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26/11 - 02/12

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

26/11 - 02/12

Post by Flyingmonster » Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:36 pm

This Weeks Highlights
26/11 - 02/12

Aircraft - CASA CN-235-100MP Persuader
Serial - 252 (C/N 85)
Operator - Irish Air Corps (an tAerchór) Squadron - 101 Squadron
Date and Location - 27/11 - Newcastle International Airport (EGNT)

Further Information

The aircraft is one of 2 the IAC have in service in the Maritime Patrol role. The CASA/IPTN CN-235 is a medium-range twin-engined transport plane that was jointly developed by CASA of Spain and Indonesian manufacturer IPTN, as a regional airliner and military transport. Its primary military roles include maritime patrol, surveillance, and air transport. Its largest user is Turkey which has 61 aircraft. The aircraft saw action during the Libyan conflict to evacuate some 40+ Irish civillians from the troubled area. The type is operated 101 'Maritime Squadron' based at Baldonnel along with the rest of the IAC's aircraft, under the 1st Operations wing. Both of the IAC's aircraft were upgraded in 2006/2007 by EADS CASA to the FITS Persuader standard with enhanced radar, forward looking infra red equipment and a new electronic and avionics suite. The IAC is the aerial component of the Defence Forces of Ireland providing support to the Army and Naval Service, together with non-military air services such as search and rescue and the Ministerial Air Transport Service. The aircraft are used in support of fishery protection using their long-range to patrol throughout the Irish exclusive fishery limits. Other IAC Assets are used occasionly (Cessna's EC135 and AW139) to monitor inshore fishing activities. The aircraft can be equipped with 6 hardpoints to carry AM-39 Exocet-Missiles or Mk.46-Torpedos.

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MRG2507
Aircraft - CASA CN235M-200
Serial - 160/62-IS (C/N 160)
Operator - French Air Force (Armée de l'Air (ALA)) Squadron - ET01.062
Date and Location - 26/11 - Bournemouth Airport (EGHH)

Further Information

Operated by ETE 03.062 Ventoux Squadron based at Mont-de-Marsan. The French have 20 of the type on strength with a possible 8 to be added in the future. The Aircraft is used in the Tactical Transport Role and has been used in both Afghanistan and Libyan Operations supporting the French contingent. The CASA/IPTN CN-235 is a medium-range twin-engined transport plane that was jointly developed by CASA of Spain and Indonesian manufacturer IPTN, as a regional airliner and military transport. Its primary military roles include maritime patrol, surveillance, and air transport. Its largest user is Turkey with some 61 aircraft in service. The project was a joint venture between Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) and Indonesian Aerospace (PT. Dirgantara Indonesia), formerly known as IPTN, which formed the Airtec company to manage the programme. The partnership applied only to the Series 10 and Series 100/110, with later versions being developed independently. Over 230 of all versions of CN-235 are in service and have accumulated more than 500,000 flight hours. Formed on the 30th of July 1970 the unit have been operating the CN295 since November 2002.

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Bizfreeq
Aircraft - Boeing CC-177 Globemaster (ER)
Serial - 177703 (C/N F-186/CA-3)
Operator - Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Squadron - 429 Squadron
Date and Location - 17/11 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.

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Watson
Aircraft - Cessna Citation CE-560-XL
Serial - T-784 (C/N 560-5269)
Operator - Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) Squadron - LTDB - Lufttransportdienst des Bundes
Date and Location - 28/11 - Bournemouth Airport (EGHH)

Further Information

Operated by the Lufttransportdienst des Bundes in the VIP transport Role, the aircraft is the only one of the type in Swiss Service. The Cessna Citation Excel (Model 560XL) is a turbofan-powered, medium-sized business jet built by the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Rather than being a direct variant of another Citation airframe, the Excel was a combination of technologies and designs. Powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545C turbofans, the aircraft has a range of some 3,441 kilometers, a passenger capacity of 9 and is operated by 2 Crew. First flying in February 1996, some 550 airframes have been produced with the Swiss Air Force being the only Air Arm to operate the type at present. Based at Bern (Belp), the LTDB also operate 1 Beech 1900D,2 EC635 P2+ VIP's and 1 Falcon 50 all in the VIP Transport role. The Federal Air Transport Services, which is under the authority of the Air Force, stationed in Belp. As well as the VIP Role the unit is also responsible for Survery/Mapping flights and supporting the PSO quotas of SWISSINT and the Air Force in the Balkans. The jet was formerly registered as civil HB-AADreceived his military ID T-784 and the "Swiss Air Force" titles in January 2005 when the aircraft was taken on strength. The aircraft was constructed in 2002.

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Bizfreeq
Aircraft - Cessna 208B Caravan's x 4
Serial -
N9542P (C/N xxxxx)
N2043L (C/N xxxxx)
N95416 (C/N xxxxx)
N9542Y (C/N xxxxx)
Operator - Cessna Aircraft Company/Afghan National Army Air Force (Pashto: د افغانستان هواي اوردو ; Persian: قوای هوایی اردوی ملی افغانستان) Squadron - N/a/3rd Wing
Date and Location - 29/11 - Prestwick International Airport (EGPK)

Further Information

The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft. Based on the A variant of the C208, the B has an increased length of 4 feet (1.2 m) and also features a more powerful PT6A-114A engine. 22 of the type are currently in service with the AAF in the Light transport/ Advanced fixed-wing trainer and are used in the undergraduate pilot training, initial qualification and upgrade training as well as operational light airlift phase of the Graduates training. Based at Shindand AB, the second largest air base in Afghanistan, the aircraft are instrumental in the task of setting up the first ever Flight School in Afghanistan. The school will become the centerpiece of the AAF for all pilot training including a focus on maintenance, language and professional military education. By 2016 the Afghan Air force is to expand to 8,000 personal and will operate 145 aircraft. To that end there has been continuing expansion in infrastructure, training and maintenance facilities. The US has also been purchasing modern equipment and aircraft including Russian Mi-17 helicopters. Significant investment has also gone into purchasing modern training aircraft such as MD 500 helicopters and fixed wing Cessna 182's as well as the 208. The four ton 208B has a cruising speed of 317 kilometers an hour and can stay in the air for about six hours per sortie. The 208 has been in service since the mid-1980s and over 2,000 have been built. New ones cost about $2 million each. The first UPT Course began in December of last year. There are three Afghan Air Force wings, once each in Kabul (1st Wing), Kandahar (2nd Wing) and Shindand (3rd Wing).

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Watson
Aircraft - Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet E x 2
Serial -
E149/705-RS (C/N E149)
E113/705-TD (C/N E113)
Operator - French Air Force (Armée de l'Air (ALA)) Squadron - EAC00.314
Date and Location - 28/11 RAF Coningsby (EGXC)

The Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet is a light attack jet and advanced trainer aircraft co-manufactured by Dornier of Germany and Dassault-Breguet of France. The first major foreign customers were Belgium and Egypt, each performing final assembly of French-configuration Alpha Jet E machines. The Type is used by the French in the the Advanced training role and have 120 of the type in Service. The aircraft come from EAC 00.314 / AJeTS based at Tours Airbase with the Fighter pilot training school. The French Air Force decided to use the Alpha Jet primarily as a trainer, and the first production Alpha Jet for the French performed its first flight on 4 November 1977. A total of 176 production Alpha Jet E machines were delivered up to 1985, not the 200 that had been planned. The French variant was known as the Alpha Jet E (the "E" standing for Ecole, French for "School") or Alpha Jet Advanced Trainer/Light Attack aircraft. The type was introduced into line service in May 1979, replacing the Canadair T-33 and Fouga Magister in jet training and the Dassault Mystère IVA in weapons training role. Formed in 1943, EAC00.314 have been operating the Alpha Jet in the Training Role since the Mid 1970's. The main mission of the EAC is to train 00.314 student fighter pilots and navigators student/officers weapons systems to become flight crews with the French Air Force and Belgian Air Component. Both the French and the Belginas have worked in collaberation for Jet Plot Training since 2005 and will remain the advanced trainer for the BDAC until atleast 2015, although there are currently no plans for a replacement.

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Blakey
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Blakey
Aircraft - Airbus KC30A - Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT)
Serial - A39-005 (C/N 1183)
Operator - Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Squadron - 33 Squadron
Date and Location - 30/11 - RAF Brize Norton (EGVN)

Further Information

Based on the civilian Airbus A330-200, the A330 MRTT has been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Air Force (RAF), United Arab Emirates Air Force, and Royal Saudi Air Force. The EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45 was a version of the A330 MRTT proposed for the United States Air Force. The A330 MRTT is a military derivative of the Airbus A330-200 airliner. It is designed as a dual-role air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft. For air-to-air refuelling missions the A330 MRTT can be equipped with a combination of any of the following systems: Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) for receptacle-equipped receiver aircraft, Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods for probe-equipped receiver aircraft, Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) for probe-equipped receiver aircraft or the Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle System Installation (UARRSI) for self in-flight refuelling. The RAAF's examples, designated the KC30A, are equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods. The aircraft are powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines. The RAAF currently have 5 of the type in service in the aerial refuelling role and is expected to gain the IOC for the type by the end of this year. The aircraft, four of which were converted by Qantas Defence Services in Brisbane, have a maximum fuel capacity of 111t, and can also carry up to 270 passengers. The RAAF received its first A330 tanker in 2006, and accepted its next three in 2008 and 2009 respectivley. No. 33 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It was formed in 1942 for service during World War II. Following the completion of hostilities the squadron was disbanded in 1946. It is currently based at RAAF Base Amberley and is part of 84 Wing, Air Lift Group.

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GoldStar31
Aircraft - De Havilland DHC8-102
Serial - N1000 (C/N 204)
Operator - US Army - Dynamic Aviation Group Squadron -
Date and Location - 29/11 - Norwich International Airort (EGSH)

Further Information

The Bombardier Dash 8 or Q Series, previously known as the de Havilland Canada Dash 8 or DHC-8, is a series of twin-engine, medium range, turboprop airliners. Introduced by de Havilland Canada (DHC) in 1984, they are now produced by Bombardier Aerospace. Over 1,000 Dash 8s of all models have been built with Bombardier forecasting a total production run of 1,192 units of all variants. The Dash 8 uses the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 series engine and features short take-off and landing (STOL) performance. Operated by Dynamic Aviation (Under a US Army Lease) is used for detecting IED's (Improvised Explosive Device's) from the air with a number of sensors and ground imaging tools. Dynamic Aviation deliver innovative aircraft solutions that meet the complexities and challenges of various missions and task. The Company has precise aerial assets that can be changed uniquely to meet various requirements. Dynamic Aviation currently have more than 150 aircraft operating from twenty locations on four continents and offer specially modified aircraft, experienced flight crews, and reliable maintenance services. Since 2002, Dynamic's largest growth engine has been the US military, with modification work primarily dedicated to sidecars or pods for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) packages, most likely to be flown over Iraq and Afghanistan. The Aircraft has been fitted out with a ISR suite that is belioved to be used in the hunted for IED's and other such explosive devices.

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Flying Ant
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Flying Ant
Aircraft - Airbus A400M 'Atlas'
Serial - F-WWMZ (C/N 006)
Operator - Airbus Industries Squadron - Airbus Military (Flight Testing)
Date and Location - 30/11 - RAF Waddington (EGXW)

Further Information

The Airbus A400M Atlas, is a multi-national four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft currently in the Flight Testing stages of its Development. Designed by Airbus Military as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities, the aircraft's maiden flight took place on 11 December 2009 in Seville, Spain. The A400M currently has orders totalled at some 174 aircraft from eight nations and it is expected that the first aircraft will be delivered in the second quarter of 2013. The UK is due to recieve 22 aircraft to replace some of the RAF's older C130 Airframes but also augment the remaining types in the Transport Role. The Aircraft are due to be delivered from 2015 onwards. The A400M will be able to operate in various configurations including cargo transport, troop transport, Medical evacuation, aerial refuelling and electronic surveillance. The aircraft features a fly-by-wire flight control system with sidestick controllers and flight envelope protection and like other Airbus aircraft will have a full glass cockpit and as such will represent a technological leap compared to the older C-130s and C-160s that many countries now operate. The types Cargo capacity is expected to double over existing aircraft, both in payload and volume, and range is increased substantially as well. The cargo box is 17.71 m long excluding ramp, 4.00 m wide, and 3.85 m high (or 4.00 m aft of the wing). The A400M has a removable refuelling probe mounted above the cockpit to allow the aircraft to receive fuel from drogue equipped tankers.[68] The aircraft can also act as a tanker when fitted with two wing mounted hose and drogue under-wing refuelling pods or a centre-line Hose and Drum unit. With a crew of 3 or 4 (2 pilots, 3rd optional, 1 loadmaster), the aircraft has a cargo capacity of 37,000 kg (81,600 lb), 116 fully equipped troops / paratroops or up to 66 stretchers accompanied by 25 medical personnel.

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Softbillman
Aircraft - Martin/General Dynamics RB/WB-57F
Serial - N926NA (C/N 119)
Operator - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) & United States Air Force (USAF) Squadron - High Altitude Research Program
Date and Location - 02/12 - RAF Mildenhall (EGUN)

Further Information

Based on the English Electric Canberra, the WB-57F is currently used as a high altitude research platform for atmospheric research and is one of 2 (The other being N928NA) used by NASA for this task. The NASA WB-57 Program provides unique, high-altitude airborne platforms to US Government agencies, academic institutions, and commercial customers in order to support scientific research and advanced technology development and testing at locations around the world. Mission examples include atmospheric and earth science, ground mapping, cosmic dust collection, rocket launch support, and test bed operations for future airborne or spaceborne systems. Two fully operational WB-57 aircraft are based near JSC at Ellington Field. Both aircraft have been flying research missions since the early 1960's. The primary user of the WB-57F was the 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Kirtland AFB, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who received their first aircraft in 1964. These Canberras were deployed throughout the world where there was suspected atmospheric testing of nuclear devices to sample the upper atmosphere for nuclear debris. Due to a poor material selection, the long wings of the WB-57Fs started showing stress corrosion cracks after a few short years of service. It was decided to replace the wing spar and ribs with a different type of aluminum, but it was not financially feasible to replace the entire fleet, and nine planes were sent to storage.

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Mild-03
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Dunk
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BMrider
A superb week indeed!

Thanks for looking!

:thumb: :thumb:
Cheers

Boo boo (aka Jamie)

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

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