Aviation News Mega-Thread

[n33d4sp33d_85]

The end of Bruntingthorpe

For months, rumours about the future of Bruntingthorpe airfield (UK) have been buzzing around. Almost coinciding with the COVID-19 lockdown, it was officially announced in April 2020: the curtain has fallen.

The home base of the well-known Cold War Jets Museum and the Lightning Preservation Group was closed and is very unlikely to be re-opened. The site, notorious for these collections and their fast taxi-runs, has found a new owner. The company, Cox Automotive, has bought the premises from the previous owners, C. Walton Ltd. Cox recognises the concern within the aviation community, but indicates that aviation is "not their business".

Mr David Walton, one of the owners of C. Walton Ltd, is currently investigating the construction of new buildings adjacent to the LPG ‘Q Shed’ (QRA – Quick Reaction Alert hangar for their Lightnings). These new buildings are meant to house some of the collection and safeguard their future on land excluded from the Cox Automotive lease. News of any progress on this front will be released by Mr Walton as and when available. As an exception on the closing, it remains the intention of Cox Automotive to hold the planned Cold War Jets Fast Taxi Day in August. Of course subject to the COVID-19 situation at that time.

The change of ownership of the airfield means that most of the aircraft will have to move. This will almost certainly be the deathblow for the larger machines in the collection. Because finding a new home for them is one thing, but funding their disassembly and transport to a new home is something else.

One of the groups active in the Cold War Jets collection is the VC-10 Preservation Group, which has been taking care of VC-10 K4 ZD241 (G-ASGM). In the past five years its volunteers have worked on ZD241 and made it possible to perform fast taxi-runs. Another VC-10, ZA147, resides there too. It is said to be destined for St. Athan. The cost of preserving an aircraft of this size is enormous. Disassembly and road transport can be done, but it’s going to cost GBP 300,000! The deadline is near: ZA147 & ZD241 have been given notice to leave Bruntingthorpe by the end of October 2020.

The Buccaneer Aviation Group, owner of taxiable Buccaneers XW544 and XX894, has even less time: they have to move before the end of September. They have made arrangements to relocate to Kemble, but still need almost GBP 19,000 to get there.

But is there a future for the Victor, the Comet, the Boeing 747, the Nimrod, the Shackleton, and the Super Guppy? Most likely not .... unless a miracle happens, these historic aircrat are destined to be scrapped. Then (again) important examples of Britain’s aviation heritage will be lost for ever.

https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R

[n33d4sp33d_85]

F-011

The newest F-35A for the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) was pictured by Lidie Berendsen during a test flight over Final Assembly and Checkout (FACO) in Cameri (Italy) on 15 June 2020. The aircraft is expected soon at Leeuwarden air base, The Netherlands. It will be assigned to 322 squadron that already has two Lightnings on strength.
#aviation #avgeek #avaddict #avgeeks #aircraft #aviationenthusiast #planes #F35 #LightningII #LockheedMartin #militaryaviation #jetfighter #fighteraircraft #militaryaviationnews #aviationnews #322sq #KLu #KoninklijkeLuchtmacht F-35 Lightning II F-35 Lightning II F-35 Dutch F-35 Lightning II fans F35 Lightning'll

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[n33d4sp33d_85]

Russian Air Force intercepting BALTOPS participants

On 15 June 2020, the Russian Ministry of Defence released a video showing Su-27 Flankers intercepting aircraft over the Baltic Sea participating in this year's BALTOPS exercise *).

It is nice to see the Russian Air Force releasing photo and video footage on the very same day of the action.

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[n33d4sp33d_85]

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/hypoi ... 58.article
https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... rsion-line

[n33d4sp33d_85]

Sold: PBY-5A Catalina "Flyin' Turtle" has been sold and will soon be landing on lakes and maybe even the Caribbean with a new owner. Definitely one of the most fun aircraft we've sold.

#PBY #catalina #flyinturtle #seaplane #warbirdsforsale #platinumfightersales

https://www.facebook.com/platinumfighte ... &__tn__=-R

[n33d4sp33d_85]

https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers ... 61.article
https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopter ... 60.article

[n33d4sp33d_85]

Satellite Imagery Spots Egyptian Air Force First Sukhoi Su-35 Fighter Jets - See Details: https://bit.ly/30KOgsh

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[n33d4sp33d_85]

https://www.flightglobal.com/us-airline ... 64.article
https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing ... 65.article
https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers ... 63.article

[n33d4sp33d_85]

With the recent easing of work and travel restrictions in Australia as the nation begins to heal from the COVID-19 pandemic, our good friend John Parker at Warbirds Online was able to visit Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR) in Scone, New South Wales, Australia to see how they are progressing on the Supermarine Spitfire restorations they are presently involved with.

https://www.facebook.com/warbirddigest/ ... &__tn__=-R

[n33d4sp33d_85]

Portuguese Air Force retires Alouette 3

On 16 June 2020, the Força Aerea Portuguesa (FAP, Portuguese Air Force) officially retired the SE3160 Alouette 3 helicopter after 57 years of service. The unit, Esq552 "Zangões" at Beja air base, transferred to the Leonardo AW119Kx Koala helicopter, of which five were acquired. The first Koala was delivered in February 2019 *).

With the start of the Overseas War in 1961, and the subsequent gained experience in the operational use of the Alouette 2 in Africa, the Portuguese military became aware of the necessity of a more capable helicopter and in greater numbers. In 1963, the Portuguses Air Force selected the Alouette 3 after a small competition between the AgustaBell AB204B and the Sud Aviation Alouette 3. The Portuguese government then selected the Alouette 3 and ordered the first 80 helicopters from Sud Aviation. A total of 142 helicopters were purchased and delivered between April 1963 and February 1975.

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