On November 24, 1977 the first production Dassault-Breguet Super Etendard made its 1hr 15min first flight, piloted by Jacques Jesberger, from Bordeaux-Merignac. An altitude of 45,000ft and an indicated Mach No of 1.15 were reached. Powerplant is the SNECMA Atar 8 K50, and 71 examples are in production for the French Navy.

The first Westland Sea King XZ586 to sport the all-yellow search-and-rescue scheme has recently been brightening up the Dorset coastline. Designated HAR Mk 3, 15 examples are on order for the RAF as Whirlwind replacements, and the first was handed over to a new O.C.U. in December 1977. In addition to the four-man crew, three stretchers and 12 passengers can be accommodated.

Beech 18 N96240 was photographed at Wycombe Air Park on October 14, 1977, en route to Belgium for film work, piloted by John Hawke.

Dassault-Breguet have been very busy in recent weeks - First production Alpha Jet E for the French A.F. (produced in co-operation with Dornier), seen landing at Istres after its maiden flight on 4th November 1977.

The first production Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet "E," earmarked for the French Air Force, made its maiden flight from Istres Flight Test Centre on November 4 last year with Dassault-Breguet test pilot Jean-Marie Saget in the cockpit.

The first two production two-seat Dassault-Breguet Mirage F.1 fighters were recently handed over to an Arab customer at Bordeaux-Merignac, and took off from there for their final destination on October 28, 1977. Two-seaters are also being produced for other customers, including the French Air Force.

Seen on a flight from its Goodwood base, Desmond Norman’s NDN-1 Firecracker is now undergoing wheels-up tests following the fitment of a hydraulic system. Stalling speeds have proved to be lower than anticipated, and both take-off and landing weights have been increased.