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Aviation History
1972
1972 - 1660.PDF
FLIGHT International, 29]une 1972 951 Above, one of the miscellaneous types operated by the South Korean Army for liaison, a Beech U-ZIA. Right, on a test flight from Prestwick, Scotland, one of the IS Bulldogs for the Royal Malaysian Air Force WH (2?^** "? the war in 1950. In an effort to redress the balance of power between the North and the South, the RoKAF has been supplied with 18 F-4D Phantoms. These, however, are expected to be assisted in the intercepter role in the future by MAP-supplied F-5E Tigers while the earlier F-5As, numbering 55 aircraft, are operated in the strike role. Backing these up are 100 venerable F- 86F Sabres. Reconnaissance is the task of ten RF-86Fs, and 20 of another Sabre variant, the F-86D, are flown in an all- weather capacity. About 30 transports comprising C-54s, C-46s, C-47s and Aero Commanders are operated and the helicopter force flies six H-19s, five Bell UH-lDs and two Bell 212s. Trainers in clude T-33As, Northrop F-5Bs and T-6s. Cessna O-ls are flown in the Forward Air Control task. Missiles include Hawk, Nike-Hercules and Honest John, all operated by the Army. KUWAIT Kuwait Air Force Sandwiched between three strong countries, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Kuwait has built up a small but sophisticated air force to protect her interests in the area. One fighter squadron flies 12 BAC Lightning F.53s and two T.55s; a strike force has six BAC Strikemasters (with a further six on order), four Hunter FGA.57s and two T.67s. Transports include one Argosy, one Devon, two Caribous and two Lockheed L-100-20s on order. There are six Agusta-Bell 204Bs for liaison and two Whirlwind Srs Is, with six Jet Provost T.51s flying in the training role. LAOS Royal Lao Air Force Heavily committed to a counter-insurgency war against the Communist Pathet-Lao forces who, with the North Vietnamese, control the eastern half of the country, the RLAF has received most of its equipment from the United States under a military grant arrangement. Attack aircraft number 63 T-28Ds and ten AC-47D gunships. The transport element has 18 C-47s and 18 H-34 Choctaw helicopters fly on rescue and Army support duties. Four U-17s fly FAC work while one Aero Com mander U-4 and one Beaver fly liaison. Six T-41Ds fly at a pilot training school. LEBANON Force Aerienne Libanaise There are two combat squadrons in the Lebanese Air Force, one intercepter unit equipped with 12 Mirage niCs, plus two IIIBL trainers (one report last year questioned the operational status of these aircraft), and a ground-attack squadron with ten Hunter FGA.9s. There are Dove 6s, four Alouette lis and six Alouette Ills, while training is done on Chipmunks and Vampire T.55s. A Crotale air-defence system has been installed. LIBYA Libyan Arab Air Force This air force caused something of a stir when it announced its intention of ordering Mirages, pro-Israeli countries believing that the aircraft were intended for Egyptian assessment and use. Recent reports have indicated that Egyptian pilots are flying the type both in France and in Libya. About 50 Mirages have so far been delivered, the total of 110 to be made up of 10 IIIB trainers, 32 HIE fighters, ten IIIR reconnaissance air craft and 58 V fighter-bombers. The squadron of nine Northrop F-5As is re ported to have been handed over to Pakistan and the remaining eight due for delivery have been cancelled. Six C-130E Hercules are on order from America as are nine Super Frelon heli copters from France, these types supple menting nine C-47s, three Alouette lis and a JetStar. Three Lockheed T-33As and some MiG-21UTIs are used for training. The Libyan/Soviet arms agree ment made earlier this year, presum ably to secure bases for the Soviet Mediterranean fleet, could see this air force operating more Russian aircraft in the future. The Libyan Arab Army has a small helicopter force of two Bell JetRanger and six AB.47Gs. MALAGASY Armee de l'Air Malagache This small transport force flies three C-47s, six Broussards, two Flamants, one Bell 47G, two Alouette Ills and one Alouette II. MALAYSIA Royal Malaysian Air Force This grow ing arm of Malaysia's armed forces is now fully committed to the defence of the country following the British with drawal but works closely with units from neighbouring Singapore. The country also has a defence agreement with Aust ralia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK. Seven more ex-RAAF Sabres have been acquired (making 17 aircraft in all), intended for a second squadron alongside the present one, No 11. Two units, 6 and 9 Sqns, operate 20 CL41G Tebuan strike trainers and No 1 and 8 Sqns fly 12 DHC Caribou. There are ten Herald 401 transports in 4 Sqn, five Doves and two Herons in 2 Sqn, and 3 and 5 Sqn operate the 25 Alouette Ills. Heavy-lift capacity is available from 16 Sikorsky S-61As of 7 and 10 Sqns. There is a King Air 100 for navaid checking and two HS.125s for VIP use. Fifteen Scottish Aviation Bulldogs are being delivered for basic training. MALI Force Aerienne du Mali Mali, being a former French colony, received the usual C-47/Broussard package and is reported to have been promised six MiG- 15 fighters by Russia. Two C-47s have been supplied by the US. MALTA Royal Malta Artillery and Malta Police As its title suggests this arm has been formed for policing and transport work and has acquired four Dornier-built Bell UH-lDs. MAURITANIA Mauritanian Islamic Air Force Like many of the former French colonies this country has a C-47 and two Brous sards. MEXICO Fuerza Aerea Mexicana Still no modern combat aircraft grace this air force's inventory, reliance being placed on 15 Vampire fighter-bombers and 15 T-33A strike/trainers. About 45 T-6s and 30 T-28s can be fitted for Coin duties and there are 15 AT-11 Kansans for recon naissance. Main transport aircraft are six C47s, five C-54s and two C-118s with Royal Moroccan Air Force C-47
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