-44 Raven II has been registered to MG Group and is seen at Denham Aerodrome in Buckinghamshire. Brian G Nichols

72 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

71-74_RegReviewFinalTNDCMFDCDC.indd 72 03/10/2014 16:56 UPDATES & CORRECTIONS REG'N DETAILS G-AFVN Became OO-DRY 2.7.14 (NB Actually cancelled as PWFU 20.11.06) G-BBWZ Became D-EBXX 8.6.11 G-BDEZ Became F-AYEZ 10.6.14 G-BFGX Became D-ESAV 1.10.13 G-BGVV Became VH-JZV 3.6.14 G-BIEJ Became N1516 20.5.14 G-BISZ Became N1144 19.5.14 G-BJGX Became N1713 20.5.14 Piper PA-31 Navajo, G-VICT, has been sold in the US as N175CT. This shot of G-BLCM Became EC-MCE 6.14 the aircraft was taken at Bournemouth in October 2004. Kenneth J H Hearn G-BREP Became EC-MBI 6.14 G-BRSO Type officially changed to Streak Shadow (Modified) 2.7.14 CANCELLATIONS G-BSXS Became D-ESXS 3.14 REG’N TYPE C/N REASON G-BSYI Became 9M-LLP G-AFZN Luscombe 8A 1186 To France G-BURG Became PH-TBW 20.5.14 G-ANHU Auster 4 799 To Poland G-BVOK Became LN-HDA 2.6.14 G-ARKN Piper PA-22-108 Colt 22-8327 To Republic of Ireland G-BWXE Became N789ER 7.14 G-ARSL Beagle A61 Terrier 2 2539 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (Permit to G-BYTV Type officially changed to Jabiru SPL-450 17.78.14 Fly expired 20.5.14. Displayed at National Museum of Flight Scotland, East Fortune, G-BZGX Became EI-FFN 3.7.14 East Lothian, marked as VF581/G) G-CBEB Type officially changed to Air Creation Kiss 400/582(1) (Modified) 17.6.14 G-AXOH Morane-Saulnier MS.894A Rallye 11062 Cancelled by CAA (but restored again G-CBFF Became TC-BCH Minerva 220 later in the month) G-CCBG Type officially changed to SkyRanger Swift 912(1) 19.6.14 G-AYCJ Cessna TP.206D Turbo Super Skylane P206-0552 To Pakistan G-CCTX Became EI-FTX 24.4.14 G-BCPK Reims Cessna F.172M 1194 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (CofA G-CCVJ Type officially changed to X'Air Falcon Jabiru(3) 12.3.14 expired 12.1.01. Last known of in store at Little Staughton, Cambridgeshire 6.13) G-CCXM Type officially changed to SkyRanger Swift 912(1) 2.6.14 G-BHYG Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II 34-8070235 To Poland G-CDCC Type officially changed to Aerotechnik EV-97 EuroStar 12.6.14 G-BHYX Cessna 152 15281832 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (CofA G-CDWH Became N284CF 8.5.14 current to 1.4.15. Last known of based at G-CEBK Became N59818 4.14 Stapleford, Essex) G-CENR Became EI-FEO 2.14 G-BLIH Piper L-21B Super Cub 18-3828 Re-registered as G-DRGL G-CESF Became 9A-UDB 6.14 (NB Actually cancelled 11.4.12 to Hungary, but no HA- marks known.) G-BNFO Cameron V-77 816 Cancelled by CAA (CofA expired 7.8.11) G-CEYZ Became 5N-BRS 28.3.14 G-BOZN Cameron N-77 1807 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (CofA G-CFJP Became SP-BFR 26.2.14 expired 5.6.13) G-CGBC Became OE-ZAZ 11.2.14 G-BWIR Dornier Do 328-100 3023 To Germany as D-CMHA G-CGPZ Builder officially changed to IC Lewis 3.6.14 G-BWKK Auster AOP9 AUS/166 Cancelled as Destroyed (Permit to Fly G-CGYL Became RA-04082 expired 1.8.96) G-CHCX Became LN-OHZ 13.5.14 G-BYMH Cessna 152 15284980 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (Landed heavily at Stapleford, Essex 14.1.14 and G-CHRZ Became ZS-TCO 10.4.14 extensively damaged) G-CHUP Builder officially changed to BF Walker & I Smith 30.6.14 G-BZWH Cessna 152 15281339 Cancelled as Destroyed (Badly damaged G-CHUW Became D-8689 30.1.14 in landing accident at Perth, Perth & G-CHVF Became F-CNLB 19.5.14 Kinross 7.14) G-CHVN Became C-215 Royal Danish Air Force (originally bought for spares but now entering service) G-CDOE Avro RJ70 E1224 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (No UK CofA issued. Broken up at Bacau-George G-CIAX Builders officially changed to F Sayyah and AJ Palmer 7.3.14 Enescu International, Romania 12.13) G-CIBM Builders officially changed to GP Williams and SJ Wood 16.4.14 G-CFVI Evektor EV-97 TeamEurostar UK 3319 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (Crashed G-CIFA Type officially changed to Eurofox 912(1) 28.3.14 on take-off at Peterborough-Sibson, G-CIIT Type officially changed to SkyRanger Swift 912S(2) 4.7.14 Cambridgeshire 3.4.10) G-CIIV Updating last month. This is a power-assisted ultralight glider and it and G-IBEE are basically G-CHDS Rans S.6-ES Coyote II LAA 204-14799 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (No two versions of the same machine built by different Slovenian manufacturers Permit to Fly issued. Noted at Wickenby, G-CJCY Became F-CFNZ 2.7.14 Lincolnshire 2.14) G-CJDY Became LY-GOT 2.14 G-CKAE Centrair 101A Pegase 101A0152 Cancelled as Destroyed (CofA expired 9.6.14) G-CJFK Became SP-3880 4.14 G-CWFA Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk 38-78A0120 To France as F-HVFA G-CJHU Became D-8383 10.2.14 G-DCUO Pilatus B4-PC11AF 040 Re-registered as G-GTBT G-CJNF Became VH-EAX 16.7.14 G-DCZZ Slingsby T.59D Kestrel 19 1739 To USA G-CKLF Became OK-2014 2.4.14 G-DENB Reims Cessna F.150G 0136 Re-registered as G-ATZZ G-CODE Became N722BH 1.7.14 (Originally cancelled as PWFU 6.8.07 after an accident at Bredbury, G-EGHH Hawker Hunter Mk 58 41H-697450 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (No UK near Stockport 30.4.07) Permit to Fly issued. Used for spares at MoD St Athan, Glamorgan) G-COWZ Became ZS-HCP 19.6.14 (NB Actually cancelled as PWFU 22.6.92) G-ENRI Lindstrand LBL 105A 294 Cancelled by CAA (CofA expired 5.8.04) G-CRDY Became F-HEFS 2.7.14 G-FFRI Airbus Helicopters AS355F1 5120 Cancelled by CAA (Cof A expired 23.5.11. G-CUBP Became VH-YUP 1.5.14 Ecureuil II Last noted stored at Fairoaks, Surrey 1.13) G-DAGS Became D-IENE 24.3.14 G-FTSE Britten-Norman BN-2A Mk III-2 1053 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (CofA G-DCUO Type officially changed to Pilatus B4-PC11AF 15.4.14 Trislander current to 18.12.14. Noted stored at G-DEPM Became OK-3401 2.14 Guernsey, Channel Islands 5.14) G-DGIK Became F-CLBM 26.3.14 G-GDAV Robinson R44 Raven II 10813 To Spain as EC-MDC G-EGHB Became I-ERPG G-GMKD Robin HR200/120B 256 Cancelled as Destroyed (Extensively damaged in a forced landing near Cardiff G-EIER Became OK-2151 22.5.13 7.9.08 following engine failure) G-FTOM Became VP-CHJ 6.14 G-IDWR Hughes 369HS 690101S To Germany G-GHSI Became 7T-VMN G-IRGJ American Champion 7ECA 1401-2008 To Sweden as SE-LJP G-HABS Became OK-KAP 5.6.14 Citabria Aurora G-HIPO Became N243WM G-IRLI P & M Quik GTR 8622 To France G-HLEL Became N610VW 24.3.14 G-LINS Robinson R22 Beta 1201 Re-registered as G-WFWS G-HNGE Type officially changed to Ikarus C42 FB80 30.7.14 G-MBYM Eipper Quicksilver MX JW-01 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (Permit G-HTEL Became N441HQ 23.4.14 to Fly expired 21.9.96)

www.aviation-news.co.uk 73

71-74_RegReviewFinalTNDCMFDCDC.indd 73 03/10/2014 16:57 UPDATES & CORRECTIONS G-IANO Became OY-ROI 4.6.14 G-ICUT Type offi cially amended to a Maule MXT-7-180A 13.5.14 G-JBII Became D-HSTH 3.14 G-JEDI Became 5Y-QHW 10.12.13 G-JULZ Type offi cially changed to Europa XS 16.4.14 G-KANE Became YU-HMC 4.14 G-LSFR Type offi cially changed to LS4-A 23.6.14 G-MAPL Became OE-XJC 3.14 G-MJHR Type offi cially changed to Southdown Lightning DS/Mainair Tri-Flyer 440 23.6.14 G-MMEK Type offi cially changed to Hybred 44XL (Modifi ed) 28.7.14 Sikorsky S-61N, which was used by the Irish Coast Guard, has been G-MTAH Type offi cially changed to Gemini Flash IIA (Modifi ed) 2.7.14 cancelled from the country’s register and is being shipped to the US G-MTGF Type offi cially changed to Thruster TST Mk.1 (Modifi ed) 25.6.14 for parting out. AirTeamImages.com/Simon Willson G-MTXD Type offi cially changed to Thruster TST Mk.1 (Modifi ed) 6.6.14 G-MVCV Type offi cially changed to Solar Wings Pegasus XL-Q (Modifi ed) 18.6.14 G-MILA Reims Cessna F.172N 1686 Cancelled as destroyed (Badly damaged G-MVPS Type offi cially changed to Solar Wings Pegasus XL-Q (Modifi ed) 6.6.14 when blown over in a storm at Cuckoo G-MVXX Type offi cially changed to Chevvron 2-32 (Modifi ed) 4.6.14 Tye Farm, Sudbury, Suffolk 25.1.14) G-MVZZ Type offi cially changed to Chevvron 2-32 (Modifi ed) 4.6.14 G-MNNY Solar Wings Pegasus Flash SW-WF-0023 Cancelled by CAA (Permit to Fly expired 20.3.04) G-MWLJ Type offi cially changed to Pegasus Quasar (Modifi ed) 17.6.14 G-MNRT Aviasud Sirocco 377GB MU-016 Cancelled by CAA (Permit to Fly expired G-MWRF Type offi cially changed to Gemini Flash IIA (Modifi ed) 14.7.14 18.8.01) G-MWTN Type offi cially changed to Shadow Series CD (Modifi ed) 17.6.14 G-MNYX Solare Wings Pegasus XL-R SW-WA-1095 Cancelled as Destroyed (Permit to Fly G-MYIA Type offi cially changed to Challenger II (Modifi ed) 17.6.14 expired 17.5.12) G-MYJC Type offi cially changed to Mainair Gemini/Flash IIA (Modifi ed) 25.6.14 G-MTVI Mainair Gemini Flash IIA 629-388-6-W416 Cancelled by CAA (Permit to Fly expired BY STUART MCDIARMID REGISTER REVIEW BY STUART G-MYMN Type offi cially changed to Whittaker MW.6 (Modifi ed SS) 11.7.14 10.5.92) G-MYRC Became SE-VTB 28.4.14 G-MVCM Solar Wings Pegasus XL-Q SW-WQ-0076 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (Permit to Fly expired 25.4.08) G-MYXK Became EI-FDR 16.7.14 G-MVMK Medway Hybred 44XLR MR022/46 Cancelled by CAA (Permit to Fly expired G-MYZM Type offi cially changed to Pegasus Quantum 15 (Modifi ed) 30.6.14 5.2.94) G-MZFE Type offi cially changed to Hunt Wing/Hunt Avon Skytrike (Modifi ed) 15.7.14 G-MVSM Aviasud Sirocco 377GB MU-023 To Poland G-NEWS Became RP-C2546 19.6.12 G-MWIE Solar Wings Pegasus XL-Q SW-WQ-0325 Cancelled by CAA (Permit to Fly expired G-NIVT Became OY-LIX 14.3.14 19.10.12) G-OAAF Became PK-DGB 3.14 G-MWPC Mainair Gemini Flash IIA 826-0191-7-W620 To Spain G-OIRP Became HS-VNT 2.14 G-MWSB Mainair Gemini Flash IIA 837-0591-7-W631 Cancelled as Permanently WFU (Permit to Fly expired 6.8.11) G-OWYE Became TC-BCG G-MYFR Mainair Gemini Flash IIA 921-0992-7-W720 Cancelled by CAA (Permit to Fly expires G-PNTB Became F-HNCE 3.4.14 9.11.14) G-PNTC Became F-HTLN 12.3.14 G-MYPW Mainair Gemini Flash IIA 991-0494-7-W787 To Bulgaria G-PUPY Builders offi cially changed to PG Johnson, V Flett and DA Cameron 24.7.14 G-OCOM Bombardier Challenger 604 5617 To Isle of Man as M-OCOM G-SNOZ Builder offi cially changed to PO Bayliss 23.7.14 G-PAWL Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee 28-24456 Cancelled by CAA (CofA expired 20.3.14. G-SSLM Became N613ML 9.4.14 Was based in France) G-TRVR Builders offi cially changed to T Roche and J Edser 27.3.14 G-PDGE Eurocopter EC120B Colibri 1211 To France G-TRYK Became 19-8371 (Australian RAA register) 23.7.13 G-PFFN Beech 200 Super King Air BB-456 To USA as N32TP G-TTUG Type offi cially changed to Eurofox 912(iS) 7.7.14 G-PROJ Robinson R44 Raven II 11695 Re-registered as G-SWNS G-UFOX Builder offi cially changed to T Jestico, I Norfi eld, G Haffey & D Dollery 12.6.14 G-RCOM Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III 51599 To USA as N208EH G-UILA Became D-ERBK (Corrects page 69, April 2014) G-SLNM Evektor EV-97 TeamEurostar UK 3717 Re-registered as G-DRCC G-VONE Became D-HKMO 17.3.14 G-TAGK Dassault Falcon 900EX 614 To Isle of Man as M-GSIR G-VONH Actually became OO-VGA 10.3.14 G-UMKA Dassault Falcon 7X 114 To Malta as 9H-MAK G-WOOO Builders offi cially changed to F Sayyah and AJ Palmer 7.3.14 G-VICT Piper PA-31-310 Turbo Navajo B 31-7401211 To USA as N175CT G-XOAR Became OK-2032 6.14 G-VYGE Airbus A330-243 MRTT 1033 To Ministry of Defence as Voyager KC3 ZZ334 G-XXEA Became N10QE EI-FBN Boeing 737-4Q8 26290 Cancelled at Owner's Request- Removed G-YAKK Became N55YF 11.3.14 from Service (Stored at Shannon awaiting parting out) G-ZAPH Became OK-BEL 11.3.14 EI-FCM Embraer 190 19000230 To Turkey as TC-YAJ EI-AEL Mode S code is 4CAB7A EI-FDE Boeing 737-505 25794 To Georgia as 4L-AJH EI-CUA Became F-WTDJ 2.14, then 9H-HER 5.14 EI-FFL Embraer EMB-145MP 145406 To Netherlands as PH-DND EI-FBW Mode S code is 4CAAFD EI-FFR Airbus A330-243 532 To Brazil as PR-AIV EI-FDE Mode S code is 4CAB38 EI-GCE Sikorsky S-61N 61817 Cancelled at Owner's Request- Removed EI-FDM Mode S code is 4CAB51 from Service (WFU at Dublin Weston, EI-FEJ Mode S code is 4CAB81 Co. Kildare 8.14. Shipped to USA for EI-FEN Mode S code is 4CAB8C parting out) EI-SAO Mode S code is 4CAB8B EI-LIR Airbus A319-112 2335 To Serbia as YU-APD EI-SLN Became OY-LHC 15.5.14 EI-OZF Airbus A300B4-203F 259 To USA as N835JM M-GINI Became AP-BFL EI-SAR Sikorsky S-61N 61143 Cancelled at Owner's Request- Removed 2-ASIA Registered owner is Aircraft Solutions Lux XIX SARL and its Mode S code is 43EB05 from Service (WFU at Dublin Weston, Co. Kildare 8.14. Shipped to USA for parting out) 2-DOLU Mode S code is 43EB03 EI-STD Boeing 737-476SF 24433 Cancelled at Owner's Request- Removed 2-HIGH Mode S code is 43EB00 from Service (Badly damaged when 2-KOOL Mode S code is 43EB01 undercarriage failed whilst taxying at 2-OFUS Mode S code is 43EAFE East Midlands, Leicestershire 29.4.14. Subsequently parted out) 2-PLAY Mode S code is 43EAFF M-ABGF Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy 600 14500960 To United Arab Emirates 2-RICH Registered owner is MK Homes Ltd, Guernsey M-ABGU Bombardier Challenger 605 5936 Re-registered as M-MSGG 2-TRAV Mode S code is 43EB0D M-AIRS Bombardier Learjet 60 60-276 To USA 2-YULL Registered owner is G Watkinson-Yull, Guernsey M-ARCH Cessna 750 Citation X 750-0254 To USA as N999TJ G-BZTN Builders offi cially changed to W. Pringle, J Dewberry and SA Smith 7.8.14 M-RRBK Embraer Legacy 650 14501136 To Kazakhstan G-BZYU Type offi cially changed to MW.6 (Modifi ed SS) 11.8.14 M-YCEF Hawker 800XP 258723 To Australia as VH-RIU

74 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

71-74_RegReviewFinalTNDCMFDCDC.indd 74 03/10/2014 16:57

AIR MAIL Write to Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft, Key Publishing, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK or E-mail [email protected], giving your full name and address. The Editor reserves the right to edit all letters. Working at Kai Tak I thoroughly enjoyed the article ‘Hong Kong RAF VC10s visiting Kai Tak normally Kai Tak Remembered’ in the May 2014 operated in the passenger and/or freight role, issue. I was stationed there for over three but one aircraft operated as a CASEVAC LETTER years in the 1980s as the RAF Senior ight. On this occasion a serviceman with OF THE MONTH Air Movements Officer (SAMO). I had a a serious back injury had to be returned to Welcome to the Aviation News incorporating small team of servicemen and civilians the UK. He was on a stretcher and with no Classic Aircraft letters page. The writer of the responsible for monitoring the airlines and specialist CASEVAC handling equipment, Letter of the Month, Squadron Leader Martin handling agents contracted to support RAF improvisation was the order of the day and Gannon (Ret), will receive three DVDs: aircraft visiting Hong Kong and commercial an aircraft pallet/container transfer loader Vulcan: Spirit of Great Britain, Air Canada airlines moving service and MoD personnel was used. The airport authorities were Airbus A330-300 and Mirage 2000-5. to and from the initially UK and within sceptical the Far East. about using From such a Mighty Mirage an RAF device but we I thoroughly enjoyed the article on the perspective successfully Mirage IV in the October issue. It was a very VC10s and accomplished impressive aircraft and certainly stood out Hercules the task. The from the crowd. The photo on the cover of were the main CASEVAC the magazine and in the article did give me visitors, usually role of the a tinge of regret as I always wanted to see a staying for a VC10 is often Mirage IV perform a take-off using the rocket- week before overlooked assisted take-off (RATO) bottles. I had heard returning to and although it was an impressive sight and this is certainly the UK, but the aircraft backed up by the image. PR Canberras, is sadly Fellow enthusiasts told me this was often no longer demonstrated at French airshows. While it Andovers and The British Airways Concorde on approach to Kai Tak in 1985. was a real treat to see the aircraft at the Royal TriStars were Squadron Leader Martin Gannon (Ret) in service occasional it’s worth International Air Tattoo it was disappointing this visitors, as was the Boscombe Down highlighting one of its ‘other’ roles. spectacular take-off was not seen in the UK. Britannia and an ex-RAF Belfast. But Looking back, the number and variety of Unfortunately, the few French airshows I was the highlight was of course Concorde, aircraft visiting Kai Tak was amazing, and able to attend were not ones where the Mirage which visited in March 1985; shown in the working at a busy international airport was IV put in an appearance. I can at least content accompanying photograph on approach to an experience not to be missed, as was myself with having seen this beast ying a few Runway 13. As always Concorde attracted a living in Hong Kong. times before it was retired. Even without the host of admirers and put every other aircraft Squadron Leader Martin Gannon (Ret), rockets those memories will never be forgotten. on the pan, irrespective of size, in the shade. Madeira Geoffrey Jamieson, London

Dan-Air Remembered A Dan-Air Airspeed Ambassador at Liverpool. Bob O’Brien Collection Thank you for Charles Woodley’s excellent article on Dan-Air in the last issue of Aviation News. The airline will be fondly remembered by people in the northwest for giving them their  rst taste of ying in the early 1960s and ’70s. Schedule and charter ights were own out of Liverpool Speke and Manchester Ringway airports by Airspeed Ambassadors and Douglas Dakotas to many destinations in both Europe and the UK. The Ambassadors, of which the airline operated ten, performed Cambridgeshire air eld. Newcastle. Heron operations were terminated well and gave many passengers their  rst Another early example of Dan-Air’s in 1963 after only a few years, but they laid the experience of a pressurised cabin. They commitment to regional ying was the de foundations for the airline to continue its city were retired from service in 1971, though one Havilland Heron. The airline used two network well into the 1980s with DHC-6 Twin example still exists in the form of G-ALZO, Mk1Bs: G-ANCI and G-AOZM. Services Otters and Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirantes. which is owned by the Duxford Aviation were own from the southwest of the UK to Bob O’Brien, Society and can be found at the famous various destinations, including Liverpool and Liverpool

76 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

76_AirMailTNDCDC.indd 76 03/10/2014 15:46 Mark Osborn describes an AFRICAN enthusiasts’ trip organised by Aeroprints to AVIATION South Africa, Kenya and SAFARI Ethiopia. e set off from London Heathrow Terminal 4 on September 16, 2012, ying to Johannesburg Wwith Kenya Airways via Nairobi. We pushed back early – in fact this was to be the only time on the trip that a ight would be on time. After our overnight ight, we arrived at Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta International on September 17 as the sun was just starting to rise. Through a couple of small windows in a very cramped and crowded terminal we could see some of the early departures by Kenya Airways Boeing 737s and Embraer 170/190s, Jetlink Bombardier CRJs and Precision Air ATR 72s. There were also some interesting stored aircraft at the back of the airport, more of which Above: Among the varied African airliners noted at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport later. Foreign visitors were few, but included was ‘camou aged’ 737-400 ZS-OAF of South African low-cost carrier kulula. a Rwandair 737, Air Uganda CRJ200 and Main photo: Kenya Airways Boeing 737-800 5Y-KYD and Embraer 170 5Y-KYG at Nairobi’s Jomo a Qatar Airways A320. We then boarded Kenyatta International Airport, the  rst port of call in Africa. All photos Mark Osborn unless stated

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77-82_AfricaDCDC.indd 77 03/10/2014 15:58 Above left: A typical scene at Johannesburg. ERJ 135 ZS-SNX taxies past a Dash 8-Q400, with an Airlink Jetstream 41 in the hangar behind.

Above right: The eclectic ramp at Rand Airport includes ATL-98 Carvair 9J-PAA, the 21st and nal example built.

our onward ight, a 737-700 in Star Alliance dominated by the eet, . LAM Mozambique Airlines colour scheme, to Johannesburg. including Airlink Jetstream 41s, BAe 146s Embraer 190s and Dash 8-Q400s, and Air On arrival at OR Tambo International and ERJ 135s and Express Dash 8-Q400s Namibia ERJ 145s and A319s were also Airport we transferred directly to our hotel and CRJ200/700s. We also noted several a common sight. Plenty of eye-catching next to the terminal. The hotel management 1-Time MD-80s and and kuluha 737s. aircraft are stored or were on maintenance had agreed to let us use the roof for watching Long-haul visitors included Lufthansa and here, including Transavia Export Ilyushin the arrivals and departures, and we also Air France A380s and there were many other Il-76 EW-78843, various African MD-80s had the option of the observation areas African operators, including a TAAG Boeing (including D2-ERJ and 9Q-COZ), some DC- in the terminals. During the afternoon we 777, Air Botswana ATRs and 737s from 8s and a few 737s. noted all the usual South African carriers, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Next morning we departed for our ramp tour at Rand. We found about 360 aircraft to log at this large and varied airport. It is also home to the South African Airways Museum, which was our  rst stop. This has a fascinating collection including a 747-200 and 747SP, Lockheed Lodestar, de Havilland Dove, DC-6 and two DC-4s. We then took a long walk around the whole ramp, with a highlight being Catalina N427CV and looking great now that it is fully painted in a period scheme. The Phoebus Apollo ramp boasted DC-3s, DC-4s and Carvair 9J-PAA, and we also saw Above: An-24RV TN-AHH has been stored at Rand for several years.

Right: Among Lanseria’s interesting visitors from across the was the sole Togolese Air Force CN235M 5V-MBM.

Below: Spectrum’s eye-catching Basler BT-67 ZS-ASN at Lanseria. The nose probe is associated with the aircraft’s electromagnetic survey role.

78 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

77-82_AfricaDC.indd 78 03/10/2014 12:35 Above: Rand Airport, home of the South African Airways Museum, seen from the South African Airways Historic Flight DC-3 ZS-BXF. N833CA and 5V-MBM (both ex-Botswana Defence Force) and Spectrum Basler BT- 67 ZS-ASN in an amazing colour scheme and with a large probe on its nose. The nal place to visit was the scrapping area containing, among others, Swazi Express Metroliner 3D-SEA, Trans Air Congo F-28 BAC One-Eleven ZS-NUG at Lanseria, formerly of Nationwide Airlines. TN-BEH, all-white 727 TU-TII and BAC One- long-time residents An-24 TN-AHH and YS- exotic visitors and scheduled  ights by Eleven 9XR-RA. 11 9Q-CYS. The air eld is home to several kulula and . We set off in the morning Our fourth day was spent at OR Tambo, helicopters and warbirds, including as many as with our very helpful and knowledgeable beginning with a tour of , which eight Harvards. After lunch we visited Grand guide who rst took us around the terminal operates a  eet including Cessna 208s Central Airport, which was very busy with side of the airport and then, after a stop and Beech 1900s offering charters and helicopter movements, with about 50 noted, for refreshments, over to the far side. With scheduled  ights to the South African resorts and another 120 light aircraft, highlights being access to almost every hangar and the and safari areas. We also spent time looking Cessna 172 A2-PPL and Namibian Rockwell storage areas we noted a total of 450 around the stored DC-8s, 737s and MD-80s Commander V5-MGF. It was then back to OR aircraft, including over 100 biz jets and and taking photos from a recreation area at Tambo to see what the evening had to offer, light aircraft from various African countries the side of the runway. with standout visitors being Ethiopian Airlines (including Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, In the afternoon we were lucky enough to 787 Dreamliner ET-AOQ and Royal Air Force Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia and take part in a photo shoot of South African of Oman Gulfstream IV serial 557. Zimbabwe). Also of note were several Airways Historic Flight DC-3 ZS-BXF. We Beech 1900s, including TR-LBV of Nile Air took off from OR Tambo and  ew towards LANSERIA RARITIES Safaris Gabon, EMB-120s D2-FFU and FFY Rand Airport, where we were joined by On day three, September 19, we departed of Diexim Expresso, ERJ 135s D2-FFW Harvard ZU-DKZ (in South African Air for Lanseria, well known for its mixed and and 7Q-WPB, Fokker F-28 TJ-ALD, CN235s Force colours) for an air-to-air sortie. We

Lanseria is a key hub for ‘no-frills’ operators kulula and Mango. DC-3 ZS-BXF of the South African Airways Historic Flight on which the Boeing 737-800 ZS-SLJ is own by the latter. tour group ew.

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77-82_AfricaDC.indd 79 03/10/2014 12:35 Among the unusual types at Wonderboom is Convair 440 ZS-ARV, one DC-4 serial 6902 is part of the Museum of two examples at the airport. collection at Swartkop.

ew several circuits above Rand, with the housing the collection’s active aircraft, enjoy the show, using our aircraft as a Harvard (containing one of our group) including more Harvards and a DC-3. About base. Among some great airshow ying, the dipping from side to side for about 30 80 aircraft were logged here, with the bonus formation of the South African Airways A340 minutes. We returned to OR Tambo, landing of South African Air Force helicopters and the six PC-7s of the South African Air parallel with a Delta 777, after a fantastic that were operating out of Swartkop for Force (SAAF) Silver Falcons display team 45-minute ight. the nearby Waterkloof Airshow. These was particularly impressive. The rarest Wonderboom was our morning comprised examples of the Oryx, Rooivalk aircraft were probably the two Air Force of destination on September 21. There was a and BK117. Zimbabwe K-8s, serials 2021C and 2703J. lot to choose from here, but among the most Another good display was provided by a surprising visitors were two Seychelles- BY DC-4 TO WATERKLOOF SAAF C-47TP Turbo Dakota (serial 6840) registered AgustaWestland A109s, S7-HTE The sixth day of our trip, September 22, with the six PC-7s. Visitors included ATR and S7-NEL. In total, about 420 aircraft were was set to be particularly eventful. We had 72 F-WWEO, a US Air Force KC-135R and noted, mostly single-engined light types and arranged in advance to y from OR Tambo C-17A, and Saab 340 SE-MCG. Also based a hangar containing some warbirds, and to the airshow at Waterkloof in a South at the air eld are some air force C-130s An-2 ZU-FOO. There were also some DC- African Airways Historic Flight DC-4. As and Cessna 208s. At the end of the show 3s, as well as the Rovos Air Convair 440s we had a group of 40 booked, and several we ew back on ZS-BMH, and encountered ZS-ARV and ZS-BRV, a number of Dornier other enthusiasts had also signed up, the a very rough thunderstorm. Indeed, the 228s and Fly 540 Beech 1900D 5Y-BTN. In Historic Flight took both of its DC-4s. We weather was so bad that the other DC-4 the afternoon we had a visit to the air base departed early and took off in ZS-AUB, for behind us could not make it back and at Swartkop and the South African Air Force the 15-minute hop. We taxied in and parked diverted to Wonderboom. Museum, including a look round the hangar the aircraft in the static display and set off to Our last morning in Johannesburg was spent on the hotel roof before our Kenya Airways 767 ight to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. We arrived in the evening and our coach took us to our nearby hotel. The hotel staff were very friendly and couldn’t do enough to help us. They had even hastily transformed the top oor into a bar and restaurant, with excellent views over the airport and approach.

Above: A private visit to the South African Air Force Museum at Swartkop provided a close-quarters view of ELINT-equipped former SAAF 707-328C serial 1419 that has been on display at the base since its retirement in November 2007.

Right: Swartkop’s former Algerian Air Force Mi-24A Hind has been repainted in Soviet colours and is displayed with dummy missiles. The helicopter was donated to the collection by local upgrade specialist Advanced Technologies and Engineering (ATE).

Below: C-47TP serial 6877 (c/n 11925) of 35 Sqn South African Air Force at Swartkop.

80 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

77-82_AfricaDC.indd 80 03/10/2014 12:35 Mark’s short ight to Waterkloof was in DC-4 ZS-AUB, which later At Waterkloof airshow was former SAAF Atlas C4M Kudu, 969. The aircraft formed part of the static display at the show. remains airworthy on the South African register as ZU-CWZ. Lewis Pilgrim

The rst full day in Nairobi, our eighth of HS748s, L-410s, Fokker F-27s and a nice headed to the other side of the airport for a the trip, saw us brave the local traffic and Skyvan 3D-AER. DC-3TP N467SP departed tour of the Jetlink hangars, via the African head for Wilson Airport, about an hour’s drive in front of us on a humanitarian  ight for Express ramp, containing DC-9s, MD-80s from the international airport. Wilson is a an international charity. There were many and EMB-120 5Y-AXJ. We walked past large general aviation airport, with a terminal hangars full of gems and everybody was two dumped Somali Air Force Antonovs, that caters for several local airlines that  y happy to show us their aircraft. We had a an An-24 and An-26. In the afternoon we to the various local and safari destinations, buffet lunch at the clubhouse and spent the returned to Wilson for lunch at the Aeroclub, mostly catering for tourists. We were guests rest of the afternoon watching more safari followed by another ramp tour, for those of the Aeroclub of East Africa for the day – its  ights arrive with a continuous stream of who could cope with the heat. There were members looking after us while we watched compelling movements. a few new arrivals, and aircraft could be arrivals and departures from their clubhouse A short drive to the terminal at Jomo seen descending into Jomo Kenyatta in the garden. We then took a long walk around the Kenyatta for an airport tour began our ninth distance. In the evening we had the trek whole ramp, visiting each hangar in turn. day on the African continent, September 25. back through the city’s horrendous traffic, About 350 aircraft were logged. There We were taken upstairs to the old viewing returning to Jomo Kenyatta. Once there were lots of great aircraft here, but the deck, now closed, but which was opened up visitors included a Juba 737-300, Cargolux three Kenya Police Air Wing Mi-17s that for our visit. The deck is huge and covers the 747-8s LX-VCE and VCF, Qatar Airways and we saw (5Y-EDM, SFA and STA) were the entire length of the crescent-shaped terminal. Saudia A320s and more Kenyan traffic. highlights. In addition there were various We were able to get plenty of great photos Day ten, September 26, was a free day for aircraft operating the safari  ights, including of examples from the Kenya Airways’  eet everybody. Some chose to stay at the hotel Safarilink Dash 8s, Air Kenya Twin Otters, and other visitors. We also had a better view to watch arrivals at Jomo Kenyatta, which Dash 7s and -8s and Safari Air Express of some of the stored aircraft at the back of was quite slow but offered a few noteworthy Beech 1900Ds. Also operating or on the runway. These included two ex-Kenya visitors. Others returned to Wilson, and maintenance here were several Dornier Airways 737-200s, 5Y-KQJ and KQK, 727 some took the chance to set off early on a 228s and Beech 1900s, plus some stored 5Y-GMA and 737-200 EY-534. Then we safari, returning in the afternoon.

Nairobi’s Wilson Airport is a thriving hub for both general aviation and safari tours. It is also home to stored HS748s, including 5Y-TCO. An Air Kenya Dash 7 at Wilson Airport.

Jomo Kenyatta serves as Kenya’s international airport, but is also home to a pair of dumped Somali Air Force Antonov transports, an An-24 and this An-26.

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77-82_AfricaDC.indd 81 03/10/2014 12:35 DC-3 ET-T-1 is on display at the entrance to the Ethiopian Airlines Seen outside a hangar at Bole International, Dash 8-Q400 ET-ANV headquarters at Addis Ababa. represents the continuing modernisation of Ethiopian Airlines. ETHIOPIAN INTERLUDE headquarters building. Outside was DC-3 older dumped aircraft, including Transaharan September 27 began with a morning ight by ET-T-1, in the airline’s old colours. After 727 5N-BEC, 737 J2-KCC, 707 N80AZ, Kenya Airways Embraer 190 5Y-KYQ to Addis an informative chat about the airline’s Fly Air Ethiopia Beech 1900C ET-AMX and Ababa Bole International Airport. Taxiing in expansion plans, we had a quick coffee, Ethiopian Air Force C-130 serial 1562. we passed several derelict aircraft, including gratefully accepted some gifts and were We were especially impressed by the 707 5Y-BBK and DC-3s ET-AHS and escorted through the main gates and hospitality and passion of Ethiopian Airlines. 5Y-PRV. Another rare visitor was Sudanese out to the ramp area. Present here were After the tour we returned to the terminal Government Il-62 ST-PRA, on a state visit. DA40 Diamond Stars (ET-AOG, AOY, APC, for our long journey home. We ew on We watched the afternoon arrivals from a APD and APT) and DA42 Twin Stars (ET- a delayed Embraer 190 5Y-FFB in Star nearby ninth- oor restaurant, overlooking APG and APH) of the Ethiopian Airlines Alliance colours to Nairobi and connected the whole airport. This was a great place to training eet. Then we walked around the with our 777 to Heathrow. see movements, and a full meal only cost maintenance area where highlights were All in all, it was a fantastic trip with some around £2. Afternoon visitors were limited but Mid Airlines Fokker 50 ST-ARH and Feeder enthralling ights, exotic aircraft and very included an Emirates A330, Saudia A320 and Airlines Fokker 50 ST-NEW, and took some warm and friendly people at all of the places examples of most of the Ethiopian eet. photos of Ethiopian’s 757s and new Dash we visited. Our twelfth and  nal day saw us 8-Q400s. We were also given access to an Details of Aeroprints tours can be found welcomed at the Ethiopian Airlines area next to the ramp that contained several at www.aeroprints.com

An unusual visitor to Addis Ababa was Sudanese Government Il-62 ST-PRA, making a state visit to Ethiopia.

The next issue will be on sale on November 20, 2014* *UK scheduled on sale date. Please note that the overseas deliveries are likely to be after this date.

November 2014 Volume 76 No 11. SUBSCRIPTIONS / MAIL ORDER: POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft, Key Publishing Ltd C/o Mail Right Founded in 1939 as Air Defence Cadet Corps Gazette. See the subscriptions advertisement in this issue for details of current offer rates. Copies can also be obtained International Inc. 1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway NJ 08854 EDITOR: Dino Carrara by placing a standing order with your newsagent. DISTRIBUTED BY: Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 Poultry Avenue, E-mail: [email protected] London, EC1A 9PP, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7429 4000 Fax: +44 (0)20 General enquiries to: Subscriptions Manager: Roz Condé. 7429 4001 Julie Lawson, Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft, Contacts: PO Box 300, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1BR, UK. PRINTED BY: Warner’s (Midland) plc, The Maltings, Bourne, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK Tel: +44 (0)1780 755131 Lincs. PE10 9PH Fax: +44 (0)1780 757261 www.aviation-news.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1780 480404. Fax: +44 (0)1780 757812. E-mail: Subscriptions: [email protected]. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY: Key Publishing Ltd, DESIGN: Froggatt Designs E-mail: Mail Order: [email protected]. address as Editorial. Printed in England ISSN 2047-7198 COVER DESIGN: Tracey Mumby www.keypublishing.com/shop The Editorial team is always happy to receive correspondence. It is all read and appreciated, but we cannot always guarantee a reply. While every care is PRODUCTION MANAGER: Janet Watkins Readers in the USA can place subscriptions by visiting taken with material, the Publisher cannot be held responsible for any loss or www.aviation-news.co.uk or by calling toll free 800 676 damage incurred. All items submitted for publication are subject to our terms ADVERTISING AND COMMERCIAL: Commercial Director: Ann Saundry and conditions. These are regularly updated without prior notice and are freely 4049 or fax 757 428 6253 or by writing to Aviation News Advertisement Manager: Andrew Mason available from Key Publishing Ltd or downloadable from www.keypublishing. E-mail: [email protected] incorporating Classic Aircraft, 3330 Pacifi c Ave, Ste 500, com. We are unable to guarantee the bona fi des of any of our advertisers. Readers Virginia Beach, VA, 23451-9828. are strongly recommended to take their own precautions before parting with any Advertising Production Manager: Debi McGowan information or item of value, including, but not limited to, money, manuscripts, photographs or personal information in response to any advertisements within Advertising Production Controller: Cheryl Thornburn Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft (ISSN: 2047-7198), is published monthly by Key Publishing Ltd, this publication. The entire contents of Aviation News incorporating Classic E-mail: [email protected] Aircraft is © Copyright 2014. No part of it can be reproduced in any form or stored PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK and distributed in on any form of retrieval system without the prior permission of the publisher. Marketing Manager: Martin Steele the USA by Mail Right Int., 1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Note to contributors: Please note that images published on the Air Forces Daily MANAGING DIRECTOR and PUBLISHER: Adrian Cox website do not attract a fee, though they will be credited appropriately. If such Periodicals Postage Paid at Piscataway, NJ and additional images are also published in our printed titles, they will be paid at the appropriate EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN: Richard Cox mailing offi ces usual rate.

82 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014

77-82_AfricaDC.indd 82 03/10/2014 12:35 A SPECIAL WARPLANES ON THE BRINK OF GLOBAL CONFLICT As well as intercontinental ballistic missiles and high-tech warfare the ‘Cold War’ brought about some of the most advanced and much-loved aircraft since World War Two. Types that spring to mind include the Avro Vulcan, the Boeing B-47 Stratojet, English Electric Lightning, the MiG-25 Foxbat and the awesome Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. All of these and many more are featured in this 100- page special publication from the team behind FlyPast magazine. FEATURES INCLUDE: GAZING INTO THE ABYSS Vic Flintham outlines the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the USSR and the USA waited to see who would blink fi rst. HONING THE ELITE Peter Green and Andrew Thomas describe the vital role of the RAF’s Central Fighter Establishment. BREAKTHROUGH With the incredible MiG-25 the Soviets had an interceptor that challenged – and rattled – the West. Nikolay Yakubovich describes its development. REFLEX ACTION Strategic Air Command’s early deterrence relied on the ability to JUST send jet bombers to forward bases at short notice. Bob Archer explains the £5.99 concept. AND MUCH MORE!

AVAILABLE Thursday 16 October 2014 FROM , SELECTED SUPERMARKETS AND LEADING NEWSAGENTS Alternatively, Order Direct - Delivery from Monday 13 October JUST £5.99 FREE P&P* *Free 2nd class P&P on all UK & BFPO orders. Overseas charges apply. Free P&P* when you order online at Call UK: 01780 480404 OR Overseas: +44 1780 480404 www.keypublishing.com/shop Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm SUBSCRIBERS CALL FOR YOUR £1.00 DISCOUNT! 763/14

763 Cold Special fp.indd 103 18/09/2014 11:36 Christopher Ward F_P.indd 1 15/09/2014 10:52