Yester Year

• The French and German defence ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Berlin on May 20 for the go-ahead of the Franco-German Eurocopter Tiger combat helicopter. Initial production batches will comprise 80 helicopters for each country with deliveries to commence in 2001. Requirements stand at 215 Tigers for the French and 212 for the Germans.

• The Department of Defence issued a Request for Proposals on May 5 for armed reconnaissance helicopters under Project Air 87 for the Army to replace the Bell 206B-1 Kiowa and UH-1 Iroquois. The number required is believed to be about 20 to 24 helicopters.

• On May 2 the last six operational USAF EF-111A Ravens were retired to AMARC Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Operated by the 27th FW/429th ECS based at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, they had previously been in service during operation Southern Watch over southern Iraq enforcing the no-fly zone.

• The Russian air force has announced a cut in strategic bomber numbers and the closure of the largest strategic air base in the Caucasus at Mozdok, North Osetia, by the end of the month. Airworthy Tu-95 Bears at Mozdok will be transferred to Engels with the remainder scrapped.

25 Years Ago

• The first flight of the British Aerospace 125 Series 800 took place from Chester on May 26. This latest version is powered by Garrett TFE731 turbofans and has a redesigned cabin, low-drag cockpit windshields and updated avionics.

• The Spanish government signed a US$3 billion contract on May 31 covering the purchase of 72 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets with a further 12 optioned.

Although the order had been announced previously there was a re-evaluation following a change of government in Spain.

• The first BAe 146 to enter service, G-BKMN, commenced operations on May 27 on the Gatwick-Berne route, following its May 23 handover to Dan-Air at Hatfield.

• The Tupolev Tu-144 SST has been permanently withdrawn from Aeroflot service. First Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation Boris E Panyukov commented that it was too heavy and too inefficient.

• Defence Minister Gordon Scholes announced on May 3 the phase-out of fixed wing aircraft from RAN service.

This will see all eight Macchi MB-326Hs withdrawn by June 30 and transferred to the RAAF, while six of the ten Skyhawks in service (eight A-4Gs and two TA-4Gs) will be withdrawn with the remaining four used for low level target towing duties.

By June 30 1984 the four remaining Skyhawks will have ceased operations, all Trackers (19 S-2Es and two S‑2Gs) will be withdrawn, while the two HS. 748s ECM aircraft will go to the RAAF.

50 Years Ago

• The first McDonnell YF4H‑1, BuNo 142259, had its maiden flight from Lambert Field, St Louis, on May 27 flown by Robert C Little.

• The first Douglas DC-8, N8008D built to Series 10 standard, made its first flight on May 30, from Long Beach, California, with a crew captained by A G Heimerdinger.

• The first world air speed record to exceed 2000km/h was established on May 16.

USAF Captain W W Irvin flew a Lockheed YF-104A Starfighter at 2259. 76km/h (1404. 19mph) over a 25km course at Edwards AFB.

• The Republic F-105B Thunderchief fighter/bomber entered service with the 335th Fighter Squadron at Eglin AFB, Florida, on May 27.

• On May 22 and 23 Douglas F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130745 flown by USMC Major Edward LeFaivre set speed to climb records to 3000, 6000, 9000 12,000 and 15,000 metres in 44. 932, 66. 095, 90. 025, 111. 224 and 156. 223 seconds respectively, from NAMTC Point Mugu, California.

• Minister for Civil Aviation Senator Shane Paltridge said on May 23 that approval for the importation of two Lockheed Electras each by Ansett-ANA and TAA has been granted. This partially revoked an earlier Cabinet decision of March 28 which had banned the importation of both the Electra and Sud Aviation Caravelle. The announcement also officially confirmed acquisition of other equipment – six more F27s for TAA, a number of Viscounts as required for both Ansett-ANA and TAA, and Electras for Qantas (four) and TEAL (three).