People, Bottom Line, Video & Book Reviews

Boeing has reported sales of $US21. 5b ($27. 6m) and net earnings of $US1. 1b ($1. 4b)

for the first nine months of 1991. Comparable figures for 1990 were sales of $US20. 5b ($26. 3) and net earnings of $US1. 0b. Sales for the third quarter of 1991 were $US7. 6b ($9. 8b) with earnings of $US401m ($514. 1m), compared with SUS7. 1b ($9. 2b) and SUS378m ($484. 6m) respectively in 1990. The increase in net earnings is primarily due to increased commercial aircraft sales, lower defence and space business operating losses and a lower effective federal income tax rate. These were partially offset by higher R&D expense, principally for the 777 program. News Corporation has posted a significantly higher first quarter profit as a result of returns from newspaper operations in the UK and higher profits from Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. After tax profits before abnormals for the quarter ended 30 Sept rose from $25. 9m to $107. 5m. Profit after abnormals rose to $106. 5m. The result includes losses from Ansett and Eastwest, however the company will remain in partnership with TNT in Ansett and is not seeking a third partner as has been conjectured.

Books

Stealth Technology-the Art of Black Magic:

J Jones

The development and applications of stealth technology has been shrouded in as much secrecy as the existence of the aircraft themselves, however in 150 pages the author brings together a wealth of information on the topic.

The book deals with many aspects of low observable technology. A comprehensive account of operational techniques, new developments of radars capable of detecting low observable aircraft and interesting developments such as manned and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft incor-

porating stealth are described. Pure stealth aircraft capable of penetrating hostile airspace undetected, such as the F-117 and B-2 and new helicopter and VISTOL programs which will incorporate stealth in their designs are also dealt with. Illustrations include fascinating pictures and diagrams of proposed new programs.

Available for $24. 95 RRP from leading booksellers.

 Air Base Richmond:

Derek Roylance A must for anyone who has ever served at RAAF Base Richmond, or who is interested in the history of the RAAF

The book does not purport to be a complete history of one of the RAAF’s oldest bases but it does trace the history of the base and the land on which it stands, back in fact to the first days of European settlement of Australia.

The account begins with pioneering aviation at Richmond in 1912; and then traces the RAAF’s involvement from 1925 through to the present day. There are twelve chapters which cover the pre war period, the war years including a chapter on the WAAAF, the paratroopers, the aftermath of the war and

finally onto the nineties. The inclusion of the personal recollections of those who have served at RAAF Richmond adds considerable interest to the book and will bring back memories to many.

The book arose out of the recognition that there was no definitive history of the base although earlier enthusiasts had collected much material including old photographs. The author, Derek Roylance has done a fine job in collating the material into an attractive publication worthy of any aviation historical library collection.

Available for $19. 95 p&p from Base Support Wing, RAAF Richmond, 2755. (045) 70 2311. All proceeds have been donated by the author to RAAF Richmond Welfare.

1991 Aeromodelling Digest:

Edited by Merv Buckmaster

Merv Buckmaster is one of the best known names among the Australian flying aeromodeller fraternity, and his Aeromodelling Digest is jammed packed with interesting information about this popular hobby.

Nearly 40 articles cover just about every aspect of aeromodelling, from historical to theory and through to information on building, different model types, engines, competition and techniques. Copiously illustrated with photographs, tables and drawings, the 208 page book contains much of interest for non-modellers as well (such as this reviewer)

and could help spark an interest in the hobby For the already established modeller-of any standard-there is certainly a wealth of use ful information.

Available from Samaria Concepts, RMB 1798, Benalla, 3673, (057) 67 2322 for $16. 00 post free.

Wings Over Temora the Story of 10 Efts:

Ron Maslin This 128 page book, which includes 90 photographs and diagrams, covers the official history of No 10 ÉFTS which was one of the two longest operating EFTS establishments in Australia.

Details of operations and life on the Station, based at Temora in NSW, were taken from the unit diaries and from memoirs of personnel who were stationed there throughout the war. Information was also provided by Temora residents who were involved in its activities.

A small section covers the present day use of the airfield and activities of the Aero Club. The history of each Tiger Moth posted to the unit, to its first private owner post war is also detailed.

The author, Ron Maslin, never served with the RAAF but recognised the need to preserve a facet of important local history in his capacity as a dedicated historian. This he has managed to do in an interesting and readable form.

The book is recommended to readers who were based at Temora, and to those with an interest in our aviation history. It is available from the author, Box 140, Temora, 2666, and selected bookshops, for $25. 00, påp

Videos

Parasites:

AVI Parasites involves that unique breed of aircraft that was designed, for one reason or another, to actually operate from another. aircraft.

Probably the most interesting footage in this AVI Strange Planes series tape involves the mating of the US Space Shuttle Orbiter to its Boeing 747 mother ship. The first captive flights with the 747/Enterprise combination more than a decade ago certainly raised a few eyebrows as it truly opened up an avenue of aerodynamics and aircraft control not previously embarked upon. Operating the 747 with the Shuttle atop was something of a challenge in itself let alone releasing the Shuttle, then gliding it back precisely to a safe unpowered landing. Gutsy stuff! NASA’S 747 and Orbitor, just one of the fascinating stories in the one hour Parasites tape.

Long before man dreamed of reaching into the heavens the use of parasite aircraft had been honed to a fine edge via the US Navy’s two very large airships, the USS Akron and Macon. Whilst carrier aviation was pressing forward the Navy was also ensuring that it had together the basics of what was literally flying aircraft carriers in their very large airships of the era. Both were equipped with small Curtis biplane fighters that literally swung beneath large hooks located along the flanks of the giant mother ships.

Fascinating indeed as the concept worked to the point where the USAF, several decades later were to attempt something similar via the purpose built Goblin/B-36 due. The Goblin was itself totally unsuccessful though one squadron of the giant ten engined B-36s did actually enter service with Republic RF-84s in tow on specially designed rigs. The idea was not to defend the bomber but for the bomber to get the recce bird as close to the action as possible before releasing it for a high speed close-in run. The RF-84 would then ‘theoretically’ return to the B-36 mother ship, hook up, refuel and then be ready for another sortie if necessary. The duo actually remained operational for a full year before sanity prevailed and no doubt. many a pilot had an easier night’s sleep after an alternative method of ‘getting the intel’ was developed.

Parasites also takes into account the legendary X series of research planes including footage of Chuck Yeager’s incredible “hurtle in the X-1A at Mach 2. 8 where he lost over 40,000ft altitude before regaining control of the damaged aircraft. Sort of beats the hell out of watching the evening’s soapies! An interesting one hour tape that informs. and entertains. Available in VHS only direct from Australian Aviation, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek, ACT 2611 for $39. 95 $5. 00 påp. Credit card orders taken on (06) 288 1677 or fax (06) 288 2021.

Raaf 70th Anniversary Air Show:

CEL Video If you didn’t make it to Richmond for the RAAF’s 70th anniversary air spectacular then don’t fret as CEL has done a good job of capturing the spirit of the event on video.

This 90 minute tape runs to almost twice the air time as its made-for-television cousin which aired nationally on the World Around Us program in late October. The beauty of the official full length video though is that it goes into great, and interesting, detail where the TV version had to naturally be kept extremely tight so as not to overrun its 43 minute time slot.

Narration is by well known aviation identity, Jeff Watson, who exudes a true enthusiasm and knowledge for the subject that only a total aviation person could. Consequently, both the footage and the dialogue is fast paced and accurate, a nice change from some air show videos that this reviewer has seen in recent years.

RRP is $39. 95, available from leading department stores and video outlets.

 the West’s Land Based Fighters and Bombers:

AVICommand Vision This tape covers a diversity of aircraft types, from the Northrop Tiger il to the B-52 and its supposed successor, the B-18.

The purpose of the tape is to profile the major land based front line combatants of the West and this the tape does well. Aircraft covered include the MDC F-15 Eagle, BAe Harrier family, Dassault Mirage 2000, Fair- child A-10, GD F-111 and F-16, IAI Kir, MDC F-4 Phantom, F/A-18, Northrop F-5 Tiger II and F-20 Tigershark, Panavia Tomado IDS and F3 ADV, Rockwell B-18, Boeing B-52, Saab Viggen and the Sepecat Jaguar. Most of these types were successfully employed in the Gulf and the tape includes much air-to- air and weapons firing shots of interest.

The section on the potentially promising but commercially unsuccessful F-20 Tigershark is specially interesting as is the footage relating to Saab’s excellent Viggen.

An interesting one hour tape that informs and entertains. Available in VHS only direct from Australian Aviation, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek, ACT 2611 for $39. 95 +$5. 00 påp. Credit card orders taken on (06) 288 1677 or fax (06) 288 2021.

The RN Invincible class of aircraft carriers are just some of the ships illustrated in our AVU Command Vision video in the Modern Naval Combat series.

 the West’s Fighting Ships:

AVV Command Vision Though this tape is on ships it is also of great interest to any aviation minded person due to the large amount of footage given over to carrier aviation. Indeed, along with the nuclear attack submarine, the carrier is nowadays a formidable weapon that took over from the battleship as the “No 1” conventional offensive maritime weapon during WW2.

There is much footage therefore on the USN supercarriers and how they integrate into their fearsome carrier battle groups. Some interesting footage concerns activities aboard the French Navy’s small carrier force including rare video of their Breguet Alize ASW and Vought F-8 Crusader operations. The British Invincible class is also described including the operations of their Sea Harrier air wings.

Other footage includes a comprehensive review of the new generation frigates and destroyers which more and more are beginning to become platforms for sophisticated electronic warfare and Elint systems backed up by an array of deadly accurate sea skimming missiles. The days when surface combatants were littered with large calibre guns is truly a thing of the past An example of this philosophy is the German Meko class, which is the basis of our own RAN and RNZN Anzac class frigates whichenter service later this decade. Footage on the design philosophy behind the Meko and scenes of modular construction plus the ship in actual service make for interesting footage considering its future role in the defence of our region.

An interesting one hour tape that informs and entertains. Available in VHS only direct from Australian Aviation, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek, ACT 2611 for $39. 95 +$5. 00 påp. Credit card orders taken on (06) 288 1677 or fax (06) 288 2021.