Latest REX SF340's

[Paul C.]

340B+ DELIVERIES

Now going with the smaller aircraft. The two latest ex American Eagle Saab 340B's (+) for Regional Express - REX.

N389AE - VH-ZRB
N388AE - VH-ZRZ

With the continual delivery of these upgraded planes (one every month), REX withdrew 340B VH-OLN (207) from service on Feb 8th for spare parts.

340A UPGRADES

The oldest SF340A VH-KDB (008) was stripped of its (very) old paint and repainted and fully refurbished and upgraded over the summer holidays. It now has a new leather interior and looks brand new again inside and out.

First pic of the new KDB at Burnie Airport: http://www.myaviation.net/search/pho...hp?id=01298293

New KDB at Adelaide: http://www.myaviation.net/search/pho...hp?id=01315951

[Adam P.]

ZRB entered service last week....

[phil.l]

Thanks for the post Adam about ZRB, Any idea which airport it is operating out of,SYD-MEL ADL ?

[David M]

Thanks for the post Adam about ZRB, Any idea which airport it is operating out of,SYD-MEL ADL ?

Phil.l,

The Saabs operate out of any base. It all depends on where they are needed around the network. I'm sure Adam will have some more solid info, but expect to see ZRB on any sector.

David.M.

[phil.l]

Cheers David

[Adam P.]

As Dave pointed out, they shuffle around the network frequently. ZRB is currently showing WGA-SYD-WGA shuttles for the next few days... all, of course, subject to change at a moment's notice...

[Grahame Hutchison]

From http://yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=264

Rex Saab 340 N388AE at Orange two weeks ago.

[phil.l]

Saw ZRB today at Sydney,thanks to all for the info.

[Steve S... 2]

It is interesting that Saab340B VH-OLN is being used for spare parts but they retain and refurbish the very old Saab340A VH-KDB.

[Paul C.]

Originally Posted by Steve S... 2

It is interesting that Saab340B VH-OLN is being used for spare parts but they retain and refurbish the very old Saab340A VH-KDB.

I'm guessing that mainly because the 340B is the workhorse of the fleet and they needed to withdraw a unit for spares (especially spare engines). Rex has 33 or so 340B's compared to the mere 8 340A's and because alot of the other 340B parts (landing gear, interior, various metal, panels ect) are compatible with 340A's. They are basically the same type of aircraft except for the engines which are different in the B model and of course the B model has wider tips on the tailplane. As I said how KDB was refurbished. It now has overhead storage lockers which weren't present before and all new leather seats among the few of its interior upgrades. Even though its very old, it feels very new again. It was withdrawn back in November last year and returned to service in March I believe.

VH-KDK, the first southern hemisphere based SF3 was also fully refurbished in July 2006 and VH-KDI also had an interior refit done but it hasn't been repainted yet (or has it?). These older units often operate out of Melbourne but are rotated between Adelaide and Sydney. I havent seen EKT for a while, maybe its getting refurbished. But I've seen alot more 340B's (along with 340A's) down in Burnie, Tasmania in the last 4 or 5 months.