Yesteryear

The withdrawal of the last four Macchi MB-326s in RAAF service was marked by a flight from RAAF Williamtown to RAAF Wagga Wagga on March 26. These aircraft will join 12 others at Wagga Wagga where they are used for ground instructional use.

On March 9 there were local media reports stating that two Agusta A109 helicopters have been acquired by the Nigerian Navy to help in fighting piracy and smuggling in the area of the Niger/Delta. It is likely the new equipment, fitted with a Grintex EW self-protection system and a lightweight optronic turret, will undertake some of the tasks previously performed by three Lynx Mk 89s which have been grounded for over five years and used to operate from the frigate NNS *Aradu**.

On March 2 details were released on progress of the Lockheed U-2S Reconnaissance Avionics Maintainability Program (RAMPS) cockpit modernization upgrade. The no longer supportable 1960s vintage systems will be replaced by three 15cm X 20cm multifunction displays and the improvements will be installed in all 31 U-2S and four two-seat TU-2S trainers by 2007. Other changes will include a new signals main avionics processor and other cockpit enhancements.

FAA Type Approval was received by the Bombardier CRJ700 on March 7 enabling deliveries to be made to US customers. The previous granting of Transport Canada Type Certification and European JAA Type Recommendation had seen the type placed into commercial service by launch customer Brit Air on February 18.

The formation of a new business unit aimed at providing air-refuelling tanker aircraft to military customers worldwide, the 767 Tanker Programs unit, was announced by Boeing on March 7. The modified 767 will be marketed later this year and potential sales during this decade could reach 400 aircraft.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by British European on March 1 covering a firm order for 12 112-seat Avro RJX-100s plus eight options for initial delivery in April 2002, as replacement of the airline’s BAe 146s.

25 Years Ago
The final carrier launch of a USN F-4S Phantom II was made by pilot Lieutenant Alan S Cosgrove and radar officer Lieutenant Greg Blankenship of VF-151 from USS *Midway** in the East China Sea on 25 March. The F-4s will be replaced by F/A-18 Hornets.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the prototype Spitfire, K5054, on March 5 1936, the Spitfire Society is organising a Spitfire fly-in at Eastleigh on March 5.

The refurbishments and updating of 64 Saab J 35F Draken fighters is being carried put by the Swedish Air Force to extend their service in F10 Wing until 1995. This will enable JAS 39 Gripen deliveries to be made initially to attack wings.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-88 has been launched with an order from Delta Air Lines for 50 aircraft plus 30 options. Deliveries of this new 142-seat version of the MD80 family will commence in the first quarter of 1987 and continue until 1992. Delta pioneered the DC-9 into service in 1965 and has operated almost all Douglas airliner types since the DC-2.

A team of enthusiasts has located a South African Air Force Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk IV, serial 5067, which crashed in a swamp near Durban in March 1944. It is hoped to see the aircraft restored and preserved by the SAAF Museum.

The USN has selected the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet as the new aircraft for the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron. This will see 11 specially modified F/A-18s obtained to replace the existing McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawks which have been in use since 1974.

The maiden flight of a modified Yun-8 (Antonov An-12) transport has taken place from Beijing. The aircraft will be able to carry a load up to 47,070 lb (21,350kg) enabling it to carry a helicopter such as the Sikorsky S-70C over a range of 2485 miles (4,000km). The Yun-8 modified by the Shansi Aircraft Corporation has also been fitted with low pressure tyre permitting operations from rough runways. It will be used to transport helicopters and other loads to the vast Qinghai-Tibetan plateau which lies between the Taklamakan Desert to the north and the Himalayan range to the south.

50 Years Ago
The maiden flight of the first production example of the Lockheed P3V-1 (later P-3A) anti-submarine aircraft took place on March 31. This first service version for the USN, based on the Electra airliner, has numerous changes from the Electra airliner from which it based including a shorter fuselage, strengthened airframe, modified engine mountings and mission equipment.

A USAF EC-47 engaged in the checking of radio frequencies used by Soviet aircraft delivering arms to Communist rebels was shot down over the Plain of Jars in northern Laos on March 23.

US Army pilots are flying examples of the Northrop N-156F Freedom Fighter and the Douglas A4D-2N Skyhawk from Edwards AFB, California to evaluate their performance in a close air-support role.

Following the expiration of the leasing arrangement between the US government and Howard Hughes the fate of the Hughes HK-1 Hercules flying boat is uncertain. Presently located in storage at Terminal Island, Long Beach, California, a staff of 30 to 40 has been maintaining the aircraft. Although the lease ran out on December 31 1960 an extension has been arranged until March 31.

Orders have been placed with British, French and German companies for the building of the prototype Transall C-160 transport aircraft expected to fly in 1962. The Franco-German joint production will also have a 30 per cent British share including Rolls-Royce Tyne engines and de Havilland propellers. Germany is expected to place orders for about 200 Transalls.

The Italian Air Force has received first production aircraft of the 31 Macchi MB.326 jet trainers they have on order and it is expected they have a requirement for 120 examples of the type.

Series production is underway of the first Indian-built jet fighter designed by Kurt Tank, designer of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. The Hindustan Fighter is likely to receive orders for between 250 to 300 for the Indian Air Force and sales are hoped to be made to Asian countries.

The Ghana government has placed orders with de Havilland Aircraft of Canada for eight DHC-4 Caribou transports and 12 DHC-3 Otters. Previously Ghana has ordered 14 DHC-2 Beavers and 12 ex-RAF DHC-1 Chipmunks. The Ghana Air Force will operate all the aircraft. The Chipmunks will completely reconditioned and refitted by de Havilland at Leavesden, Hertsfordshire to be used as basic trainers. The other aircraft will be used for development work, air ambulance, health, police services, agricultural work, aerial surveys and transportation of government personnel.

An aircraft has now been acquired by lease by Highland Express Airways to operate a trans-Atlantic service from Prestwick, Scotland. The 747-123, due to registered G-HIHO, is a former American Airlines aircraft due for delivery on May 15.