Kingston Aviation Heritage Project
Many heartfelt thanks to Members Colin Chandler, John Gilbert, Vernon
Lidstone and 'Mac' Magee who contacted Les Palmer with offers to help
in fund raising. Gratifying as this response is, Les will need all the
help he can get so please don't hold back in volunteering. Phone Les on
01784 460418.
Hawk News
The BAES company-owned development Hawk, ZJ100, has been modified
to accept the Hindustan Aeronautics avionic equipment that will be
fitted in the Indian Hawks, for flight testing before the first flight
of HT001 in November.
Harrier News
The MoD has awarded BAES a Joint Integrated Support (JITS) contract
worth £46 million to provide a technical query support service to
the Joint Force Harrier fleet at Cottesmore and Wittering until 2014.
Harriers are expected still to be in service in 2017.
The first Harrier T.12 trainer with the uprated
Pegasus as fitted to the GR.7A and 9A is undergoing flight trials.
The last Sea Harrier F/A.2 flight took place on 28th
March. The Indian Navy is hoping to buy 8 of the retired F/A.2s. They
would have AMRAAM and other US equipment removed.
It is rumoured that Sea Harrier XZ439, the second
FRSMk1 and first FRSMk2 (F/A2) but still the aircraft with the lowest
hours, has been bought by a retired US Marine who intends to fly it on
the air show circuit in the USA. Anybody have details?
