Yesteryear

64m diameter fan, power output reduced to 67,000lb (298kN) from 75,000lb (333kN) and bleed air used to power the aircraft electrical system.

A 3.

6km long glacial ice runway is to be constructed in the Antarctic near Casey Station following allocation of $46.

3 million from the federal government.

This will see a link established from Hobart to the Antarctic as a prelude to regular services in the summer of 2006/7 operated by an 18-seat Bombardier Global Express.

These flights will link with a service between the bases at Casey, Davis and Mawson operated by two ski-quipped CASA C-212-400s.

The RAAF’s new tanker fleet of of five A330MRTT tanker transports will be based at RAAF Base Amberley following details released in a statement by Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill.

Expenditure of $285 million for redevelopment of the base will include runway and taxiway strengthening, a new maintenance hanger and other work, ahead of delivery of the aircraft from 2008.

They will be operated by 33 Squadron which will move from Richmond.

The last Canadair CL-30 CT-133 Silver Star was recently retired from service with the Canadian Forces.

The Canadian version of the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star jet training aircraft first flew in 1952 with 656 examples delivered to the RCAF.

The last example, CT-133 133646, a Silver Star Mk 3, had been in use as an ejection seat test bed with the Aerospace Test Establishment at Cold Lake, Alberta.

On July 18 Boeing announced the launch of the Next-Generation 737‑900ER, formerly known as the 737-900X, following an order from Lion Air for 30 aircraft plus 30 options.

25 years ago

The USAF accepted delivery of the 59th and last Lockheed F-117A stealth fighter-bomber on July 12 at Lockheed’s Plant 10 at Palmdale, California.

The aircraft has been assigned to the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing at the Tonopah Test Range Airfield, Nevada, the USAF Tactical Air Command’s sole F-117A unit.

Airbus Industrie is studying a design for a Super Airbus Transporter as possible replacements for its four Boeing Guppy outsize cargo transports currently used for transport duties of large items between Airbus facilities.

The project would use early production A300B2s or B4s with a hinged nose about 6.

8m from the aircraft front with a 19.

7m long parallel cabin section behind.

Vertical fin and rudder surface area would be enlarged with endplates on the horizontal surfaces.

The name Lancer has been given to the USAF’s Rockwell B-1B bomber.

The name Lancer was previously used for the Republic P-43 which was initially delivered in 1941 and preceded the larger, heavier and more powerful Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.

The Brazilian aircraft carrier Minas Gerais, which was previously withdrawn from service, is unlikely to be recommissioned following discovery of a number of major defects which are unlikely to be rectified because of funding problems.

The carrier, built 45 years ago, was formerly HMS Vengeance and was procured by Brazil in 1956.

During 1952-1955 she was loaned to Australia pending delivery of HMAS Melbourne and served with the RAN as HMAS Vengeance.

The last RAF pilots to be trained on the BAC Jet Provost T Mk 3 have graduated at RAF Church Fenton, North Yorkshire.

The aircraft have been replaced by the Shorts Tucano T Mk 1.

A few Jet Provost T Mk 5s still serve at the base, used for refresher training for experienced pilots returning to flying duties from ground appointments.

50 years ago

The North American OV-10A counter-insurgency aircraft, winner of the USN’s COIN competition, had its maiden flight on July 16 from Columbus, Ohio.

The aircraft was designed to fulfil a USMC light armed reconnaissance requirement.

Names have been given to two new military aircraft, Corsair II to the LTV A-7A tight attack development of the Crusader, perpetuating the name given to the renowned Vought WW2 fighter and earlier pre-war biplanes, and Jaguar to the Breguet 121 strike/fighter to be built jointly by BAC and Breguet.

Grumman has designed the Gulfstream II, a pure jet executive transport powered by two rear-mounted Rolls-Royce Speys carrying up to 24 passengers at a 580mph cruising speed.

The UK Ministry of Aviation has announced the conclusion of arrangements with the US government for the initial purchase of McDonnell Phantom F-4K and F-4M aircraft for the RN and RAF respectively and Lockheed C-130 Hercules transports for the RAF.

Both Ansett-ANA and TAA have approached the Minister for Civil Aviation, Senator Denham Henty, to reverse the imposition of a 7.

5 per cent customs duty levied on the purchase of Boeing 727s.

The duty was charged as a penalty in terms of the United Kingdom-Australia trade agreement, for purchasing non-British aircraft.

The Minister for Air, Peter Howson, has said there will be enough Mirages and trained pilots to form a squadron by August 1.

No figure for the number of aircraft nor the number of pilots was quoted.

He denied reports that each Mirage would cost £1.

5 million and said that latest figures indicated that the 110 Mirages on order, including the 10 two-seat trainers, would have a total £135 million cost.