Yesteryear

The 100th F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a two-seat F/A-18F in the markings of Oceana, Virginia- based VFA-102 “Diamondbacks”, was handed over to the USN on June 14.

The new Embraer factory was officially inaugurated on June 14. At Gaviao Peixoto, 300km from Sao Paulo, it has the southern hemisphere’s longest runway at 5km. Production will include a range of military aircraft and the Legacy corporate jet. Some Embraer suppliers are expected to build on the site — including a Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory to make ER-190/195 wings.

Certification of the Boeing 757-300 with Pratt and Whitney PW2000 engines was granted by the FAA on June 6 as well as European JAA validation. 757-300s had Rolls-Royce engines and the new P&Ws give operators commonality with existing similarly powered 757-200s.

The first of two Boeing BBJs for the RAAF, the 737-7DF, A36-001, to be operated by No 34 Squadron, Canberra arrived in Sydney on June 26. Another pending delivery, Challenger 604, was rolled out recently at the Bombardier factory with temporary US registration N521RF. This first of three 604s for the RAAF is due to be delivered next month as A37-001.

Deliveries of the first two of 50 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters to the Indian Air Force began on June 22.

The end of commercial aircraft production at BAE Systems Woodford was marked on June 24 with the departure of the last Avro RJ, the RJ85 G-CBMH, for Filton where it will be stored pending sale. Four incomplete fuselages in production will be scrapped.

25 Years Ago

A restored Lockheed 18 flown by Patrick Fourticq flew around the world between June 17 and 21, from and back to Le Bourget, Paris. Aimed at breaking Howard Hughes’s 1938 flight in a Lockheed 14, it followed a similar route but although 53km longer, the time was 2hr 29min less. In another record-breaking flight, between June 12 and 14 and also from and to at Le Bourget. A Grumman Gulfstream IV claimed 24 world records when it covered 36,832km in 45hr 25min 10sec.

On June 26, TNT signed an agreement in principle to take the entire output of the BAe 146QT freighter for the next five years. This would see TNT obtain 72 146 QTs including three already bought. As well as being used on TNT’s overnight worldwide freight service, some of the aircraft will be sold or leased through Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services.

An attempted touch-and-go during an airshow at Denham, England on June 21 has seen the only airworthy Bristol Blenheim bomber, G-MKIV, a Mark IV rebuilt by the British Aerial Museum, damaged beyond repair when it came down on a golf course nearby. The crew had minor injuries.

The maiden flight of the prototype Boeing-Vertol Model 360 took place at Philadelphia, US on June 10. The helicopter fuselagefeatures substantial use of composites.

Airbus Industrie launched the A330 and A340 programs on June 5 — and 10 airlines have made orders and provisional commitments for 41 A330s and 89 A340s. The launch followed British, French and German governments’ agreement to provide funds supporting their respective industries work share. Both aircraft will have the same wing, basic fuselage and tail unit. A330 certification is planned for May 1992 and the A340 in northern spring 1993.

The Paris International Air and Space Show featured the prototype Airbus A320, F-WWAI, the USAF Rockwell B-1B, 50061, which flew non-stop with air refuelling from Dyess AFB, Texas and the re-engined Israel Aircraft Industries Super Phantom 4X-JPA, a modified McDonnell Douglas F-4 powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1120s.

50 Years Ago

The prototype Vickers VC10, G-ARTA, in BOAC livery, made its maiden flight from Weybridge, England on June 29, taking off in less than 740 yards at an AUW of about 81,647kg (180,000lb) compared with its fully loaded weight of 135,624kg (299,000lb). Flown by G R “Jock” Bryce with co-pilot Brian Trubshaw the aircraft used the runway in the centre of the famous Brooklands racetrack. It’s the last large airliner to be built by a British company.

The final and 744th Boeing Stratofortress for the USAF, a B-52H, was rolled out on June 22. The Wichita, Kansasa factory made 466 B-52s, 1,390 B-47 Stratojets and 1,644 B-29s.

USAF Astronaut Captain Virgil Grissom was awarded the first General Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy on June 19 for his “outstanding contribution to the nation’s progress in aerospace in the Mercury spacecraft Liberty Bell 7 flight”.

The X-15A rocket-powered research aircraft, flown by Joe Walker, took off from Edwards AFB, California on June 27 and reached a speed of 6,693km/h (4,159mph), exceeding Mach 6.0.

The formation of BOAC-Cunard was announced on June 6 with 70 per cent of the capital held by BOAC, which will contribute eight Rolls-Royce Boeing 707s to join Cunard’s two 707s in the new combined fleet.

The RAAF re-formed No 9 Squadron at RAAF Williamtown on June 11 with eight Bell 204B UH-1B Iroquois helicopters for search-and-rescue work.

In a contract from the Bureau of Naval weapons to General Dynamics/Convair, a Martin PBM Mariner will be used for renewed flying boat studies. A need has been seen by certain US officials for a reliable flying boat to be used in limited wars.

Qantas Boeing 707-138B VH-EBA City of Canberra commanded by Captain J B Tingwell set a new record on June 21 , flying Perth-Sydney in 2hr 56min, aided by a 290km/h (180mph) tailwind. Scheduled flight time is 4hr 20min.

Avro Anson Mk 1s in Australia were withdrawn from service after June 30, following concerns over deterioration of the glued wing joints and poor single-engine performance in the event of engine failure. Ansons with metal wings that do not have a structure with wooden wing spars are not affected.