View Full Version : Capability Gap Plugged?
Akrotiri bad boy
6th Aug 2015, 19:46
Did I just see a capability plug heading NE over the Loch Lomond area? From where I was imbibing the plug looked like a C160 Transall.
I thought Transall's were history.:confused:
Courtney Mil
6th Aug 2015, 22:14
Still being flown here in France. Waiting to be replaced by A400.
Still shaking the bones of every Luftwaffe airman who has to fly in one...
Rhino power
6th Aug 2015, 22:39
Turkey is the only other European operator, along with the aforementioned France and Germany...
-RP
Transalls are far from being consigned to the history books. I can't speak for the French, but the Germans will be operating them until at least 2021. And that's assuming no more hiccups with the A400. There's one heading to the UK every couple of months or so, so there's still time to get those tail numbers you're missing ;)
Looks like you saw Luftwaffe C-160 serial 50+40. Photographed at Glasgow International.
View image: GAF C160 (http://postimg.org/image/6lpfg4li5/)
Courtney Mil
7th Aug 2015, 10:23
I think L'Armée de l'Air were expecting to keep theirs going for another three years yet. They may have to rethink that unless A400 hurries up. I'm not sure of their plans are for replacing the ELINT versions are.
TEEEJ, I think you're right, most likely a GAF one.
DirtyProp
7th Aug 2015, 10:34
One tough bird, apparently.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:C-160_Transall_doing_a_Sarajevo_Landing.jpg
"Steepest landing I ever saw, almost a controlled crash, with rear legs touching down a full 5 seconds after nosewheel. Awesome."
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/C-160_Transall_doing_a_Sarajevo_Landing.jpg
Haraka
7th Aug 2015, 12:06
The shortest Transall landing I ever saw was at Le Bourget, whilst working at the Paris Air Show in 1981. It certainly saved on tyre wear if nothing else.........
Akrotiri bad boy
9th Aug 2015, 08:55
Thanks for the replies guys. I remember a report from a few months back about a Transall retiring to a museum, that's what made me think they'd all gone. If I remember correctly the museum delivery flight almost ended in the undershoot.
As for the Glasgow bound Transall I saw, was our Teutonic chum plugging the MPA gap?
BEagle
9th Aug 2015, 09:43
Yes, the C160 arrival at Ballenstedt was.....interesting:
Plane spotting enthusiasts come within inches of death after military aircraft misses runway | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2253449/Plane-spotting-enthusiasts-come-inches-death-military-aircraft-misses-runway.html?ICO=most_read_module)
See: http://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/498301-no-wonder-nobody-applauded-german-c-160-landed-short.html