Wedgetail at Richmond

[Chris Griffiths]

Sources tell me that a Wedgetail appeared at Richmond a couple of days back.
He said it was silver but on further questioning said it might have been a greeny silver colour.

Down from BNE for a quick paintjob perhaps?

Mobility challenges have prevented me checking this out.

Chris

[phil.l]

Chris the wedgetail is N361BJ C/N 33477

[Drew H]

I didn't see it myself, but my dad did.
Twas N361BJ, still unpainted, but now with surfboard on top.

[Scott Lindsell]

Can someone confirm this registration or what RAAF number it will carry. I have now shot four Wedgetails but none bare this rego.

N378BC '001'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfiguy/2182278248/

N358BJ '002'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfiguy/2479287311/

N359BJ '003'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfiguy/2235362353/

N364BJ '004???'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfiguy/2116549715/

Cheers,
Scott

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Originally Posted by Scott Lindsell

Can someone confirm this registration or what RAAF number it will carry. I have now shot four Wedgetails but none bare this rego.

N378BC '001'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfiguy/2182278248/

N358BJ '002'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfiguy/2479287311/

N359BJ '003'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfiguy/2235362353/

N364BJ '004???'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfiguy/2116549715/

Cheers,
Scott

The one at Richmond will be 004 Scott. 005 and 006 are still in the hangar at Amberley. 004 is at Richmond being painted, and will be making an appearance at the Avalon Airshow next month. I think N364BJ is 005 or 006?

Cheers

[Scott Lindsell]

Thanks for the speedy reply Andrew! I'm sure I must have a shot of it bare metal in my library somewhere but the entry did not pop up straight away. Bad bookeeping on my part I guess

[Kain C]

Anyone catch the callsign used?

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Originally Posted by Kain C

Anyone catch the callsign used?

Probably a Boeing callsign at the moment...

[Bernie P]

Could it have had anything to do with this Boeing announcement...

SEATTLE, Jan. 15, 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced it has completed the first aerial refuelings of a 737 platform. The historic flights were conducted for Project Wedgetail, Australia's airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) program.

Flying at 25,000 feet above Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on Jan. 7, Boeing pilot Ron Johnston maneuvered the 737-700 AEW&C aircraft into a U.S. Air Force KC-10 tanker's refueling boom envelope and easily maintained its position below the tanker. The 737 received approximately 14,000 pounds of fuel during two connections with the tanker.

"The aircraft was stable, with excellent flying qualities and engine response behind the tanker," said Johnston.

The aircraft achieved another aerial-refueling first on Jan. 10, when it received fuel from an Air Force KC-135 tanker.

"The 737 AEW&C aircraft's highly automated and efficient refueling system worked flawlessly in both tests," said Maureen Dougherty, AEW&C Program vice president for Boeing. "This is a key milestone in certifying the AEW&C system.

"Air-to-air refueling is a force multiplier for the AEW&C aircraft," Dougherty added, "allowing it to stay on station for significantly longer periods of time while providing critical battle-management and surveillance capabilities."

Project Wedgetail includes six 737 AEW&C aircraft plus ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance.

There is a pic inside the article, but not sure about posting it here so go and have a look...

Source: - Boeing.com

[Steve V]

Anyone catch the callsign used?

Boeing 203