Blackbushe Pilatus PC-7

[xkekeith]

Transiting Blackbushe is this San Marino registered ex military PC-7 ?, reportedly departing to KEF over the weekend:

T7-GL7 '48' Pilatus PC-7 by Keith Heywood, on Flickr

Not sure of its actual history, photo on line suggests ex UAE AF but the '48' does not line up ...... '5048' was Iraqi AF.

Update: now being reported locally as MSN 520 a civilian machine but this does not explain the colour scheme or co-ordinated long range tanks ?

[POL]

Could do with getting someone to turn it round and hope the construction number is still on the nosewheel door! The colours don't match any air-arm I can find, and it's a weird choice for the UAE - especially as they were bright orange previously.

Edit: The colours and UAE roundels are likely meaningless, T7-GL7 was the replacement for N996GL which was painted in Brazilian AF colours despite having been a civilian aircraft all its life.

[Mike]

Could the code be the last digits of it's new serial, presumably of some South American AF?

[POL]

Possibly Mike, though see my edit above which might muddy the waters!

[AJS]

Any idea on where the construction number could be on the nose gear door?

[Andy Marden]

I doubt it’s painted on. The plate is on the engine bulkhead.

[AJS]

Ah ok thanks

[xkekeith]

Source Air Britain: HB-HTC Pilatus PC-7 (520) Canx 15.6.21 to T7-GL7.

[POL]

I doubt it’s painted on. The plate is on the engine bulkhead.

The vast majority of Pilatus aircraft carry it painted on the starboard nose wheel door.

[Andy Marden]

Yes, I’m well aware of that. I’m talking about this particular aircraft.

[nugget20]

Someone at Blackbushe has managed to read the c/n plate under the tailplane.
It's definitely 520, so why it's painted in military colours is a mystery.

The Scramble database says Iraqi AF 5048 is c/n 240

[BFM]

I see it has the T7-GL7 registration under the wing also.

[Punkrunner62]

Appears to have a small anchor symbol under the tailplane, perhaps sold to some military operator? and on delivery?.

[iainpeden]

Appears to have a small anchor symbol under the tailplane, perhaps sold to some military operator? and on delivery?.

Pretty sure that’s a tie down point.

[Punkrunner62]

Fair point iainpeden.

[tomcat14]

C/n plate under the tailplane.

IMG_8874a by wokinghampaul, on Flickr

[honest man]

Nice shot,saw that frame at Prestwick December 2005 as HB-HDF/N520WA Pilatus took it to a customer in Boise ended up back in Europe couple of years later

[Undertaker]

Departed from Blackbushe circa 0835L north bound at 0843L OTT Henley on Thames

And seen from Aylesbury OTT Westcott at 0851L NW bound

[Undertaker]

Landed Prestwick circa 1040L