Scramble Magazine – June 2018

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Scramble 469

Because of our standardization we sometimes use type, unit

and serial presentations that may strongly differ from those

used by the manufacturer or user. It is therefore possible that

the information sent by you can deviate from the informa-

tion we publish.

Europe

Austria

Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte (AF)

DA40NG
3H-DA Lehrabt Fläche new may18
3H-DB Lehrabt Fläche new may18
3H-DC on order
3H-DD on order

On 3 May 2018, the Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte received

the first two of four Diamond DA40NGs. They were ordered

in August 2017 for flight aptitude selection testing and IFR

(Instrumental Flight Rules) training. The remaining two,

3H-DC and 3H-DD, will be delivered in September. One of

the important aspects of the choice for the DA40NG, was

the implementation of a single-fuel-concept, meaning every

aircraft type of the Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte can be

fuelled with the same type of fuel, Jet-A1. They are part of

Lehrabteilung Fläche and based at Zeltweg.

Croatia

Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovsto (AF)

Croatian Air Force instructor pilots have started to train the

next group of OH-58D Kiowa Warrior pilots. The Eskadrila

Helicoptera (EH, Helicopter Squadron) is currently initially

operational on the Kiowa Warrior, but it will become fully

operational by the end of the year. The Croatian Air Force

received its last of sixteen OH-58Ds plus one instructional

airframe in December 2016. A team of US Army instructor

pilots test flew the helicopters starting in April 2017 and then

trained eight Croatian instructor pilots during that same

year, totalling over 1000 flying hours in seven months. The

Kiowa Warriors can be equipped with .50 caliber machine

guns, Hydra 70mm rockets and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.

Croatian pilots have not yet fired the Hellfire missile, but

that will happen later this year when they receive the Hell-

fires. The OH-58D is the first attack helicopter operated by

the Croatian Air Force after its Mi-24 Hinds were withdrawn

from use in 2005.

Denmark

Flyvevåbnet (AF)

EH101 Mk512

M-518 Esk 722 d/d 08may18 50225/DEN18 may18

Merlin M-518 has been re-delivered to Denmark after a

lengthy repair at Leonardo MW at Yeovil (UK). The helicop-

ter suffered a severe mishap in Afghanistan on 11 October

2014, with the Merlin ending up on its side and the tail boom

more or less ripped off. Fortunately the crew and personnel

on board escaped without suffering serious injury.

The Merlin was transported back to Leonardo MW at Yeovil

(UK) for assessment. Together with experts of the RDAF, it

was concluded that the Merlin could be repaired. It was noted

first flying again on 2 May 2018. Six days later it was re-deliv-

ered via Groningen/Eelde airport to Denmark.

Finland

Ilmavoimat (AF)

The Finnish Lj35A Learjet used to be painted in a rather

attractive camouflage color scheme. However, starting from

spring 2018 the aircraft have been undergoing an upgrade

programme that will extend their service life. The avion-

ics systems, mission-specific equipment and the seating

arrangements of the passenger compartment will be modi-

fied to meet the modern-day requirement set for operating

the aircraft.

During the upgrade work the three aircraft will be painted

in a grey livery matching that of the other aircraft in the

Finnish Air Force liaison and transport aircraft fleet. The first

Lj35A to receive the fresh paintjob is LJ-1. It rolled out from

the facilities of Danish Aircraft Painting at Odense airport

on Thursday 12 April 2018. The aircraft will be ferried to

Germany where Aero-Dienst GmbH & Co. will complete the

modification work.

On 14 March 2018, the final group of four Grob G115E ele-

mentary flying trainers was delivered to Finland. In total

28 former UK military so-called Tutors found their way to

Finland. Before entry into service, the Grob G115 trainers are

Serving with the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron out of Beale, under the wings of the 9th Rec. Wing, four TU-2S Dragon Lady trainers operate to

train future U-2 pilots. Afterwards they transfer to the 99th RS to fly the single seat U-2S. Martin Uleman visited Beale on 9 March 2018 and

saw TU-2S 80-1064/BB prior to landing.

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