THE EMPIRES TWILIGHT

[ChernayaAkula]

Really, really nice!  Also got a soft spot for anything in African colours.

[Taiidantomcat]

Now there is something you don't see everyday! 

[thedarkmaster]

Tupolev TU16ks-1, former Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara aircraft operated by BOAC, Singapore 1973.

The coup attempt lead by the 30 September Movement in 1965 changed everything in Indonesia and a new anti-communist regime from the Army, led by Major General Suharto, took power. Ties with the Eastern block countries were cut, and thus support and spare parts for the planes became short. By August 1968 the situation was critical, and in early 1970, the Air Force Chief-of-Staff, Suwoto Sukandar, said that the spare parts situation meant that only 15 -20 percent of aircraft were airworthy


The MiG force made its farewell flight with a flypast of Jakarta in 1970. The relatively new MiG-19s were sold to Pakistan. By October 1970, only one Tu-16 was still flying, but after an in-flight engine failure whilst overflying the Malacca Strait and near the Singapore Border it made an emergancy landing at Singapore, where it was impounded by the british authourities.

Insensed by this the Indonesian's threatened to scale up the current ongoing confrontation to a full scale war if the aircraft was ever seen in any airforces markings but it's own. As the RAF wanted to fly the aircraft for training and intelligence purposes but did not want a scaling up of the current draining but sustainable level of conflict a compromised was reached with BOAC

The aircraft was sold to BOAC in lieu of debt incured via airfield fees etc, and was repainted in BOAC colours but was leased to the RAF for use in exersises and operations when available.

As the aircraft had not flown in any other aircrafts markings and feeling rightly humiliated the matter was never again raised by the Indonesian regime. Kept in service right through the 1970's and 80's it eventually stood in outside storage in RAAF North shore where it stayed until it was brocken up after the 91 disaster for much needed metal and electrical parts.










































a/c 140



 

[NARSES2]

Stunning. Glad to see you put it to such good use 

[Geoff]

 

[lancer]

Oh THAT is sweet!!!

[thedarkmaster]

B-58A Hustler AF Serial No. 59-2458, the "Cowtown Hustler" as seen in the DHL advertisement campaign " When it absolutely has to be there on time" East Midlands Airport DHL compound 1990-91.

On the 22nd of May 1990 a new DHL Global advertisement campaign started. It featured a yellow bomber aircraft transiting hostile airspace, mainly seen from the cockpit the advert featured the pilots defeating enemy countermeasures and flying to a tight schedule. After the aircraft landed ( doctored real life scenes of real aircraft ) a DHL wagon was seen to go to the bomber and mail was unloaded from the pod underneath the aircraft. The advert finished with a voice over from James Earl Jones " DHL.........when it absolutely HAS to be there on time "

A real aircraft was leased from the USAF for the campaign, the B-58A Hustler AF Serial No. 59-2458, the "Cowtown Hustler"  was an exhibt at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Patterson air base Dayton Ohio and was only allowed to be used on condition that DHL paid for the restoration of 2 other aircraft at the museum. The aircraft was shipped to the UK and repainted at the DHL compund at the East Midlands Airport where the ground scenes for the campaign were also filmed.

The campaign was still ongoing when the 91 disaster happened as as such the B58 was never returned to the United States and requests to return the aircraft are rebuffed on a regular basis on the understanding that it is USAF property but at this time no USAF exists to claim it, Currently she is in the hands of the East Midlands Aeropark and is part of the public exhibit there.










































Hope you like that one 


A/C 140 !!!

[Spey_Phantom]

wow, if there is ever going to be a 24hour GB, im definitly going to let them fly in some stash additions and supplies  
nice one, i love the Tu-16 to  

[Tophe]

Double supersonexpress...

[NARSES2]

Could almost be Hannants in those colours  Great stuff 

[sequoiaranger]

Say, that B-58 looks GREAT!

I couldn't help thinking that such a plane might be an ideal "executive transport" for Larry Flynt* !!


* Bad-boy publisher of the pornographic but well-known "Hustler" magazine.

[thedarkmaster]

working on two more at the moment both civil aircraft and both from airlines i have changed     

[lancer]

Could almost be Hannants in those colours  Great stuff 

And thier deliveries would STILL take ages!!!!!

[NARSES2]

Could almost be Hannants in those colours  Great stuff 

And thier deliveries would STILL take ages!!!!!

My last order took 2 days, my current was ordered Saturday and is on it's way now 

[PR19_Kit]

My last order took 2 days, my current was ordered Saturday and is on it's way now 

You must have influence in high places Chris. Either that or they really DO use B-58s to ship your orders!