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Scramble 468
the designation “reserve” which was in use for many years
to indicate training squadrons. For example 29(R)sq at RAF
Coningsby, officially became 29sq on this date. We will update
our on-line order of battle accordingly and the same for any
report of individual aircraft assigned to these units as of 1
February 2018.
The Army Air Corps (AAC) Defender and Islander fleet at JHC
Aldergrove officially transferred to the Royal Air Force (RAF)
on 1 April 2018. The aircraft were assigned to 651sq, but that
unit will be re-numbered into an RAF unit. Which one is not
yet known at this point in time. In an official statement it was
mentioned that this move is part of the transfer of governance
of the Fixed Wing Manned Aerial Surveillance Capability.
It was also mentioned that the aircraft will move to a new
base in the future. Even though no details were mentioned,
it is believed that this will most likely be RAF Waddington.
It should also be mentioned that according to some sources,
the Islander fleet is or will be retired in the near future.
Confirmation is required since it was previously announced
that the out of service date of the Islander is 2025, and the
one of the Defender is 2034. This announcement dates back
to February 2016.
This is a rundown of all Defender AL1, AL2, T3 and Islander
AL1 aircraft.
ZG844 Islander AL1 std Shawbury 2184 jul14
ZG845 Islander AL1 651sq 2194 mar18
ZG846 Islander AL1 651sq 2195 mar18
ZG847 Islander AL1 std Shawbury 2196 jul14
ZG848 Islander AL1 651sq 2199 mar18
ZG993 Islander AL1 std Middle Wallop 2202 nov15
ZG994 Islander AL1 std Bembridge 2206 jan08
ZG995 Defender AL1 651sq 4005 mar18
ZG996 Defender AL1 651sq 4010 mar18
ZG997 Defender AL2 o/h Lee-on-Solent 4012 sep17
ZG998 Defender AL1 o/h Lee-on-Solent 4014 feb18
ZH001 Defender AL2 651sq 4015 mar18
ZH002 Defender AL2 651sq 4016 mar18
ZH003 Defender AL2 under repairs 4017 sep17
ZH004 Defender T3 651sq 4009 mar18
ZH005 Defender AL2 651sq 4018 mar18
ZH006 Defender AL2 cancelled
Notes:
ZG993 This aircraft is allocated to the Museum of Army Flying
ZG994 After being stripped for spares, this aircraft is not
much more than an empty hulk.
ZH003 Dam 01oct15 at RAF Brize Norton when hit by a
vehicle. It is currently under repairs by Britten Norman
at this RAF station.
ZH006 Allocated for possible future orders but never
materialized.
The United States Marines Corps is planning to purchase
one of the Royal Air Force Hercules C4 aircraft to replace the
famous “Fat Albert” bird in use by the Blue Angels.
In March 2018, Atlas C1 ZM415 departed RAF Brize Norton
to fly southbound to RAF Mount Pleasant (Falklands). The
aircraft replaced Hercules C5 ZH888/888 on strength with
1312Flt.
On 14 February 2018, 12(B)sq was officially de-activated at
RAF Marham. This leaves only two squadrons remaining
operating the last Tornado GR4 aircraft on strength: 9(B)
sq and 31sq. As previously reported, 12(B)sq is slated to be
re-activated as Typhoon squadron at RAF Coningsby in the
future.
In contrast to previous reports, the upgraded Shadow
aircraft are not designated Shadow R2. According to MAR,
these aircraft are designated Shadow R1A. The first aircraft
which was upgraded was ZZ417, while ZZ419 is currently
undergoing conversion by Raytheon at Hawarden. The three
Beech 300C aircraft are believed to be designated Shadow
R2 following conversion. The first aircraft to undergo this
treatment is G-LBSB. This work is also executed by Raytheon
at Hawarden and the aircraft is expected to be registered
ZZ507 once conversion is completed.
A bit outdated, but in a press release Airbus announced to have
completed the sale of Vector Aerospace Ltd to StandardAero.
This press release was dated 3 November 2017. This includes
the facility at Fleetlands where various British military
helicopters undergo regular maintenance and upgrades.
EGDM = Boscombe Down EGVL = Little Rissington
EGHH = Bournemouth-Hurn EGVP = Middle Wallop
EGOS = Shawbury EGXC = Coningsby
EGQS = Lossiemouth EGXE = Leeming
EGUB = Benson EGYM = Marham
EGUW = Wattisham
ADSU Apache Depth Support Unit at Wattisham
Airbus Hel. Airbus Helicopters at Kidlington
Airbus Mil. Airbus Military at Getafe (Spain)
Ian French visited Colombia and Lieutenant Colonel Luis F. Pinto Parra Air Base; also known as Melgar Air Base, on 2 April 2018. That resulted
in this crisp photo of Bell 212 FAC4004 of Escuadron de Combate 411/GRUCO41.
