Yesteryear

The second Pilatus PC-9 basic trainer, HB-HPB, flew at Stans on July 20 and will join the first aircraft at Farnborough ’84 in September. The first PC-9 HB-HPA has accumulated 55 hours in 75 flights.

Commencing with aircraft No 26 due to be delivered in October, McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender tanker/transports will have an overall medium grey finish. The high gloss white finish used on the first 25 aircraft has been found to make the aircraft too visible when used for tactical operations.

Two British Aerospace aircraft had their first flights during this month. The VC10 K Mk 3 flew at Filton on July 3 while the first BAe Super 748 had its debut at Woodford on July 30. The VC10 K Mk 3 is converted from the Super VC10 while the Super 748, which is based on the BAe 748 Series 2B, features an advanced flight deck, a new look interior with lightweight seats, standby water methanol injection and engine hushkits.

A BAe 146-100 demonstrator flew into one of the world’s highest airports at Lhasa in Tibet during a two week tour of China this month. The airfield is at an elevation of 3555m (11,650ft) and has a 3355m (11,000ft) runway.

Negotiations have been completed between the Australian and New Zealand governments for the sale of the RAN’s eight A-4G and two TA-4G Skyhawks at a cost of $28.5m. The RNZAF is planning to upgrade its existing A-4Ks and the newly purchased A-4Gs for maritime strike.

20 Years Ago

To arrest the decline in its financial position, British Airways plans to phase out 13 Trident Is in its European Division and possibly up to nine Boeing 707-436s in its Overseas Division. Staff levels will be reduced by 4% (2000 personnel) by March 3, 1975. The present problems are caused by vastly increased fuel prices and inflation.

An RAF Jaguar GR.1 flew from Boscombe Down to Goose Bay, Labrador on July 9, covering the 2500nm (4630km) in 5 1/2 hours. The Jaguar was refuelled seven times during the flight by Victor tankers. It was the first Jaguar to have crossed the Atlantic. During its stay in North America it will undergo cold weather trials in northern Canada and heat and humidity testing at Eglin AFB in Florida.

South African Airways has ordered three Boeing 747SPs for delivery between March and June 1976. The 747SP extra long range version will be able to fly non stop between Johannesburg and London. Total Boeing 747 sales now stand at 278.

Following the 610m (2000ft) extension to the southern end of Canberra’s north/south runway, taking the total length to 2685m (8800ft), the operational restrictions on DC-9s will be eased.

Reports suggest that Russian “Bear” and “Badger” long range maritime patrol aircraft are operating from a base at Conakry in the Republic of Guinea.

The first of the RAN’s ten Westland Sea King Mk 50s on order, N16-098, was handed over at the Westland factory at Yeovil on July 7.

Qantas has sold a second Boeing 707-338C, VH-EBN, to Singapore Airlines as 9V-BFW, which will be delivered next month. Qantas has now sold six of its Boeing 707s. Qantas has eight Boeing 747Bs in service with three more on order. In addition, it has 15 Boeing 707s in its fleet and two of these may be purchased by the Government for the RAAF’s VIP Squadron.

Two Dassault Etendards are being modified as prototype Super Etendards at Saint Cloud and the first should fly before the end of the year.

30 Years Ago

A new short range jetliner, the Model 737 which will be about half the size of the three engine 727, has been proposed by Boeing. It would be specifically designed to carry 50-60 passengers over routes from 80 to 1610km (50 to 1000 miles). The 737 is not aimed as a DC-3 replacement, but as a more practical size of airliner for which a need is growing. If Boeing goes ahead with the 737, initial deliveries are planned for 1967.

An airshow was organised by Victa Ltd at Cowra on July 25 to promote sales of the Airtourer. Seven Airtourers were present together with several Austers, Pipers, Tiger Moths and other light aircraft.

The Lockheed C-130E demonstrator named “One World”, registered N1130E, visited Australia during the month as part of a round the world tour. The RAAF is studying this version to augment its other A model Hercules. “One World” recently established a record by flying continuously for 25 hours 1min 8sec in which it was unrefuelled. During the flight it flew mostly on two engines.

The first USAF Boeing KC-135B airborne command post has been delivered to Strategic Air Command headquarters at Offutt AFB. Another 16 similar aircraft are to be delivered. The aircraft would take over if enemy action destroyed ground command posts.

Ground running trials are now underway of the LTV-Hiller-Ryan XC-142A prototype which was rolled out on June 17. The US Army, Navy and Air Force will receive five of the V/STOL 17 tonne (18 1/2 ton) tilt wing transports for evaluation. Powered by four General Electric T64 turboprop engines developing a minimum total power of 11,400shp (8505kW), the XC-142A can land and takeoff vertically like a helicopter, and reach forward speeds over 350kt (645kmh).

Fokker has signed an agreement with two West German firms, Hamburger Flugzeugbau and Vereinigte Flugtechnischewerke, regarding development and series production of the Fokker F.28 Fellowship airliner. Under the agreement, two prototypes will be built and test flown, with eventual series production conducted on a European basis in which other partners will later join in.

A Douglas DC-7C registered N904ME named “Initiator VII”, landed in Sydney on July 2 after flying non stop from Tokyo in 17 hours 15 minutes.