Yesteryear

A definitive agreement was signed in Auckland on August 3 between Boeing and Air New Zealand for the purchase of four 777-300ER (Extended Range) aircraft plus three options. The new aircraft will replace Boeing 747-400s. Air New Zealand was the first airline in the South Pacific region to become a 777 customer with the delivery of a 777-200ER in December 2005.

The maiden flight of the first Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AEW&C system development and demonstration (SD&D) aircraft on order to the USN took place on August 3. Amongst several enhancements are a completely new radar with both mechanical and electronic scanning capabilities and an all-glass tactical cockpit. During the next decade up to 75 E-2Ds will be acquired.

A company in Tucson, Arizona is shredding 165 Grumman F-14 Tomcats at Davis-Monthan AFB under a US Department of Defense contract. Investigators had discovered that rather than being destroyed, some sensitive equipment from F-14s had reached auctions. The decision to destroy the aircraft removed any chance of parts reaching Iran, the sole remaining F-14 operator. The Iranian F-14s were obtained from the US during the 1970s when it was an ally. One part that can’t be shredded is the steel/titanium landing gear requiring cutting by hand with a demolition torch.

Boeing delivered its 3000th wide-body airliner from its Everett, Washington site with the handover of a 777-200ER (Extended Range) model to Korean Air. Of the deliveries made of 747/767/777 aircraft, approximately 2610 are in worldwide service.

25 Years Ago

The first Rolls-Royce powered Tupolev Tu-204, CCCP-64006, conducted its maiden flight on August 14 reaching a height of 27,000ft. The aircraft is powered by two 43,000llb (191kN) RB211-535E4 turbofans replacing the previous 35,275lb (157kN) Perm PS-90s. The Tu-204 is the first CIS aircraft to be re-engined with Western powerplants and will make its public debut at Farnborough in September.

Richard Branson has proposed a new US venture with the formation of Vintage Airlines, intended to commence services in November with a Douglas DC-3 initially on a route from Orlando to Key West, Florida.

The Government of Quebec has signed a US$155million purchase agreement for eight new generation Canadair CL-415 fire fighting aircraft. The CL-415 turboprop-engined version of the piston-engined CL-215 will be initially delivered to Quebec in 1994 for order completion in 1996.

Allied aircraft returned to the Gulf region in late August to protect the Shi’ite Muslim population in southern Iraq which had been under attack by Iraqi forces. Operation Southern Watch involved 300 aircraft with the US providing most of the force with USAF A-10s, F-15Cs, F-15Es, F-16Cs, F-111, EF-111As and F-117As supported by E-3 AWACS in addition to KC-10A and KC-135 tankers. The RAF sent Tornado GR.1s and GR.1As supported by five Hercules and two VC10 tankers and the French contingent comprised 10 Mirage 2000s accompanied by KC-135FR tankers. The US Army provided AH-64A Apaches while the USN had a carrier air group in position on USS *Independence** patrolling the area. An air exclusion zone south of the 32 parallel enforced at 1515hrs BST on August 27 gave allied aircraft orders to shoot down Iraqi aircraft in the restricted area.

Chile is looking to replace its remaining Hawker Hunters, thought to number about six. The F-16 and Kfir are reported to be out of contention on the grounds of cost and performance respectively with the A-7E Corsair II the main favourite followed by the Mirage F.1 due to its commonality with the Mirage 50/Panteras in present Chilean service.

50 Years Ago

The Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Swartz, said in Canberra on August 2 that approval had been given for the order by Trans-Australia Airlines for an additional six DHC Twin Otter STOL feeder type aircraft lifting its total to eight. Passenger accommodation of 14 in the first two aircraft with be increased to 19 in a commuter-type cabin layout in the new order. The cost of the six aircraft with spares will be $2.6 million, with the first two aircraft based in Mackay replacing two Beechcraft A80 Queen Airs on Barrier Reef services.

The maiden flight of the prototype Handley Page Jetstream, G-ATXH, took place from Radlett on August 18 flown by chief test pilot John Allam OBE. To speed the development program five more prototypes are now being completed. Orders have been received for 165 Jetstreams and the company is tooling up to build at least 500 aircraft.

The former RAN Fairey Firefly Mk 5 WB271 is now preserved at the FAA Museum, Yeovilton in Korean War colours with K on the port side of the fin for HMAS *Sydney** and R on starboard for HMS *Glory**. The aircraft had arrived in the UK on HMS *Victorious**, after its acquisition was arranged by the CO of No 814 Squadron, the ship’s helicopter unit, when he visited Bankstown in 1966. Seeing the aircraft was in exceptional condition he arranged its purchase for Stg£160.

Cessna delivered their 75,000th aircraft on August 4, a Super Skymaster to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission of the State of Tennessee, using the aircraft to ferret out stills or “moonshine” operations. Reports have emerged that “moonshiners”, engaged in making whisky out of mash, are convinced the Skymaster is equipped with a secret “mash meter”.

UK aircraft dealer Keegan Aviation of Luton has bought five TAA Vickers Viscount 700s including spares for an amount reported exceeding Stg£500,000. Aviation Traders (Engineering) of Southend will overhaul the aircraft and convert them to high density seating. Keegan holds options for a further six TAA Viscounts with the intention to offer them for sale or on contract leasing on an hourly basis to independent airlines.

The name Galaxy has been selected for the Lockheed C-5A transport aircraft being built for the USAF due for a first flight in June 1968.