Last U.S. Air Force Phantoms Menace Star Wars Canyon!

On Tuesday, October 25 two USAF McDonnell Douglas QF-4E Phantom II’s made passes through “Star Wars Canyon” (Jedi Transition) in Death Valley, CA. The lead Phantom (gray and orange) was piloted by Lt. Col. Ron “Elvis” King and the second jet (green camo) was piloted by Lt. Col. (Ret) Jim “WAM” Harkins.

It was a very rare treat to see the QF-4s pass through the canyon. The Phantoms were in transit from NAS Point Mugu, CA to Hill AFB, UT and made the two passes at about 350 knots. Aviation enthusiasts are used to seeing modern and nimble aircraft such as F/A-18E/Fs and F-16s pass through the canyon and the QF-4Es did well, maneuvering aggressively in the canyon confines.

https://theaviationist.com/2016/10/28/last-u-s-air-force-phantoms-make-rare-appearance-flying-through-the-star-wars-canyon/
https://www.facebook.com/Dora-9-Diecast-117765251636451/

F-14 Tomcats take off for night missions in Iran.

The U.S. Navy retired the legendary F-14 in September 2006. Nowadays, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) remains the world’s only operator of the Tomcat, a type of interceptor that Tehran has been able to kept airworthy and somehow enhance with some domestic avionics upgrades and weapons  throughout the years in spite of the embargo imposed after the 1979 Revolution.

The Persian Tomcats, that the IRIAF plans to fly until 2030, are based at TFB.8 (Tactical Fighter Base 8) Baba’i near Eshahan, in central Iran.

“TFB.8 has three F-14 Squadrons with total 62 F-14As but only almost half are airworthy at this moment; just 35 according to the 2013 records” says Iranian Defense Journalist and writer Babak Taghvaee.

https://theaviationist.com/2016/10/21/top-gun-reloaded-f-14-tomcats-take-off-for-night-missions-few-days-ago-in-iran/

Two New Paint Schemes for BBMF Lancaster.

UK correspondent Gary Eason reported that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster, PA474, will have not one but two new paint schemes following its winter service.

The left-hand side will be painted as 460 (RAAF) Squadron Lancaster W5005, coded AR-L “Leader”, which had nose art of a kangaroo playing bagpipes, indicating the Australian and Scottish backgrounds of one of its crews. (Some sources say this was on JB607 AR-N, but Gary is reliably informed that this is a case of mistaken identity).

The right side will carry the 50 Squadron code letters VN-T, representing the Lancaster flown by FO Douglas Millikin DFC – grandfather of the BBMF’s current Officer Commanding, Squadron Leader Andy “Milli” Millikin, on 27 of his first tour of 30 operations.

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/paint-schemes-bbmf-lancaster.html

XP-82 Twin Mustang First Engine Run

Following the momentous news over last weekend concerning the XP-82 Twin Mustang’s first engine runs in Douglas, Georgia, we wanted to know a few more details. 

A lot of major developments have been occurring with this incredible project in recent weeks, what with the move to a new, much larger hangar, attaching the outer wing panels for the first time, and of course the engine runs.

For the interview, please follow the link.

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbird-restorations/xp-82-gains-outer-wings-cranks-merlins.html

U.S. F/A-18s, AV-8Bs & EA-6Bs certified for refueling from Italian KC-767A.

One of the four Italian Air Force KC-767A aircraft has completed the testing required to certify the U.S. Navy fighter component to perform AAR (Air-to-Air Refueling) operations with the new tanker.

The certification activities took place at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Maryland, home of VX-23, VX-31 and Marine Aircraft Group 14, where the Italian tanker, belonging to the 14° Stormo (Wing) Strategic Transport and Air Refueling from Pratica di Mare, deployed on Aug. 19.

According to the ItAF, the whole operation was completed in 10 weeks, six of those were focused on flight testing with U.S. Navy / U.S. Marine Corps Hornets, Super Hornets, Harriers and Prowlers.

https://theaviationist.com/2016/10/12/u-s-fa-18s-av-8bs-and-ea-6bs-certified-for-refueling-from-italian-air-force-boeing-kc-767a/

U.S. Marine Corps EA-6B Prowlers return to the U.S. after fighting Daesh from Turkey.

On October 7, six EA-6B Prowler electronic attack aircraft belonging to the VMAQ-4 “Seahawks” of the U.S. Marine Corps landed at Lajes airfield, Portugal.

As the images in this post, taken by our friends at APS- Associação Portugal Spotters, show the Prowlers got some interesting markings and insigna, including a pretty cool and usual Sharkmouth.

Tanker support was provided by KC135R 62-3518 “Spirit of kokomo” from AF reserve at Grissom ARB, Indiana.

The aircraft were returning from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, from where they have supported Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS in Syria and Iraq since April.

https://theaviationist.com/2016/10/11/u-s-marine-corps-ea-6b-prowlers-including-one-with-stunning-sharkmouth-return-to-the-u-s-after-fighting-daesh-from-turkey/

Armed Russian Su-27 Flanker violates Finnish airspace.

In the last few years we have reported several close encounters between Russian and NATO or allied aircraft in the Baltic region.

However, all these encounters occurred more or less in accordance with a standard “script”: the Russian aircraft, approaching or skirting some sovereign airspace, caused the fighter jets in QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) to scramble to perform a VID (Visual Identification) and take some cool shots like those we have published here in the past.

And, above all, the Russians almost always remained in international airspace.

Until today.

Here’s the official statement of the Finnish Ministry of Defense:

A possible violation of Finnish airspace by a Russian SU-27 fighter has been detected in the Gulf of Finland south of Porvoo on Thursday October 6th at about 16.43 pm.

The suspected violation of Finnish airspace continued approximately one minute, and sided Finnish airspace for about 13 kilometers at a maximum of about one kilometer depth.

The Air Force conducted an identification flight.

The Finnish Border Guard will investigate the matter.

The “possible violation” must have been determined by means of primary radar returns and probably occurred before the Su-27 was intercepted by the Finnish F/A-18 Hornets.

https://theaviationist.com/2016/10/06/this-armed-russian-su-27-flanker-has-probably-violated-the-finnish-airspace-today/

Typhoon uses the tailhook during emergency landing at SIAF 2016.

Tailhook landings by land-based aircraft are used in emergency situations to arrest planes experiencing failures that could imply a braking or steering malfunction.

Reportedly, this is what happened during SIAF (Slovak International Air Fest) at Sliac, Slovakia, on Aug. 29, the departures day, when a German Eurofighter Typhoon was forced to perform an emergency landing using the runway’s arresting system due to a hydraulic issue shortly after take-off.

Land-based military airfields operating combat jets use arresting gear systems to slow the aircraft down. There are three basic types of land-based systems: permanent, expeditionary, and overrun gear.

https://theaviationist.com/2016/10/10/watch-a-german-eurofighter-typhoon-use-the-tailhook-during-emergency-landing-at-siaf-2016/

Deafening Tornado Takeoff - Low & Loud!

Very rare sight of the desert pink "Operation Granby" Tornado GR4 taking off from RAF Northolt in London after visiting for the 2016 night photo-shoot. As you can tell, the pilot gave us something to smile about by giving us a nice low pass with afterburners on!

https://theaviationist.com/2016/10/18/outstanding-low-pass-departure-of-a-special-colored-royal-air-force-tornado-from-raf-northolt/

B-29 Doc: Second Flight - Oct. 1, 2016

The B-29 known as Doc successfully completed its second flight since being restored to airworthy status.

Doc’s second flight lasted approximately 52 minutes at an altitude of four to five thousand feet on a flight pattern east of Wichita, Kans. 

The historic warbird took off from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita just after 10 a.m. Central Time and landed just before 11 a.m, Saturday, October. 1.

http://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2016/10/04/successful-second-flight-for-b-29-doc/

Hawker Hurricane returns to the skies in Australia.

The Hawker Hurricane Mk XII (s/n 5481) registered C-FDNL flew again on Sunday October 2 in Scone, Australia. The aircraft was restored by Vintage Fighter Restorations.

It is painted in the colours of Hurricane Mk I V6748 of the Royal Air Force’s No 46 Squadron de la Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain. P/O J. D. Crossman was shot down and killed by German fighters flying this aircraft on 30 September 1940.

http://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2016/10/03/hawker-hurricane-returns-to-the-skies-in-australia/

Hawker Hurricane Flying At Scone, Australia.

P-38F Lightning “White 33” to return to the skies.

White 33, the P-38 with the best war record of any P-38 currently flying, will be on display and is scheduled to fly on Monday, October 17th (weather permitting). Frank Royal who was a squadron commander over White 33 will also be in attendance.

As many of you know, White 33 underwent a full restoration at Westpac Restorations after being recovered from Papua New Guinea where she was buried after the war. She's currently one of 10 airworthy P-38's in the world! (and we believe only one of two with functioning turbochargers!)

http://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2016/10/14/p-38f-lightning-white-33-to-return-to-the-skies/

Final product photos HA5213 F-14A Tomcat "Miss Molly".

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA5213 F-14A Tomcat "Miss Molly" VF-111 "Sundowners", USS Carl Vinson 1989.

On March 15, 1980 the USS Carl Vinson was launched and commissioned in 1982. The ship was named after Senator Carl Vinson considered the father of the modern US Navy. The honour of christening the ship was given to the Navy nurse who had been a long time nurse/aide to the Senator and his wife. 

Molly Snead AKA “Miss Molly” was also honored when a C-1A transport was named after her. In 1989 the C-1A retired and the name and nose art were given toVF-111 F-14A 161621.

Pre-production photos HA7419 Fw 190A-4 Hermann Graf.

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA7419 Fw 190A-4 W.Nr. 634, Major Hermann Graf JG 2, France 1943.

Final product photos HA8606 Hurricane I Sqn. Ldr. Douglas Bader.

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA8606 Hawker Hurricane I LE-D, Sqn. Ldr. Douglas Bader, No. 242 Sqn., Coltishall, September 1940.

Although Douglas Bader had lost both legs and wore artificial limbs he became an outstanding RAF pilot. In February 1940 Bader joined the No. 19 Squadron and later transferred to No. 222 Squadron as Flight Commander and scored his first victory on June 1, 1940. 

In July 1940 he was given command of the No. 242 Canadian Squadron. In September he became a Flight Lieutenant with the DSO and by the end of the Battle of Britain Bader had scored 12 victories and ended WWII with a total of 23 victories.

Final product photos HA8607 Hurricane I "Ginger" Lacey.

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA8607 Hawker Hurricane I SD-F, Sergeant James "Ginger" Lacey, No. 501 Sqn., Gravesend, September 1940.

When WWII began James Harry “Ginger” Lacey was a member of the RAF 501 Squadron and served in France until Dunkirk when the British were forced out by the Germans. 

During the Battle of Britain from July 10, 1940 until October 31 1940 Lacey scored 18 victories while flying his Hawker Hurricane. 

By the end of 1940 Ginger had a total of 23.5 victories making him the second highest scorer slightly behind Hurricane pilot Sammy Allard of the 85 Squadron. Lacey’s final total was 28 destroyed and 9 damaged.

Pre-production photos HA3609 F-106A Air Defence Weapons Center.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3609 F-106A Delta Dart 0-80795, Air Defence Weapons Center, Tyndall AFB, Florida.

Pre-production photos HA5212 F-14A Tomcat VF-84 "Jolly Rogers".

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA5212 F-14A Tomcat 162692, VF-84 "Jolly Rogers" Operation Desert Storm, January 1991to June 1991.

Final product photos HA8314 Spitfire FR.IX "X" Normandy 1944.

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA8314 Spitfire FR.IX MK716 "X" No. 16 Sqn., Normandy September 1944.

In an effort to spy on German forces the RAF gave some aircraft special paint colors in an attempt to camouflage them. The PRU (Photographic Reconnaissance Unit) used a very dark blue for night missions and a very pale pink for dusk, dawn and cloudy day missions. 

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk. IX MK716 from No. 16 Squadron was one of only 15 Mk. IX Spitfires converted to the pale pink scheme. These aircraft retained their wing guns and first appeared in November 1942.