N787BX Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Farnborough 2010

Dreamliner N787BX arrived at Farnborough, UK on Sunday 18th July 2010 - this was the first time the Boeing 787 had been shown outside of the USA.

This aircraft is the third ( ZA 003 ) Boeing 787 to be built by Boeing and has construction number c/n 40692. This aircraft flew for the first time on 14th March 2010 at Paine Field, Seattle, WA, USA.

For many the Dreamliner was the star attraction at this years Farnborough Air Show 2010 - the aircraft was displayed in the static park on Monday 19th July and Tuesday 20th July. The aircraft is made primarily of carbon fibre composite materials. The lighter weight improves fuel efficiency and aircraft range - it also allows the passenger cabin to be pressurised to a more comfortable level than conventional airliners and allows for larger cabin windows.

The photo above shows 787 N787BX being towed out of the static display on the afternoon of Tuesday 20th July 2010 before departing back to Boeing at Seattle, USA. Upon departure the 787 returned to do one flypast at Farnborough with a World War 2 Spitfire alongside each wingtip before heading towards East Midlands airport for a flypast and again at the Rolls Royce factory at Debry ( the aircraft in powered by two Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines )  - N787BX continued on to the west coast of Ireland where it landed for fuel at Shannon airport before the long flight to Seattle.

The first UK customer to receive the Boeing 787 will be Thomson Airlines who are due to receive 8 aircraft from 2012 onwards.

Steve

N610AT AT-6 at Farnborough July 2010

The Hawker Beechcraft AT-6 made its first appearance outside of the USA at this years Farnborough Air Show in the UK.

The AT-6 is a development of the T-6 Texan II trainer and is designed to offer close air support and reconnaissance patrols in counterinsurgency war environments. The aircraft has a strengthen airframe and six underwing hardpoints.

The aircraft shown at Farnborough was N610AT c/n AT-1 and it features an L-3 Wescam targetting turret on the under fuselage, plus HOTAS controls ( allows more time for the pilot to keep his eyes outside of the cockpit in combat ).

In April 2010 N610AT completed a two week Joint Expedtitionary Forces Experiment ( JEFX ) demonstration exercise operating out of Nellis AFB in Nevada,USA operating alongside the A-10C.

N610AT will shortly be re-engined with an upgrade P&W PT6A-68D developing 1,600 shp. A second AT-6 prototype N620AT has now joined the program and flew for the first time in April 2010.

The AT-6 will also receive a defensive aids suite before participating in the USAF Light Attack Armed Reconnaissance ( LAAR ) aircraft program that could lead to order from the US military and foreign military sales.

More information on the AT-6 can be found on the link below

http://www.hawkerbeechcraft.com/military_and_special_mission/light_attack.aspx



Steve

USMC UH-1Y - 167802 coded "VT-09" of HMLA-367

Among the many aircraft at Farnborough 2010 was Bell UH-1Y Bu No 167802 operated by USMC squadron HMLA-367 coded "VT-09". The unit has the nickname "Scarface".

 
The UH-1Y is currently in production by Bell Helicopters and is replacing the older UH-1N. The UH-1Y is equipped with a modified four-blade, all-composite rotor and has upgraded engines and transmissions to give it increased payload and performance capabilities. Under the nose is a Brite Star Block II FLIR. This system  allows the pilots to view and mark targets with infrared sightings further out and aid in visual target recognition.

 
HMLA-367 were the first unit to deploy with the new UH-1Y to Afghanistan - they arrived at Camp Bastion, Helmand province in October 2009 from their own home base at Camp Pendleton, California, USA. The unit returned to the USA in May 2010.

The badge of HMLA-367 on the nose of this helicopter has been adapted to incorporate the outline shape of Afghanistan.

This UH-1Y 167802 was accepted into service from Bell Helicopters in August 2009 and the c/n appears to be 97499 ?  However others suggest the c/n is 55110.

More information on the UH-1Y can be found on the Bell Helicopters website below

http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/aircraft/military/bellUH-1Y.cfm


Steve