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This website was created in March 2003 by three photographers with a long-time shared interest in military aviation. Over the years we have specialized in writing articles for international magazines on a freelance basis. However, we always get back to our roots of photographing military aviation at its most spectacular, during dedicated photo flights and from the ground.
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Malaysia to replace S-61 fleet with Cougars
The Royal Malaysian Air Force will replace its ageing fleet of Sikorsky S-61 Nuris, a Malaysian export version of the Sea King, with Eurocopter’s EC725 Cougar. The EC725 was one of four candidates to replace the Nuri. The other three were the Sikorsky S-92, Agusta Westland AW101 Merlin and Russian-made Mil Mi-17 Hip. The government is allocating money to buy eight Cougars for the air force and another four for the army.
Final seven MH-53 Pave Lows to be retired
The United States Air Force will retire its final seven Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low helicopters at the end of September. Air Force Special Operations Command originally operated 39 MH-53s, but they have gradually been replaced by the Boeing CV-22 Osprey. Meanwhile, its successor is being pressed into service in Africa for the first time in October. To date 31 Ospreys, of which the CV-22 is designed for special operations, have been ordered for the US Air Force, but the requirement will almost certainly increase.
First South African Gripens delivered
In a spectacular ceremony at Ysterplaat the South African Air Force welcomed its first four of 26 Gripen fighters. The occasion was marked in style with a flypast of the four jets, with Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain providing a great backdrop. South Africa has ordered 26 Gripen fighters, 9 JAS-39D two-seaters and 17 JAS-39C single seaters. Deliveries commenced this year, with four aircraft already in-country, and the remainder are scheduled to be delivered progressively until 2012.
Russian Navy to get four A-42 amphibious planes
Russia's Navy will receive four new A-42 amphibious planes by 2013. The A-42 is the search and rescue variant of the A-40 anti-submarine warfare aircraft, which can be used for reconnaissance and target designation during patrols over coastal and international waters. It is the largest amphibious aircraft in the world. The A-42 will become the main reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft of the Russian Navy after 2015 and would replace the ageing fleet of Be-12 and Il-38 maritime patrol aircraft.
Two pilots killed in Zimbabwe K-8 crash
Two AFZ (Air Force of Zimbabwe) pilots were killed when their K-8 jet crashed during a training flight for a ceremonial flypass. No indication was given of how the crash occurred and the names of the victims were not released. It is the first crash involving a Zimbabwean K-8 jet trainer since they were purchased in 2005.
USAF not ready to retire U-2
Once again the United States Air Force is considering to delay the retirement date of the Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady, as developers work out issues with integrating a signals intelligence payload onto the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle. The current plan calls for the completion of U-2 retirement in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. But the Pentagon is considering delaying the retirement to 2014 or possibly later, depending on the maturity of the Global Hawk.
Pakistan to get 20 additional T-37 trainers
The US government authorised the delivery of 20 T-37 Tweet trainer aircraft to Pakistan. These are all used aircraft which are being refurbished for the Pakistani Air Force. The US government would not charge for the aircraft and Pakistan would only have to bear shipment costs.
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