Yesteryear

Deliveries of the aircraft, sold for one Euro, began in March 2004.

Despite objections from 13 airline operators, the Berlin city authorities have confirmed the closure of Tempelhof airport by October 31.

Eventually the former East German airport at Berlin/Schonefeld will become Berlin’s airport, confirmed by an announcement on August 13.

However, no work will proceed there pending the result of a court appeal by local residents.

Following closure, Tempelhof will become a park with the retention of the historic terminal buildings.

On August 31 Prime Minister John Howard and Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill announced the selection of the NH Industries MRH 90 helicopter to form an additional troop airlift squadron for the Army.

Subject to the conclusion of negotiations 12 helicopters will be acquired, similar to the German army Tactical Transport version, but adapted to the Australian Multi-Role Helicopter requirement.

The first delivery will be in 2007 for a new squadron based in Townsville.

Earlier on August 26 Defence Minister Hill announced that new stand‑off missiles will be obtained to equip the RAAF’s F/A-18A/B Hornets and AP-3C Orions with three types shortlisted for the requirement, for acquisition between 2007 and 2009.

The maiden flight of the prototype Nimrod MRA4, ZJ518 (PA01, formerly XV234), took place from Woodford airfield, Cheshire on August 26.

Subject to a satisfactory result of trials and other financial considerations, a fleet of 12 MRA4s may be obtained, compared with the original plan for 21.

25 years ago

Qantas Boeing 747-438 VH-OJA City of Canberra established a world record for civil aircraft on August 17 when it departed from London on a non-stop flight to Sydney, covering the 17,953km distance in 20hr 9min.

To conserve fuel, the 747 with 23 persons on board, was towed to the end of the runway prior to takeoff.

The McDonnell Douglas C-17 will be the USAF’s next generation direct delivery airlifter with assembly of the first aircraft due for completion next year.

Deliveries to Airlift Command are to commence in the northern autumn of 1991 with initial operational capability scheduled for 1992.

The USAF is planning to receive 210 C-17s by 2000.

Robinson Helicopter Co production stands at six per week and the company expects to deliver 250 in 1989.

The 1,000th R22 helicopter was delivered on March 30 to Sloane Helicopters of London by Robinson’s sole UK distributor.

Two Boeing E-6A Hermes strategic communications aircraft were delivered to VQ-3 at Seattle, Washington on August 3 marking the entry of the newest generation TACAMO aircraft into USN service.

The Hermes will eventually replace the Lockheed EC-130Q Hercules.

Aeronavali of Venice, Italy under a contract to GPA will convert 20 McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Series 71s to an all-freight configuration with work to commence in March 1990.

GPA holds options for a further 10 to be similarly modified.

Canadair has launched the Challenger 601-S, a reduced-weight version of the Challenger.

The new version is nearly C$2 million cheaper than the 601-3A, achieved through removal of auxiliary fuel tanks and some avionics combined with a standard 12-seat interior.

It will still offer non-stop US transcontinental flights with 12 passengers.

50 years ago

Three RAAF DHC-4 Caribou transports arrived at Vung Tau, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam on August 8 representing part of the increased military aid from Australia to South Vietnam.

The aircraft originally arrived at Butterworth, Malaysia on delivery from the de Havilland factory in Toronto and following maintenance and preparation flew to Vung Tau to be part of the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam.

The world’s first communications geostationary satellite, Syncom III, was launched by a Thor-Delta vehicle from Cape Canaveral on August 19.

After subsequent adjusting manoeuvres fired by the apogee rocket, completed by September 23, it finally achieved an almost perfect stationary position over 35,000km above the equator and international date line.

Boeing is working on the Model 737, a new short-range jet airliner about half the size of the three-engined 727.

The company feels a small efficient jet will be needed to meet airline demands to replace present piston and turboprop transports nearing the end of their useful airline life in the late 1960s.

The likely need is for a 50 to 60-seat airliner serving routes from 50 to 1,000 miles (80 to 1,609km).

If the 737 proceeds initial deliveries are expected in 1967.

Helicopter Utilities has received the largest contract yet awarded for helicopter spraying in Australia arising from cotton growing in the Ord River Development Scheme.

Involved will be the spraying at 10-day intervals, from December to June, over 5,000 acres (2,023ha) of cotton on 19 irrigated farms at Kununurra, WA to control pests and to defoliate the cotton for mechanical picking and ginning.

Helicopter Utilities has a fleet of 10 helicopters and has ordered a Bell 47G‑4 with a 50ft (15m) spraying boom.

TAA’s assistant general manager, Captain John Chapman accepted the airline’s first Beech A80 Mk 2 Queen Air, VH-TGA, at Bankstown on August 18.