Does any one know how many A380F frames were started on the production line when the plug was pulled. What is going to happen to them? Are they to be completed as Pax aircraft, used for structural testing, demolished for parts or what. I assume if they were in the very early stages of construction they would be finished as passenger aircraft. What c/ns were to be freighters?
Does any one have an up to date c/n allocation and sequence for the production line. I understand that not all aircraft will be built in numerical order.
Thanks in anticipation.
Be lucky
David

Just how many TU-160 s are currently in service?
Be lucky
David

All the same, if I wanted to deliver several hundred soldiers to a city 1500km away with two days notice, capture a number of people, and then pull out within 36 hours, how would I do it?

I’d ring Hereford but they wouldn’t want several hundred soldiers to sort the job.
They are awfully good at that sort of conundrum.
Be lucky
David

Going a bit off topic here

Sorry Boss,
I didn’t intentionally muddy the waters.
Be Lucky
David

What I thought I had intended to say was If required in extremis ambulance control could make the call to Bruntingthorpe. I wouln’t expect the crew (flight or medical) to have to make the call.
Hope that clears it up.
Be lucky
David

I am looking for links hints tips or pointers towards a US Stealthy Transport project. To be used for covert insertion and exfiltration of special forces. Believed to have been based on the Boeing YC-14 http://home.cinci.rr.com/estople/weirdair/yc14.jpg utilising the overwing efflux to mask IR signature and noise from in front and below and to use modified rear engine structure to diffuse hot efflux ala F-117. I think it may have had a project name in the senior series ( possibly senior trend). At one time 6th S.O.S. at Hurlbert Field Florida had a US civilian registered AN-32 N6505 in service. I believe at the same time approx they leased a civilian AN-74/72 to provide test team pilots with hands on experience of flying a Coanda effect aircraft, which I understand is unconventional in its handling when flown asymmetrically. I.E. loses lift as well as thrust on the affected side. Has anyone on here knowledge of AN-72 or AN-74 aircraft and can confirm or deny the single engined handling characteristics?
It is quite possible that the aircraft was not taken into service or production as the V-22 Osprey will now fulfill that role.
Your time and trouble much appreciated,
Be lucky
David

Hello, Thanks for your contributions.
Have received this from an industry source

Hi there,

I can’t tell you much.

The An-32 (ER-AWK) belonged to Valan, Moldova. Skylink of Canada had an
interest in the company, and it was Skylink who brought it to USA in 2002 as
N6505. By March of this year it was back in Moldova as ER-AWK again and we
tried to lease it for a contract in Sudan. At the very last minute they sold
the aircraft from under our noses and walked away from our deal. I was
mightily pissed off !

As for the An-72/74, I don’t know which one that might have been. None have adopted an N-reg, as far as I know, but several have been across the pond for various experimental projects. There was one required by Aurora Flight Sciences for a few weeks in Manassas, Virginia in May of this year, and we offered them an Enimex example. No idea what they wanted it for. They
delayed in replying for a week or so, and then did the deal with Enimex
direct, cutting me out ! I was mightily pissed off again!

I’m afraid I don’t know of any pilots who could explain about single-engine
handling. The things certainly fly on one, and the point of putting the two
engines close together is to improve control if you lose one.

Sorry, that’s all I know.
Cheers
Dick

Any one know anything about Aurora Flight Sciences?
Your comments and observations appreciated.
Be lucky
David

So how did they do it in the films :confused:
Be lucky
David