1940 MONTH BY MONTH
Our chronology of the air war of 1940 reaches July, and the true start of the Battle of Britain

THE ITALIAN JOB
The involvement of Italy’s Regia Aeronautica in the Battle of Britain was hardly auspicious. With rarely-published photographs, we remember this short-lived intervention on the Axis side

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
AeroSuperBatics’ wingwalking team embarks on its latest commercial partnership, this time with Breitling

SAUNDERS-ROE’S ROCKET FIGHTERS
What might have been... a detailed examination of the space-age SR53 and SR177 interceptors

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN... COURT LINE
It may not have been around for long, but Court Line’s influence — as a direct result of its acrimonious collapse — is still strong today

THE AIRBASE EXPERIENCE
A first in-depth look at the Air Atlantique Classic Flight’s groundbreaking new attraction

WATER WINGS
A century ago, an aircraft flew off water for the first time when Henri Fabre’s ‘Le Canard’ got airborne from a lake in the south of France. No wonder the French celebrated in style

WHIRLY BIRD
There are many autogyros flying around the world, but none that boast the long history of this wonderful Pitcairn PA-18

POUNDS AND POUNDS FOR AIR-TO-GROUND
The early days of the formidable F-15E Strike Eagle, 30 years on from the demonstrator’s remarkable trans-Atlantic flight to the UK

FLIGHT BAG
Aircraft reviews the latest aviation-related products for the discerning enthusiast

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Skyhawk Reborn
Just how do you turn a standard A-4L Skyhawk into an airworthy two-seat TA-4J? We bring you exclusive photos as this impressive rebuild takes to the air

The Wallbro — 100 years on
It runs in the family… famed autogyro builder and pilot Wg Cdr Ken Wallis relates the history of the Wallbro Monoplane, the revolutionary aircraft built by his father 100 years ago

Battle of BritaIn 70TH anniversary: Heroes of Poland
The vital role played by Polish AF pilots during the air war of 1940 is well documented, but the battles fought by these highly-experienced airmen were not always in the air

1940 month by month
Continuing our chronology of the momentous events of 1940

Gone but not forgotten… Railway Air Services
Trains, ’planes and automobiles. How Britain’s railway companies helped shape today’s airline industry

By Royal appointment
Reviewing the reviews. Seventy-five years ago, the first Royal Review of the RAF took place. Since then there have been just four more, with each reflecting the changing face of the service

What might have been? America’s Pusher fighters
The ungainly trio of XP-54, XP-55 and XP-56 — the pusher-prop fighters that World War Two didn’t need

Vive la Ferté
How could you not be seduced by the heady mix of classic aircraft, French flair and generous hospitality? Aircraft celebrates 40 years of the much-loved Meeting Aérien at La Ferté Alais

Cold War ‘Hogs’
Getting the low-down on what life was like flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II with the USAF’s 81st Tactical Fighter Wing

Flight Bag
Aircraft reviews the latest aviation-related products for the discerning enthusiast

AIR DISPLAY News
The latest from the international display scene

AIR DISPLAY Calendar
Your essential, fully-updated airshow planner

WIN! YEOVILTON AIR DAY TICKETS

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BATTLE OF BRITAIN 70TH ANNIVERSARY

1940 MONTH BY MONTH
Beginning our chronology of the momentous events of 1940

DUXFORD THEN AND NOW
Memories of the Battle of Britain will doubtless be stirred at the Imperial War Museum Duxford’s events in 2010 – but what was actually taking place there on those dates 70 years ago?

GRACE SPITFIRE’S NEW LOOK
A change of markings, and a new sponsor, for much-loved Spitfire ML407

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN... BRANIFF
This US carrier wasn’t just about absurd uniforms and gaudy colour schemes! Sadly, though, these gimmicks didn’t help it survive

FASTER, HIGHER, LONGER
A hundred years ago this summer, the Scottish town of Lanark hosted a remarkable International Aviation Meeting at which aeronautical records were repeatedly smashed

DESERT CLASSICS
Strikemasters, Hunter and Gnats displaying over the Al Ain desert – what a start to the airshow season! Aircraft caught up with these leading lights of Britain’s classic jet scene, and brings you an exclusive ‘from the cockpit’ report by Jonathon Whaley of his Al Ain exploits in Miss Demeanour

LUFTHANSA’S JET AGE
The German national carrier’s transition 50 years ago from Super Constellations to brand new Boeing 707s – a seismic generational shift

SINKING THE COVENTRY
In a rare interview, Argentine Air Force pilot Comodoro Mariano Velasco recalls his part in sinking HMS Coventry during the Falklands War

THE INTERVIEW
The life of Jock Maitland, from ‘MiG-killing’ F-86 Sabre pilot during the Korean War to legendary Biggin Hill Air Fair impresario

ALCONBURY’S RECCE ‘RHINOS’
The RF-4Cs of the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing were both the first and the last USAF Phantoms to be permanently based in Britain

FLIGHT BAG
Aircraft reviews the latest aviation-related products for the discerning enthusiast
PLUS! Win a set of C&H Flight Simulator USB Pro Pedals, worth £124.99

 

AIR DISPLAY
The best in worldwide airshow coverage

NEWS
The latest from the international display scene

CALENDAR
Your essential, fully-updated airshow planner

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Bader at war
With the help of original documents, we recount some notable events from Douglas Bader’s remarkable wartime service

‘He was such a dynamic man, so inspiring’
Royal International Air Tattoo director Tim Prince remembers the Sir Douglas Bader he knew

 

WATTISHAM’S LIGHTNING YEARS
With brand new Mach 2 fighters, colourful squadron markings and spectacular aerobatic teams, RAF Wattisham was an exciting place to be in the early ’60s

KNIGHTS OF THE SKY
The world’s largest fleet of airworthy First World War aircraft now graces the skies of New Zealand. We report exclusively on the remarkable work of The Vintage Aviator Ltd

THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL
The story of how Brazilian pilots flew P-47 Thunderbolts with the US Army Air Force in the Mediterranean theatre

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN... DAN-AIR
Once, Dan-Air was one of the most famous names in the UK airline business. Then, the early 1990s recession laid it low

OPEN SEASONS
British airshow nostalgia, USAF-style – the Armed Forces Days, Open Houses and others that brought a bit of America to the UK display scene

THE INTERVIEW
Aircraft meets Red Bull Air Race contender, former Rhodesian Air Force pilot and top aerobatic and warbird display exponent Nigel Lamb

FLIGHT BAG
Aircraft reviews the latest aviation-related products for the discerning enthusiast

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN: SR.A/1
Saunders-Roe’s jet fighter flying boat, an aircraft that was always in a class of its own

 

FREE! AIR DISPLAY 2010 SUPPLEMENT

• Battle of Britain celebrations previewed
• Full UK and worldwide air events calendar
• Major British show previews

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The impressive expansion of Vintage Wings of Canada, now one of the world’s leading collections of historic aircraft

PRESERVING THE BRISTOL HERITAGE
In the centenary year of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, we take a timely look at the Bristol Aero Collection

BLENHEIMS GO TO WAR
The story of the first raid of World War Two – a gallant action by the Blenheim squadrons from RAF Wattisham

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN... SILVER CITY
It’s best remembered for its ‘love affair’ with the utilitarian Bristol Freighter and its famed cross-Channel car ferry services, but there was much more to Silver City Airways than that

FREE!
Pull-out Bristol centenary poster

THE BATTLE FOR CONCORDE
In some respects, getting Concorde into the air was the easy part. Service entry – and particularly approval to fly to the USA – was another matter. So was keeping the project alive...

THE INTERVIEW
Former Civil Aviation Authority chief test pilot Jock Reid’s varied career, including a close, and vital, association with Concorde

DEEDS, NOT WORDS: 20 AT WAR
Moments from the combat history of No 20 Squadron, RFC/RAF, about to disband in its 95th anniversary year

MAGNIFIQUE MORANE
The story of the world’s only airworthy MS406, one of Europe’s most prized warbird fighters

EAGLES ON ALERT
How the F-15 Eagles of Bitburg’s 36th Tactical Fighter Wing guarded the skies of Western Europe during the Cold War – and achieved notable success in ‘Desert Storm’

FLIGHT BAG
Aircraft reviews the latest aviation-related products for the discerning enthusiast – and provides the answers to our Christmas brain-teasers

AIR DISPLAY NEWS
The latest from the international display scene

AIR DISPLAY CALENDAR
Your essential airshow planner

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LIFE BEGINS AT 40
It’s the oldest flying ancestor of Boeing’s famous jet airliners – Addison Pemberton’s splendid Boeing 40C

THE INTERVIEW
We meet Wg Cdr Ken Wallis, the wartime RAF pilot and autogyro maestro who’s still flying at 93!

CAF FLYING HIGH AGAIN
A look at the Commemorative Air Force as it looks forward to a brighter future

MIGHTY ‘SPAD’
The Marine Aviation Museum’s A-1D Skyraider salutes the ‘Sandy’ rescue operations of the Vietnam War

PHANTOMS OF THE RUHR
Preparation for war was a fact of daily life within RAF Germany at the height of the Cold War, as former Phantom navigator Ian Black recalls

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN: ROTODYNE
Almost 50 years after its cancellation, the Fairey Rotodyne continues to divide opinion

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN... AIR EUROPE
The story behind one of the biggest airline collapses of all time

MUSTANG VERSUS Me262
Former USAAF P-51D pilots recall the first piston-to-jet dogfights in history

SAVE A TRIDENT!
Efforts get under way to preserve a now unique piece of British airliner heritage

FLIGHT BAG
Aircraft reviews the latest aviation-related products for the discerning enthusiast – and provides the answers to our Christmas brain-teasers PLUS! Win superb P-51 flight sims

 

AIR DISPLAY NEWS
The latest from the international display scene

AIR DISPLAY CALENDAR
Your essential airshow planner

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Gone but not forgotten... Air UK
The regional airline that wanted to be ‘like the milkman – nothing flash but guaranteed to turn up every morning’

The Interview
It’s an interesting progression from RAF combat pilot to professional artist, but Mike Rondot is an interesting chap!

‘Peace is our profession’
With the start of the Cold War, American bombers were back in Britain. We recall the deployments that formed part of Strategic Air Command’s immediate post-war deterrent

Three’s Company
Swedish firm Biltema is new on the European warbird scene, but has made a big impact with its trio of classics – a Cavalier Mustang and two Spitfires

Night at the Museum
Something special for the keen photographer at the Newark Air Museum

What might have been: Nimrod AEW3
The most salutary example of how not to do military procurement? We tell the story of the disastrous ‘Nimwacs’

Polar pioneers
How SAS pioneered airline services over the inhospitable polar regions – the longest ‘short-cut’ in the world!

Flight Bag
Aircraft reviews the latest aviation-related products for the discerning enthusiast

 

AIR DISPLAY
The best in worldwide airshow coverage

News
The latest from the international display scene

Reviews
International show action from Overberg, Dubai and Houston

RIAT: View from the commentary box
The editor looks back at his airshow commentary debut

Calendar
Your essential airshow planner

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May the V-force be with you...
Aircraft talks to Dr Robert Pleming, chief executive of the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, about the appeal that’s trying to keep XH558 flying in her 50th anniversary year

The Interview
Air Atlantique founder and boss Mike Collett looks back over 40 years in the aviation business

Gone but not forgotten... British Airports Authority
The organisation that revolutionised Britain’s major gateways

FLY NAVY!

Flying the Fury
Frédéric Akary describes the effortless thrill of putting his magnificent Hawker Fury through its paces

Yeovilton’s glory days
A nostalgic look back at the Fleet Air Arm’s greatest showpieces

Foxy Lady
The finest Fleet Air Arm jet warbird of them all – Sea Vixen XP924

Fighting Wildcats
First-hand US Marine Corps F4F Wildcat combat stories from the Pacific War

A Shuttleworth century
An 11-page special on the Shuttleworth Collection, recalling the short but varied life of its founder Richard Shuttleworth, born 100 years ago this year, and focusing on the Collection today

Phoenix Rising
No 56 Squadron, RAF has often led the way with new aircraft during its famous history – and, in its latest incarnation, it’s still doing just that

Flight Bag
Aircraft reviews the latest aviation-related products for the discerning enthusiast – including a selection of Christmas gifts

Christmas Quiz
Aviation brain-teasers to keep you amused over the festive season

 

AIR DISPLAY
The best in worldwide airshow coverage

News
Hurricane accident report published

Reviews
Show action from Edwards and Liverpool

Look back on 2009
The 2009 air display season in retrospect

Calendar
Your essential airshow planner

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The Interview
With 487 different aircraft types, 2,407 carrier landings and countless ‘firsts’ under his belt, Capt Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown’s flying experience will probably never be surpassed

Pitch Battle
The story of the so-called Soccer War — when piston-engined fighters came head-to-head in combat for the last time

Gone but not forgotten... British Caledonian
A ‘second force’ airline to be reckoned with

MUSTANG SPECIAL
Wild Horses
Leading display pilot Ed Shipley on his love of the P-51 Mustang and flying with The Horsemen

Band of Brothers
WW2 aces, and twins, Bill and ‘Buck’ Pattillo get airborne again in two very special P-51s

Tales of the ‘Beau’
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Bristol Beaufighter’s maiden flight, we present a series of fascinating first-hand accounts of the type, as flown in war and peace

Good Samaritans
A pair of veteran Convair C-131s fly on in South Carolina, performing a vital role

Rare Yak is back
Air-to-air with Yak-3 F-AZLY, now evoking the unsung Yak-3/VK-107A

Flight Bag
Aircraft reviews the latest aviation-related products for the discerning enthusiast
AirDisplay
The best in worldwide airshow coverage
News
The latest from the international display scene

Reviews
Show action from LAVEX, Leuchars, Duxford, Goodwood, Sanicole, Batajnica, Malta and Midland

Calendar
Your essential airshow planner, with updated dates for 2010

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Flight of the ‘Rata’
The Fundación Infante de Orleans museum’s Polikarpov I-16 ‘Rata’ salutes
the type’s exploits in the Spanish Civil War
Gone but not forgotten... Imperial Airways
The last two years of the great British inter-war fl ag carrier
What might have been: F-20 Tigershark
Insights into the Northrop fighter that tried — and failed — to
compete with the F-16
The Interview
Aircraft talks to Tony Iveson DFC, No 617 Squadron veteran and chairman of
the Bomber Command Association
Hunter Passion
The Dutch Hawker Hunter Foundation adds a single-seat Hunter F6A
to its fleet
BERLIN WALL SPECIAL
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, we bring
you four exclusive Cold War features
Crisis Point
When the Wall went up, the US responded with Operation ‘Stair Step’, then
the largest trans-Atlantic fi ghter deployment ever
West Berlin’s lifelines
Seldom have airline operations in Europe had so much strategic signifi cance
as those in Cold War West Berlin
War of Intelligence
Recollections one of the most valuable, and most hazardous, Cold War
intelligence missions — BRIXMIS
Beginning of the end
How changes within the Soviet air forces in East Germany prove that the
Kremlin had already given up on the GDR

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News
Eight pages of top stories from the aircraft preservation scene
Blériot centenary commemorated • Great War team salutes Henry Allingham • Sally B back again • Grand Champion award for newly-flown P-40 • Dornier Museum opens • and much more!

‘Red Tail’ reborn
How the Red Tail Project’s P-51C Mustang made it back into the air

The Interview
The Berlin ‘Candy Bomber’, Gail Halvorsen, recalls his part in the Cold War

Gone but not forgotten... British Eagle
The influential British independent carrier that tried to take on the ‘big boys’

MILDENHALL SPECIAL
• Mildenhall’s fascinating story, from MacRobertson Air Race starting point and RAF bomber base to USAF ‘Gateway to Britain’
• Reporter and photographer John Dunnell and the show’s former director and commentator Roger Hoefling remember Mildenhall’s great Air Fetes
• SR-71 expert Paul Crickmore details the operational history of Detachment 4 of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing

Tiger Hunter
A stunning new look for one of Switzerland’s ex-military Hunters

Water World
For some air services, the floatplane reigns supreme in Canada

Scotland’s floatplane airline
Loch Lomond Seaplanes, the airline that harks back to a golden age of travel

From Sabre to Phantom
Celebrating 50 years of Luftwaffe wing JG 71 ‘Richthofen’

Dakota Warrior
Dakota Heritage’s D-Day and Arnhem veteran C-47 Skytrain Drag-em-oot

Flight Bag
Aircraft reviews the latest aviation-related products for the discerning enthusiast

 

AIR DISPLAY
The best in worldwide airshow coverage

News
The latest from the international display scene

Shipshaping the show
Behind the scenes at this year’s RNAS Yeovilton Air Day

Reviews
Show reports from Old Warden, Eastbourne, Rougham, Branscombe and the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Calendar and Previews
Your essential airshow planner

 

FREE SUPPLEMENT!
Attached to this month’s issue is the second in a collectable series of supplements saluting some of the greatest products of the British aviation industry over the last 100 years.

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News
Eight pages of top stories from the aircraft preservation scene
Hawker Demon makes first flight • John Fairey killed in Provost crash • RAF Museum FE2b goes on show • Sabre and Boomerang airborne in Australia • CAF P-51C back in the air • and much more!

The legend of ‘Normandie-Niemen’
The French Air Force’s most decorated unit is no more – but not for long...

McNamara’s folly
The debacle that was the USAF/US Navy’s TFX programme, progenitor of the F-111

Gone but not forgotten... Pan American
It was the airline everyone had heard of – so why did Pan Am fail?

Last of the Wessex
The end of an era for a famous British helicopter is approaching – in Uruguay!

Thunder Years
Only one man ever led the USAF Thunderbirds on three different types – that man, Jack Broughton, recalls his tour on F-84G, F-84F and F-100

‘Butcher Bird’ is back!
EXCLUSIVE! The first air-to-airs of Christophe Jacquard’s stunning Flug Werk FW190 – plus impressions from owner and pilot

‘Battle of Britain’ – 40 years on
It’s 40 years since the movie ‘Battle of Britain’ hit the big screen, and to celebrate we bring you an exclusive feature by Maurice Hynett, one of the Spitfire pilots who took part

The Interview
Rod Dean has now been flying fighters old and new for over 40 years – and he still loves every minute of it

Flight Bag
Aircraft reviews the latest aviation-related products for the discerning enthusiast

 

AIR DISPLAY
The best in worldwide airshow coverage

News
The latest from the international display scene

Flying Legends
Detailed coverage of the world’s finest historic aircraft show bar none

Reviews
Show reports from Zeltweg, Reims, Hatzerim, Kauhava, Koksijde, Biggin Hill, Waddington and Yeovilton

RIAT 2009
How did the Royal International Air Tattoo fare this year? Read our full review!

Calendar and Previews
Your essential airshow planner

 

FREE SUPPLEMENT!
Attached to this month’s issue is the first in a collectable series of supplements saluting some of the greatest products of the British aviation industry over the last 100 years.

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News
12 pages of top stories from the aircraft preservation scene Vulcan’s season off to a good start • First flights of CWH Lysander and Christophe Jacquard’s Sea Fury • Sally B grounded again • Fw190 rolled out • Another Dauntless raised from Lake Michigan • and much more!

Cat Flights
A memorable gathering of Grumman ‘Ironworks’ products

The Interview
Aircraft meets legendary Harrier test pilot John Farley

Flying the ‘People’s Fighter’
First-hand accounts of piloting the Heinkel He162 PLUS! Win the new Classic Publications book on the ‘Volksjäger’

A family affair
Continuity and change at La Ferté Alais, France’s vintage aviation Mecca

Airbus at 40
The European manufacturer’s progress from vision to world market leader

High Road to Hispaniola
Flying on a venerable DC-3 of Missionary Flights International

Golden Years
EXCLUSIVE! Vintage Wings of Canada’s beautiful ‘Hawk One’ Sabre salutes the centenary of Canadian powered flight and the RCAF Golden Hawks team

Return of the Lansen
The Swedish Air Force Historic Flight’s Saab Lansens get a new lease of operational life

Gone but not forgotten... Laker Airways
Memories of the British pioneer of low-cost trans-Atlantic travel

Phantoms at Wattisham
Remembering a vital element in the RAF’s Cold War air defence capability

Blériot’s flight into history
A centenary celebration of the pioneering cross-Channel flight

Flight Bag
Aircraft reviews the latest aviation-related products for the discerning enthusiast

Air Display

News
The latest from the international display scene

Reviews
Show reports from La Ferté Alais, Volkel, Paris, Cazaux, Pieštany, Novi Sad, Cosford and Kemble

Calendar and Previews
Your essential airshow Planner

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Military
Tranche 3 Typhoon and A400M in procurement spotlight • Joint Force Harrier
reprieved • P-8 fl ies • VH-71 cancelled
Civil
First Chinese-built A320 makes maiden fl ight • Air France A330 tragedy
• Boeing 787 ready to test • Boeing looks to 737 improvements
Preservation
Victor airborne at Bruntingthorpe • Dutch ‘Connie’ should join circuit in 2009
• Air Atlantique may stay at Coventry • FW190 fl ies in France
Dutch Air Power STEPHAN DE BRUIJN & FRANK CREBAS
A comprehensive briefi ng on today’s Royal Netherlands AF, as this modern and
active air arm looks towards the further advancement of its capabilities
Racing Bull ANDREAS SPAETH
We sample aerobatics Red Bull Air Race-style in Abu Dhabi
From Boom to Bust ANDREAS SPAETH
PART TWO: Why big winners have become big losers in the global civil aviation
downturn. This month, the Middle East
Living Legends BEN DUNNELL
Behind the scenes with The Fighter Collection as it prepares for another busy
season and Flying Legends
Sea Fury’s visit to UK FRANK B. MORMILLO
Sea Fury WG655 makes a visit to the UK for Flying Legends
 ‘The most diffi cult approach in the world’ ANDREAS SPAETH
Aircraft experiences the unique operations of Druk Air, Bhutan’s national airline
Romanian Air Force today MARNIX SAP & CARLO BRUMMER
An in-depth look at Romanian air power after two decades of change and
fi ve years of NATO membership
Thai Bear MIKE SHREEVE
Air-to-air with Rod Lewis’ latest stunning warbird
Flight Sims
Products
Books
Airshow Reviews
Action from the Fly Navy 100
celebrations, Abingdon, Duxford and
Plovdiv
Airshow Calendar and Previews

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NEWS

Military
MoD announces plans for Tornado F3 drawdown • Embraer launches KC-390 • Predator C revealed • Huge US defence cuts spell end for F-22 production

Civil
Airliner production slashed • Super Puma offshore disaster • Embraer 190 on test at London City • Centralwings folds

Preservation
Typhoon arrives at Duxford • Two more P-40s fly • Original BE2f and Avro 504K debut in New Zealand • Dauntless recovered from Lake Michigan

FEATURES

Airshow Legends: Air Tattoo
PART THREE: We bring our revealing history of the world’s greatest military airshow to a close with a look back at the greatest stories from the Fairford years

Flying the A340-600 – Virgin style
A ‘from the cockpit’ report on one of the longest long-haulers of them all
PLUS – WIN! VIRGIN ATLANTIC TICKETS See page 35...

FLY NAVY 100 SPECIAL: 100 years of British naval aviation
12 pages of glorious naval aviation history, with stunning archive images and memories of flying some of the Fleet Air Arm’s greatest aircraft

FLY NAVY 100 SPECIAL: Training the Fleet
Aircraft flies in the Royal Navy’s ‘Thursday War’

FLY NAVY 100 SPECIAL: Fleet Air Arm today and tomorrow
How the UK’s naval aviators still find themselves hard at work over both land and sea

Boom to Bust
PART ONE: Why big winners have become big losers in the global civil aviation downturn. This month, we focus on India

From F-4 to F-2
In an Aircraft exclusive, we detail the entry of the Japan Air Self Defense Force’s fighter units at Misawa into a new era

A GUIDE

Flight Sims

Products

Books

Airshow Reviews
Action from the Australian International Airshow at Avalon

Airshow Calendar and Previews
PLUS – WIN! YEOVILTON AIR DAY TICKETS See page 81...

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NEWS

Civil
Airlines consider Boeing 787 cancellations • BAA told to sell three airports • Lufthansa firms up CSeries order • 777 icing concerns

Military
Boeing unveils Silent Eagle • UK signs for test F-35s • Typhoon and A400M pose big questions to European defence ministers • Nimrods grounded

Preservation
Vulcan gets funding pledges for 2009 • Deere’s Spitfire makes first flight • Mosquito fighter-bomber reassembled • CAF aircraft on the move

FEATURES

Airshow Legends: Air Tattoo
PART TWO: A glorious decade at Greenham Common is the subject of the second article in our revealing history of the world’s greatest military airshow

The great airport debate
What future for the UK’s airports? Aircraft was there when the industry came together to discuss the possibilities

Last of the ‘Foxbats’
The Russian AF’s remaining recce MiG-25s are due for retirement – we bring you an exclusive report and photos

Virgin birth
How Virgin Atlantic came to be, 25 years ago this year – PLUS! Win a copy of Midland Publishing’s new book on the carrier

Czech Air Power
A force briefing on the Czech AF as it prepares for its most important operational deployments of the modern era

Opening the Skies
An insight into the fascinating world of Open Skies overflights

Joining the Jet2 set
A ‘from the cockpit’ report on a Jet2.com Boeing 737 flight – PLUS! Win Jet2.com tickets

CANBERRA AT 60

Development of a world-beater
How the English Electric team under ‘Teddy’ Petter created a true British great

‘One of the world’s greatest aeroplanes’
Memories of flying the Canberra, by one of its longest-serving exponents

A GUIDE

Products

Flight Sims

Books

Airshow Calendar and Previews

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Military

RAF front-line focus • Can the UK wait for the A400M? • VH-71 programme in turmoil • Aero India news

Civil

Airline industry counts cost of fatal accidents • Global slump hits home • 787 order cuts • Embraer plans civil C-390

Preservation

CAF in ownership disputes • Second Flug Werk FW190 airborne • Crunch time for Vulcan • National Museum of the USAF to expand

FEATURES

Concorde: the end...

Did supersonic travel have to come to an end in 2003? With the help of former Concorde pilots, Aircraft investigates

Typhoon over Austria

The Austrian AF’s introduction of the Eurofighter Typhoon – PLUS! Exclusive air-to-air photography by Katsuhiko Tokunaga

Airshow Legends: Air Tattoo

PART ONE: Our revealing history of the world’s greatest military airshow starts with its small beginnings at North Weald

WIN! RIAT 2009 TICKETS

Breitling precision

Air-to-air with the Breitling Jet Team, the world’s largest civilian jet display team

So you want to be a display pilot?

The essentials for the would-be airshow performer

The Aircraft Defence Review

PART TWO: Jon Lake’s personal prescription for what should be done to ensure the best future for the UK’s air arms

Serving Alaska

How Alaska Airlines thinks it can ride out the current airline storm – PLUS! Archive shots from the carrier’s long history

Antei hero

The lengthy service career of the mighty Antonov An-22 Antei continues

Big in Japan

Tokyo’s Narita Airport – a sometimes turbulent past and a dynamic future

‘Varks’ in the UK

Pilots and unit commanders remember the USAF’s F-111 operations from Upper Heyford and Lakenheath

A GUIDE

Books

Flight Sims

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Editorial and Contributors

Hero of the Hudson

SPECIAL REPORT on the remarkable US Airways A320 ditching in New York

Civil News

Go-ahead for third Heathrow runway • Airbus beats Boeing in 2008 order battle • US carriers post losses • AirAsia plans own airport

A400M hit by severe delays

SPECIAL REPORT on the latest problems for the troubled Airbus Military transport

Military News

India orders P-8 • Israeli offensive in Gaza • RAF prepares GR4 for Afghan mission • Eurocopter eyes ARH deal

Preservation News

Hangar 11’s Hurricane flies • HFL’s latest Spitfire projects • Hampden damaged in Canada • ‘Hawk One’ Sabre resplendent

A350: brave new world

Airbus puts important lessons to good use with its new wide-body

The Aircraft Defence Review

PART ONE: The Ministry of Defence’s spending plans have been thrown into disarray, and cuts are being demanded which will affect the UK’s air arms. In the first half of a two-part feature, we examine the background to the debate

A greener future?

The airline industry finds out whether new generation biofuels offer answers to big environmental questions

KLM celebration

Exclusive air-to-airs of KLM’s 90th anniversary ‘retrojet’ Boeing 737

Concorde: 40 years on

Remembering the maiden flight of the British Concorde – by six men who were there

‘Blacksnakes’ of Indiana

A P-47 unit’s legacy lives on in the Indiana ANG’s F-16 squadron – PLUS! Exclusive air-to-airs of the 163rd Fighter Squadron’s specially-painted ‘Viper’

The hills are alive...

The changing scene at Salzburg Airport, where the winter brings a mass of tourism from East and West

Nuclear power

EXCLUSIVE! Revealing the Soviet Air Forces’ Cold War nuclear capabilities in Eastern Europe

Flight Sim Reviews

Book Reviews

Serbia’s Stars display team in profile

Airshow Calendar

Airshow News

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Editorial and Contributors

Nightmare for Dreamliner

Yet more delays push the Boeing 787’s maiden flight further back

Civil

Three BAA airports to be sold • Lufthansa spreads its wings • BA and Qantas end merger talks • Virgin Galactic ‘mothership’ flies

Military

UK air power at a crossroads • TP400 testbed Hercules flies • Dutch back JSF • Lebanese Hunters back in the air

Preservation

Udvar-Hazy Center expands • Cosford gets MH-53 • Classic Flight looks to safeguard UK’s rare types • Spitfire SM969 fl ies in USA

Saving private Malev

The Hungarian flag carrier looks forward to a change of fortunes under new ownership

Rafale from the cockpit

Aircraft flight-tests the latest Dassault fighter, the Standard F3 Rafale

The ‘Unlucky Devils’ of Gulf War I

The inside story of an ill-fated F-16 mission during Operation ‘Desert Storm’

In from the cold

A Boeing 757 training captain reports on the national airline of Kazakhstan, Air Astana — including a rare ‘from the flightdeck’ report

Reserve Warriors

The varied roles of the US Navy’s Tactical Support Wing — and some of the most stunning USN air-to-airs you’ll ever see!

Airshow calendar update

Books

Flight Sims

Gear

Herpa Competition and Christmas Quiz answers

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FUTURE GRIPEN – Why choose JSF?

Saab still has high hopes for its Gripen NG programme, despite Norway’s decision to go ahead with a JSF purchase. In this issue, we examine the next-generation Swedish fighter, and the Gripen Demo programme leading up to it, with stunning air-to-air photography.

NEWS

Civil

Boeing beset by delays • Manchester loses long-haul bmi routes • GECAS orders ARJ21 • Boardroom tension at easyJet

Military

Norway goes for JSF • Oman Typhoon prospects reported • F-15SG and CH-148 maiden flights • Red Flag repercussions

Preservation

Air Atlantique looks to Kemble • Vintage Wings Sabre airborne • Hawkins and Powers ‘heavies’ find new homes • Bournemouth museum re-opens Plus! PRESERVATION SPECIAL REPORT on the re-opening of the USS Intrepid museum in New York

FEATURES

The end of Tempelhof

Berlin’s iconic Tempelhof Airport closes – controversially – for good. Plus! Remembering the USAF ‘spyplanes’ that used Tempelhof during the Cold War

SAAB FIGHTER SPECIAL: Roll out the Barrel

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Saab J29, Sweden’s first production jet fighter

SAAB FIGHTER SPECIAL: Gripen – the next generation

What are the prospects for Saab’s newest fighter offering, the Gripen NG? We investigate, and examine the Gripen Demo programme. Plus! Stunning air-to-airs by Katsuhiko Tokunaga

Flybe – regional on the rise

An exclusive interview with Flybe CEO Jim French about this low-cost regional carrier’s huge success story

Russian ‘Top Guns’

The Lipetsk Aviation Center – spearheading the combat capabilities of the Russian AF

Harriers back at sea

Aboard HMS Illustrious with Joint Force Harrier

A GUIDE

Books

Gear

Christmas Quiz!

Flight sims

Airshow calendar update

Airshow Reviews

End-of-season reports from Amberley, Malta, Oceana, Midland, Reno, Goodwood and Duxford

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Military

Saudi Typhoon flies • ARH cancelled • JSF under pressure • More F-16s for Chile

Civil

More airlines collapse • Lufthansa buys bmi • American orders Dreamliners • Spanair MD-82 report

Preservation

Lone Star museum latest • Air Atlantique Classic Flight to operate Meteor T7 • Cody centenary celebrated • Sea Harrier show debut

Grand old Lady

As France’s B-17G Pink Lady faces an uncertain future, we talk to pilot Michel Bézy about the challenges ahead

Alaskan Aggressors

Alaska gets aggressive. We head out to the wilds of Eielson AFB to track down the newly-designated 18th Aggressor Squadron

Finnair thinking big

In an exclusive interview with Aircraft, Finnair’s CEO Jukka Hienonen explains how the booming Asian market is allowing this Scandinavian carrier to expand

Vulcan — highs and lows

Aircraft talks to Vulcan to the Sky chief executive Dr Robert Pleming about the 2008 season and the future of XH558 Plus EXCLUSIVE! Air-to-airs by Jamie Hunter

What future for low-cost?

The battered low-cost airline industry sets about tackling the current economic crisis. PLUS! Q&A with Herb Kelleher, the godfather of low-cost

To save a city

Remembering the Berlin Airlift, 60 years on

A GUIDE

Flight Sims

The world of Flight Sims

Win! Air Combat Manoeuvres book

Christmas gifts

Books

2009 Airshow calendar

Airshow Reviews

Only in South Africa — a special report from AAD 2008, including stunning Lightning and Buccaneer air-to-airs and the latest from Thunder City

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Military

KC-X programme ended • Iraqi AF wants F-16s • Lockheed studies enlarged C-130 • First production VH-71 flies

Civil

Alitalia on the brink • CRJ-1000 maiden flight • More Airbus restructuring • Olympic to become Pantheon

Preservation

Swiss Mirage III airborne in civil hands • Last C-133 flight • Lone Star museum hit by hurricane • Yeovilton prepares for Fly Navy 100

Alaskan Raptors

The USAF’s 3rd Wing works up its capabilities on the F-22

End of an airline

What happens when your airline goes bust? Following the demise of XL, we investigate

America’s secret MiGs

WORLD EXCLUSIVE! Part two of our examination of the USAF’s secret MiG operations looks at the birth of the Red Eagles — the most realistic Cold War adversary programme

Britain’s airport shake-up

Gatwick is put up for sale — but what now for the rest of BAA’s airports?

Thunder and Lightning

Behind the scenes with Operation ‘Summer Lightning’, the RAF Role Demo

A380 down under

Qantas takes delivery of its first Airbus A380 — and Aircraft was there...

Weird and Wonderful

The sole surviving VFW 614 jetliner — now an advanced technology testbed

Mustang masterpiece

Is P-51D Happy Jack’s Go Buggy the finest Mustang restoration ever? We go air-to-air

Flight Sims

Books

Calendars, watches and stamps

Airshow calendar update

Airshow Reviews

Reports from Tanagra, Shoreham, Duxford, Jersey, Bournemouth, Leuchars and Little Gransden

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Civil

Spanair disaster • BAA airports to be sold? • BA-AA merger back on • Alitalia to be ‘re-born’

Military

Russian AF sees action in Georgia • F-35 latest • First P-8 rolled out • AC-XX programme progresses

Preservation

Another rare P-51B flies • Lindbergh’s Mohawk unveiled at Hendon • Sea Hurricane for sale • Sherpa returns home

America’s secret MiGs

WORLD EXCLUSIVE! We tell the story of the genesis of the USAF’s Cold War MiG evaluation programme

Big time for Emirates

Aircraft goes aboard the delivery flight of Emirates’ first Airbus A380

SPITFIRE SPECIAL

Flying the Spitfire I, by Jonathon Whaley
Air-to-air with the BBMF’s silver Spitfire IX
No 19 Squadron — the first Spitfire unit

Lancaster legend — PLUS BOOK COMPETITION

Images from Midland Publishing’s new book ‘Avro Lancaster: Britain’s Greatest Wartime Bomber’

Number one in Canada

The ever-changing face of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport

On the Rampage

Combat stories from US Navy unit VFA-83, at war in the Middle East

Flight Sims

Books

Spitfire products

Airshow calendar update

Airshow Reviews

This month, we report from Dawlish, Sywell, Kecskemét, St Stephan, Augsburg and elsewhere

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NEWS

Civil

777 Freighter flies • BA acquires L'Avion • Second Kalitta 747 crash • Sukhoi Superjet delayed • Orders, airports routes and aircraft

Military

KC-X competition re-opens • Qatar buys C-17s • B-52 down • Swiss fighter deal hots up

Preservation

Gladiator flies • Swordfish back • Finnish Blenheim • Cargomaster to be grounded • Hudson discovered

FEATURES

Belle of the ball RICHARD MALLORY ALLNUTT

The historic UK visit of B-17G Liberty Belle

Afghan Warriors STEPHAN DE BRUIJN

A briefing on the ISAF air assets stationed at Kandahar

Biggin's big business BARRY AMBROSE

How business aviation has caused a traffic boom at Biggin Hill

FARNBOROUGH 2008 SPECIAL

• All the big news from the year's top aerospace trade show
• Bombardier's new CSeries battles Airbus and Boeing
• Vulcan steals the show
• The disappointing Farnborough flying

Ocean Tiger DAVID HALFORD

A memorable maritime Tiger Meet in France

Adria: war and peace ROD WEALE

How the Slovenian national airline has survived through crisis

Head Hunter GERT KROMHOUT

The Netherlands' first jet warbird

A GUIDE

• Flight Sims
• Gear
• Books
• Airshow Calendar update

Airshow Reviews

Action from Flying Legends, Waddington, London City, Yeovilton and the rained-off RIAT

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NEWS

Civil

Better news for Dreamliner • Boeing rolls out 767BCF • Air One goes long-haul • United kills off Ted • Orders, airports, routes and aircraft

PLUS – A special report on an airline industry in crisis as fuel prices soar

Military

F-35B maiden flight • A400M rolled out • Boeing tanker protest upheld • USAF leaders fired • and all the international military aviation headlines

Preservation

Flying Bulls P-38 airborne • Another Buchón at Duxford • 'New' P-51B flies • Vulcan getting closer • and other major aircraft preservation stories from around the world

FEATURES

Reigning Monarch

BRUCE HALES-DUTTON
AI interviews the managing director of Monarch Airlines, Tim Jeans, about the carrier's prospects as it marks 40 years in the business

Sweden's Gripen force

JAN JØRGENSEN
As the Swedish AF prepares to accept its last JAS39 Gripen, we look in detail at the type's service in its home nation

SPECIAL FEATURE!

Farnborough at 60
DENIS J. CALVERT
A bumper 13-page celebration of the 60th anniversary of the SBAC show at Farnborough, including rare and stunning archive photography

Typhoon comes of age

JAMIE HUNTER/AVIACOM
There's no doubt about it – the Eurofighter Typhoon is now very much an operational combat aircraft

Gateway to Israel

DR ANDREAS ZEITLER
The boss of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport tells us about the unique nature of its operations

Smoke Squadron

CEES-JAN VAN DER ENDE
Air-to-air with the Brazilian AF aerobatic team, the Esquadrilha da Fumaça, as it prepares to make its RIAT debut

By 'Dak' to Berlin

DAVID HALFORD
Air Atlantique's Berlin Airlift veteran Dakota travels back to the city, 60 years on

A GUIDE

Turn to page 73 for your 'all you need to know' guide to all things aviation!

Books

Featured book — Project Emily • and reviews of other new aviation titles

Gear

The latest aviation-related products

Computer

Real Air Spitfire IX and XIV • Flight1 Bf109 • AlphaSim Tornado F3 • Denham scenery

Airshow Reviews

Reports from La Ferté Alais, Kemble, Biggin Hill, Leeuwarden, Pratica di Mare, Quebec and elsewhere

Airshow Calendar

Fully updated worldwide show dates for 2008

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NEWS

ILA 2008 news

BEN DUNNELL & THOMAS NEWDICK
The AI team reports from Berlin on all the major news stories to come out of ILA 2008, including Airbus going green and the revival of the Dornier 228

Civil

Boeing 777 freighter roll-out • Kalitta Boeing 747 crash • Euromanx ceases operations • Orders, airports, routes and aircraft

PLUS — A special report on the first flight of the Sukhoi Superjet SSJ100, including artworks

Military

Nimrod inquest verdict • UK carrier go-ahead • Gripen 'Demo' flies • and all the international military aviation headlines

Preservation

Vulcan latest • Liberty Belle to visit UK • Sea Vixen is back! • and other major aircraft preservation stories from around the world

FEATURES

Flying Legends

BEN DUNNELL
The story behind how Flying Legends has become the 'greatest warbird show on Earth'

Qatar player

ANDREAS SPAETH
Exclusive interview with Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker on his booming Middle Eastern carrier

Last of the Lightnings

IAN BLACK
Remembering the RAF's retirement of the classic English Electric fighter, through the eyes of an ex-Lightning pilot

Closed for Business

BRUCE HALES-DUTTON
The rise and fall of the all-business class carriers, MAXjet, Eos and Silverjet

Polish Air Force today

BEN DUNNELL
An AI special report from Poland on an air force that has been successfully modernised for a new era Plus — stunning air-to-airs by top Polish photographer Mariusz Adamski

Air France

PHOTO-FEATURE
As Air France celebrates its 75th anniversary, we look back at the golden prop-driven years of this historic carrier, with archive images taken from Midland Publishing's new book Air France by Geoff Jones

A GUIDE

Turn to page 73 for your 'all you need to know' guide to all things aviation!

Computer

FS Altitude for FSX • VFR Airfields • AlphaSim F-106 Delta Dart • • Australian and Spanish scenery

Books

Featured book — Flying the Buccaneer • and reviews of other new aviation titles

Gear

Saunder-Roe SR.53 in 1:200 • 'Air Display' stamps • Oris BC4 Chronograph

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NEWS

US airline woes mount

BRUCE HALES-DUTTONM
As Delta and Northwest announce merger plans, several other US majors feel the pinch – and some smaller carriers go bust

Civil

More delays for Boeing 787 • BA delays Terminal 5 long-haul move • Embraer launches new bizjets • Orders, airports, routes and aircraft

Military

Next-generation Gripen unveiled • New hope for C-17 line • US Navy selects Global Hawk • and all the international military aviation headlines

PLUS – A special report on the retirement of the South African AF's Cheetahs

Vulcan airborne again

GARY PARSONS
Test-flying of Vulcan XH558 gets under way again

Preservation

Tornado damage at Breckenridge • and other major aircraft preservation stories from around the world

FEATURES

The slow death of Alitalia

DAVID HALFORD
Can anything now save the beleaguered Italian national airline?

Polish 'Vipers'

BEN DUNNELL
What price the Polish AF's advanced Block 52+ F-16s?

The Baltic connection

TOM ZAITSEV
KD Avia and its developing hub in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad

Three Spirit

JAMIE HUNTER/AVIACOM
As it approaches retirement, the RAF's Tornado F3 is nearing the peak of its capability

From fast jet to Airbus

DHEERAJ BHASIN
How do you convert from RAF front-line fighters to the Airbus A320 family of the UK's flag carrier?

The Great Jet Trainer Battle

DR RICCARDO NICCOLI, ZORD GÁBOR LÁSZLÓ & JAMIE HUNTER/AVIACOM
AI examines the three main contenders for a host of lead-in fighter trainer contracts around the world — the Alenia Aermacchi M-346, KAI/Lockheed Martin T-50 and BAE Systems Hawk AJT

Airshow Legends: Dieter Thomas

BEN DUNNELL
The career of Germany's top airshow man, from test and demonstration pilot to Berlin organiser

A GUIDE

Turn to page 73 for your 'all you need to know' guide to all things aviation!

Computer

WW1 Fighters • Just Flight 737 Pilot in Command • AlphaSim LongEz • Captain Sim C-130 Extra Pack II and Pro Pack • French and UK scenery

Gear

WW2 flying jackets special

Books

Featured book — NASA: The Complete Illustrated History • and reviews of other new aviation titles

Airshows

Photo-report on the Patrouille Tranchant Fouga Magister • Sun 'n Fun report • Previews of events in May and June • Fully updated show dates for 2008

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NEWS

Terminal 5 opens

BRUCE HALES-DUTTON
The answer to some of Heathrow's problems is open for business — but the first few days hardly went according to plan...

Civil

A380 services to Europe begin • Bombardier launches improved Q400 • Open Skies agreement takes hold • ANA order launches Mutsubishi Regional Jet • Orders, airports, routes and aircraft

Military

Boeing appeals against KC-X decision • Australia scraps Seasprite order • Big business in India for MiG • New hope for Super Hornet line? • and all the international military aviation headlines

Preservation

Brewster Buffalo returns to Finland • Flying Bulls P-38 nearly ready • Vulcan to resume flight-testing • and other major aircraft preservation stories from around the world

FEATURES

The Magnificent Eight

ROY ALLEN
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Douglas DC-8

Glory Days

ROBERT F. DORR
One man's memories, as employee and passenger, of the golden post-war years of US airlines

Stealth Sunset

ROBERT F. DORR
Bringing down the final curtain on the F-117 Nighthawk's USAF service — PLUS! Exclusive air-to-air photography by Richard Cooper

Here comes the sun

ANDREAS SPAETH
An exclusive interview with the chief executive of TUIfly, the combined low-cost and holiday carrier that's recovering from an uncertain start — PLUS! Exclusive air-to-air photography by John Dibbs/The Plane Picture Co

French front-line

HENRI-PIERRE GROLLEAU
The most comprehensive run-down of the French AF's current front-line strength

Airshow Legends: Fighter Meet

BEN DUNNELL
Fond memories of the warbird show at North Weald live on

Wolfhounds on the prowl

PHODOCU
The illustrious history of the 32nd Fighter Squadron at Soesterberg, a USAF unit like no other

A GUIDE

Turn to page 75 for your 'all you need to know' guide to all things aviation!

Computer

Skysim Sea Vixen • AlphaSim F-105 • Aerosoft Twin Otter • Paris scenery • Just Flight R-44 • Web site recommendations

Gear

BBMF Hurricane model • New watches

Books

Featured book — Fighting Force: The 90th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force • and reviews of other new aviation titles

Airshow News and Calendar

Latest news from the display scene • Fully updated show dates for 2008 — in the UK, North America, Europe and the rest of the world

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NEWS

Military

KC-X contest winner announced • RAF looks to future ISTAR capabilities • USAF pushes for more aircraft • '2018 bomber' concepts • and all the international military aviation headlines

Virgin heads for space

Virgin Galactic launches the designs of its White Knight II carrier aircraft and SpaceShipTwo spacecraft

Civil

Biofuel trials under way • Bombardier offers CSeries to customers • Lufthansa Cargo/DHL joint venture launched • London City gets trans-Atlantic service • Orders, airports, routes and aircraft

Preservation

Hawker Hinds recovered from Afghanistan • Spitfire T8 returns to UK • More CAF sales • XH558 in trouble • and other major aircraft preservation stories from around the world

PLUS — A special report on the possible end of passenger-carrying DC-3 flights in Europe, as Air Atlantique gears up for the season

FEATURES

Civil Service

DR KEVIN WRIGHT
Potentially turbulent times lie ahead for the US Civil Reserve Air Fleet

'Blackjack' strikes back

HOLGER MÜLLER & STEFAN BÜTTNER
The mighty Tupolev Tu-160 'Blackjack' has experienced various ups and downs in Russian AF service. However, it's now the most potent weapon in Long-Range Aviation's bomber arsenal

Jersey resurgent

BEN DUNNELL
The Editor reports from the largest of the Channel Islands on how business is again booming at Jersey Airport

Alpine Dogfight

JOHANN JANSCHITZ/AUSTRIAN AF
Austrian AF jet training on the long-serving Saab 105OE

Air Canada

ANDREAS SPAETH
Few of the major North American carriers could be described as innovative, but Air Canada is an exception — it had to innovate to survive

Ravens over Iraq

WARREN E. THOMPSON
USAF EF-111 pilots recount how the 'Spark Vark' helped gain Coalition air superiority in the first Gulf War

The Great Tanker Shock

ROBERT F. DORR
Analysis of the USAF's surprise decision (and that's putting it mildly) to award Northrop Grumman and EADS the contract for its new air refuelling tanker

Six Appeal

GRAHAM ROBSON
The rebirth of Air Atlantique's magnificent DC-6A G-APSA as an airshow performer and film star

A GUIDE

Turn to page 69 for your 'all you need to know' guide to all things aviation!

Computer

AlphaSim Hunter and Sabre • Captain Sim C-130 X-perience • Just Flight P-38 • New scenery • Web site recommendations

Books

Featured book — The Brabazon Committee and British Airliners 1945-1960 • and reviews of other new aviation titles

Gear

Stamps • DVDs • Models

Airshow News

What future for RAF displays? • Raptor coming to UK • 2008 cancellations

Airshow Calendar

Fully updated show dates for 2008 — in the UK, North America, Europe and the rest of the world

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NEWS

BA launches OpenSkies

British Airways steps into the brave new world of the Open Skies arrangements with a brave new trans-Atlantic carrier

Military

BA 777 crash at Heathrow • Record year of orders for Airbus and Boeing • Delta in merger talks • Orders, airports, routes and aircraft

PLUS! A special report on the roll-out of the ARJ 21, the Chinese airliner with high hopes of major success

Military

USAF returns some F-15s to flight • First Tranche 2 Typhoon airborne • New missile test-fired from QF-4 • and all the international military aviation headlines

Preservation

Funding boost for CAF's B-29 • Yak-30 flies in Russia • Lufthansa Starliner to be ready in 2010 • and other major aircraft preservation stories from around the world

FEATURES

Dreamliner delayed

BEN DUNNELL
Boeing's bosses have had to deliver more bad news about the 787 programme. What's the way forward for the troubled Dreamliner?

Eyes of Japan

RICHARD COOPER
The Japanese Air Self Defence Force's RF-4E Phantom IIs and their unique range of recce roles — PLUS! Air-to-air photography by Katsuhiko Tokunaga

New York, Newark

GEOFF JONES
An airport so good they (almost) named it twice. We report from Continental's hub in New Jersey

Stealth succession

LAWRENCE SPINETTA
The USAF prepares to make the transition from one stealth aircraft to another, as the F-117 gives way to the F-22 — PLUS! Air-to-air photography by Andy Wolfe

ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

A bumper section to mark the 40th anniversary of Aircraft Illustrated, with special features and archive material

40 years of… Reporting

PETER R. MARCH
Our longest-serving contributor, the only person to have had something published in every issue, looks back at four decades of reporting for this magazine

The ages of Concorde

Exclusive artwork centrespread

40 years of… Civil

BRUCE HALES-DUTTON
'Heated debates about airport expansion, the appearance of the world's largest airliner and calls for more fuel-efficient engines. Yes, it's 1968…'

40 years of… Military

JON LAKE
'The four decades since 1968 have been a time of small, unspectacular incremental progress, rather than of dramatic step changes in performance or capability'

40 years of… Preservation

BEN DUNNELL
'In 2008, it is perhaps difficult to appreciate the extent to which the aircraft preservation scene was still in its relative infancy 40 years ago'

40 years of… Airshows

JOHN DUNNELL
'Whilst nostalgia is a wonderful thing, today's shows are more than capable of matching the standards set by their predecessors'

40 years of… Aviation

40 moments from 40 years of aviation history, as covered by Aircraft Illustrated

40 Greatest Aircraft

A look back at part of AI's countdown of the greatest aircraft of all time

And finally…

The lighter side of AI's 40 years

A GUIDE

Turn to page 101 for your 'all you need to know' guide to all things aviation!

Computer

Condor gliding sim • AlphaSim EA-6B • Web site recommendations

Books

Featured book — Britain's Greatest Aircraft • and reviews of other new aviation titles

Airshow Calendar

Fully updated show dates for 2008 — in the UK, North America, Europe and the rest of the world

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NEWS

Eagle Down

Analysis by leading US journalist Robert F. Dorr of the grounding of the USAF's F-15A to D Eagles, and its implications

Military

STOVL F-35B unveiled • Nimrod crash report published • Structural problems for US Navy P-3s • and all the international military aviation headlines

Civil

Airbus order milestone • easyJet to launch Manchester routes • Boeing gets 787 back on track • Orders, airports, routes and aircraft

PLUS! A special report on the world's only skydiving DC-9!

Preservation

Bournemouth Aviation Museum closes • Lufthansa buys Starliners • Duck flies in Alaska • and other major aircraft preservation stories from around the world

FEATURES

Dubai International

ANDREAS SPAETH
The Middle East hub that's having to cope with phenomenal rates of growth

Alaskan Props

RICHARD MALLORY ALLNUTT
Veteran propeller-driven transports like the DC-6, DC-3 and C-46 earning their keep in the harsh environment of Alaska

Texas Sharp-shooters

JOHN DIBBS/THE PLANE PICTURE CO
Exclusive air-to-air photography of the Texas Air National Guard's F-16s, including the most colourful USAF 'Viper' ever

Virgin Blue

ANDREAS SPAETH
Virgin's low-cost carrier shook up the Australian airline market when it appeared, and it's still trying to stay ahead of the game

Polish AF Special: Cold War Jets

PIOTR BUTOWSKI
In the first part of an AI special on the Polish AF, we examine the history of its front-line jet operations during the Cold War, including some very rare archive photography

Life on Mars

JIM MUMAW
Stunning images of the mighty Martin Mars that went to help fight California's wildfires

Phantom to Typhoon

DR RICCARDO NICCOLI
A change of fighter eras for Luftwaffe wing JG 74 at Neuburg, as the F-4F makes way for the EF2000

Shackleton's last adventure

PAUL FILMER
The final flight of Shackleton AEW2 WL790 — including exclusive air-to-air photography

A GUIDE

Turn to page 75 for your 'all you need to know' guide to all things aviation!

Computer

AlphaSim Intruder and CH-53 • First Class Typhoon • RealAir SF260 • New scenery

Gear

DVDs • RAF calendar • Radar scanner

Books

Featured book — Fly With the Stars: British South American Airways • and reviews of other new aviation titles

Airshow Calendar

Fully updated show dates for 2008 — in the UK, North America, Europe and the rest of the world

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NEWS

Dubai

The top stories from the record-breaking Dubai Airshow 2007, including huge airliner orders, the UAE AF's jet trainer contest and the Boeing 737 Peace Eagle's début

Civil

Heathrow third runway proposals published • SAS withdraws Q400 • Airbus financial woes • easyJet's takeover of GB Airways analysed • Orders, airports, routes and aircraft

Military

F-15s grounded after structural failure • Latest on Typhoon • xxxx • and all the international military aviation headlines

Preservation

Sea Harrier flies in USA • Shackleton to be grounded at Pima • P-38 surfaces in Wales • Yeovilton gears up for naval aviation centenary • and other major aircraft preservation stories from around the world

FEATURES

Testing the Lightning II

JON BEESLEY & ERIC HEHS/CODE ONE
Lockheed Martin's chief F-35 test pilot tells us about the flight test programme of the revolutionary Lightning II

Mighty Mars

The impressive Martin Mars goes back into action to fight California's forest fires

Libya Uncovered

DAVID HALFORD
The LAVEX 2007 show in Tripoli highlighted the potential Libya holds for the global aviation industry — as well as the Libyan Arab AF's exotica

Anchorage: crossroads of the world

KEITH GASKELL
The development of Anchorage International Airport in Alaska into one of the world's most important cargo hubs

Power House

HENRY TENBY
Air-to-air with Honeywell's Boeing 720 engine test aircraft as it prepares for retirement

Fightertown Bulgaria

HOLGER MÜLLER, ALEXANDER GOLZ & STEFAN BÜTTNER
AI reports from Bulgaria as its main air force base plays host to USAF F-16s

VC10 Force

JAMIE HUNTER/AVIACOM
No 101 Squadron, RAF celebrates its 90th anniversary… and we celebrate its illustrious VC10 workhorses

Airshow Legends: Biggin Hill

MARK ASHLEY
The story of why there are few more famous airshow venues than Biggin Hill

A GUIDE

Turn to page 75 for your 'all you need to know' guide to all things aviation!

Computer

A bumper crop of flight sim add-on releases, just in time for Christmas!

Books

Featured book — Aarrgghh!! It's War • and reviews of other new aviation titles

Gear

Christmas stocking-fillers • DVDs • Models

Christmas Quiz

Something to tax your brain over the festive season

Airshow Calendar

Latest dates for 2008 — in the UK, North America, Europe and the rest of the world

Airshows: 2007 in review

Our annual reflections on the airshow season gone by

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