Yester Year

• The first three of 40 Sukhoi Su-30MK fighters for the Indian Air Force have been delivered by an Antonov An-124 direct from the Irkusk factory to Pune air force base. Russian pilots will test fly the aircraft after reassembly. The first unit to receive them is 24 Squadron at Ambala currently equipped with the MiG-21bis.

• New Zealand Defence Minister Paul East announced on March 11 that the RNZN will receive four refurbished Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprites with options on another two, to replace the Navy’s Westland Wasp HAS. 1s. Pending delivery in 2000, four older ex-USN SH-2Fs are being obtained as an interim measure.

• March 14 saw the final official flight was made of the only remaining airworthy de Havilland Comet, the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation (DTEO) Boscombe Down’s Mk 4C XS235 Canopus.

25 Years Ago

• The 35th anniversary of the commencement of Bonanza production was celebrated by the Beech Aircraft Corporation on March 25.

Production has reached nearly 15,000 including about 10,400 V-tailed Model 35 versions.

• Boeing announced on March 31 that an order from Air Portugal for seven 737s had taken total 737 orders to exactly 1000.

• The first two of 27 McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagles destined for Alaskan Air Command as F-4E replacements of the 21st Tactical Fighter Wing, arrived at Elmendorf AFB near Anchorage on March 1.

• The Japan Air Self-Defence Force retired its last North American Sabre, the F-86F 62-7497, on March 15. It was the final example of 479 Sabres delivered since 1956.

• The Nimitz-class supercarrier USS Carl Vinson was commissioned on March 13, giving the the USN a total of 14 aircraft carriers.

• British Aerospace has announced the HS 748-2B Super with progressive availability during 1983.

Improvements in this version include hushkits for the Dart engines, a new system to dynamic balance the propellers reducing vibration in the front passenger seats by 74 per cent and noise by 2. 25 dB(A), a standby water methanol system, an advanced flightdeck and revised galley.

• Boeing has delivered the last of the 916 civil 707/720 airliners, the convertible passenger/cargo 707-320C CN-ANR, to the Moroccan government.

50 Years Ago

• The prototype Canadair CL-28 Argus maritime reconnaissance aircraft, RCAF 20710, had its maiden flight from Cartierville, Montreal, on March 28.

• A USN Douglas A3D‑1 Skywarrior flown by Commander Dale W Cox, Jr, landed in Los Angeles on March 21, setting two transcontinental speed records.

One was for completing the round trip to New York in 9hr 31min 35. 4sec, the other an east-west flight time of 5hr 12min 39. 24sec.

• The USAF revealed the first photographs of the Republic F-105 Thunderchief supersonic fighter-bomber on March 22. The prototype YF- 105A exceeded Mach 1 when it made its initial flight at Edwards AFB, California, on October 22 1955. The USAF will conduct a test and evaluation program, with the results determining production.

• Powered by the exhaust of six jet engines, a turbocatapult, intended primarily for use by US Marine Corps expeditionary forces, launched a Douglas AD-4NA Skyraider at a speed of 90kt in 210ft at Georgetown, Delaware, on March 7.

• With more than 6000 built, US production of the North American F-86 Sabre has concluded. Licence built examples are still being delivered in Australia, Canada, Italy and Japan.

• English Electric will expand its production facilities at Preston following receipt of substantial orders for the P. 1.

The aircraft has exceeded 1000mph in level flight and is expected to be capable of reaching 1500mph.