AEROTRANSTORNADOS Nº53

Alfeite
At the Centro Social do Alfeite still lingers on the FIAT G.91R/3 nº 5469 (exWGAF30+50; c/n 91-307).  Noted on the 11Feb2018, plus again in 10Jul2018 (confirmed c/n on plate!);

Alverca (Gago Coutinho high school)
The Cessna T-37C, numbered 02412 (s/n 62-5936, c/n 40736), wearing the Asas de Portugal c/s, is visible and accessible outside, just to the right of the school entrance. l/n 10Feb2018

Alverca (DGMFA)
Noted during open base day/commemoration of the 100th anniversary, last 22nd September 2018.
All the Museu do Ar branch of Alverca was also open and all the a/c were noted in their usual places, except for DHC1 1376 and DH.82 “144”, which were inside the DGMFA compound in one of the exhibitions, which outside was lead by 19513 SA-330 fuselage.
Gate guard at DGMFA T-37C FAP 2411.
One of the open storage compounds had 9 Alphajets nos. 15223, 15232, 15242, 15243, 15245, plus 4 and another one (should be 15212); these are being stored with the two FTB’s previously stored near hangar 15 nos. 13704 (c/n 0005), 13706 (c/n 0007).
Other compound, near hangar 15, continues to store the 8 Cessna T-37C nos. 2402, 2403, 2404, 2406, 2421, 2425, 2426, 2428, plus the CS-DDC Piper PA38  of Aero Clube Alverca do Ribatejo.
Inside the Museu do Ar open storage compound, nothing new: DC-6 6706; SC-54 6606; G.91’s 1804, 5472, 5473; Ju52 6301; Noratlas 6412, 6417, 6420; C-45 2415; Piper Cub 3201.
Near the airfield control tower were noted 7 Emb-145, not all in PGA-Portugália Airlines livery (3 white o/a), identified: CS-TPG/Melro, CS-TPH/Pardal, CS-TPL/Pisco (white o/a), CS-TPM/Rola, CS-TPN/Brigão.
A single C-295M of Esquadra 502 was noted doing air baptisms (no.16710).

Alverca (city)
New adition to the w&r map, is the T-38A nº 2612 (s/n 61-0903; c/n N5269) that was placed on a plinth just by the entrance of the A1 whilst coming from the city. f/n being assembled on site in early June 2019.
https://www.spottingmode.com/wro/location/22942/   l/n 06.2019

Barrô (Águeda)
6Jan2018 – continued presence of FIAT G.91R/4 5403. l/n 11.07.2018

Beja (civil airfield)
The fuselage and wings of AT-401 Thrush Commander reg. CS-AQE still present by 13Jan2018.

Beja (BA11)
13Jan2018 – Gate Guards T-33AN 1951, T-38A 2610, F-104G 22+62; by Command building noted Alphajet A 15201;
During the last flight ceremony of the Esquadra 103 Alphajet A’s, noted flying were 15211 (Snail c/s), 15236 (50.000 flight hours c/s), 15226, 15206, 15208, 15250 (last three in Asas de Portugal c/s). 15250 was the last of the formation to land around 13H04M.
Also noted Esquadra 601 P-3C 14807 and Esquadra 502 C-2395M 16701.
Noted stored/cannibalized: 15241 and 15220.
Noted elsewhere, T-38A 2602 plus two T-33, one of which was 1907.

25May2019 – Open Base Day included - Gate Guards T-33AN 1951, T-38 2610, F-104G ‘22+62’ and Alphajet 15201 by Command building;
Static display included: T-33A 1930; T-38A 2606; Alphajet A 15244; 29702 AW119; 14809 P-3C;
In Esquadra 552 hangar: 19376 SE.3160;
Flyby´s and displays: 19302 SE.3160; 29701 AW119; 16703 C-295M; 14808 P-3C; 15107 and 15136 F-16AM; 1306 and 1339 DHC1; 11411 TB.30;
Also noted Airtractor AT-802F’s EC-LGN and EC-MML of Avialsa/Protecção Civil (based Proença a Nova).

Braga (airfield)
8Jun2019 – noted during local airshow, apart from the resident T-37C 2410, were Yakovlev Yak-52 reg. SP-YCP (c/n 833609);  Yakovlev Yak-52  reg. SP-YAH (c/n 9011001), based at Ponte de Sor, plus several other light and ultralight aircraft types.
Noteworthy the presence of a exArmée de l'Air Mignet HM.1000 Balerit (s/n 82), registered CS-USW, unknowned base location, the owner lives at Torre de Dona Chama.

Évora (airfield)
13Jan2018 – still present stored here is Convair440 reg.3C-JJO

Faro
DRC Government reg.9Q-CMC Boeing B727-30 c/n 18371/145 - stored, ex Congo – l/n 05.07.2018

Leiria (city)
The Beechcraft C-45 ex FAP 2508 was noted here on the 27Jan2018 and on 10Jul2018;

Lisboa (Lumiar)
At the renamed Hospital das Forças Armadas, the Gate Guard continues to be Cessna T-37C FAP nº2429 (s/n 62-12500; c/n 40783). l/n 10Feb2018

Lisboa (Luz)
The Colégio Militar still maintains the FIAT G.91R/3 which was in recent years identified as c/n 91-547, noted here on the 10Feb2018.

Lisboa (airport – military area)
Present as Gate Guard by29Jan2018 was the T-38A no.2603.

Maceda (AM1)
During the Open Base Day, on the 15th July 2018, were noted the following,
Gate Guard – A-7P nº15504
SAR Alert – Esquadra 552 SE.3160 nº 19302 [performed SAR demo on the afternoon]
Museu do Ar a/c – Piper Cub nº 3208, MH Broussard nº3301, Chipmunk nº1305, Auster D.5 nº 3548, T-6G nº1769 (being rebuilt), FTB-337G nº 13710, T-37C nº2427, G.91R/3 nº5452, T-38A nº2608, C-212 nº16503, TA-7P nº15545, Alphajet nº15246
Other aircraft that flew and participated in the static display were,
Academia da Força Aérea “Águias” flt/DHC1 Chipmunk’s nºs. 1306, 1316, 1319, 1335
Esquadra 101/TB.30 Epsilon nº11417
Esquadra 201/301 / F-16AM nº15115
Esquadra 502/C-295M nº16704
Aditionaly noted – Cessna 172R reg. CS-DGM of Nortávia

Montijo (BA6)
Noted on the 30th March 2019 were noted the usual Gate Guard ‘5463’, CTSFA’s GIA 5447, and G.91R/4 ‘5404’ restaured as ‘5430’, and the tail of 5453 (monument).
By former FIAT flight line were noted Lynx Mk.95 19201 of Portuguese Navy EHM in “Red Bull Flight” mks., EH-101 19603, C-295M 16701, and C-212 16505.
In the hangar were noted C-212’s 16504, 16505, 16509, 16512 (shark mouth), 196513 and 16517 (Esq.401 Cientistas tail ). Inside the hangar was also noted EH-101 19612 (dismantled/stored).
Noted flying 19607 (SAR mission), plus a C-295M and a C-130.

Ota (CFMTFA)
On the 25th March 2018 were noted the following,
Gate Guard 5201 F-84G
NMA CFMTFA – 16510 C-212; 3707 FT-337G; 2611 T-38A; 9379 SE.3160; 15249 Alphajet A; 15506 A-7P; G.91R/3 c/n 91-1-0057/30+04; G.914R/3 c/n 91-555;  ‘5457’ G.91R/3 (exAFA, Sintra) – confirmed to be c/n 91-341; 2515 C-45;
N OPSAS CFMTFA – 15240 Alphajet A; 5420 G.91R/3; 15512 A-7P; plus
14804 P-3P GIA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9kSAsZ-Wkw
Flyby of two F-16’s (QRA Alert a/c) 15101 and 15114.

Ponte de Sor (airfield)
Based here, noted on the 10Feb2018,  Antonov An-2 reg.SP-AIN (c/n 1G210-27),  Yakovlev Yak-52 reg. SP-YEL (c/n 9111509);  Yakovlev Yak-52 reg. SP-YCP (c/n 833609);  Yakovlev Yak-52 reg. SP-YAH (c/n 9011001).
 In May 2018 were joined in by, Antonov An-2TP reg. LY-ABK (c/n 1G238-11), and Antonov An-2 reg. SP-OOH.
Not noted by February, but was said to be in one of the hangars, Yakovlev Yak-52 reg. EC-IKC (c/n 866511)

Portalegre (city)
10June2019 - during the commemorations of the Day of Portugal, the following aircraft were noted during the parade (flyby): C-295M; C-130H; P-3C: 4xF-16’s.
Presidential flight was a EH-101.
Static display included: -15209 Alphajet A and SE.3160 9379

Portimão (city)
Fiat G.91R/3 (no FAP number applied, but said to be c/n 91-553 ,exWGAF 32+83). l/n 2018.07.08

Portimão (airfield)
I was not able to access the hangar were the Aero Algarve/Ken Tomsett aircraft, and Skydyve Algarve/ Wingglider  had no Do28’s on the airfield, on my passage here on the 2018.07.08, but previously noted were:
Aero Algarve, of Mr. Kenneth Tomsett, who owns a small collection of historic aircraft.
Yakovlev Yak-50 reg. SP-YEH (c/n 1374)
Chipmunk T.10 reg. G-BPAL (c/n DHB.f.299,  exRAF WG350)
Chipmunk DHC1 Mk.20 reg. G-CHPI (c/n OGMA14, exFAP 1324)
Skydive Algarve/Wingglider
Dornier Do28D-2 reg. D-IEDO (c/n 4134, ex 58+59 )
Dornier Do28D-2 reg. HA-HIB (c/n 4328, exKenya AF no116)
Dornier Do28D-2 reg. HA-ACY

S. Jacinto (army barracks)
The FTB-337G 13715, on loan from the Museu do Ar collection,  was noted on the 30Jan2018. Also noted inside one of the main hangars, near to the tower, the wings of Harvard II A FAP no.1524 (c/n 88-12188, BuAer. 27193) [propelor on the base museum], plus a port wing of a FIAT (not from the one previously displayed in the village), and a wing of a Chipmunk (possibly no.1328).

Santa Bárbara de Nexe
Fully restaured in full tiger livery is the FIAT G.91R/3 FAP no.5442 (c/n91-1-0077; exWGAF 30+21).
Older post on this a/c: http://bu153188.blogspot.com/2014/07/aerotranstornados-n33-notes-on-fiat.html
l/n 2018.07.08

Santa Cruz (airfield)
Displayed on the groundings of this civil airfield is the ex FAP Alphajet A no.15222, still in fading WGAF lizard c/s – l/n27Jan2018.

Setúbal
The local branch of the Associação de Especialistas da Força Aérea (AEFA), maintains the FIAT G.91R/3 no.5455 (c/n 91-440, exWGAF 31+72) , preserved in a small monument. l/n 11Feb2018

SETÚBAL (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional)
Confirmed visually the existence in the training centre of the Reims-Cessna FTB-337G nº 13711 (c/n 0012, ex DGMFA), used as GIA in the aeronautical section of this professional school. The aircraft is in several stages of restoration for the Air Force. l/n 9Feb2018
Tancos (military complex)
The FIAT G.91R/3 (c/n 91-345, exWGAF 30+82), was by 10Feb2018 n/n, confirmed to have been scrapped.
Gate Guard at former BA3 (Air Base no.3) is CASA C-212A no.16507 (s/n028; c/nA2-3-28).
On the other side of the road, the former Base Escola de Tropas Paraquedistas, has on display FIAT G.91R/4 FAP nº5432 (c/n 91-4-0145, exWGAF BD+377), noted on the same day.

Tavira
2018.07.04 - confirmed at a local photography shop (with over 120 years of existence), Casa de Fotografia Andrade, the existence of photos of the following crashes,
. unk. aircraft crashed in local salt works during Spanish Civil War (sometime in 1939);
. unk. aircraft crashed in Moncarapacho (WWII);
. Vickers Wellington Mk.Ic (HD967), of RAF 10ADU emergency landing at Santa Luzia beach (Tavira), later integrated in the Arma de Aeronáutica;
Sadly, the owner showed me the pictures but didn’t sold me any copies…

Vila Nova da Raínha
Displayed at Vila Nova da Rainha, the Alphajet A nº15231 (exWGAF 40+96; c/n 0096; exBA11) was noted present by 10Feb2018

Vila Real (airfield)
6Jan2018 – continued presence of FIAT G.91R/3 5470.

Viseu (airfield)
6Jan2018 – continued presence of FIAT G.91R/4 5408 – restaured during May2019.



Thanks to: Miguel Santos; Tiago Leitão; Paulo “Oneshotland” Fernandes; André Carvalho; Manuel Pacheco Silva; Erwin Husmann / Spottingmode; TGen Mimoso e Carvalho; Pedro “Pugachev” Oliveira;

AEROTRANSTORNADOS Nº49

AEROTRANSTORNADOS Nº49

Alcafozes
Confirmed presence of Cessna T-37C nº 2423, at Nossa Senhora do Loreto chapel groundings (l/n 2.7.2017).

Alcochete, Carreira de Tiro de Alcochete (CTA)
Noted from 26 to 28 April 2017, operating here in training operations with the GNR special forces, two SE.3160 Alouette III from Esquadra 552nos. 19302 and 19401, in preparation for the forthcoming state visit of Pope Francis.

Alverca (DGMFA) 
In late April, early May 2017, a couple of SA-330 Puma’s were noted as “road runners”, somewhere between Beja and Lisboa. As is turns out, they moved from storage at Beja (BA1), to Alverca (DGMFA), in mid-May, a photo confirmed the presence of at least 7 aircraft stored at Alverca. These should be the last three operational SA-330 nos. 19502 (1002); 19503 (1009), 19504 (1004)[identified from photos on the road] ; and 19513 (1270) [special c/s]; the rest of the aircraft at Beja were nos. 19505 (1011) ; 19506 (1019) ; 19508 (1040) ; 19509 ( 1046) ; 19511 (1059).  

Alverca (city) 
Still not displayed  on the previous plinth, but still a continued presence at Escola Secundária Gago Coutinho is Cessna T-37C FAP no.02412 (s/n 62-5936, c/n 40736). L/n 9 July 2017.

Castelo Branco (city/airfield)
Noted on the 2nd July 2017, during the commemorations of the 65th Anniversary, of the Força Aérea Portuguesa.
Static display in the city of Castelo Branco were, F-16A ‘15100’, SE.3160 9379 and Alphajet A 15209.
Static display at the airfield included C-130H 16806 (70501 flight hours c/s); SE.3160 19401 + 19376 (special c/s); DHC-1 Chipmunk’s 1306, 1319, 1335, 1339; TB-30 Epsilon’s 11404, 11405, 11406, 11407, 11411. Later joined by C-295M 16705, and Embraer KC-390 reg. PT-ZNJ.
Airdisplay/demos included: flyby F-16’s 15110, 15118; formation of KC-390 PT-ZNJ and F-16’s 15110, 15118; KC-390 flight demo; formation of C-295M 16701, C-130H 16803 (faded UN mks.), P-3C 14808; flight formation of P-3C 14808 and Alphajets 15206, 15250 (Asas de Portugal c/s); flyby of P-3C 14808; SAR demo of SE.3160 19376; cargo drop by C-130H 16803; Asas de Portugal demo with Alphajets 15206, 15250; TB-30 Epsilon’s flight formation demo (all except 11411); SE.3160 19376 suspended cargo demo; DHC-1 Chipmunk 4 a/c flight formation demo; Ejercito del Aire Team Aquila  display [79-40 (4), 79-06 (3), 79-08 (2), 79-29 (PE), 79-34(7), 79-38 (5), 79-28 (PE)]; formation flight and flyby’s by F-16AM/BM’s 15108, 15110, 15114 (QRA a/c), 15118, 15119, 15131(QRA a/c).

Horta, Faial
Operating at Horta on the 30th June, was FAP’s C-295M 16704, from Esquadra 502.

Lajes, Base Aérea nº4 (BA4)
Continued presence of both FIAT G.91R/4’s, 5418 displayed in front of Radio Lajes (l/n 27/6/2017), and ‘5414´stored inside Aero Clube da Ilha Terceira (ACIT) hangar.
Noted on the 25th June operating here, USAF’s KC-135R 59-1516/1516 126ARS, and USN’s P-8A Bu168437/437 VP-5.

Leixões (harbor)
Noted at the Leixões harbour on the 19th and 20th May 2017, Portugues Navy’s Super Lynx Mk.95 nº19202, on the flightdeck of NRP Bartolomeu Dias [F333]. Although not wearing any of the traditional Flight logos painted on the upper nose of the helicopter, it was said to be of the Red Bull Flight.

Lisboa (airport)
Noted on the 22nd June 2017, C-295M 16712 of Esq.502.

Maceda, Aerodromo de Manobra nº1 (AM1)
Operating as part of the 15 Wing Belgian AF detachment, between the 20th April to 20th May, were noted, on the 13th May 2017, the following a/c,
Lockheed C-130H nos. CH-04, CH-08*, CH-10*, CH-12.
[*] carrying several mks/zaps such as “2014-18”, GAF LTG-61, and EATC. 
Also noted, support aircraft CH-11, arr./dep. on the same day back to Belgium.
All the aircraft were noted on several occasions during the detachment, at Tancos, UALE (exBA3), in joint missions with the paratroopers of the Exército Português.
On the 20th May, all of the C-130’s except for one (no.?), departed in the morning back to Belgium. 

On the afternoon of the 20th May, until late in the night, the Museu do Ar Ovar section was open, as part of the “Museums at Night” event, with Museu do Ar Sintra and Alverca also participating.
Apart from the A-7P 15504 gate guard, were noted,
Outside – 5452 FIAT G.91R/3, 16503 C-212 Aviocar, 15246 Alphajet A, 2608 Northrop T-38A, 2427 Cessna T-37C.
Inside – 3548 Auster D.5/160, 15545 LTV TA-7P, 13710 FTP-337G, 3301 MH Broussard, 3208 Piper Cub, and also Alouette II A13 (ex Belgian Army). Noteworthy also T-6G no. 1769 undergoing maintenance, possibly to be rebuilt for static display! 

Esquadra 552 “Zangões” SE.3160 Alouette III nº 19349, was noted also station there for SAR duties.


Monte Real, Base Aérea nº5 (BA5)
During the 12th – 13th May, Portugal received the visit of HH Pope Francis, being the visit solely centered in Fátima (SE of Monte Real), the FAP support operations were based at BA5. Related movements were,

Esquadra 501 C-130H 16806 w/ 70501 flight hours tail markings, carried the papal vehicles. Noted on the 11th, and back on the 13th, for the trip back.

Esquadra 751 EH-101 – 19604, 19605, 19611.
All departed on the 13th, 19605 and 19611 arrived on the 11th, and 19604 arrived on the 12th carrying the President of the Republic.
19605 carried the Pope to the vicinity of Fátima, followed by the 19604 with the President, and the 19611 with the Prime Minister, landing all on the improvised helipad, the parking lot of the local football stadium.

Esquadra 552 SE.3160 Alouette III’s – 19302, 19401, 19312. 
All arrived on the 11th and departed on the 13th. The 19312 was equipped with a side mounted camera for TV coverage, and the other two Alouette III’s carried the GNR special forces which flew as close armed support to all the Pope’s movements.

Based in BA11, Beja, Lockheed P-3C CUP+ 14808, flew on both days as command and control aircraft over all the area between Monte Real and Fátima.

Esquadra 201 was assigned to the visit, flying the escort flights and CAP during the cerimonies. Aircraft involved were, 15103, 15115, 15119, and 15135.

Airbus A321 Alitalia eg. EI-IXH arr. 12th carrying the Pope.
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/ei-ixh#d5ec0bd

Airbus A320 TAP Air Portugal reg. CS-TNV “Grão Vasco”, carried the Pope back to Rome on the 13th. Reserve aircraft was CS-TNU “Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro”.

Other aircraft involved, based in several locations in the Fátima industrial complex,
CS-HHE Agusta Westland A109E Inaer/INEM (EMS)
CS-HMJ/H7 Aerospatiale A350B3 Ecureuil  EMA/SNBPC
CS-HMO/H8 Aerospatiale A350B3 Ecureuil  EMA/SNBPC
CS-HMI/H9 Aerospatiale A350B3 Ecureuil  EMA/SNBPC
plus
I-BBFI Agusta Westland AW169 (Pope’s EMS helicopter) based at the Colégio de São Miguel, moved to the stadium, nearer to the sanctuary, during cerimonies.


Porto (city)
This year’s commemoration of the 10th June, Portugal Day [Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities], took place at the city of Porto, with the static display of the armed forces at the center of the city, in Praça da Liberdade and Avenida dos Aliados. The Força Aérea Portuguesa had displayed there, F-16A ‘15100’, Alphajet A 15209, and SE.3160 Alouette III 9379. All arrived on the 5th June and departed on the 11th.
The military parade, took place on the 10th, at Avenida do Brasil, by the ocean front, and the fly over included, a formation with 1xC-130H plus 2xC-295M’s, 4x F-16’s, and 4xAlphajets. Tails: C-130H 16806; C-295M 16702, 16705; Alphajet A’s 15250, 15236, 15206, 15226; F-16AM 15135, 15114, 15110, 15115.



Thanks to: André Carvalho, António Pita, Jorge Martins, José Luís Lopes, Luís “Tamagoshi” de Pádua Gonçalves; Luís Neves, Miguel Machado, Óscar Rodrigues, Sérgio Couto, Manuel Pacheco, Sandra Costa, Eng. Vasco Morão.