Yesteryear

The Space Shuttle “Columbia” made the first space flight by American personnel since the end of the Apollo lunar exploration when it carried out its first mission on 12/14 April. Crewed by John Young and Robert Crippen, the 37 orbit flight lasted 2 days 6 hours 21 minutes. At the conclusion of mission STS-1, it made the first “soft” return from space in the reusable craft that is part spaceship and part aircraft, when it landed on the dry bed of Rogers Lake at Edwards AFB, California. It is planned to construct four more Shuttles which will be named “Enterprise”, “Discovery”, “Challenger” and “Atlantis”.

The Boeing 707 has been retired from Pan American service after a career spanning nearly 23 years. The 707 entered PanAm on 26 October 1958 and the airline became the largest customer for the type acquiring 128 707s and nine 720s. The last flight was made by N881PA “Jet Clipper Reindeer” on 26 January when it operated a charter flight from New Orleans to Philadelphia. PanAm’s remaining 24 707s, which are available for sale, are parked at John F Kennedy Airport in New York.

Ansett has announced that MacRobert- son Miller Airlines will change its name to Airlines of Western Australia on 1 July.

Aerolineas Argentinas plans to make five Boeing 747SP Transantarctic proving flights this year to appraise the profitability of introducing regular commercial flights on the route to Australasia and the Far East. One flight a month during April/August will be made between Buenos Aires and Auckland via Rio Gallegos in southern Argentina taking 13 hours. The return flight of 11 hours durations will be made non-stop.

The 3,000th Beech King Air was delivered on 17 April.

20 Years Ago

Two prototype airliners were rolled out during the month, the Dassault Mercure at Bordeaux on 4 April and the VFW-Fokker VFW 614 at Bremen on 5 April.

British Airways introduced their Boeing 747s into service between London and New York on 14 April.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the RAAF on 31 March 1921. extensive air displays were held at various bases during March and April. Large crowds attended several displays, notably 125,000 at Fairbairn, 120,000 at Richmond and 160,000 at Laverton.

By 1 April, Boeing had received orders for 204 747s of which 115 had been delivered.

The stretched Fokker F28 Mk2000 Fellowship was first flown from Woensdrecht Air Base to Schipol on 28 April by Fokker’s chief test pilot A P Moll. The aircraft was PH-JHG, the first preproduction F28 which first flew on 9 May 1967 and was used for Mk1000 flight testing. It had its fuselage lengthened by 7ft 3in which will enable passenger accommodation to be increased from 65 to 79.

The remaining two airworthy Vickers Vis- counts in Australia, VH-TVP and VH-TVQ, left Essendon on 2 and 14 April to their new owners, Far East Air Transport.

The first US Marine Corps AV-8A squad- ron, VMA-513, became operational at Beaufort Air Station, South Carolina on 15 April.

Qantas has announced a cost cutting pro- gram to ease financial pressures in the curent difficult trading conditions. Amongst the measures was the retrenchment of 155 aircrew, while 18,000 flight hours have been cut from the planned 1971/72 total and some unprofitable routes have seen a reduction in frequency.

After Cessna recorded a large increase in deliveries and orders in March, Cessna’s President Del Roskam said he was cautiously optimistic about the future of the industry. During March, 395 aircraft were delivered including 58 twins. Depending on the model, new production was almost sold out for the next 60 to 120 days.

Connellan Airways has announced that it intends to change its name to Connair,

30 Years Ago

A major milestone in man’s aeronautical progress was reached on 12 April when Yuri Gagarin became the first man to go into space. He made one orbit of the Earth lasting 1hr 48min on board the Vostok 1 spacecraft.

During the recent search for Piaggio P. 166 VH-PAU which disappeared on a flight from Popendetta to Port Moresby in New Guinea on 23 March, no trace was found of the missing aircraft although search aircraft sighted other wreckage. Ground parties later located 9 previously unknown aircraft from the war. They were one RAAF CAC Boomerang. two Japanese Mitsubishi Zekes, a USAAF C-47 and 5 USAAF P-47 Thunderbolts.

The Mirage 01 powered by the Rolls-Royce Avon Mk67 which first flew on 13 February, is being evaluated by the RAAF along with a Mirage C powered by the Atar.

After a production run lasting 10 years, the 807th and final McDonnell F-101 Voodoo fighter is now on the production line.

Because of DCA imposed weight restrictions placed on Douglas DC-3s operating in New Guinea, TAA has purchased two ex Pakistan Air Force Bristol Freighter Mk31s. They will be refitted by Bristol Aviation Services at Bankstown prior to entering service in New Guinea. Previously carrying Pakistan Air Force serials S4432 and $4427, they will become VH-TBA and VH-TBB.

Lockheed has won a design competition to build a new jet transport for the Military Air Transport Service. The four engined aircraft is designated the C-141 Super Hercules,

The Minister for Air, Mr Townley, announced on 17 April that No. 9 SAR Squadron based at Williamtown, would be equipped with eight Bell UH-1B Iroquois purchased at a cost of about £1,860,000. Deliveries will be made before the end of 1962. The previous helicopters purchased by the RAAF were three Sikorsky S-51s, of which two were written off, while the remaining S-51 is based at Richmond.

Senator Paltridge, the Minister for Civil Aviation, announced on 27 April that the Australian Government will sell its half share in TEAL to the New Zealand Government effec- tive from 1 April, for £1,104,250.