Libyan Mirages Defect to Malta.
 

'The arrival of the jets was unexpected and initial reports point towards the scenario where the pilots defected Libya after being ordered to fire on protesters. The Guardian quoted Soula al-Balaazi, a Libyan activist in Tripoli, saying that fighter jets opened fire against protesters in many areas around Tripoli.'

maltastar.com

Things seem to be hotting up...

I'd defect to Malta if I could. What a great night out there is to be had in Paceville!

They probably went there for the Kinnie. Don't blame them.

I think I operated from that dispersal a few times!

timesofmalta.com - Updated: Libyan fighter jets arrive in Malta

Gutsy move Mav!

RAF El Adem anyone?:ok:

says it all really.....
 

A deal struck with tyranny - Telegraph

One is a 2 faced lying dictator, who sacrifices his people for a vainglorious cause.... and the other one is Col Gadaffi!

If it is true that the Libyan Air Force is bombing civilians, then it amounts to a war crime. So where is our response? Why aren't we imposing a no-fly zone over Libya?

Are we just waiting for the yanks to finish their holiday?

Don't worry Trim Stab, the cupboard is not bare. There are 2 Squirrels on their way from Shawbury to do the NEO. They will launch off the only rib that the RN haven't punctured. 2 Tutors will provide CAP. LRMP is being provided by the SkyNews helicopter.

Video update
 

Video from Malta here

LiveLeak.com - Libyan fighter jets arrive in Malta - pilots request asylum

I would like to think that someone like say the Italian Air Force was aware that EU airspace was being entered into by the Libyan Mirages.

LOL. That is worth a GEMS suggestion.

RAF El Adem
 

Many times in the "Sixties". Not the best place for a detachment or diversion but still welcoming and I had some great times there. Maybe our aspirations change as we get (much) older!!:ok::ok:

Hi Bill, I too remember El Adem with some pleasure. We were there once when a Hastings crew was attached as supernumerary when the fleet was grounded. They were general dogsbodies, we OTOH, were well fed in the aircrew feeder. I still remember the Fillet Mignon that was served routinely as a post-flight meal.

Such acts prove that, in such circumstances, some people have the moral strength to hold to values of honour and moral value. Such values are independent of nationality or religion.

I praise them for them decision, which throws away their past, property and careers, and pray that it does not cause harm to their families.

Whilst not braver than those in the street, this was a decision which had to be made in the cold light of day.

As-Salamu Alaykum

Seconded.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/multimedi...e_1831425c.jpg

The image published by the Telegraph - if apposite?? - shows stores remaining on the outboard mountings which I cannot place - any ideas?

(Tender regards to anyone at El Adem back in '65 - not least the catering crew!).

Malta
 

No problem, we have a PR and maritime squadron there, and can swiftly fly in AD and GR and ............. I woke up

dogle - rockets. At a guess something along the lines of Matra 155s complete with 68mm rockets...

There are some better photos here, BTW, which give a slightly better view of the items in question.

Interestingly they asked for re-fuelling, no doubt they were heading for the UK having heard they would be given a nice home, lots of allowances and aid....... :p

Do you think they thought they would be given fuel and allowed to swan around all over Europe in an armed fighter whilst they sought out their ideal retirement location?

Dogle,

Rocket pods. The following links show the two Mirage F.1s in Malta.

502 - Libya - Air Force Dassault Mirage F1 Aircraft Photo | Airplane-Pictures.net

508 - Libya - Air Force Dassault Mirage F1 Aircraft Photo | Airplane-Pictures.net

TJ

well done to the pilots who defected. Some moral courage shown there. Their families are now probably being rounded up, tortured and who knows what.

That Quadaffi's son has a mansion here - nice target.

Or, as Mrs PN says, "What price the Ark sitting off Tripoli?"

Excuse me for asking, PN, but what would 'Ark' contribute to solving the mess in Libya? No sarcasm meant, just honest curiosity.

An RN presence has often served to calm a situation however she would also be useful in any ex-pat evacuation.

I think you would find most FCO contingency plans include the RN; hopeful rather than realistic maybe.

FCO contingency plans? Only the Israelis have them, these days.

Image links to one of the Mirage F.1s coming into land at Malta.

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/ima.../21/123005.jpg

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/ima.../21/123032.jpg

TJ

You have to admit those aircraft are smart unlike some of the jets we used to have.

Anyone notice the flying boots? They are not French pattern and look more like UK '67 pattern or maybe the later pattern.

Perhaps they were from the recently stolen truckload of boots in Oxfordshire...

So now we have boot spotters on PPRuNe....:rolleyes:

Actually I was more interested in the fact that the rocket pods seemed to contain actual projectiles.

When the riots start in London at least the "new" RAF can't be called on to suppress the 'locals' with jets.

I read that the pilots were Colonels. Were their families on the choppers that also "defected".

Don't worry, they saw them very early on and withdrew to Milan...:}

Sitigeltfel,

The helos (French registered) belonged to Heli Union. This is a company that provides support to the oil and gas industry in Libya. Link to image of one of them arriving in Malta.

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/ima.../21/123040.jpg

TJ

Meanwhile in Egypt earlier today....

Two Iranian warships, the frigate Avland and the supply ship Kharg, entered the Suez Canal at 05:45 (03:45 GMT) on transit to Syria.


Israel concerned as two Iranian warships transit the Suez Canal | The Economic Voice

TJ

Enough to keep the Malta-based Nimrods really busy.....

.....about 35 years ago :{

But hey, Dave and his MoD pongoes know best...:\

BEagle, don't you remember your CSRE lectures all those years ago and the 'advantages' of the unique pattern of the '51 boots - no tread at all - or the unique tread of the '67 boots - Ah, RAF Aircrew!

The latest boots have a different tread again.

The other E&E giveaway was the distinctive white with black thread paracord that you might leave around.

The F1's look very tidy, I beleive they've just come out of deep spannering with Dassault? Good news for Malta though - bit of a step change in capability for the Maltese Air Arm - hope they aren't thinking of handing them back?!:}

Yeah, I'm sure they would be sh1tting bricks at the thought of half a dozen Harriers with the RCS of a barn door laying just off the coast.

Ark Royal would last about 2 mins if 'Colonel G' gave the order.

P.S. Why is he only a Colonel, I'd have thought you would need to be at least a General to get away with a Goatee.

Mirages at Luqa
 

Excellent pictures on Aviation Forum including this close up showing the SNEB pod from the rear!! 502 - Libya - Air Force Dassault Mirage F1 Aircraft Photo | Airplane-Pictures.net :mad:

Just noticed the hanging bomb ring at the rear of the inboard pylon which would suggest he has jettisoned stores prior to landing!

As a mere Flt Lt I've sported a goatee whilst on det. (only whilst the aircraft were u/s of course).

Libyan pilots to Malta.
 

At the end of April 1958, on detachment with 120 at Luqa, the Maltese got nasty, threw rocks at Luqa Mess, and we had to take our Shackletons to Idris in Libya so that the aircraft would not be targets at Luqa. How times change!! It all passed after a couple of days and we returned. We had an MPA Force then. Happy days.:)