Yesteryear

Beech Aircraft has decided to close its production facility at Liberal, Kansas. The plant is located 860km from Wichita and was used as the production centre for the Skipper, Sundowner and Sierra, the production of which has now ceased. Ansett Transport Industries has taken up its option on five Fokker 50s taking its firm orders of the type to 15. A Mooney 231 M-20K has been fitted with a 212hp (158kW) Porsche 3200 six cylinder horizontally opposed engine in the USA. The Porsche PFM 3200 is a slightly modified version of the engine used in the Porsche 911 sports car. Following ground testing and a flight development programme in a Cessna 182, it was certified towards the end of 1984 by the German authorities. A Skyship 600 has been sold by Airship Industries to Canadian Engineering Surveys of Alberta. The value of the deal is about $4m for Skyship 600-05 which will be used for aerial mapping, tests associated with mineral explorations, hydrographic survey and related roles.

The designation 747-400 has been adopted by Boeing for the next proposed variant of the Boeing 747 family. It will have an external configuration similar to the 747-300 and some small aerodynamic refinements including a new engine mounting strut and small wing tip extensions amongst other improvements. Following a damaging strike and continuing losses, Pan American has negotiated to sell its entire Pacific Division (excluding routes to Hawaii) to United Airlines for $750m. Aircraft to be acquired by United include 11 Boeing 747SPs, six Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 500s and one DC-10 Series 30. In addition, 2700 of Pan American’s existing staff will join United. The sale will reduce Pan Am’s size by 25%.

20 Years Ago

Israel Aircraft Industries unveiled its Kfir (Lion Cub) at Lod Airport on April 14. The Kfir is based on the Mirage IIIC and has a modified 61cm (24in) shorter but thicker fuselage, which accommodates an 18,000lb (80.6kN) st General Electric J79-17 instead of the SNECMA Atar 9C. Maximum speed is said to be Mach 2.2+, stabilised ceiling in combat over 50,000ft and a maximum takeoff weight of about 14,530kg (32,000lb). It had been suggested that the Kfir first flew in 1971, but it is now believed that event referred to a French built Mirage IIICJ modified to be fitted with the J79.

The second Hawker Siddeley Hawk, XX157, had its maiden flight at Dunsfold on April 22. The Hawk is scheduled to enter RAF service in October 1976 as an all through jet trainer. The delivery of all 175 Hawks ordered should be completed by 1980. An American group is to restore a Ford 5-AT-C Trimotor abandoned by the RAAF in 1943, after it had overturned in an accident at Myola airstrip, high up in the Owen Stanley Ranges. Originally registered as VH-UBI in October 1935 when it was operated by Guinea Airways, it was later impressed by the RAAF in February 1942 as A45-1. During its military career it was used to evacuate casualties from the Kokoda Trail. The Military Aircraft Restoration Group of Chino, California plans to recover the aircraft from Myola and transport it to California where it will be restored and then presented to the PNG Museum, together with a Bell Airacobra, Curtiss Kittyhawk and Mitsubishi Zero.

The first production GAF Nomad was handed over to Nationwide Air Services at Mascot on April 30. The second production Nomad will appear at the Paris Air Show. The final assembly of the first Boeing 747SP is taking place at Renton and the rollout is due next month. The first delivery to Pan American World Airways is scheduled for early 1976. The SP is 14.34m (47ft) shorter than the standard 747, but can fly faster, further and higher than any other wide cabin airliner. Gates Learjet Corporation delivered its 500th aircraft on April 8, a Learjet 24D serial MTX-01 for the Mexican Navy.

30 Years Ago

The prototype Transavia PL12 Airtruk VH-TRN had its first flight at Bankstown on April 15 flown by Neil Johnston. The aircraft was actually the second Airtruk to be built at the Seven Hills factory; the first was a test airframe destroyed in static tests. Flight testing of the Airtruk is hoped to be completed by the middle of this year. Transavia has built an airstrip adjacent to the factory enabling production aircraft to be flown from the suburban plant.

The Australian National Airlines Commission announced on April 1 that six Douglas DC-9-20s would be ordered for TAA at a total cost of £13.7 million including spares. The first two deliveries of the 82 seat DC-9-20 will be made in November 1966, two in June 1967 and the final two in October/November 1967. An order for three Super VC10s has been placed by East African Airways for delivery beginning in August 1966. The aircraft will be fitted with a large freight door and have a passenger capacity up to 172. This is the first export order for a Super VC10 and takes total sales of all VC10 types to 51.

The Avro Lancaster B.7 G-ASXX left Sydney Airport on Anzac Day, bound for the International Air Travel Fair at Biggin Hill, where it is due to arrive on May 13. Flown by a four man crew headed by Wing Commander J Hampshire, the first leg was to Coolangatta to enable the local population to view the aircraft which is named “Spirit of Surfers Paradise”. Local residents had donated approximately $5000, which is about half of the cost of the flight to the UK. Douglas has announced three new versions of the DC-8. Two of the new 60 Series models are already in production while a third is under development. The Model 61 will be about 10m (33ft) longer than the current DC-8-50 and will accommodate 251 passengers in the 56m (184ft) long fuselage. The ultra long range Model 62 will have a wing span increase of 6ft and fuselage increase of 2m (80in) with a 189 passenger capacity. It will also feature new engine pods to reduce drag by ducting turbofan air through the entire length of the nacelle, coupled with redesigned pylons to enhance performance. The Model 63 will combine the 10m (33ft) fuselage stretch of the Model 61 with the aerodynamic and powerplant advances of the Model 62.