In the photo of the Sud-Aviation SE3130 Alouette II, there is what appears to be a wing, with what looks like a pair of machine-guns ports in the leading edge – what is it?!

I think you’ll find it’s this Jurca Tempete.

What makes you think that Albert? Some confirmation would be great. It wouldn’t surprise me that they are still in service, but would be interesting to know for sure.

Art, you’re right about the engine dispute. That’s really stupid.

Another question I’ve got is why would they spend the money to upgrade the T-33’s if they are just going to get some A-4’s to replace them?

Or is the A-4 plan still a good several years off?

Would be nice to find some pictures of the cockpits of these upgraded jets.

I was in the Philippines and Thailand in the ’80s and saw them operational then, but guess they have sibnce been retired. Saw lots of Greek AF T-33s flying in 1996, which were all retired two years ago. According to the Flight International Air Forces Directory, South Korea still operates 35 T-33s and here’s one of them.

Good zoom! The sky is too dark and it’s contrailing, but taken from what distance is unknown.

My father built me the original Airfix Spitfire and Ii think the first I built myself was the Airfix MiG-15. Over 40 years later and it’s still available!!

I think the Air Forces of Philippines and Thailand still have a few in service.

Hmm, doesn’t really sound that viable to me, with the cost of de-modding the airframe and the fuselage stretch, on what is still a nearly 40 year-old airframe (albeit low-houred).

Still, stranger things have happened……….

You’ve answered your own query in brackets – low houred. Comparing XV208 to all the other RAF airframes, which have hauled loads all over the world, ‘Snoopy’ has been treated very well and has flown very low hours just with a few scientists in the back. If they can overhaul and re-sell some of the other high-houred and tired airframes to Austria, Sri Lanka and Poland, it MUST be worth de-converting this one.

Anyone know of any places to look for answers to my questions?

Another good question would be what’s the need for the RT-33 if you have the RF-80?

One to fly it and one to take the photos!

Tom.

Ok, aviation related.

Safety concerns with certain airlines (or certain aircraft).

No British aviation industry to speak of.

Airlines becoming bankrupt.

Airline staff laid off.

Terrorism, or the threat of it.

It’s still as ugly as sin.

No hot meals for danairboy.

Dirty windows? Do they matter more than any of the above? (With the possible exception of danairboy’s meals) or not?

This is not an aircraft to be mourned. It was a failure. Britain and France built it at enormous cost and sold them to BA for a £1 each. Why? Nobody else wanted them. It catered only for those who could afford £5,000 for a return trip across the Atlantic. It was barred from overflying most areas of the world. A true failure, in every sense of the word.

I’ll upset Wys here, even the ‘glider with 5 APU’s’ has been more successful.

regards,

kev35 (Apologies for upsetting anyone with the previous post)

So was the Hughes ‘Spruce Goose’ a failure, but that is preserved!
Yes, in one way Concorde was a failure, but it was a milestone in aviation history being the first passenger supersonic airliner to enter service. It’s an icon and a unique design and we should still be proud that the technology was developed to enable it to happen. If we’re going to preserve it for future generations to see, we must spend a little money on looking after the preserved examples (and that doesn’t mean throwing money at it to try and get it in the air again 🙁 ) Today’s dirt stains are tomorrow’s rust!