Spotter Magazine Issue 19

Issue 19

To celebrate the centenary since the founding of one of the airlines which
would eventually form part of it, British Airways unveiled four retro-liveried
airliners representing different eras in its history.

51

First livery to be unveiled was G-BYGC, which was repainted in British
Overseas Airways Corporation. This same livery was worn by BOAC’s
Boeing 747-100s prior to the merger with British European Airways to
form British Airways.

Issue 19

53



Issue 19

55

British Airways has unveiled its fourth and final retro-livery on Boeing 747-400 G-
CIVB. The livery worn on the aircraft is the airline’s original red, white and blue
design dating from 1973. Known as the “Negus” livery, this scheme was used
until 1980. This scheme was adopted in 1973/74 when BA was created, following
the merger of BOAC and BEA. A later iteration featured simple “British” titles.

G-BNLY has been repainted in the ‘Landor’ scheme. Ironically, this was the same
livery the aircraft was originally wearing when delivered to British Airways, and
it seems like it will continue wearing it until it is retired.

Issue 19

Spotter Magazine would like to thank Ms.
Victoria Madden and her team at British Air-
ways for her kind assistance in the making of
this feature.

57

KADEX 2018

Text: Gianluca Storti
Photos: Gianluca Storti

KADEX (Kazakhstan Defense EXPO) is a
defense technology fair in Kazakhstan, an
international exhibition of weapon systems
and military equipment; it takes place at the
base of the new Kazakh capital Astana,
organized by the Ministry of Defense of the
Republic of Kazakhstan: from new
technologies, weapons equipment and
systems to the most basic services for troops,
supplies of all kinds and medical services, IT,
construction and infrastructure of all kinds.

Issue 19

59

The fair is divided into the following sections:

- Armament and military technology for land and sea forces
.-Aviation and Air Armament, systems and means of air defense
- Equipment for special use
- Services and technical security of troops.

One of the aims of the fair is the promotion of military technology
transfer to Kazakhstan, as well as attracting major armament
companies to invest in Kazakhstan.

And although this is not Le Bourget or Farnborough, a number of
companies are willing to display their wares. Airbus, envigoured by
the sale of a further five airframes to Turkey, presented the A400 .
Turkey was well represented by many of its companies, looking for
parterships above all.

Russia was obviously very heavily represented, with offerings
ranging from a T-72 tank updated and equipped with all the tools
for "Urban Warfare", to its Su-30SM, having just concluded the
supply of 12 new SU-30SM by 2020. This long-range fighter hasthe
ability to engage multiple targets and data links with 4 other
aircraft.

The second aspect strongly visible in the exposition is that of
upgrading platforms already in service in order to improve their
efficiency and capability. Motor Sich JSC, a Ukrainian company,
proposed a turbine engine currently fitted to the Kamov Ka-32
helicopter, the TV3-117, which offers improved performance
especially in hot and high conditions, whilst having a lifesplan of
12,000 hours and a maintenance period of 5,000 hours, thus
lowering maintenance costs.

As Asian countries increase their military spending and upgrade
their armed forces, expositions such as KADEX, ARMY, DEFEXPO
India, ADEX and IDEAS 2018 will continue to provide an ever
greater variety of military hardware on show and for sale.

So, for military enthusiasts, as Italian Actor Alberto Sordi famously
said in a 1974 film ‘as long as there is war, there is hope.’

Issue 19

61



Issue 19

63



Issue 19

65



Issue 19

67

Text: Mark Zerafa
Photos: Mark Zerafa and Max Walldron

Gloster Meteor NF.11 WM167 has landed at Brintingthorpe Air-
field, where it is to be maintained in ground-running condition as
part of the Classic British Jets Collection.

Issue 19

5th January 2019. WM167 taxies in after her final
landing into Bruntingthorpe, accompanied by
Vampire T.11 of the Vampire Preservation Group.

69

Gloster Meteor NF.11 MW167 was built by
Armstrong Whitworth in Bagington in 1952,
and was delivered to the Royal Air Force on
September 1st, 1952. It first served with No.228
Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Leeming,
where it would serve for the first six years of its
service life.

In January 1961, it was returned to the manu-
facturer for conversion into a TT.20 target tug.
Once converted, it served with the A&AEE at
RAF Boscombe Down, towing targets for trials.
It was then delivered to Flight Refuelling Ltd,
where it continued towing targets for a further
ten years.

Declared surplus to requirements in 1975, the
Meteor was purchased by avid warbird collec-
tor Doug Arnold, who had the aircraft convert-
ed back to its original NF.11 night fighter con-
figuration.

It became a regular performer at airshows,
However, ever-tighter regulations and dimin-
ishing budgets for airshow organisers have
meant that the aircraft could no longer be via-
ble on the airshow circuit.

With its then owner, the Classic Air Force,
shutting down, due to the retirement of owner
Mike Collett, the aircraft was acquired by an
American collector, who sadly was killed in a
flying accident before the aircraft could be fer-
ried to the United States.

Thus, the Meteor was instead purchased by
David Thomas of the Classic British Jets Collec-
tion at Bruntingthorpe, who intends to main-
tain the jet in ground-running condition.

Issue 19

WM167 landing at RAF Fairford for the
2011 Royal International Air Tattoo.

WM167 after its last landing. Note the RAF
100th Anniversary marking on the fin.

71



Issue 19

73

Text: Harzer Ggoppl
Photos: Harzer Ggoppl

For the 41st time, pilots from 15 different
nations met in Château-d’Œx (Riviera-Pays
-d'Enhaut district, canton of Vaud) for a
big but nevertheless friendly rendezvous.
The weather was unfortunately very
stormy and nasty, but the nine days of the
festival allowed a few days of flying in
front of an enthusiastic audience.

View of the main take-off area for the festival

Issue 19

75

One of the highlights was the long-haul flights David
Niven Cup and Piccard-Jones Eco Trophy on January
29th to Italy:

In a tradition dating back from the 1979 edition, David
Niven, the British actor of 'Around the World In 80
Days offered a trophy for the longest distance flown.
This year the team of Yannick Serex / Laurent Sciboz
won with balloon HB-QRN, with a distance of
143,77nm flown.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the successful
circumnavigation of the world by Bertrand Piccard and
Brian Jones in a balloon, a competition has now been
launched won by the team Pierrick Duvoisin, Arnaud
Favre and Fred Favre with 153.94 NM in balloon HB-
QPV..

Easily accessible by train from world famous locations
like Montreux, Gruyeres and Gstaad, Château-d’Œx is
situated in a sometimes very narrow valley with the
river Saane heading via Aare and Rhine to the North
Sea. It features impressive mountains for hiking,
cycling and wintersport, and welcomes guests from
around the world.

Some balloons have been built in unorthodox It is easy to perceive the world floating below the balloon as
shapes. This is another take on a ‘flying fish’. some miniature world. However, upon descent, the ant-like
creatures soon become full-size people again!

Issue 19

77

Balloons offer a unique platform for air-
to-air photography.

Promoting bizjet services The take-off area
on a balloon…. bursting with colour.

Issue 19

Eurocopter Squirrels from Air Glaciers provided
support as necessary

A special visitor promoting
the Winegrower’s Festival
in Vervey.

1.

Alouette II in its element, where its
high performance comes very useful
in the high mountain environment.

2.
Mike Brageot

81

Remembering the record-
breaking Breiting Orbiter,

Two different interpretatio
vertical flight.

ons of Issue 19

83



Issue 19

Text: Mark Zerafa January 17th, 2019. With the arrival of the first of its Boeing
Photos: Nick Chute 787-9 Dreamliners, Canadian carrier Westjet is aiming high.
From its beginnings as a single-class, single-type Low Cost
Carrier, the airline now hopes to tap into new markets far and
wide.

85

In May 2014, Westjet CEO Gregg Saretsky announced The new-build 787s also gave Westjet the opportunity

the acquisition of wide-body aircraft to operate long- to launch a new livery together with a new brand im-

haul routes, to commence in 2015. To this effect four age, as the airline transitions from its roots as a low-

former Qantas Boeing 767-300ERs were acquired. cost carrier to a full-service carrier.

Thee 767s however proved less reliable than ex-

pected, given their average age of around 25 years,

and the airline reduced their utilisation by the Sum- With a range of 7,600nm, any destination is within

mer of 2017. That same year, Westjet announced or- range of Calgary. Through its new product offering,

ders for up to 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with ten including Wi-fi, in-flight entertainment, and industry-

being firm orders with deliveries slated between 2019 standard lie-flat pods in business class, the Canadian

and 2021, and ten further options for delivery by airline is clearly targeting other segments besides its

2024. traditional leisure customers.

Westjet’s Dreamliner are configured to carry 320 pas-

sengers, 16 in Business Class in a 1-2-1 configuration, Coupled with the Dreamliner’s key assets, including
28 in Premium Exonomy in a 2-3-2 arrangement, and 20% lower fuel burn, reduced cabin vibration, turbu-
244 in Economy in a 3-3-3 configuration. Initially, the lence dampening technology, an improved air filtra-
airline has planned to use the aircraft on the Calgary tion system, more humid cabin air and larger win-
to Toronto route, but upon receipt of further aircraft dows, Westjet is clearly opting for an improved pas-
and ETOPS certification, it aims to start seasonal senger experience to sell seats on its 787s.
flights from Calgary International to London Gatwick

on a daily basis. Other destinations being considered

are Paris and Dublin.

Issue 19

87

Text: David Sharma
Photos: David Sharma
Profiles: Richard J. Caruana

As the F-35 starts entering service with the Japan
Air Self-Defence Force, the end of its large F-4
Phantom Fleet gets closer. Of the 140 originally
delivered, around 70 remain in service.

Issue 19

89

Hyakrui Air Base is situated to the north of Tokyo 4EJ’s were licence-built by Mitsubishi. They were

near the city of Omitawa. It also doubles as Ibaraki built throughout the 1970’s, the last one being

airport and is used by local low-cost airlines. Hya- constructed in 1981. Since then they’ve under-

kuri is now home to all remaining JASDF phan- gone numerous upgrades to remain effective.

toms. F-4EJ’s are currently operated by the Central However, the end is now in sight for these aircraft
as JASDF transitions to new F-35’s. 302nd Squadron
Air Defence Force, 7th Air Wing, 301st and 302nd
Tactical Fighter Squadrons. Whilst the remaining Phantoms are the first to be replaced during early

RF-4EJ’s are operated by Air Defence Command 2019, with the remaining squadrons following
Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 501st Squadron. during 2020. So, with that in mind time is running

The base is also home to these squadron’s Kawa- out to see Japan’s F-4’s in action.
saki T-4’s and JASDF’s Air Rescue Wing UH-60J’s

and U-125A’s. The annual JASDF Open House Air Festival was

Japan chose the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom held at Hyakuri on December 2nd 2018. To mark
II as it’s new fighter aircraft in the late 1960’s. the end of 302nd Squadron Phantoms two aircraft

JASDF’s first Phantom flew in January 1971 and were in special liveries. With Phantoms being very
the entered service the following year. Whilst the popular all over the world, it was bound to be a
RF-4EJ’s were built in the USA, almost all the F- busy event. So, an early start was needed in order
to get a good position for photographs.

Issue 19

91



Issue 19

93

Two special schemes were presented
on the day.

Issue 19

During the day twelve phantoms took to the skies with many craft taxiing only a few feet from the crowd and the pilots

more on static display. There were also other JASDF aircraft waving enthusiastically to us. After that there was a search

on the ground including a Mitsubishi F-2, a licence-built and rescue demo from a UH-60J, followed by a break for

Mitsubishi F-15J and a Kawasaki P-1. The national display lunch. This gave another opportunity to see the static aircraft,

team “Blue Impulse” were absent on this occasion as they now that the light had improved, as well as watch arriving

were performing at Nyutabaru Air Festival on that day. and departing airliners.

It was a quite a while before any action from the F-4’s, so Action really increased during the afternoon, the two special

there was plenty of time to view the static aircraft with the liveried aircraft were towed out of the static area and took off

base’s resident Kawasaki T-4’s keeping us entertained in the to perform their flying display, this was followed by a solo

sky. Though the weather was dry, poor light made photog- display from an F-15J. During mid-afternoon there were fur-
raphy challenging. At around 11:00 the first Phantoms got ther displays from 301st and 302nd phantoms and RF-4EJ’s
airborne for a formation flypast of six aircraft. There were from 501st Squadron closed the show at about 15:00. Overall,
several low passes, including over the top of the crowd line as the flying was fantastic and the event was really well organ-
they returned to land. It was also very nice to have the air- ised, it was a fitting tribute to a much loved aircraft!

95

With all Phantoms based at Hyakuri, it was an excellent opportunity to
view all the different camouflage schemes worn by Japanese Phantoms.
Japan is the last remaining operator of the RF-4E

Issue 19

97

McDonnell Douglas RF-4EJ Kai Ph
Air Self Defence Force. FS.30372/
dersides; national markings in si
black/white/red sharkmouth mo

McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai,
Squadron, Japanese Self Defenc
black radome and serials; nation

McDonnell Douglas RF-4EJ Phan
Japanese Air Self Defence Force.
faces with light grey undersides;
Radome and serial in black.

hantom II, 57-6373, No. 501 Squadron Japanese Issue 19
/34108/34079 upper surfaces with light grey un-
x positions. Radome, code and serial in black; 99
otif below nose

Phantom II, 27-8305, No. 302
ce Force. FS.36270 overall with
nal markings in six positions

ntom II, 57-6909, No. 501 Squadron
. FS.30372/34108/34079 upper sur-
; national markings in six positions.