Yesteryear

The Growlers are intended to eventually replace the USN’s Grumman EA-6B Prowler fleet with a requirement for about 90 aircraft but this figure is yet to be finalised.

Boeing’s board of directors granted approval on December 15 for the company’s Commercial Airplanes division to begin offering the 7E7 to potential airline customers.

The launch of Tiger Airways, a new low-cost airline, was announced in Singapore on December 9. Operations from Changi Airport are planned to begin in the second half of 2004.

After having been used entirely for night-time missions over the past 20 years, the USAF said on December 9 it will conduct trials to see if the Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk is suitable for daytime combat missions. As part of the evaluation, F-117A 85‑0385 has been repainted with a grey colour scheme.

25 years ago

The maiden flight of the Antonov An-225 Mriya took place from Kiev, Ukraine on December 21. The largest and heaviest aircraft in the world, the An-225 is developed from the An-124 Condor with the same basic crosssection.

It has been primarily conceived to support the Energia space launch vehicles and Buran shuttle orbiter programs.

The RAAF’s four ex Qantas Boeing 707-338Cs will be converted to tankers with Flight Refuelling Mk 32B underwing refuelling pods selected for the new air-to-air refuelling role.

The New Zealand government announced on December 20 the sale of Air New Zealand to a consortium led by Brierley Investments (eventually holding 35 per cent after the offer of 30 per cent to the public and staff) and airline participants, American (7. 5 per cent), JAL (7. 5 per cent) and Qantas (19. 9 per cent), with a New Zealand government ‘Kiwi’ share making up the difference.

The maiden flight of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen multirole combat aircraft took place from Linkoping, Sweden on December 9. Five prototypes will enter development testing in addition to a JA 37 Viggen radar and ECM testbed with the Gripen expected to enter service in 1992.

The famous airfield at Biggin Hill, Kent occupied by the RAF since the end of 1917, will cease to have a RAF connection when the service’s Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre is moved to RAF Cranwell by 1992.

Synonymous with its Battle of Britain role, the airfield, now owned by the London Borough of Bromley and operated by the BAA, will continue with a role for private, club and business flying.

50 years ago

The maiden flight of the prototype Hawker Siddeley HS. 748MF military transport, G-ARRV, took place from Woodford on December 21. Modified from the original civil 748 prototype, the aircraft has been ordered for the RAF and will be named the Andover. Main changes are more powerful 3245ehp Rolls-Royce Dart R. Da. 12 engines, a strengthened freight floor, ramp-type door and a “kneeling” undercarriage to enhance cargo access.

The Piper Cherokee Six had its maiden flight from Vero Beach, Florida on December 6. The booming light aircraft market has seen over 20 new types, or revisions of existing aircraft, have maiden flights this year. All manufacturers of light aircraft have had increased activity and Cessna expects to deliver over 3,200 aircraft this year compared with 3,124 last year.

In honour of the assassinated US President, New York International Airport (commonly known as Idlewild Airport) was rededicated as John F Kennedy Airport on December 24.

The maiden flight of the Lockheed C-141A Starlifter long-range military transport for the USAF’s MATS took place from Dobbins AFB, Georgia on December 17. The aircraft with a 70,000lb payload can carry 154 troops, 123 paratroopers or a combination of men and supplies. The first of 132 C-141s ordered will enter squadron service in mid-1965.

The first example of the new 1964 Cessna Model 210 arrived at Bankstown this month and has an Australian quoted price of £14,500. With 603 Cessnas currently in service in Australia, Rex Aviation Limited, the sole distributor for Cessna aircraft in Australia, delivered its 500th Cessna to an Australian customer, the Model 182F VH-WCB to woolbrokers Winchcombe Carson Ltd on October 4 at Bankstown.