Yesteryear

• A Sea King from HMAS Melbourne crashed into the sea in poor visibility approximately 500 metres astern of the carrier on 9 May during night flying exercises. At the time of the accident, the Melbourne was on a voyage to Sri Lanka from Fremantle. Both crew members escaped with minor lacerations and abrasions.

Cessna is nearing the end of production of the Model 150 after a 19 year production run in which nearly 24,000 were built. It will be replaced by the Model 152 powered by the 110hp Lycoming 0-235-L2C which is designed to operate on low-lead 100 octane fuel.

•GAF had delivered 40 Nomads of 62 ordered by the beginning of June and construction up to aircraft number 70 is underway. The next 25 Nomads to be built will be the stretched N24A version, which is 900lb heavier with a maximum take-off weight of 9,400lb compared with the N24.

•Laker Airways received Presidential approval on 9 June of a CAB recommendation that they be allowed to operate a low cost Skytrain service between London and New York for a one year trial period. Services will commence on 26 September and the expected one way fares are £59 from London and US$135 from New York.

• Following announcements made by the UK, German and Italian governments on 31 May for a further 110 Tomados, total orders now stand at 150 aircraft. This recent order was for 55 for the RAF, 40 for the Luftwaffe and 15 for Italy.

A Britten Norman Islander powered by two Dowty Rotol ducted propulsor units, registered appropriately G-FANS, had its maiden flight at Shoreham on 19 June.

• President Carter announced the cancellation of the Rockwell B-1 supersonic strategic bomber programme on 30 June. The US will now rely on the cruise missile for strategic attack.

•Pan American has ordered a further two Boe- ing 747SPs for 1978 delivery bringing its fleet total for the type to eight.

•An order from the Iranian Imperial Air Force for a further Boeing 707-3J9C tanker transport for November 1978 delivery was announced on 6 June. Total 707s acquired by the IAF will then stand at 14.

20 Years Ago

• Recent Boeing 747 sales are three more for Japan Air Lines taking their total order to six plus two for Swissair. A total of 106 Boeing 747s have been sold so far.

• The Lockheed AH-56A Cheyenne armed combat helicopter for the US Army was unveiled at Van Nuys on 3 May. Featuring a 50ft diameter rigid rotor, the AH-56A will have a top speed of 250mph. Ten prototypes are being built as part of the test programme.

• The first prototype Hawker Siddeley HS. 801 maritime reconnaissance development of the Comet powered by Rolls Royce Spey had its first flight at Chester on 23 May. The name Nimrod has been selected by the RAF for this aircraft. The second prototype, fitted with Rolls Royce Avons, is expected to fly soon to Woodford.

•The RAAF’s new bare bones airfield at Tindal was used operationally for the first time for the combined air and logistics exercise High Venus held in May. The exercise was centred on both Darwin and Tindal and involved Canberras of the RAAF and the RAF’s No. 81 Squadron TEAF making simulated attacks on Darwin defended by RAAF Mirages.

•The prototype Fokker F28 Fellowship piloted by Captain A. P. Moll had its maiden flight on 9 May.

• Mr Peter Howson the Minister for Air has announced that three RAAF squadrons are now operating in Vietnam. These comprise No. 2 equipped with Canberra B. 20s, No. 9 with UH-1 Iroquois and No. 35 with DHC-4 Caribou. The first action for the Canberras took place on 23 April when six aircraft attacked Vietcong supply dumps in the Mekong Delta.

• A two seat Lockheed TF-104G was lost by the Luftwaffe on 30 May taking total Starfighter losses by that air force to 71.

• The prototype Handley Page Jetstream G-ATXH was rolled out at Radlett on 29 June and is expected to fly soon.

• The name Galaxy has been chosen by Lockheed for the C-5A transport aircraft which is due for its first flight in June 1968.

•The prototype BAC-111 500 G-ASYD had its first flight at Hurn on 30 June. This enlarged version has increased accommodation from 79 to 99 passengers.

• It was announced on 16 June that the existing RAF Bomber and Fighter Commands will be amalgamated and renamed Strike Command next year. In another change, Transport Command will be reorganised and renamed Air Support Command.

• Recent Caravelle orders of four for Air Inter and one for JAT have taken total Caravelle sales to 244.

•The first of two Beagle 2068 on order for the NSW section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service left Shoreham on 19 June on its delivery flight.

30 Years Ago

• The Lockheed 1649s Constellations being delivered to TWA will be introduced on services within the USA and non-stop services between New York and Europe on July 1.

BOAC has indicated that the Vickers Armstrong VC-10 medium to long range aircraft powered by four Rolls Royce Conways would be suitable for its Australian, African and Far Eastern services. When the specification and contractual arrangements have been completed, BOAC will order 35 of the type at a cost of £68m sterling with deliveries beginning in 1963. The VC-10s will join the BOAC re-equipment programme which includes 33 Bristol Britannias, 20 de Havilland Comet 4s. 10 Douglas DC-7Cs and 15 Boeing 7078.

•The final design stage of the transport version of the Canadair CL-28, to be designated the CL-44, has been reached and a large order has been placed by the Canadian Government for the RCAF where it will be known as the CC-106.

• Qantas will commence a third weekly service to Manila on 7 June. The Super Constellation will depart from Sydney on Friday afternoon and during a one day stopover at Manila will connect with other services to Hong Kong and Tokyo before returning to Sydney by 6pm Sunday.

•Douglas is conducting studies of a turboprop version of the DC-7C powered by Rolls Royce Tynes. Known as the DC-7D it would have a gross weight of 170,000lb in a cargo version and 146,000lb for passenger use.

• A Douglas DC-7C completed the longest passenger flight in history when it flew to the 22nd Paris Salon from Long Beach covering the 6148 miles in 21 hours 52 minutes. The aircraft was PH-DSD Zwartezee/Black Sea” of KLM.

• A demonstration tour of the Edgar Percival EP. 9 G-APAD began in June when the aircraft was assembled by Schutt Aircraft at Moorabbin after arrival in Melbourne by sea. Apart from agricultural use it can also be used as an aerial ambulance, light freighter, and geophysical survey. Photographic or general charter purposes. Price of the standard EP. 9 ex-works Romford is quoted at £8985 sterling in bare freighter configuration. The soundproofed and lined cabin six passenger aircraft is £9405 and the agricultural version capable of carrying one ton load is £9375.

•Grumman are investigating the production of an executive aircraft powered by two Rolls Royce Darts with initial deliveries in the autumn of 1958.

•Boeing is flight-testing the KB-50J, a new version of the KB-50 fitted with one J47 jet engine under each wing fitted in pods between the out-board engines and wingtips.

• Capital Airlines are reported to be ordering the Caravelle to replace the cancelled de Havil land Comet order.