Air Pictorial 1999-05
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Two views of Batajnica Airfield in Serbia before (above) and after (right) an attack by Nato air­craft. A line of An-26 transports can be seen in front of the hangars, while to the right are some Mil Mi-8 helicopters
A surprise visitor to RAF Fairford on March 10 1999 was B-2A 82-1067, which arrived unannounced but drew considerable press interest.
Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems delivered the 3,035th F-16 from Air Force Plant No 4 at Fort Worth, Texas, on March 26, 1999. This makes the F-16 the largest production programme in the plant’s history, surpassing the B-24. A total of 3,034 B-24 bombers was delivered from the Fort Worth production line during a 33-month span from April 1942 through to December 1944. The 3,035th F-16 is a Block 50 F-16C for the Air Force. It is the 2,202nd F-16 delivered to USAF, 243 of which are the latest Block 50152 version.
The healthy young lady on the fin of this Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16A (J-248) is Diana, goddess of the hunt and the unit emblem of No 323 Sqn, which celebrated 50 years of service on March 5, 1999. The unit is the Tactical Training Evaluation and Standardisation Sqn of the RNethAF.
The exhibits viewable at CFB Borden. This is Canadair CT-133 21079, with the CF-104 and CP-121 just visible in the background
The Fairey IIID in the Lisbon Maritime Museum
Ironically, just before the Kosovo crisis exploded into action, the first privately-owned Soko G.2A Galeb arrived in the UK from Yugoslavia. Acquired by Biggin Hill-based Flight Consultative Services, the former trainer and ground-attack aircraft is on the Yugoslav civil register as YU-YAB and was ex-Air Force 23170, built in 1968. The first of seven destined for the UK, the fate of the other six currently hangs in the balance. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Viper engine, the Galeb is for sale and, with its ability to operate from grass airfields, it makes an ideal warbird. Plans are in hand to show it at a number of displays this summer, beginning with North Weald on May 16, 1999.
Nasa’s X-34 re-usable launch vehicle has been experimentally mated into the fuselage bay of the modified Lockheed TriStar ‘Stargazer’, originally modified by Marshall Aerospace of Cambridge in 1994 to carry and launch Pegasus satellite launch rockets. The X-34 weighs some 25 tons and will be the heaviest object ever dropped from an aircraft in flight. The photo was taken at Nasa’s Dryden facility in California
RAF Tristar ZD953 on its way to the Azores and refuelling the Tornados for the ASCIET 99 deployment.
Main (left) and nosewheel units produced by Messier-Dowty for Boeing’s X-32A JSF contender.
Операция "Allied Force". 24 марта 1999г.: вечером этого дня, после отказа Сербии вывести свои силы из автономного края Косово, войска НАТО начали операцию "Allied Force". В первые ее дни авиация восьми государств НАТО и крылатые ракеты наносили удары по позициям ЗРК и зенитной артиллерии, РЛС и объектам связи. В состав авиационных сил НАТО входили такие самолеты, как B-52 (фото), F-117, F-15, F-16, F/A-18, Harrier, Jaguar и Mirage. Действуя с баз на территории Италии, Германии, Франции и Великобритании, эти машины уничтожили более 40 целей.
A dusk shot of B-52H Stratofortresses taxying menacingly towards the run­way at RAF Fairford for another raid on targets in Serbia.
The deployment of B-52Hs to RAF Fairford began prior to Nato’s campaign against Serbia, but the force commenced operations from late March 1999. Included in the cruise missile attacks was the aircraft of the 96th BS’ CO, 60-0059/LA, seen here.
JEA markings on the Bombardier CRJ
A Boeing 727-200, F-GCGQ, of the French charter company Belair, seen at Dublin bringing French supporters for a rugby match.
Thirty-five years since it ended up as a pile of wreckage at Farnborough, Bulldog K2227 is once again recognisable as an example of an almost extinct breed.
Both the F27s (shown) and the Shorts 360s will be replaced by the newly-ordered Bombardier Dash 8s and CRJs.
Bombardier’s turboprop Dash 8 is still acquring orders, in spite of the increasing popularity of jet-powered regional aircraft. A total of 581 had been sold by March 1999, including 75 Series 200s, the type shown here.
The Belgian airline VLM has commenced a branding change from the previous yellow and black scheme to a combination of white, blue and gold. The first aircraft in the new livery (OO-VLR) entered service on the London City - Antwerp route on March 8, 1999, with the last of seven Fokker 50s due for the change by June 30.
More ALCMs were brought in by C-5B 84-0060 of the 60th AMW
JEA calls its BAe 146s, Whisper Jets, and the type will be operated on the Channel Islands route from June 1999.
Swissair’s new London Stansted-Zurich service by Swissair Express began on March 28, 1999.
Ever supportive of British aviation, Freddie Laker ordered VC10s for BUA in 1961. This is G-ATDJ at Gatwick on a wet day in 1969.
The exhibit viewable at CFB Borden, the Sabre 5 23228, adopted by the local air cadets and maintained by them.
Lufthansa’s Vickers Viscount, D-ANUN is the aircraft selected for Corgi’s latest 1:144th scale die-cast model. Delivered to the German airline in October 1958, the Series 814 moved to the UK register as G-BAPF in early 1972, when it was bought by British Midland. It later flew with Baltic Airlines until withdrawn from use in 1991, ending its days at Moreton-in-the-Marsh for fire training. The model should have enormous appeal depicting, as it does, one of the foremost airliners of the post-war years. It is also appearing in Parcel Force and BEA colours.
Cabo Verde Airlines’ sole Boeing 757-200 seen at Lisbon in March 1999. D4-CBG is leased from ILFC.
Its thrust reversers deployed, the first of Monarch’s two new A330s, G-SMAN, makes its only landing at Prestwick during crew training on April 7, 1999.
For those travelling the south coast this summer, Shoreham is worth a visit as it now has a small aviation museum in the well-preserved pre-war terminal. Outside is this memorial plaque, surmounted by a B-26 Marauder propeller recovered from the Channel.
The Widgeon (120, but marked 128) and Schreck being refurbished.
Aurigny Air Services has applied to operate a Guemsey-Stansted service which, if successful, will involve using two Saab 340s, the first of which is rumoured to be G-RUNG. To promote their application, Aurigny have added this slogan to Trislander G-JOEY.
The late Robert Maxwell’s Eurocopter Twin Squirrel G-OILX, which now wears military serial ZH141
The two photographs of the same IDF/AF F-4E Phantom
Both the F27s and the Shorts 360s (shown) will be replaced by the newly-ordered Bombardier Dash 8s and CRJs.
Airbus A321-211 (c/n 0970) was rolled-out at Hamburg on January 28, 1999, becoming OO-SUA with Sabena and wearing the airline's new colours.
Crew training at Lamaca Airport, Cyprus, in March 1999, Israir Boeing 737-400 4X-ABJ (29079) has been leased from the Pembroke Group.
On April 1, 1999, TEA became EasyJet Switzerland and, in recognition of this, Boeing 737-300 HB-IIH carried farewell markings
JEA markings on the Dash 8Q 400
Basler turbo-conversions of DC-3s continue to appear, this example, for the Thai Air Force, being rolled-out on March 15, 1999, at the Oshkosh factory. The aircraft will be used for cloud seeding duties.
California ANG Lockheed HC-130P 50981, of the 129th RQW, which is due to be modified to MC-130P standard as part of the USAF’s structure changes.
The MegaMax 500 Aero scissor-lift platform in operation on a Flygvapnet Saab S.100B Argus (SF.340AEW&C) of F16, based at Uppsala.