Новейший Бе-200 пока еще остается в Иркутске
A multi-purpose amphibian, developed from the earlier A-40 Albatross maritime reconnaissance aircraft, the Russian Beriev Be-200 has been designed principally for firefighting, but also has the capability' for SAR, ice reconnaissance, cargo or freight-carrying. Four airframes have been contracted for, of which the prototype was rolled-out on September 11, 1996, making its initial flight two years later on September 24, 1998, piloted by Konstantin Babich. More than 100 preliminary orders are reported by Beriev, including 15 from Italy.
Highlights of the recent Dutch Dakota Association open days at Schiphol-East were the former South African Air Force DC-4 PH-DDS, and a ‘new’ A-26C owned by Dutch warbird enthusiast Richard Nivo, trading as Historic Invader Aviation. N7705C, c/n 44-35710, has undergone 10,000 hr of restoration since it arrived in Holland in August 1998, and after receiving a permit to fly up to 30 hr during 1999, made its initial flight at Amsterdam on May 8. It now awaits airshow invitations.
The four Harrier GR.7s en route to Italy on May 7, 1999.
The Royal Air Force has successfully completed acceptance tests on a unique Aircraft Engineering Systems Trainer (AEST), shown, manufactured by Brookhouse Paxford of Huntingdon. Installed at RAF Wittering, the AEST represents the cockpit section of a Harrier GR.7, faithfully replicated both internally and externally, with many PC-driven instruments and controls fully functioning.
In pride of place, the recently-restored B-29
The Union flag on Concorde will be seen more widely as it is applied to other aircraft.
The picture of BEA Dakota G-AGHS in circa 1949-50
Highlights of the recent Dutch Dakota Association open days at Schiphol-East were the former South African Air Force DC-4 PH-DDS (shown), and a ‘new’ A-26C owned by Dutch warbird enthusiast Richard Nivo, trading as Historic Invader Aviation.
Corgi’s Aviation Archive continues to expand with the second half-year release programme delivering yet more types for model aircraft collectors. In what is believed to be the first time ever in die-cast, the Aviation Archive includes three versions of the Short Sunderland flying-boat, supplemented by a second newcomer, the de Havilland Comet jet airliner (shown). A Hythe Class and an Australian-operated Mk III will be optional models of the basic Sunderland Mk V, while Dan-Air and the RAF will be the optional liveries for the Comet model.
Fully furnished with 30 seats in the main cabin, EH 101 Heliliner PP8 is pictured during its recent demonstration tour.
Italian Air Force Tornado IDS refuelling from a USAF KC-135 over the Adriatic during the recent Balkan conflict.
Maiden flight of the fourth prototype NH90 took place at Ottobrunn, near Munich, on May 31, 1999. Pilots were Herbert Graser and Andrew Warner. Coded 98+90, the helicopter is a transport version and will test systems as well as the rear loading ramp. NH90 trials have logged more than 420 flying hours.
Belgian AF SF-260M ST-34 at Beauvechain in the experimental white scheme.
'Out of the Clouds’ by Roy Huxley
USAF B-52H operations from RAF Fairford were continuing in early June 1999. Under the inboard pylons of 60-0049 are AGM-142 Have Nap medium-range stand-off missiles. These have 750 lb warheads and after launch can travel 50 miles to the target.
Mission tallies on 60-0011 show five CALCMs and seven bombing missions.
Earlier type of RAF fire-fighting vehicle include the Fordson WOT1, seen here attending a Dutch-operated Meteor 4 in September 1951
Air Jamaica inaugurated Airbus A340 services from London to Montego Bay on June 2, 1999, using leased Series 300 6Y-JMC, a former Air Mauritius aircraft. It is one of two planned for service, configured with 12 sleeper, 35 first and 254 economy class seats.
Emirates Boeing 777-21H A6-EMI carries ICC World Cup logos on the fuselage and was seen at Heathrow on May 3, 1999.
British Airways recently took delivery of its 25th Boeing 777, G-VIIU, and now has 20 more 777s to be delivered from its total order of 45. BA is the largest 777 customer outside the USA, and is the first airline to introduce the 777-200ER into service.
Covered in blue and grey swirls, the first Bombardier CRJ700 Series regional airliner, C-FRJX, made its initial flight at Montreal Airport, Canada, on May 27, 1999. Pilots for the 2 hr 8 min flight were Craig Tylski and Chuck Ellis. Firm orders for the CRJ700 total 96.
Two of the famous ‘Century’ series on display at Dobbins are an F-100D on the left, and an F-105G Thunderchief, both in Vietnam-period camouflage.
Although the May 13, 1999 celebrations were somewhat dampened, the previous day was fine and resulted in the Canberras being escorted into Warton by a Eurofighter, piloted by Keith Hartley.
On April 30, 1999, the Swiss Air Force closed its air base at Sankt Stephan, near Zweisimmen. To mark the event, the locally-stationed Lufttransport Staffel 7 painted one of its PC-6 Turbo-Porters in this special scheme. The unit has moved to Emmen AB.
Crewed by Sqn Ldrs Terry Cairns and Brian Cole, No 39 Sqn Canberra WJ874 made a convincing ‘stand-in’ for prototype VN799 for the type’s 50th anniversary
Silver Queen, the replica Vickers Vimy, left Brooklands on June 2, 1999, for the short hop to Farnborough, where, the following day, the crew received cheques totalling ?15,000 from British Aerospace and TAG Aviation. The companies are supporting the aircraft’s re-enactment of the first flight from Europe to South Africa in 1920 by Lt Col Pierre Van Ryneveld and Flt Lt Quintin Brand. The replica, piloted by Mark Rebholz and John LaNoue, seen left in the cockpit, with, standing, the two educationalists who will travel with the aircraft, later left Farnborough for Munich from whence it will appear at the Paris Air Show before flying to Cape Town.
Belgian Alpha Jet 1B AT18 of No 11 Sqn, 11 Wing, has been given this scheme for the 1999 display season.
Italian operator Volare Airlines flew A320 F-OHFT into East Midlands on May 19, 1999, on a football charter.
Passing through Prestwick on May 11, 1999, was this UN-operated F27, C-GWXC.
RAF VC10 XV105 in its latest water-based grey scheme.
One of two Fokker F28-4000s, SE-DGR, transferred from parent company SAS to new Scandinavian start-up carrier, Air Botnia. It was seen at Gothenburg in April 1999.
A post-war Zlin Z.281, alias Bucker Bu 181 Bestmann built in Czechoslovakia. A new book on this famous marque is reviewed below.
Corgi’s Aviation Archive continues to expand with the second half-year release programme delivering yet more types for model aircraft collectors. In what is believed to be the first time ever in die-cast, the Aviation Archive includes three versions of the Short Sunderland flying-boat (shown), supplemented by a second newcomer, the de Havilland Comet jet airliner. A Hythe Class and an Australian-operated Mk III will be optional models of the basic Sunderland Mk V, while Dan-Air and the RAF will be the optional liveries for the Comet model.1
‘Hawker Twins’ by Roy Cross
Based at Gran Canaria, Atlantic Airways operates two Beech 1900Ds, EC-GZL, delivered in December 1998 and seen here at Lanzarote in April 1999, and ’HBG, received in March this year.
Cessna Grand Caravan arriving for the event.
Special guest at an open evening on Thursday, May 6, 1999, was former BAC test pilot Jimmy Dell, one of only two pilots of the TSR.2 strike bomber which was cancelled in the early sixties. Jimmy is also one of the few people to have ejected from a fighter at over Mach 1, when his Lightning jet failed over the Irish Sea. He is seen here on the right with Air Supply’s Ken Cothliff.
The first WAH-64 Apache to arrive in the UK was delivered to GKN Westland Helicopters' Yeovil factory on May 28, 1999, one month ahead of schedule. The aircraft, ZJ168, is one of 67 ordered by the UK Ministry of Defence for the British Army Air Corps, and is expected to fly in August.
Prototype Alcotan on an early test flight. All 112 production aircraft were built at Getafe and differed from the prototypes in having a dorsal fin extension.
Seen at Getafe, a line of newly-completed C.201s, which differed from the prototypes in standardising on the Spanish-built Sirio engine.
Silhouette of the CASA C.201 Alcotan. Basic dimensions included a span of 60 ft 5 in (18.4 m), a length of 45 ft 3 in (13.8 m) and a height of 13 ft (3.95 m).
Part of the North Weald Aerofair, much of which took place under leaden skies, with a DH Chipmunk in the foreground.
The view of the recently ‘saved’ Liverpool terminal, taken in February 1998, with the Turbo-Navajo G-NWAC.
One of two Sprint trainers on show, the type being the subject of a production agreement with PZL.
Still in KLM colours, T67 PH-SGE was one of the aircraft for sale at Aerofair.
Unmistakably developed from the MS Rallye, the 160 hp Koliber, G-BXLR, is the latest Polish version.
USAAF F-6K photo-reconnaissance Mustangs being prepared for ferry to the 69th PR Group, late in the war. On the right is the No 2 hangar.
Virgin Express Boeing 737-400 OO-VEK in a hybrid colour scheme at Manchester on May 8, 1999.
Virgin Atlantic unveiled this new colour scheme at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, on June 7, 1999. It incorporates the Union flag on the winglets and retains the flying lady on the nose and brand name on the fin.
Hamburg International has received Boeing 737-700 D-ASKH, on lease from Pembroke Capital.
Brand-new Boeing 737-800s are being seen increasingly around Europe, Air Europa’s EC-HBN, one of ten on order, flying into Birmingham for a Cup Match on May 19, 1999.
