Air Pictorial 1977-07
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Also seen at Dubai, one of Air Works India's DC-4 fleet, VT-CZW, which are employed on regular freight services to the Gull area
First World War atmosphere was recreated by Leisure Sport Ltd. at the Queen's Jubilee Air Display at White Waltham 14-15/5/77 by combat between the Warner Scarab-powered Fokker Triplane and Sopwith Camel replicas G-BEFR and G-AWYY, flown by pilots dad in uniforms of the day
On 7th July 1977 No. 849 Squadron, one of the Royal Navy's Iew remaining fixed-wing units, celebrated 25 years of continuous commission. Its task throughout this period has been airborne early warning, initially flying Douglas Skyraider AEW.1s and then, since February 1960, Fairey Gannet AEW.3s. Three of the squadron's current Gannets are shown in the accompanying photo - two of them from 849's base at R.A.F. Lossiemouth and the third from "8" Flight which embarks in H.M.S. "Ark Royal".
Jaguar E
Aircraft exported by Embraer of Brazil in recent months include EMB-326GB Xavante 5V-MAO (licence-built Macchi 326) which is one of three delivered to Togo's Air Force
The SF.260 G-AYDD on a pallet at Heathrow 16/4/77 ready for airfreighting to the U.S.A.;
Seen at Blackbushe, one of Bob Thompson's two Pitts S-2A Specials, G-BECM, of the new "Jubilee Duo" team, and Mike Stow's Bucker Jungmeister G-AXNI and Harvard G-AZSC
Czechoslovakia's new jet trainer, the Aero L-39 Albatros, OK-HXA, a worthy successor to the L-29 Delfin
On show for the first time in the West, the prototype Ilyushin Il-86, CCCP-86000, Russia's ‘'Airbus", seats up to 350 passengers and is powered by four 28.600-lb. s.t. Kuznetsov NK-86 turbofans. For reasons unexplained, the Il-86 and the Tu-144 were withdrawn half-way through the the Show
No great changes were apparent in the Tupolev Tu-144, CCCP-77110. So far the type has been used only for cargo services
Seen negotiating a roundabout at Weston-super-Mare, on its way to R.A.F. Odiham tor No. 33 Squadron's 60th Anniversary Display on 5th May 1977, is Bristol Belvedere prototype XG452 of the British Rotorcraft Museum. This rare helicopter has now returned to Weston and will feature in four special Museum Open Days at Weston Airport this summer. Dates allocated are 24th July, and 7th, 14th and 28th August; gates will open at 1400 hr.
The preserved Avro Lancaster PA474 formating with Avro Vuican B.2 XL317 of No. 617 Squadron, Scampton, over Lincolnshire on 16th May 1977. This followed the Lane's sortie to the Derwent reservoir near Sheffield to simulate the famous Dambusters raid of 16th-17th May 1943
Lancaster B.III LM384 "CF.X" of No. 625 Squadron about to take-off on an op., circa December 1943. She failed to return from a raid on Leipzig 19-20/2/44 (F/Sgt. Pearson and crew), one of three Lancs lost by the squadron that night
No. 625 Squadron Lancaster RF146 "CF:G" at Pomigliano, Italy, on Operation "Dodge" in September 1945
First of the four A300B-4 Airbuses which Eastern Airlines are acquiring on lease. It is due to be put into service in November 1977
A Gulf Aviation D.H. Heron, G-APKV, probably at Sharjah
Heron 2 G-BEPT, formerly CR-SAH, parked at Biggin Hill during the Air Show 14/5/77;
Aircraft exported by Embraer of Brazil in recent months include EMB-110CN Bandeirante 107, one of three for the Chilean Navy, which may also order six of the EMB-111 maritime patrol version
An agricultural aircraft with a difference, the Polish WSK-Mielec M-15, SP-OCA. is powered by a 3.300-lb. s.t. Ivchenko AI-25 turbofan, cruises at around 100 m.p.h., carries 4,400 lb. of liquid or dry chemicals, and its upper wing is amply slatted and flapped for STOL performance
Auster 3 9M-ALB, probably at Sharjah
Tiger Moth LN-BDM, now at Redhill after recent overhaul, was sold in Norway 9/54 ex G-ANSC;
General Aircraft Cygnet G-AGBN at Croydon in the late 1950s
Delivered new to a Miss Dulaux in Switzerland 14/1/37, Percival Gull Six HB-OFU has just returned to the U.K. with its original markings
Argus 2, G-AJPI, at the White Waltham Jubilee Air Display 14/5/77 in R.A.F. marks as "EV-851".
The prototype Bell XV-15 tilt-rotor research aircraft seen during its first hover flight at Arlington on 3rd May 1977
G-BEOH, first turbo-powered Cherokee Arrow III on the British register;
Also east-bound on delivery, Bat Air's Rockwell 690B D-IVHF, c/n. 11391, passed through Woolsington on 5/5/77
Model of the SAAB B3LA light-attack/trainer, proposed successor to the SAAB-105 in Swedish A.F. service
The world's smallest twin, and a superbly finished home-built at that - Michel Colomban's MC-10 Cricri, F-WYEA, powered by two 12-h.p. Solo two-strokes and with a span of 16 ft.
Recent ex British additions to the Irish scene include Falco G-ATAK/EI-BCJ at Dublin 24/4/77 and the first "foreign" registered Condor, G-AVCZ/EI-BCP, at Weston 1/5/77;
The NDN 1 Firecracker two-seat aerobatic trainer, G-NDNI, made its first flight at Goodwood on 26th May 1977.
The Firecracker at Goodwood being prepared for the Paris Air Show; colour scheme is pale green with dark green trim
A Rockwell Thrush Commander 600 agricultural aircraft really gets down to the job!
Photographed recently at Dubai, Navajo Chieftain A6-ABA has C.S.E. logos on the cowlings, possibly indicating former British registry.
Recent ex British additions to the Irish scene include Falco G-ATAK/EI-BCJ at Dublin 24/4/77 and the first "foreign" registered Condor, G-AVCZ/EI-BCP, at Weston 1/5/77;
Delta Air Transport’s third ex-Ozark FH-227B OO-DTA was delivered via Prestwick on 15/5/77
Nearing completion of its U.S. type certification, Rockwell Commander 700 N700AF is a U.S.-built prototype ol this joint Japanese-U.S. business twin project. The Japanese prototype, which is identical and flew first, is Fuji FA-300 JQ5001
Rare photo, sent to us by Brandon J. White, of the sole Reid and Sigrist RS.3 Desford as it appeared on roll-out at Desford, Leics., in early 1945. The aircraft now forms part of the Strathallan Collection
The Desford at Eastleigh in the early 1960's
Another homebuilt FRED Series 2, G-BDSA, photographed at Boston 24/4/77;
Jaguar E
The prototype Britten-Norman BN-2A Turbo Islander G-BDPR during systems proving trials over the Isle of Wight, showing the new profile cowlings needed by the 400 s.h.p. Lycoming LTP101 engines. First flown 6/4/77, its public debut was at the Paris Air Show 2/6/77