Yesteryear

Flight testing of the Dassault Breguet Falcon 900 commenced on September 21 with an 85 minute flight from Toulouse. Following the expected French and US certification in the Spring of 1986, production aircraft should be available by the middle of that year.

McDonnell Douglas is planning new versions of the DC-10 based on improved engines such as the 59,000lb (264kN) GE CF6-80C2 or the advanced two man flight deck, aluminium lithium alloys in the structure, restyled interior and extended tailcone would be included. Two variants are being discussed under the MD-11X designation. One is the MD-11X-10 with a DC-10 series 30 fuselage carrying 277 passengers, a 263 tonne (580,000lb) gross weight, and a 6,400-6567 (11,860 to 12,170km) nautical mile range. MD-11X-20 would be a stretched version carrying 331 passengers, a 267 tonne (590,000lb) gross weight with a 5906-6056 (11,945 to 11,220km) nautical mile range. A launch early next year would enable first deliveries to be made in 1988.

Pan American announced the decision to purchase a fleet of Airbus aircraft on September 13 and contractual arrangements should be confirmed by the end of the year. Present plans are to lease A300B4s and A310-200s from a stock of ‘white tails’ and firm orders will then be placed for 12 A310-300s plus up to 13 options, and 16 A320-200s plus up to 34 options. The initial 28 aircraft will be delivered between mid 1987 and 1990.

The UK Ministry of Defence announced on September 7 its intention to order a further nine Sea Harrier FRS Mk 1 fighters. This takes Royal Navy orders of the type to 57, of which 34 have been delivered.

Airbus Industrie has confirmed that wingtip fences will be fitted as standard on the A310-300. The first flight of the A310-300 is set for the summer of 1985.

20 Years Ago

On September 21, the first prototype Panavia MRCA was on display at MBB’s test airfield at Manching, Bavaria where it was inspected by 600 Government and service officials from the three participating countries. At present, 385 MRCAs will go to the RAF, 322 to the West German Air Force and Navy and 100 to the Italian Air Force. The name ‘Tornado’ is mooted for the MRCA in RAF service, where it will replace the Vulcan, Buccaneer, Lightning and Phantom. The unit price at 1973 is £3.4m.

The last flight to be operated by Ansett Flying Boat Services to Lord Howe Island was made by Short Sandringham VH-BRC on September 10. Following a proving flight on September 18 with Heron VH-CLV, regular services to the island using the new 1010m (3300ft) airstrip commenced the following day. Airlines of New South Wales is operating the service using a 10 passenger Riley modified Heron, chartered from Connair.

The first flight of the Northrop F-5F two seat trainer version of the F-5E Tiger II at Edwards AFB took place on September 25. The two seat F-5F made its first flight on September 25 1974.

The maiden flight of the Saab JA37 Viggen took place at Linkoping on September 27. The Swedish Government placed an order for an initial batch of 30 Viggens on September 6 and total orders of the fighter are expected to reach 150-200. Total Viggen orders for all versions are expected to comprise 350-400 aircraft.

A USAF Lockheed SR-71A 17972, from the USAF’s Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB, California established a new record for the 2950nm (5470km) New York/London sector when it covered the distance in 1hr 55min 42sec on September 1. It departed from Beale and passed through two ‘gates’ at an altitude of 80,000ft near both locations, and landed at the Farnborough Air Display after the flight.

The Minister for Transport Mr Jones announced on September 24 ‘that as the result of a revised bilateral agreement between Australia and Britain British Airways will cease operations on the South Pacific route between Australia and the US by the end of March 1975.

30 Years Ago

The maiden flight of the BAC TSR-2 XR219, took place at Boscombe Down on September 27, flown by Ronald Beamont with David Bowen as navigator. The undercarriage was kept extended during the 15 minute flight and the speed was limited to 250 knots (463kmh). The TSR-2 is a two seat shoulder wing aircraft with a 11m (37ft) wing span, 27m (89ft) length and 7m (24ft) height and is capable of speeds in excess of Mach 2 at altitude.

Construction of the first Douglas DC-9 is well underway and the nose and the fuselage sections were recently joined in the 25th week of production. Rollout and flight testing is scheduled for early 1965.

Orders for new aircraft for the defence forces were announced during the month by Minister for Defence, Senator Paltridge. An additional seven DHC Caribou transports will be acquired for the RAAF at a cost of £2.9m, which will take the total on order to 25, while the Army will receive 17 Bell 47G-3B Sioux at a cost of £1m. The Caribous will be operated by No 38 (T) Squadron and the Sioux by No 16 ALA Squadron.

The Venezuelan airline Avensa has taken delivery of the first of three Convair 580s. The Convair 580 is a turboprop conversion of the Convair 440 powered by two Allison 501Ds.

The first Lockheed C-141 StarLifter has been delivered to the US Military Air Transport Service at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

On September 10, the maiden flight of the first production Breguet Atlantic took place. Orders are held for 20 each for France and Germany, and the company has said a second batch of 40 will be built for France and Holland.

The designation EA-6A has been given to a new electronic countermeasures version of the Grumman Intruder. It is fitted with an ECM bulge at the top of the fin and underwing electronic pods.

USS Enterprise visited Australia during the month and entered Sydney Harbour after some of her aircraft earlier made fly-pasts over Perth and Melbourne. On board were Phantoms, Crusaders, Vigilantes, Skyhawks, Trackers and supporting helicopters. A display off Sydney for official guests consisted of 30 jet and 11 propeller driven aircraft.