People, Bottom Line, Book & Video Reviews

The FLS Optica is set to join the small but growing list of light aircraft to be built in Malaysia. A recently signed agreement sees FLS transfer Optica production to UK company RCR for 12 months to meet European orders before production shifts to Gegasi Industries in Ipoh, Malaysia (FLS will retain design and certification rights and responsibilities). RCR has 20 Optica orders, while Gegasi plans to build up to 50 Opticas a year. The deal was brokered by British Aerospace Airbus.

It Had To B.U. – The Life Story Of 80 Squadron Raaf: James Harding

As the title suggests, this is the history of 80 Squadron during WW2. Authored by a former 80 Squadron pilot and now the honorary secretary of the squadron association, the book was written mainly for the purpose of providing members with a record of the squadron’s history. This book traces the history of the squadron from its formation in 1943 to its ultimate disbandment in 1946.

It Had to B.U. is about the aircraft the squadron flew (Kittyhawks) and the men who flew them. The story is a very interesting one, especially the accounts of the missions flown, and in some parts highly amusing with many lively anecdotes recalled.

Of additional interest are the various maps and photos portraying the squadron in its day-to-day life, plus a number of very interesting tables of aircrew and aircraft.

This book provides a great insight into the life and operations of 80 Squadron and is recommended to anyone with an interest in wartime operations. All proceeds go to the Squadron Association.

Available from Jim Harding, 1 Jassa St, South Oakleigh, 3167 for $20.

Radar Cross Section: Knott, Shaeffer & Tuley

The first edition of this title is an industry classic, and the nearest one can get to an unclassified “stealth technology cookbook”.

While the first edition was primarily aimed at practising engineers and scientists, this substantially revised second edition is aimed at a far broader audience. As such, this title contains a number of sections which are almost wholly devoid of formal maths, and aimed at managers, students, novices and general readers.

This makes the second edition far easier to read for all audiences, and provides a cutting technical insight into the core technologies which are used in stealthing modern combat aircraft, and the practical implications of using them.

The text has no less than 14 chapters, which cover radar fundamentals, the physics of scattering, exact RCS prediction methods, high frequency RCS prediction methods, examples of scattering behaviour, RCS reduction techniques, absorbent materials, measurement techniques for absorbers, antenna RCS and RCS reduction, measurement requirements, test ranges and “hip pocket” prediction techniques. Of particular interest are the chapters on fundamentals, examples, absorbers and antennas, as these provide both a good overview and a generous illustration of the technical principles involved.

Radar Cross Section, Second Edition, is available from DA Information Services in Victoria.

Moscow Airshow: Video Age Productions

The Moscow Airshow, or more correctly the International Aviation and Space Salon, is Russia’s international aviation industry showcase.

Staged last August, the airshow provided a fascinating look at the diverse products of Russia’s aircraft designers and manufacturers. Aircraft featured at the show and hence in the video include the Sukhoi Flanker family including the basic Su-27 interceptor, the advanced multirole Su-35 and the Su-32FN fighter bomber, MiG-29s, the MiG-31, the stretched Il-76MF, the Buran Space Shuttle, Il-96M airliner, Ka-50 and Mi-28 attack helicopters and a lot more.

The excellent flying displays included the Swifts aerobatic display team in MiG-29s, the Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber, a formation flypast of MiG fighters (comprising the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-25, MiG-29 and MiG-31), and a number of Flanker flying routines including a unique formation of two Su-27s and a Lisunov Li-2 (Russia’s DC-3 copy).

The show was held at Zhukovsky, the once top secret home of the Gromov Flight Institute, and the video departs from the airshow displays to take a look at the past and present test aircraft housed at the base—everything ranging from Su-15 Flagon interceptors to Tu-134 testbeds.

The subjects and flying recorded on this video make it well worth watching. One small criticism though is that the narrative is fairly brief and basic.

Available exclusively in Australia and New Zealand from Aviation Collectables Downunder, PO Box 44, Mundaring WA 6073, phone freecall 1800 623 044, or NZ freecall 0800 442 747, fax (09) 295 1105 for $39.95 plus $4.95 p&p.