Air International 1988-01
Talkback
Reader P J Roll provides this illustration of the specially painted F-104G. 22 + 55, that participated in ceremonies at Memmingen on 23 September 1987 to mark the retirement of the Starfighter from operational service with the Luftwaffe. The last front-line unit to fly the type was JBG 34; a few F-104s still fly with LVR-1 and Est-61. The colours of this aircraft are those of the Bavarian state flag, white, gold and blue, with the unit badge on the fin.
Photograph taken aboard the USS "Forrestal" shows a Grumman F-14A of VF-31
Photograph taken aboard the USS "Forrestal" shows a Vought A-7E of FA-105.
Seldom illustrated, this Mexican AF Northrop F-5F (with an F-5E and line of DC-6s behind) was photographed by Mario Carrillo. Notice the antenna-carrying dorsal fins.
The last Sikorsky SH-34 in operational military service (in the world?), which was withdrawn from use in July 1986. For this occasion, and for the 25th anniversary of SAR operations at Koksijde, it received some artwork on the tail and nose. On the other side of the fuselage was written "Bye Bye ...”. The helicopter is still at Koksijde.
The Alpha Jet AT 29 painted for 40 years of existence of the Advanced Flying Training School (now Instruction and Training Wing - Opleidings en Trainings Wing) at Brustem. Initially, a silver "40" was painted on both sides of the fin/rudder, but this was removed after the official celebration ceremonies. This now flies as the Alpha Jet display aircraft.
The Belgian “Black Bird”, Mirage 5 serial BA 33 of No 1 Squadron, painted in the squadron colours to celebrate 70 years of the (Scottish) thistle insignia.
Another Mirage 5, this time BA 43 of No 2 Sqn, marking 70 years of the Comet insignia. For the resemblance of its livery to a well-known candy-bar, some people gave it the nickname “Milky Way”.
Also from Mario Carrillo are these photographs, by Josafat Munoz, of the Gee Bee used by Francisco Sarabia, now on display in Ciudad Lerdo.
Francisco Sarabia's Gee Bee, the QED, photographed in 1939.