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Post by planeimages on Jun 21, 2006 20:32:45 GMT 12
A bit late I know but here is the RAAF's first Boeing 737 AEW&C making its first public take-off from a damp runway on the first day of the show.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 21, 2006 21:47:51 GMT 12
Wow, I wasn't aware that the RAAF had 737's in service. Great photo.
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Post by planeimages on Jun 22, 2006 22:58:36 GMT 12
"The first airframe for modification was rolled out in December 2002, ready for modification and installation of the radar and systems. First flight of the aircraft with the radar and mission systems took place at the Boeing Field in Seattle in May 2004. Performance and flight handling tests were completed in July 2005. Delivery of the first two aircraft to Australia is scheduled for November 2006 and the remaining four by 2008. The first aircraft will enter service with the Royal Australian Air Force's new Number 2 Squadron, headquartered at Williamstown Air Base, by 2007."
This aircraft was the first to come out to Australia and it went back for further tests. My understanding is that the remaining airframes will be modified at the Boeing facility at Amberley near Brisbane. The first of these arrived some months ago.
I can tell you that it was a mighty experience to stand less than 100 metres from the runway edge at Avalon to watch the "Wedgetail" accelerate down the strip and rotate just past my vantage point. A group of us shot the sequence and we were like small boys comparing our images.
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Post by planeimages on Jun 22, 2006 23:16:41 GMT 12
Here is another shot of RAAF Boeing 737 7ES (BBJ) (C/ N 33474) N378BC (A30-001) earlier in the roll.  |
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Post by xr6turbo1 on Jun 23, 2006 22:15:57 GMT 12
Very nice photo
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