First NE-3A goes to the Boneyard

[PPRuNeUser0139]

A story to make you feel old: the first NATO E-3A to officially retire - 449 - left the E-3A Component on June 23, 2015.

Lt. Col. Gerald Probst, Deputy Logistics Wing (LW) Commander and Main Operating Base�s (MOB) project officer for the Retirement Aircraft 449 Project explains, �The fleet reduction was decided by the NAPMO nations and the main reason why aircraft 449 was selected to retire was a Depot Level Maintenance (DLM) inspection scheduled for mid-July 2015. DLM is performed on a six-year cycle and costs roughly 15 million Euros. Not performing this inspection means that the aircraft is no longer allowed to fly.�

Here it is arriving at Davis-Monthan.

[TOWTEAMBASE]

I'm sure the RAF will rush it back into service 😏

[TOWTEAMBASE]

That's probably the most disturbing example of marshalling I've ever seen :-D

[Wensleydale]

"I'm sure the RAF will rush it back into service".


Completely different back end (that still doesn't work as well as it should).

[Rosevidney1]

That was marshalling?

[unclenelli]

I didn't know GK had A's (LX registered, but 4x humped engine mounts)
The majority of GK fleet are B's (3 humped mounts and 1 slick mount)

I stand to be corrected.

[b707eng]

Originally Posted by unclenelli

I didn't know GK had A's (LX registered, but 4x humped engine mounts)
The majority of GK fleet are B's (3 humped mounts and 1 slick mount)

I stand to be corrected.

All of GK's E3's are A model! The "hump" you refer to is a turbo compressor fitted to 707's on motors 2-4, lots of debate about why only 3. My theory is 2 are enough and you can make do with 1 if you had to so no need to lug an extra around if you already have redundancy. Non of the E3A's have TC's they use bleed air only. That is why they all look the same.

[ShotOne]

"Makes you feel old..?" Don't get me wrong, I'm sad to see any aircraft off to the boneyard but this airframe takes us back to the dawn of the jet age. Yes, I do feel old but that's because I was flying at 0400 not because of this!

[sandiego89]

TOWTEAMBASE: That's probably the most disturbing example of marshalling I've ever seen :-D

You need to get out more- saw some interesting "marshalling" in the South Pacific....

[tdracer]

Sorry for my ignorance, but I thought that all the NATO E-3s were CFM powered (only the USAF got JT3 power)?

[Fortissimo]

No, it's only the UK and France fleets (E3D and E3F) that have the CFM56 fit.

[ehwatezedoing]

This aircraft is trimmed nose up big time

[Willard Whyte]

No, it's only the UK and France fleets (E3D and E3F) that have the CFM56 fit.

The 5 Saudi E-3As have CFM56s too.