Page 75 - Air Forces Monthly - September 2017

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Ukrainian Albatros additions Chilean

Dauphin
upgrade – not

a done deal

I would like to add some
detail to the news piece in
the June issue (p21) about
the modernisation of the
Chilean Navy’s SA365 Dauphin
II fleet. The report seems
to be based on declarations
made by Helibras (Airbus
Helicopters’ Brazilian
subsidiary) during the last
LAAD show. Contrary to what
is stated, the Chilean Navy
has not yet signed a contract
to modernise its SA365s.
Above: L-39C ‘72 Blue’ (c/n 934658) of 7 brTA, Ukraine’s sole Su-24 unit, during a training flight over its home base The Chilean Navy has plans
of Starokostyantyniv in August 2012. Together with ‘71 Blue’, this aircraft was delivered to the unit fresh from to upgrade its Dauphin II fleet,
overhaul in Odessa on June 26 that year. These were the first L-39s to sport the (now standard) grey ‘digital’ but it is unlikely that such a
camouflage. This year, 7 brTA received two new L-39M1s (also identical ‘71 Blue’ and ‘72 Blue’) from Odessa as contract will be signed this year.
replacements. The older aircraft were likely transferred to another unit, probably to 203 navbr at Chuhuyiv, which The upgrade will be
also received 7 brTA’s L-39C ‘73 Blue’. Nick Cross
The feature on Ukrainian L-39s as mentioned in the text). By at Chuhuyiv, indicating that conducted in phases and
in the July issue includes some my count, 14 upgraded jets have these will soon be replaced batches. This is not because
erroneous information. It been delivered to date (not eight by new L-39M/M1 aircraft. of budgetary constraints,
mentions that Ukraine entered – as reported in the text – and The photo in the article but because there are two
co-operation with IAI Lahav. two of these are L-39Ms). The actually shows one of the different groups of machines
However, collaboration with latest L-39M1 was delivered modernised L-39M1s (‘80 Blue’ in the fleet (the Argentine
Israeli industry was actually this spring. The 14 aircraft of 299 brTA), not an L-39C. Coast Guard will follow
a joint venture involving the include the three (not four) The L-39M1 and especially the the same programme).
overhaul plant at Odessa and impounded by Russia in Crimea more advanced L-39M have The priority for upgrade will
was not endorsed by (nor aimed in 2014, which remain there. a few distinguishing features be the four former Irish Air
at) the Ukrainian Air Force. I have, as yet, unconfirmed compared with the standard Corps SA365F1s acquired in
The Ukrainian modernisation information suggesting frontline L-39C. Ukraine’s MiG-29 experts, 2008, which are heavier and
programme is alive and well – units will start (or are perhaps in the April 2017 issue, provides underpowered (the reason
the Odessa facility still turns out already in the process of) all the basic information on for their retirement from
both L-39M1s and L-39Ms (note transferring their operational Ukraine’s modernised L-39s. Irish service). The addition
there are no M2 or M3 variants L-39Cs to the training brigade Vladimir Trendafilovski of a new, more powerful
engine is badly needed. This
Italian CORRECTIONS said, these machines have
served the Chilean Navy
firefighters Ian Carroll of AirForces Intelligence Army Production Lot 15. On p12, well, and have been carefully
operated within their limits.
explained provides two corrections to the Spanish Tigre is not 10065, The other four SA365Ns
but 10068. The number is visible
news items that appeared
In the May issue (Feedback, in the July issue. On p11, the in the front cockpit window. in Chilean Navy service
are lighter and have more
p94) Carlo Cervi writes that Royal Netherlands Air Force In the August issue, the correct powerful engines, so their
Italian CL-415s from Italy’s CH-47F contract is not for location for Al Udeid is, of course upgrade is less urgent.
Corpo Forestale dello Stato 15 helicopters, but for an Qatar, and not the United Arab José Higuera
operated in Israel late last year. unspecified number from US Emirates (BALTOPS bombers, p87).
It should be pointed out that
the Corpo Forestale dello Stato
only operated the CL-215, and
this in the period 1982-84. The
Canadairs were then passed
on to the Italian Air Force, and
later to the Protezione Civile
(Civil Protection). The CL-415s
were acquired by the Italian
Protezione Civile starting in
1995. The CL-415s were in turn
passed from the Protezione
Civile to the Vigili del Fuoco Above: Two earlier examples of the Spanish Army Aviation Tigre. HA.28-01 ET-701 was delivered to the Fuerzas
(Firefighting Corps) in 2013. Aeromóviles (FAMET, Army Air Mobile Forces) as a Tigre HAP in December 2005. Another HAP model, HA.28-05 ET-705
Riccardo Niccoli was handed over to FAMET in September 2008. Operating unit is Batallón de Helicópteros de Ataque I (BHELA I, Attack
Helicopter Battalion 1) at Ciudad Real-Almagro. Salvador Mafé Huertas

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