Yesteryear

The Gulfstream 3 has been selected by the USAF for both medium and long range missions, in its lease programme to replace Lockheed C-140s in the special airlift role. A fixed price contract for Fiscal Year 1983 for $3. 2m was announced on June 7 to lease an initial three aircraft modified for the mission with options to purchase in Fiscal Year 1985. The value of the entire programme to Gulfstream is expected to be approximately $300m. In other developments, Grumman has received a $678m contract to supply 39 C-2A Greyhound carrier-on-board delivery (COD) aircraft to be delivered from January 1985 at a rate of eight aircraft a year until 1988 and seven in 1989.

• The de Havilland Canada Dash 8 had its maiden flight at Downsview on June 20 flown by Robert Fowler.

20 Years Ago

The first six General Dynamics F-111Cs for the RAAF, A8-125 to A8-130, arrived at RAAF Base Amberley on June 1 led by Group Captain J W Newham, OC No 82 Strike Wing. One of the other F-111Cs was flown by Wing Commander R G Funnell, the commanding officer of No 6 Squadron. The official greeting party was headed by Defence Minister Barnard and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshall C F Read. The remaining 12 leased McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantoms left Amberley June 6 and 20 flown by USAF crews supported by USAF Boeing KC-135 tankers.

On June 7, the RAN received N15-709, the first of the two Hawker Siddeley HS 7488 on order at the Naval Air Station at Nowra. The aircraft was commanded by Lieutenant Commander W P James RAN on its delivery flight. The HS 748s will replace Douglas Dakotas and will be used in a fleet support and training role.

• The second Tupolev Tu-144, CCCP-77102, was lost during a demonstration flight at the Paris Air Show on June 3. After performing a very tight S-turn it climbed steeply and during the subsequent descent, broke up with the loss of the six crew.

• Sir Reginald Ansett has agreed to extend the operation of the Lord Howe Island/Sydney flying boat link operated by Ansett Flying Boat Services. This followed the NSW Government’s decision to provide for the building of a 3000ft airstrip at Lord Howe Island.

• A contract worth about $25m has been received by Westland for initial work on setting up production facilities and ordering materials for a batch of over 100 Lynx hellcopters. The contract was placed on behalf of the British and French Governments by the Ministry of Defence Procurement.

In an announcement on June 26, details. were given of Cabinet Approval to the Government Aircraft Factories to programme production of a further 50 Nomads, taking total approval to 70.

The Imperial Iranian Air Force will receive six Lockheed P-3F Orions with deliveries starting in July 1974.

30 Years Ago

The Saab-106 jet trainer, developed as a private venture, had its first flight on June 29. Provided the Saab-105 comes up to specification, the Swedish Air Force will order 100 and deliveries will begin in 1965.

The ICAO reports that there are still 1233 DC-3s in service throughout the world and they represent about one quarter of the world total of 5103 commercial airliners.

A new company called Middle East-Air Liban or MEAL, has been formed by the merger of Middle East Airlines and Air Liban. The joint fleet has four Comets, two Caravelles, four Viscounts, two DC-68, one DC-4 and six DC-38.

• The French pilot Jaqueline Auriol flying a Dassault Mirage IIR regained the 100km closed circuit record at 1261mph on June 14. It had ben claimed six weeks earlier by the American pilot Jacqueline Cochrane at 1196mph in a Lockheed TF-104G.

The Dutch Air Force Republic RF-84F Thunderflashes which are being replaced by Lockheed F-104s, will be transferred to the Turkish Air Force.

A team of eight headed by the Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Valston Hancock left Australia this month. They will visit France, Britain and the United States to evaluate strike reconnaissance aircraft which are available, as possible RAAF Canberra replacements.

A new BOAC office in Melbourne was opened on June 27 by Lt Gen Sir William Oliver, the UK High Commissioner to Australia. BOAC’s Comet 4s are the only International jets currently operating into Melbourne.

• Fokker Friendships have replaced DC-3s on TAA’s Sydney/Newcastle service with a 15 minute reduction in flying time.

A London bound Qantas Boeing 707 landed at Meekatharra on June 22 when fog closed Perth Airport. The 7150ft sealed emergency strip at Meekatharra is located 480 miles north of Perth.

• Handley Page announced at the opening of the Paris Air Show on June 7 that the Royal Malaysian Air Force had placed orders for an additional four Heralds, taking their total for the type to eight.