Did you know that registration to Fighter Control is completely free and brings you lots of added features? Find out more....

07/05-13/05

A weekly feature bringing you the highlights of any interesting or unusual photos/movements from the week just gone.
Locked
Flyingmonster
Moderator
Posts: 13588
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 4:16 pm
Location: Skipton, North Yorkshire

07/05-13/05

Post by Flyingmonster » Tue May 15, 2012 1:53 pm

This Weeks Highlights
07/05-13/05

Aircraft - Dassault Mystère Falcon 10MER (Marine Drive Radar)
Serial - 32 (C/N 32)
Operator - French Naval Aviation (Aéronavale) Squadron - 57S
Date and Location - 30/04 Edinbrugh International Airport (EGPH)

Further Information

6 Dassault Falcon 10 MER's is used by the French Navy in the training and calibration role and can also be utilised in the coastal maritime reconnaissance role. The Dassault Mystère/Falcon 10 is an early corporate jet development by French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation. Despite its numbering sequence it was actually developed after the Falcon 20, and is a scaled down version of the 20. The MER version is a specially developed version of the type specifically for the French Navy. Based at Landivisiau Naval Air Station in north-western France, the aircraft have been operated by the unit since 1975. The Units Mission goals are to assist in Training and periodic testing of the ability of the fighter pilots flying blind as well as supporting the local region. Equipped with Garrett TFE 731-2 engine the aircraft can accommodate two crew and 7-8 passengers. The aircraft are treated with a special paint coating to protect them from corrosion that may occur from the sea salt at lower altitudes. The first aircraft for the Aéronavale, No. 32, first flew in Merignac on March 12 1975 flown by Pierre and Jean-Marie Varaut Barthelemy.The Aéronavale has a strength of around 6,800 civilian and military personnel and operate from four airbases in Metropolitan France and several detachments in foreign countries or French overseas territories.

Image
Aircraft - Lockheed P-3 Orion
Serial - 162315/RD-315 (C/N 5788)
Operator - United States Navy (USN) Squadron - VP-47
Date and Location - 09/05 Malta International Airport (LMML)

Further Information

The USN currently have 154 P3C Orion's in service in the Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Role. The aircraft is based on the civilian L-188 Electra commercial airliner but has been extensively reworked for the MPA Role that means the aircraft is required to operate for long durations over water - in particular anti-submarine, anti-ship and search and rescue. A total of 734 P-3s have been built, and by 2012, it will join the handful of military aircraft such as the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress which have served 50 years of continuous use with its original primary customer, in this case, the United States Navy. The U.S. Navy's remaining P-3C aircraft will eventually be replaced by the Boeing P-8A Poseidon, of which 117 are planned. The crew complement varies depending on the role being flown, the variant being operated, and the country that is operating the type. In U.S. Navy service, the original normal flight crew complement was 12 until it was reduced to its current complement of 11. Based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay the Unit is attached to Patrol Reconnaissance Wing TWO. Nicknamed the 'Golden Swordsman', the Unit have operated the type since 1965. The aircraft has a mission radius of 2380 nautical miles and a capability for three hours on-station at 1,500 feet, 1,346 nautical miles.

Image
AM-016
Aircraft - Lockheed/SABCA F16A/M Fighting Falcon (x5)
Serial -
E-007 (C/N 6F-50)
E-008 (C/N 6F-51)
E-016 (C/N 6F-52)
E-070 (C/N M12-5/61-623)
E-075 (C/N M12-5/61-628)
Operator - Royal Danish Air Force (Flyvevåbnet) (RDAF) Squadron - ESK 727
Date and Location - 08/05 RAF Lossiemouth (EGQS)

Further Information

The RDAF (Flyvevåbnet) have 30 of the type in service in the Fighter role. Operated by two squadrons, Esk 727 and Esk 730, the aircraft make up the RDAF Fighter wing based at Skrydstrup. Each of the Squadrons operate 15 of the type each and have both recently been involved in maintaining the no-fly zone over Libya as part of the 2011 coalition intervention in Libya. From 19 March 2011, 6 F-16 aircraft from Fighter Wing Skrydstrup were deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily. Apart from their multi-role tasking every single F-16 squadron has an additional task within the armed forces. Esk 727 takes care of the training role and therefore has the major part of the F-16BMs and Esk 730 contributes to the Rapid Reaction Force of NATO and also responsible for the tactical reconnaissance task formerly performed by Esk 726 at Ålborg Air Base that was disbanded on the 31st of December 2005. Further cost savings have been made by reducing the fleet of active F-16s from 68 to 62 aircraft. Six of the oldest Fighting Falcons have been earmarked for retirement as they reach their next major overhaul. The Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) was formed as a military service independent from the Army and Navy in 1950 from the merger of the Hærens Flyvertropper (Danish Army Air Corps) originally founded on July 2 1912 and the Marinens Flyvevæsen (Danish Naval Air Service) which had been founded on December 14 1911.

Image
Macc
Image
NP1991
Aircraft - Lockheed Tri Star KC1
Serial - ZD948 (C/N 1157)
Operator - Royal Air Force (RAF) Squadron - 216 Squadron
Date and Location - 09/05 Newcastle International Airport (EGNT)

Further Information

The aircraft is one of 7 the RAF currently have in service split between the Tranposrt and Aerial Refuelling Role, 953 is a multi role aircraft and can be used for either of these roles. The TriStars were all bought and converted from ex Airliners versions (six ex-British Airways and three ex-Pan Am) and have been in service with the RAF since 1984. The aircraft have been subject to progressive updating, including the fitting of flight deck armour and Directional Infrared Counter Measures to protect against ground fire when flying into Iraq, and under a £22 million contract, are to be fitted with an updated cockpit. The KC1's that the RAF have in service are conversion of former British Airways TriStar 500s. They have been converted for tanker/cargo/transport role. The aircraft have seen service in many conflicts including both Gulf Wars, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Libya. The TriStar was expected to remain in service with the RAF until the end of this decade, when it was scheduled to be replaced by the Voyager under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme. 216 Sqn was reformed in November, 1984 at RAF Brize Norton to operate the Tristar. The KC1 version is a standard aircraft with the addition of a freight door, reinforced floor and cargo handling equipment.

Image
MRG2507
Aircraft - Lockheed C130H Hercules
Serial - 81-0627 (C/N 4941)
Operator - United States Air Force (USAF) Squadron - 94th AW/700th AS
Date and Location - 09/05 Prestwick International Airport (EGPK)

Further Information

The Aircraft is one of 283 of the H version in service as a Cargo Aircraft. The C130 was introduced into US service in 1957 and has participated in countless military, civilian and humanitarian aid operations. The family has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history. In 2007, the C-130 became the fifth aircraft—after the English Electric Canberra, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, Tupolev Tu-95, and Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker—to mark 50 years of continuous use with its original primary customer. The 94th Airlift Wing (94 AW) is an Air Force Reserve Command Twenty-Second Air Force organization stationed at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia. The primary mission is to train C-130H aircrews for the United States Air Force (active duty and reserve component). The second mission is to maintain combat ready units to deploy on short notice to support contingencies anywhere in the world. Finally, the 94th is the host organization for supporting all agencies and tenants at Dobbins Air Reserve base.The aircrews trained are capable of using the C-130H aircraft to deliver cargo and personnel into and out of airports as minimal as dirt runways to international airports. They can also deliver paratroopers and equipment to the point of conflict by airdrop. The Unit have been using the C130H since 1982.

Image
Watson
Aircraft - Boeing C17 Globemaster III
Serial - 00-0171 (C/N P71)
Operator - United States Air Force (USAF) Squadron - 3rd WG/517th AS "Firebirds"
Date and Location - 12/05 RAF Lakenheath (EGUL)

Further Information

The aircraft is one of 213 (70 C-17, 143 C-17ER) of the type in service in the Cargo Aircraft Role, out of a total of 223 ordered. The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. It was developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas; the company later merged with Boeing. The C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout the world. The first production model was delivered to Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina on 14 July 1993 and is now in service with 31 different Squadrons in the USAF. The aircraft has a Capacity of transporting 134 troops with palletized seats or102 troops with standard centerline seats or 36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients or Cargo, such as an M1 Abrams tank, three Strykers, or 6 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles. The 517th Airlift Squadron is based at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska operates the C-12 Huron and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft providing airlfit in the Pacific theater. Supporting worldwide airlift, airdrop, airland requirements while providing airlift for theater deployed forces and resupply of remote Alaskan long-range radar sites in support of PACOM, NORAD, and TRANSCOM. Provides aircrew qualification training for the U.S. Air Force. The Unit have been operating the type since 2007 and have been based at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, since 15 June 1964.

Image
Mild-03
Aircraft - Lockheed Tp84 Hercules (C-130H)
Serial - 84005/845 (C/N 382-4884)
Operator - Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet) Squadron - TSFE
Date and Location - 11/05 RAF Brize Norton (EGVN)

Further Information

The Swedish have 8 of the the on strength with a mixture of both E and H versions used in the Transport/Air to Air Refueling Role. This Aircraft comes from TSFE HOB Såtenäs based at Såtenäs Air Base. The crew of the Tp84 usually consist of six persons - two pilots, navigator, flight engineer and two cargo masters. The TP 84 is able to load 20 tons of cargo alt. 90 passengers or 56 fully equipped paratroopers. As an ambulance aircraft, the type can take 72 stretchers. The Swedish Air Force hired a C-130E for evaluation in March of 1965. It still carried its USAF serial (40546) together with the Swedish roundels. As early as in September the same year, the aircraft was bought and was given the designation TP 84 and the individual SwAF/n 84001. Later further one C-130E and six C-130H were acquired. All eight aircraft are now modified to C-130H standard. All aircraft are today equipped with ECM/VMS. The Swedish TP 84s are not only used for military transports but have also participated a large number of humanitarian missions in many countries. Its rugged construction and STOL performances makes it possible to land at the most primitive airfields.The Hercules once formed the standard for the modern transport aircraft - a high-set wing and a large, rectangular cargo space with integrated ramp/door under the upswept tail. The aircraft has sturdy, multi-wheeled landing gears, in flight retracted in the external engine fairings.

Image
Heyfordian
Aircraft - Dassault Mirage 2000D
Serial - 661/133-XI (C/N 535)
Operator - French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) Squadron - EC03.003
Date and Location - 12/05 RAF Marham (EGYM)

Further Information

The aircraft is one of 67 D versions of the Mirage 2000 used in the Ground attack role. The entire Armée de l'Air's Mirage fleet numbers 158 in 5 different versions -5F, C,D,C, N. The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French multirole, single-engine fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation. It was designed as a lightweight fighter based on the Mirage III in the late 1970s for the French Air Force. The Mirage 2000 features a low-set thin delta wing with cambered section, 58 degrees leading-edge sweep and moderately blended root; area-ruled; two small canard wings, fixed, placed just behind the air intakes. The flight controls on the wings are: four elevons (+15/−30°), four slats. A fixed removable refueling probe can be attached in front of the cockpit, offset slightly to the right of center. Operated by EC03.003, based at BA 133 Nancy Ochey airbase, the unit have been operating the type since 1994. The Unit currently have 15 aircraft on strength and have been involved in operations in Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq. The Unit is linked with the town of Sedan in the French Ardennes, and the squadron officially marks the special ties between the squadron and its namesake region.

Image
Viper28
Image
Savage21
Aircraft - Boeing CC-177 Globemaster (ER)
Serial - 177702 (C/N F-180/CA-2)
Operator - Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Squadron - 429 Squadron
Date and Location - 13/05 Prestwick International Airport (EGPK)

Further Information

Based with 429 Squadron based at CFB Trenton was present this week. The Canadians have 4 of the type in service and use them in the tactical Transport Role and are unofficially known as the C17 'ER'. This is due to the fact they operate C-17As with extended range due to the addition of the center wing tank. This upgrade was incorporated in production beginning in 2001 with Block 13 aircraft. Canadian Globemasters have been deployed in support of numerous humanitarian and military missions worldwide, including Operation Hestia after the earthquake in Haiti, evacuations of foreign citizens from Libya, providing airlift as part of Operation Mobile as well as ongoing support to the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. On 5 July 2006, the Canadian government issued a notice that it intended to negotiate directly with Boeing for the purchase of four airlifters for the Canadian Forces Air Command On 1 February 2007, Canada awarded a contract for four C-17s with delivery beginning in August 2007. Like Australia, Canada was granted airframes originally slated for the U.S. Air Force, to accelerate delivery. Canadian Globemasters have been deployed in support of numerous humanitarian and military missions worldwide, including Operation Hestia after the earthquake in Haiti, evacuations of foreign citizens from Libya, providing airlift as part of Operation Mobile as well as ongoing support to the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. The first Canadian C-17 made its initial flight on 23 July.

Image
Watson
Aircraft - Dassault Rafale (C x 2 B x2)
Serial -
104 113-HH (B) (C/N 104)
111 113-IP (C) (C/N 111)
332 113-IG (C) (C/N 235)
310 113-HC (B) (C/N 310)
Operator - French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) Squadron - B -ETR02.092 C - EC01.007
Date and Location - 11/05 RAF Coningsby (EGXC)

Further Information

93 of the Multirole fighter are in French service with 3 Squadrons and 8 flights. The aircraft is a French twin-engine delta-wing fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Dassault described the Rafale as being an omnirole fighter with semi-stealth capabilities. The Rafale is a multirole combat aircraft; capable of simultaneously undertaking air supremacy, interdiction, reconnaissance, and the airborne nuclear deterrent missions. Introduced in 2000, the Rafale is being produced for both the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations in the French Navy. It has also been marketed for export to several countries, including selection by the Indian Air Force. The Rafale has been used in combat over Afghanistan and Libya. The Rafale was developed as a modern jet fighter with a very high level of agility; Dassault chose to combine a delta wing with active close-coupled canard to maximize maneuverability, the aircraft is capable of withstanding 9 g or −3.6 g. The Rafale is an aerodynamically unstable aircraft, thus digital fly-by-wire flight controls are employed to artificially enforce and maintain stability. ETR02.092 and EC01.007 are both based at BA 113 “Commandant Antoine de Saint-Exupéry” at Saint-Dizier, home of all French Rafale's. EC 01.007 “Provence” have operated combat aircraft from BA 113 since 1973. It was the first squadron to get the Dassault Rafale and became operational on the type in 2006. ETR 02.092 “Aquitaine” have been stationed at the base since June 2010 and is considered the centre of expertise for the use of the Rafale. Crews of both French Air Force and French Navy are trained up by the unit.

Image
Rick Hodgson
Image
Danny
Aircraft - SABCA F-16 Fighting Falcon AM (x2)
Serial -
J-020 (C/N 6D-176)
J-879 (C/N 6D-96)
Operator - Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu)) Squadron - 322 Squadron
Date and Location - 11/05 RAF Coningsby (EGXC)

Further Information

The aircraft is one of 67 that are currently in service with the service in the Multirole fighter aircraft Role. 323 Squadron was the second, after the 322nd, to become operational within the RNlAF and was the first to enlist a female F-16 pilot to become operational. The Royal Netherlands Air Force purchased a total of 213 F-16A/B aircraft and were one of the four European Participating Air Forces, and one of 5 countries to build the F-16 locally. The aircraft have been used to support Dutch commitments and Operations including Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo. A Serbian MiG-29 was shot down by a Dutch F-16AM during the Kosovo War in 1999. Operated by 322 Squadron, the oldest operational squadron in the Royal Netherlands Air Force, based at Leeuwarden Air Base. The Unit have been flying this particular version (Block 15 M5 update) since 2009 and the F16 since 1979. The "swing-role" Squadron, has a mascot called Polly Grey, and its motto: "Niet praten, maar doen!" ("Actions, not words" or "Don't prattle, act") are the Tactical Training Evaluation and Standardisation (TACTES) squadron of the RNLAF. 322 squadron is on constant duty for Quick Reaction Alert and currently has 18 aircraft on strength.

Image
Danny
Aircraft - Boeing E3A AWACS
Serial - LX-N90443 (C/N 22838)
Operator - NATO Squadron - NAEW&CF
Date and Location - 11/05 RAF Waddington (EGXW)

Further Information

The aircraft are operated by a NATO element Based at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, the E-3A program is made up from 17 of NATO's nations and is one of two operational elements of the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force. The second component is made up by the E3Ds at RAF Waddington. The E3A component operates 17 E3A that are normally operating from Forward operating bases in Greece, Italy, Turkey and Norway aswell as Geilenkirchen. A similar program has been set up with the C17 Globemaster III's operated by NATO. The Program celebrated it 30th Anniversary on 24 February. February 24th 1982 saw the first E-3A AWACS aircraft land at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, marking the start of a new era in airspace surveillance. Since that time, these aircraft have countless missions from the base in support of all NATO Operations and Campaigns since there induction. The Component consists of five main functional areas: the Operations Wing, Logistics Wing, Training Wing, Information Technology Wing and Headquarters as well as other normal staff functions. It is NATO’s first multinational operational flying unit, making it unique in military history. The Component’s mission is to provide aircraft and trained aircrews to deliver a surveillance and/or control platform whenever directed by the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force Commander on behalf of the NATO commander, The Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR).

Image
Jonathan Morgan
Aircraft - Boeing KC767
Serial - MM62226 (C/N 33686/912)
Operator - Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana) Squadron - 14º Stormo (Sergio Sartoff)
Date and Location - 11/05 RAF Mildenhall (EGUN)

Further Information

The aircraft is one of 4 the Italians currently have in service in the Aerial Refuelling and Cargo role. 4 have been ordered and the final 2 are due to be delivered by the end of the year. Operated by the 14º Stormo (Sergio Sartoff) in Pratica di Mare with the 8º Gruppo I (Cavalieri) the aircraft will work alongside the units other aircraft (4 × Alenia G.222RM, 2 × Alenia G.222VS). Having officially entered service on 17 May 2011 the two aircraft have already been used operationally in support of Italian Operations in Afghanistan and Libya. The Boeing KC-767 is a military aerial refueling and strategic transport aircraft developed from the Boeing 767-200ER and received the designation KC-767A in 2002. The tanker has been developed for the Italian and Japanese air forces, who ordered four tankers each. Financing of the development of the aircraft has largely been borne by Boeing, in the hope of receiving major orders from the U.S. Air Force. Boeing's revised KC-767 proposal to the U.S. Air Force was selected in February 2011 for the KC-X program under the designation KC-46. The aircraft is fitted with boom and hose-drogue refueling systems on the centerline with hose-drogue wingpod systems. Italy's aircraft became the first KC-767 to be assembled. The aircraft are initially built as 767-200ER commercial airplanes, then flown to a separate facility for conversion into tankers. Italy's first aircraft made its maiden flight on 21 May 2005.

Image
Billydog
Thats all for this week! :thumb:
Comments welcome! :thumb:
Cheers

Boo boo (aka Jamie)

'The first time I ever saw a jet, I shot it down!' - Yeager

balamorybuzzed
Posts: 1545
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 1:50 pm
Location: St Andrews

Re: 07/05-13/05

Post by balamorybuzzed » Wed May 16, 2012 3:57 pm

Excellent stuff Jamie :clap:

Mikey :thumbs:

Gleedaniel13
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 11:50 am

Re: 07/05-13/05

Post by Gleedaniel13 » Thu May 08, 2014 1:03 am

As I have seen this pictures of plane, I want to be a pilot now. :P

User avatar
BP2324
Posts: 1048
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 8:15 pm
Location: Theydon Bois, Essex

Re: 07/05-13/05

Post by BP2324 » Sat May 10, 2014 5:36 pm

Excellent and informative post.
A really welcome return for highlights of the week. :thumbs:

User avatar
Mike
Posts: 22274
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:18 pm

Re: 07/05-13/05

Post by Mike » Sat May 10, 2014 5:38 pm

BP2324 wrote:Excellent and informative post.
A really welcome return for highlights of the week. :thumbs:
Read the date of the original post............................. :roll:
This season, I'll be mostly wearing........A THONG!

User avatar
Mike
Posts: 22274
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:18 pm

Re: 07/05-13/05

Post by Mike » Sat May 10, 2014 5:40 pm

Gleedaniel13 wrote:As I have seen this pictures of plane, I want to be a pilot now. :P
Is English your second language, your post makes no sense at all?
This season, I'll be mostly wearing........A THONG!

venom
Posts: 9226
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:41 pm
Location: falkirk
Contact:

Re: 07/05-13/05

Post by venom » Sat May 17, 2014 10:07 am

superb jamie mate love the yellow rafale !!

venom
Posts: 9226
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:41 pm
Location: falkirk
Contact:

Re: 07/05-13/05

Post by venom » Mon May 19, 2014 1:30 pm

yeah very informative
colin

Locked

Return to “Highlights of the Week”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests