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Aerial refuelling the Italian way: |
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B707 with the Aeronautica Militare Italiana
Two of the B707s are in a full passenger configuration. The other two are in a combi configuration; the front half of the fuselage is reserved for cargo, the rear half for passengers. Just like the standard configuration of the RNLAF KDC-10. Although these birds are old, the Spanish Air Force has shown interest in both combi versions once they retire with the Italian Air Force.
Each of the flights we joined, were very enjoyable. Except for one though. First time we had a ride, we went to a tanker track in Germany. After only a few orbits, we heard the TLP wave was cancelled due to the crash an F-104S Starfighter at Leeuwarden Air Base. Although we were disappointed about this cancellation, we realised that a pilot was struggling for his life. A pilot with the same nationality as our crew.
On the second trip in March 2005, we had TLP receivers like Spanish
Hornets, RAF Tornado’s and French Mirage 2000Ns. This time the track was
just south of the English main land. The day after there was no TLP
tasking. Therefore the European Airlift Centre (EAC) which, is also
based at Eindhoven, arranged several French receivers. On the crews
invitation, we joined again. And
Last flight was in October 2005, another TLP mission. There were only four receivers, all Italian ones. There were two Tornado ECR and two AMX fighters. This was in a track in the North Sea area, just east of England. In the stack below us, a French C-135FR was busy refuelling a couple of British Tornados and two Super Etendards. Great view from above!
We would like to thank our Italian friends and colleagues for making
this all possible! Grazi, ciao! |
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Home © Fred & Maurice 2001-2008 |
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In the autumn of their life,
afterburner had the opportunity to join a couple of missions with an
Italian Air Force Boeing B707T/T.
A
few times per year these Italian tankers are deployed to Eindhoven Air
Base, our home base, in support of Tactical Leadership Programs which
are held at Florennes Air Base. With their hose-drogue refuelling system
they are able to extend missions of aircraft like the Tornado, AMX,
Mirage, Harrier, F/A-18, Super Etendard etc. 
we were lucky! First receivers of the
day: two French Mirage IV aircraft came along. One on each side of the
aircraft. Brilliant! These were followed by two Mirage F.1CR, two Mirage
F.1CT and two Mirage 2000D. This all happened in a track overhead the
beautiful area of the Vosges Mountains.)
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