Issue 8 – January 2017
As the new year starts, and the eight issue of Spotter rolls out, it’s time to think things out. Thanks to your support and feedback, this publication has grown stronger. Over 1,500 reads monthly, all over the world, and contributions continue to come in. Guess we must be doing something right. Now that the magazine seems to be gaining solid footing, it is time to build a solid foundation to help sustain the publication and those who contribute to its production. This is why we have launched the ‘Support Your Magazine’ initiative. Besides covering the administrative expenses to keep the magazine online, your voluntary donations will be distributed to our contributors as a token of appreciation, and help encourage them to progress in their work. Thus, not only will we ensure that Spotter Magazine remains available, free of charge worldwide, but it will also promote this hobby in all four corners of the globe. Mark Zerafa Editor
Got Something to Share? If you have anything aviation related, be it photos, articles or artworks, please contact us on:
Spottermagmalta@gmail.com
Cover Photo: Down low, a Bulgarian Air Force B-206 Jet Ranger flies low during a training mission (Svetlan Simov)
Contents Libyan 727s
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Waterkloof Airshow 2016
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Rainbow Mad Dogs
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Mosquito Flies Again
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French Water Bombers
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Hercs in the Loop
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Farewell Cathay 747
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Bulgarian Air Force Jet Rangers
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Danish Challengers
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Nellis Aviation Nation 2011
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Credits Mark Zerafa, Massimiliano Zammit, Svetlan Simov, Jason Wong, Timothy Connor Brandt, Brendan O’Neill, Bob Leask, Chris Gee, Baptiste Laurent, Matthew Mansell, Jamie Ewan
Editorial Address: 238, Morning Star, Manuel Dimech Str Sliema SLM 1052 MALTA, EUROPE
Editor: Profiles:
Mark Zerafa
Design Assistant:
Massimiliano Zammit
Richard J. Caruana Massimiliano Zammit
Copyright Notice
Inner Cover: A T-33 pilot salutes the crowd after displaying at Nellis. (Jason Wong)
All photos and articles remain the intellectual and artistic property or the respective credited persons. All unauthorised reproduction, by any means, both printed and digital, is considered an infringement of this copyright and all remedies available by law will be taken against any infringements of such copyright.
2017 Programme now out!
UK Classic Aviation Tour (East Midlands, Bruntingthorpe) Norway Denmark Heathrow Day-Trip Royal International Air Tattoo Slovakia Airshow and Museums Russia Japan Greece
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Photos: Mark Zerafa Text: Mark Zerafa
When sanctions on Libya were lifted, Libyan Arab Airlines’ fleet of Boeing 727s was rapidly employed on international routes until the arrival of more modern equipment. This allowed Maltese spotters to enjoy a daily encounter with this fast-disappearing classic.
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5A-DII (c/n 21540) lifts off from Runway 14. First flown on 29.08.1978, this aircraft once made an unscheduled visit to Malta on 20.02.1983 when it was hijacked during a flight from Sebha to Benghazi. It was retired in 2007.
5A-DIF (c/n 21332) wore a different colour scheme in what appeared to be a new livery for Libyan Arab Airlines.
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Photos: Timothy Connor Brandt Text: Mark Zerafa
Held at Waterkloof Air Base, the South African Aerospace and Defence show offers an exciting opportunity to view some rare birds.
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The Cheetah is the ultimate interpretation of the classic Dassault Mirage III, developed by Atlas Aircraft Corporation drawing on the IAI Kfir. Although no longer in front line use in South Africa, a handful remain in operation as flight-test aircraft.
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Douglas DC-4 ZS-BMH ‘Lebombo’ (c/n 43157) has a colourful history. Rolled off the line in 1947. It was the last DC-4 built. It served with South African Airways, and subsequently with the South African Air Force. It survived a mid-air collision with a Harvard in 1962. Retired from the military in 1992, the aircraft was purchased by South African Airlines and following a rebuild, the aircraft re-entered service with SAA’s Historic Flight in April 1993. It is currently operated by Skyclass Aviation.
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Planes for sale. Australian Coastguard Do-328 being demonstrated for a possible South African Requirement, Sukhoi Superjet and Citation Latitude. 15
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The Zimbabwe Air Force was represented by two K-8 trainers, supported by a CASA 212.
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As expected, the South African Air Force was present with a number of elements from its inventory, including the Hercules, the Hawk T.2 and the Gripen. 19
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Two Denel Rooivalks in action. The main attack helicopter of the South African Air Force, the white livery is used for the peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Repulic of Congo.
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More exotica. Zambian Air Force Hongdu L-15 trainer. A supersonic training and light attack aircraft, the aircraft has entered service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (China) and Zambia, which has a total of six on order. A further 24 have been ordered by Venezuela. 23
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Photos: Brendan O’Neill Text: Mark Zerafa
In the mid-1990s filmmaker Akira Kurosawa was commissioned to produce seven designs for Japan Air System's new Mcdonnell Douglas MD-90 aircraft. The common design element was the colors, suggesting a rainbow and applied in various distinctive flowing patterns. After JAS was merged into Japan Airlines in the early 2000s, the Kurosawa designs were painted over with JAL’s livery.
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Founded in 1964 as Japan Domestic Airlines, JAS was primarily a domestic Japanese airline with its main hubs at Tokyo Haneda and Osaka Itami. In 1971 it merged with Toa Airways and was rebranded Toa Domestic Airlines. The name Japan Air System was adopted in April 1988. It ceased operations in October 2006 when it merged with Japan Airlines.
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Photos: Bob Leask Text: Mark Zerafa
One of the rarer warbirds in the sky, the number of airworthy DeHavilland Mosquitos in the world has happily increased with the first post-restoration flight of KA114. One of the 338 Canadian-built Mk.26s to be assembled in Downsview Ontario, it entered service with the Royal Canadian Air Force in February 1945, until it was disposed of in 1948. Left to rot for 30 years on a farm, the aircraft was purchased by The Fighter Factory in 2004, and transferred to Avspecs in New Zealand for restoration to airworthy condition. Flying again on September 27th, 2012, the aircraft participated in a special airshow at Ardmore Airport to celebrate its return to flight, where these pictures were taken. The aircraft now resides in Virginia Beach.
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Photos: Baptiste Laurent Text: Mark Zerafa
Marseille-Provence airport is one of the main bases of the French Securite’ Civile’s fleet of water bombers. The fleet is based on three types, the Turbo Firecat, the CL-415 and the DHC-8 Dash Eight.
The Securite Civile has nine Turbo Firecats in service. Developed as a firefighting aircraft from surplus Grumman S-2 Tracker airframes, the Turbo Firecat is powered by PT-6A turboprops, has a raised cabin floor for improved visibility and a fire retardant tank in the original bomb bay and underwing fuel tanks. With the removal of all military equipment, and the lighter turboprop engines, weight was considerably decreased, resulting in improved performance. 35 airframes were thus converted, the Securite Civile being the sole remaining operator.
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Canadair’s CL-415 is one of the few purpose-designed firefighting aircraft in the world. The French were the first to order the CL-415, which is a development of the piston-engined CL-215. Twelve were ordered, two being lost in accidents.
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Two ex-SAS Dash-8s have been purchased, and modified by Cascade Aerospace as the Q400-MR (Multi-Role). The aircraft can be reconfigured into passenger, cargo or water-bomber roles in three hours. 41
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Photos: Matthew Mansell Text: Mark Zerafa
The Low-Level Flying Area is not just the preserve of fast jets. Tactical airlifters like the Hercules have often been flown in low-level missions, rendering it necessary for crews to practice the art. Matthew Mansell was lucky to have captured both an RAF and a USAF Hercules down low in the Mach Loop.
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Photos: as credited Text: Mark Zerafa
Introduced in 1979, the Boeing 747 has helped the Hong Kong-based airline become a truly global carrier. The last passenger flight from Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong last October 1st closed a 37-year chapter in the airline’s history. It is calculated that 160 million people have flown in Cathay’s 747s.
MARK ZERAFA
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JAMIE EWAN
(top) Making its final landing at Bruntingthorpe, B-HUJ will follow the fate of its sister ships by being broken up at this airfield. (left) B-HUA, an earlier arrival, with its airline titles and logos painted over prior to scrapping.
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JASON WONG
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JASON WONG
JASON WONG
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Photos: Svetlan Simov Text: Svetlan Simov
The Bell 206 B-3 Jet Ranger helicopter was the first Western type to enter service with Bulgarian Air Force. The original order was for six confirmed aircraft and six options, however these were never exercised. The Bell’s controls are mounted in the reverse position when compared to the Mils then in Bulgarian service, but nonetheless, the type was pressed into service as a primary rotary-wing trainer. Three Jet Rangers, distinguishable by their white colour scheme, are operated primarily for medevac duties. Shortage of spares curtailed flying activity for more than two years. Three Jet Rangers are currently operational, leading pilots to progress onto the AS532 Cougar. Amongst the most noteworthy operations with the type was the mapping of all of Bulgaria’s electrical distribution network.
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Photos: Mark Zerafa / Massimiliano Zammit Colour Profiles: Massimiliano Zammit Text: Mark Zerafa
Four CL-604 Challengers are in service with the Royal Danish Air Force’s Eskadrille 721 based at Aalborg. Unlike other Challengers in service with other air arms, the Danish CL-604s are true multi-role machines. Besides the mundane tasks of VIP transport, they can also be reconfigured for medevac duties, maritime surveillance, fisheries inspection, search and rescue and as an intelligence and surveillance platform, using a comprehensive mission suite. The Royal Danish Air Force has announced a mid-life update of its CL-604s, including an update of the cockpit to CL-605 standard, as well as new downlink and multi-role radar.
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Photos: Jason Wong Text: Mark Zerafa
Regularly held at Nellis AFB, Aviation Nation is an airshow which brings together a number of US Air Force assets and warbirds. These snippets date back to the 2011 edition.
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Thunderbirds crossing. The USAF Thunderbirds are one of the few aerobatic teams in the world flying supersonic fighters. The speed of the F-16 makes the opposition pass an even more heart-stopping moment in the display routine.
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As expected, a number of active USAF aircraft were on show: 1. Close-up of the nose of B-52H 61-0008, showing not only the nose sensor suite, but also the rippled fuselage skin on what will probably be the longest-serving combat aircraft in history. 2. C-17 Globemaster 3. MQ-9 Reaper 4. C-5 Galaxy
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The mainstay of the USAF fighter fleet until the advent of the F-15 Eagle, the F-4 Phantom’s last role was as a pilotless airborne target. 74-627 was re[ainyed in Vietnam-era camouflage and was a regular participant at airshows.
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North American SNJ-5 Texan. Note the unusual rear-facing back-seat position.
Republic RC-3 Seabee. US Navy colour scheme is fictitious. The only military operators were Israel and South Vietnam
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North American B-25J ‘Heavenly Body’.
Mitsubishi A6M Type 22 ‘Zero-Sen’ was recovered from Papua New Guinea in 1991 and restored to flying condition.
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The F-16 is one of the mainstays of the US Air Force, evolving from a lightweight fighter to a multi-role combat aircraft. 75
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The Northrop T-38 is the standard supersonic trainer of the US Air Force. Prior to the F-16, it was the mount of the USAF Thunderbirds. Thirty-two are in service with NASA as jet trainers for astronauts, as well as chase aircraft.
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