Nice whif at IAT

philp · July 16, 2006, 10:35:53 PM

Amphion · July 17, 2006, 02:56:47 AM

What's whif about it?

Runway ? ... · July 17, 2006, 03:31:19 AM

We bought a bunch of them, with spares, cheap. The numbers are out there if you care to look it up.

Now if somebody Irish Zapped it that would be another matter !

philp · July 17, 2006, 12:17:40 PM

OK, news to me.
Never seen an Alpha in British markings.
Guess I need to get out more.

Runway ? ... · July 17, 2006, 12:22:00 PM

I "Did my head in" the first time I saw one too

AeroplaneDriver · July 17, 2006, 12:33:36 PM

They've been operating at Boscombe since about 2002 I think. They picked them up because they were running out of Hawks for chase planes and other test duties.

It wouod be nice to see one in Raspberry Ripple instead of still in the Luftwaffe camo though.

Scooterman · July 17, 2006, 01:36:36 PM

Quote
It wouod be nice to see one in Raspberry Ripple instead of still in the Luftwaffe camo though.

B)
(gears turning in Scooterman's head)

Spey_Phantom · July 17, 2006, 01:42:12 PM

QuoteWhat's whif about it?

the aircraft isnt exsactly a whiff, the civilian based defence company QinetiQ flies 2 of the ex-luftwaffe Ajets to test new systems, upgrades and test pilot training, but since they are financed by the RAF, they also fly them as agressors for Typhoon and Tornado pilots.

some time ago, news leaked out that they were due to retire soon

GeorgeC · July 17, 2006, 01:51:23 PM

The MOD withdrew a lot of support from QuinetiQ when they were privatised, all be it with some UK Government fingers in the pie, and being a commercial organisation they can pick their own aircraft. These operate on the military register because the CAA would burst a fuse if they were asked to approve their operating regime

. The Empire Test Pilots School is now part of QuinetiQ and operates Alpha Jets ZJ649 & 651, and (famously) lease hours on the Gripen.

Regards

GeorgeC

Davey B · July 18, 2006, 05:33:38 AM

Never thought I'd see the day with one of them in RAF markings, bloody Chuck-Glider... (goes off mumbling obscenities) :dum: :dum: :dum:

GeorgeC · July 18, 2006, 08:11:07 AM

QuoteNever thought I'd see the day with one of them in RAF markings, bloody Chuck-Glider... (goes off mumbling obscenities) :dum: :dum: :dum:

But DaveyB, they are sooo cheap because everyone else wants to buy Hawk. I think they bought 12 and operate 2 or 3 becuase they throw them away as soon as they need major servicing...

Regards

GeorgeC

SimonR · July 18, 2006, 10:48:03 AM

The AJ is less departure resistant than the Hawk and is therefore more use in a flight test/test pilot training regime.

Archibald · July 18, 2006, 01:08:09 PM

Alpha Jet production stopped many years ago. A pity, just because they could have done to the AJ what they done with the Hawk (I mean, 100 200 etc. variants)
Plenty of things to do with an alpha jet (single seat, Mirage's radar and AAM, antiship variant with exocets, Lancier (this is real world) LIFT Alpha Jet and the like...

P1127 · July 20, 2006, 03:45:51 PM

To get slightly spotterish, there are/were 6 Flyers, of which 5 are in the same (Norm83) scheme of green/dark grey and one is in the Norm 72 scheme of splinter Green/Grey over light grey.

If they are ever re-painted, sadly it will probably be to black rather than raspberry ripple - one of the Red/white/blue hawks has been recently repained balck

Nice whif at IAT

Davey B