Twin Pioneer at Bagdad Internationl

It’s debatable if the fact that it sat at Bagdad airport during the war is enough to justify it for inclusion in the IWM. The concensus
so far is that it’s G-ARBA but that remain’s to be confirmed . As such it’s still the property of who ever it belongs to in Iraq as it’s clearly not very military.
As for the Twin Pioneer being rare – well G-AYFA was scrapped in the U.K in 1991 so maybe it might be safer in a museum out there !

Well, the Americans sure have a reputation…

Just after the last Gulf War, American troops found a few aircraft on one of the southern airbases in Iraq. So they radioed to HQ to ask what to do with it.
HQ: “What kind of aircraft is it?”
Troops: “Dunno, it’s kaynda small y’naaw”
HQ: “Then just get rid of it”
To great joy of the troops, they tossed a few handgranades into the cockpit.

Unfortunately, after a while, it was discovered that they actually blew up a MiG-29, an aircraft for which the US was still looking for hands-on intelligence. Eventually they did take the nose with the radar with them, but it would of course be nicer if the whole pilot/radar interface would have been complete… :rolleyes:

I’m holding my breath for the Twin Pioneer. Rare as it is.

Hey, it could even look like a disquised missile launcher to anyone warped enough (although thinking about it that’s probably just me!)as it is angled upwards.

Seriously, the problem now is that it will probably get bulldozed in the process of rebuilding the airport.

Willow

I think even the americans realise its current aerodynamically deficient state…..or maybe there is a brit now helping them out with aircraft rec and servicebility standards……….

coanda

What a remarkable survivor! If the yanks don’t use it for target practice (or assume it isnt some kind of submarine in disguise and blow it up anyway), it would make a fascinating exhibit for any museum (IWM Duxford take note – it HAS been involved in a war).

Willow

picture found on www.oldprops.f9.co.uk

Whatever its status, I hope it isnt blown to the next dimension!

Kenneth

Yes, that is the picture. The wheels appear to be OK for original although the tyres may be soft. As you say, may have been instrutional airframe, but which one?

Regards

Is that from the AP picture with a Boeing 727 wreck in the background and armoured personnel carriers in the foreground? Seems to me that it has been in use as an instructional airframe (make-shift wheels, and tailplane, outer wing panels and engines missing).