One of recent first time visitors to Malta was ex-Israeli AF DC-3 029/4X-FNT c/n 12060, which subsequently flew via Nice and Wick to the USA
Model montage of single and two-seat (top) Block 50+ F-16s in Hellenic AF colours. Note the enlarged spine on the two-seater and the laser designator pod on the lower fuselage.
No 41 Sqn’s first Jaguar GR.3A is XX725, seen here when it was with the SAOEU.
When it enters AAC service in December 2000, the Apache will form a potent force with the upgraded Lynx fleet.
Messier-Dowty Ltd, which is a member of the Boeing JSF ‘One Team’ and is responsible for the fully-integrated landing gear (shown), announced on March 21, 1999 who it will work with on its part of the JSF. The wheel, brake and brake control system will be developed by Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation, while the nosewheel steering system will be the task of Eaton Aerospace and Sterer Engineering. Also, Parker Aerospace and Normalair Garrett, part of Honeywell Engines and Systems, will provide the actuation control system.
The Boeing Company has developed a new paint that will reduce the F-22 Raptor’s vulnerability to infra-red threats. The paint, referred to as a ‘topcoat’, has been applied to the second F-22 at Edwards AFB, Calif. It adds no more weight to the aircraft and is applied in a two-tone camouflage design, similar to the F-15 ‘Mod-Eagle’ paint scheme. Raptor 04 will be next to receive its new topcoat. Each application takes up to two days.
The B-52 or ‘Buff‘ is the subject of an updated history by Robert F Dorr and Lindsay Peacock (Osprey Publishing, ?18.99), of a book first published in 1995. It reviews the development and combat operations of this nuclear bomber, but only takes the story up to the Iraq conflict, so don’t expect Kosovo missions to be discussed. By the time the type finally retires, it will doubtless prompt further updates of this worthy account.
For this scary fly-by, the pilot received a 30-day suspension - and a place in the 'gee-wiz' book of ’planes. The F-14 Tomcat was passing the carrier USS Stennis.
Anti-clockwise from left and ending in the main picture: This sequence comes from German wartime cinefilm showing experimental work on the Henschel Hs 294 rocket-powered anti-shipping missile. One of a number of launches, this particular release took place on January 11, 1943, and went dramatically wrong. The missile (Wk Nr 251) dropped clear of the Dornier Do 217E, but after the rocket motor cut in, it described a barrel roll and took off one of the aircraft’s fins. While the wayward missile plunged earthwards, the stricken Dornier rolled over majestically to starboard at roughly 540° per minute, prompting a hasty exit by the three crew, who survived to tell the tale - and see the film.
Pictured recently at Singapore was Airbus A340-313X, operated by Garuda Indonesia on lease from China Southwest.
Delta Air Lines has launched a new blue and red ribbon livery and has been rebranded simply as Delta because most customers refer to the airline as such. The livery is closer in style to that of alliance partner Air France and there is talk of the two introducing a joint livery.
Showing off Crossair’s new scheme is ERJ-145 HB-JAA, which is the first of the type for the airline.
The second prototype YB-49 over Muroc Dry Lake. The wing spanned 172 ft (52.46 m) while overall length was 53 ft 1 in (16.17m). This aircraft was destroyed in a taxying accident at Edwards.
Recently withdrawn from RAF service is Hercules XV211
Fuselage nose of the first Avro RJX.
First of the new RAF Hawk rebuild airframes under the Fuselage Replacement Programme, XX348, made its first flight from St Athan on March 22, 2000. The aircraft, carrying No 74(R) Sqn colours, is fitted with a new brake parachute housing above the engine exhaust.
The first of ten A330-300s on firm order for US Airways, N670UW. Powered by Pratt & Whitney 4168 engines, this aircraft is expected to enter service in May 2000.
Recent interesting visitors through Glasgow were CASA C.212s for the Dominican (shown) and Venezuelan air arms. FAD-3500 is the first of two Series 400s on order and is named ‘Duarte’ (c/n 468).
Recent interesting visitors through Glasgow were CASA C.212s for the Dominican and Venezuelan (shown) air arms. FAD-3500 is the first of two Series 400s on order and is named ‘Duarte’ (c/n 468). It arrived with three 212MPAs for the Venezuelan Navy, ARV-0403, seen here, plus 0401 and 0404. These aircraft, together with ARV-0402, later w/o, originally passed through Glasgow on delivery in March 1986.
Stewardess uniforms over the past 50 years, modelled by six Gulf Air girls with the appropriately-painted Anson as a backdrop.
The Anson and Dove with the period terminal buildings at Bahrain.
When it enters AAC service in December 2000, the Apache will form a potent force with the upgraded Lynx fleet.
A collaborative venture between China’s Hongdu Aviation Industry Group and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, the K-8 Karakorum programme was launched in 1987 with first flight of the prototype taking place on November 21, 1990. Although designed as a two-seat basic jet trainer, the K-8 is also suited for advanced training and, fitted with up to four underwing pylons and a ventral gun pack, the light attack role. Construction is mainly of metal with composites limited to the vertical tail. Six aircraft, powered by the AlliedSignal TFE731 turbofan, from the first production batch of 15 were ordered by the Pakistan Air Force and deliveries started in September 1994. These are currently being evaluated under a 1,200 hr programme and if successful, more are expected to be ordered. The K-8J is being developed for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and 30 Ivchenko AI-25 engines have been ordered for an initial batch. Egypt has ordered 80 K-8s.
Daimler Chrysler (Dasa)/HAI proof-of-concept F-4E Phantom, 01523, which flew in Germany on April 28, 1999, and is now with HAI at Tanagra, Greece. The upgrade programme, which will maintain the type’s effectiveness to 2015, involves 29 Peace Ikarus I and ten P1 II aircraft.
British Midland's Airbus A321-200 G-MIDL carries the names of the present Star Alliance partners.
One of recent first time visitors to Malta was Airbus A321 OO-CPS of Brussels International Airlines, flying an Air Belgium flight
Executive operator PrivatAir of Switzerland’s three Boeing Business Jets (BBJ). Also available from later this year is the BBJ2 which is 19 ft longer though with slightly less range. Boeing is also currently assessing the market for a possible business jet version of the Boeing 757.
