Yester Year

• Two Boeing 747-400ERs are performing a 275 flight hour certification program. The first is the 747-438ER N747ER (VH-OEE) for Qantas.

• Three former Air India Airbus A300B4-203s have been donated to Ariana Afghan Airlines by the Indian government, joining two Boeing 727s that had been Ariana’s only airworthy aircraft.

• During the maiden flight of the Korea Aerospace Industries KAI T-50 advanced supersonic jet trainer on August 20 it reached 305kt and 15,000ft.

Korea’s air force has ordered an initial 50 T-50s and 44 A-50 light combat versions.

• As the USAF cuts its B-1B Lancer fleet to 60, the first of 24 for the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center arrived at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona on August 20. Eight will go on static display at various USAF installations.

• The first series production Eurocopter UH Tiger combat helicopter’s maiden flight took place at Donauworth, Germany on August 2. France and Germany have ordered 80 each.

• Regional Express – Rex – flew its first service on August 6 from Wagga Wagga to Sydney. The carrier was formed following the merger of Hazelton Airlines and Kendell Airlines, which had been in voluntary administration.

• Following the September 11 outrage, after which airlines around the world lost $22 billion, Qantas announced a $428 million net profit for the year ending June 30.

25 Years Ago

• A former RAAF Lockheed Orion, to be modified to become the first example sold of an AEW&C version, has been ordered by the US Customs Service for use against drug smugglers.

• The Israeli government voted 12-11 to end the Lavi combat aircraft program on August 30 after spending US$1. 5 billion.

Negotiations will now begin for up to 150 General Dynamics F-16Cs.

• The first development prototype fully stressed design Grumman A-6F Intruder II made its maiden flight on August 25 from Calverton, New York.

Using General Electric F404- GE-400D engines, it reached 555km/h and 25,000ft. The USN will buy 150.

• The first LTV A-7D Corsair II with low-altitude night attack (LANA) capability has been delivered to the USAF. Fiftytwo Air National Guard A-7s are being modified to LANA standard.

• Fokker began deliveries of the Fokker 50 in August with the first going to West German regional airline DLT and the second to Ansett.

• In its first move into air cargo in the Far East, the China Air Cargo subsidiary of the Civil Aviation Administration of China has ordered two Lockheed L-11-30 Super Hercules cargo aircraft, to be equipped with a cargo handling system.

• England’s Croydon Airport will be temporarily re-opened on May 30 1988 for an air show to mark the first solo England- Australia flight, made by Bert Hinkler, who left Croydon on February 7 1928 and arrived in Darwin on February 22 in his Avro Avian, G-EBOV.

50 Years Ago

The DH. 125 Jet Dragon had its first flight from de Havilland’s Hatfield, England factory on August 13. Initial production of 30 is under way. The executive jet is intended as a successor to the DH. 104 Dove. The RAF has said it will buy some as navigational trainers.

• The Lockheed C-141A transport, which won the USAF logistics support competition, has been named the Starlifter.

Designed to carry up to 42,638kg or 154 troops, it will have a range of 6,004km, a 36,287kg payload and 899km/h cruising speed. First flight is due in late 1963.

• The first flight of the new Fokker F28 is expected in early 1965 with initial deliveries in 1967. The F28 will carry 44-60 passengers at 797km/h and can operate from of Friendship or DC-3 capable runways.

• In tests to determine the effects of kinetic heating, the second North American X-15A reached a surface temperature of 482°C at 4,665km/h and 27,430m.

• The maiden flight of Japan’s first postwar commercial aircraft, the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation’s NAMC YS-11 twin-engined turboprop, took place on August 30.

• The USAF’s Thunderbirds will get Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs to replace its North American F-100 Super Sabres.

• Boeing has delivered its 300th jet airliner, 707 N754TW to Trans World Airlines.

• The Commonwealth will borrow US$4. 6 million from the Chase-Manhattan Bank on behalf of Qantas Empire Airways to buy an 11th 707-138B presently leased from Boeing.