MH A350, the A400 and other beauties

Well it is a beautiful December. Many good things came and many more good things are coming. This post will include several shots taken over several days.

With Malaysia Airlines taking delivery of their first and second A350, they are sending them to Penang, Bangkok and even to KK for training purposes before they are sent on the long-haul flights. Let's start off with an overhead shot.

Malaysia Airlines A350-941 (9M-MAB)

This next session was aimed at catching MAC's first visit to Penang. Did not managed to get it this round as they were delayed for about almost an hour plus, and I arrived just after SilkAir's B737-8 MAX landed (grr). Anyway, here are the other ones that arrived. UPS are using their 757 these few days. 757s are such versatile aircraft. Read somewhere that they are now still in demand due to their performance.

UPS B757-24A(PF) (N462UP)

This FedEx came from Bangkok. It's been some time since I've spotted planes from this location. Fun fact, the doors of the 767 slide upwards into the aircraft, unlike other airliners that swing open.

FedEx B767-3S2F(ER) (N110FE)

Was about to make my move when I saw the blip approaching. It was an A400. Flew in from Alor Setar Airport. Instead of landing however, it powered up and flew overhead. Training most probably.

RMAF A400M-180 (M54-xx)

Sounds like a very powerful ATR72

And to end this segment, here's the special-livery A350. With this flight to Penang (MH1138/MH1143), we get two 350 visits to Penang every day. Something fun to see for the month of December.

Malaysia Airlines A350-941 (9M-MAC)

Bearing the Negaraku Livery

That's all for this session. 

SSLee

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LIMA 2017 - Part 5 - Final Walkthrough

It was time to head off to the airport for my flight.As we had to return our rental car at 12, I had a good 4 hours to roam around before I got on my plane. Once at the airport, a slight itch developed. The MIEC was a mere 10-minute walk from the airport.

You guessed it. I went back to the MIEC static display. I felt I did not get enough during the first day.

First up was the RMAF's helicopter workhorse. Under the scorching heat, the insides of it were relatively cool. Had a nice chat with the crew inside and came to know that the Nuri is a very reliable machine. Come good or bad weather, it still flies.

RMAF S-61 "Nuri" (M23-37)

Continued walking to the side of the Atlas. You can tell that it is going to be parked for a little while longer with the abundant "Remove Before Flight" tags.

RMAF A400 Atlas (M54-04)

Did not get a chance to visit the interior this time as the aircraft was already configured for "mission", which meant it was off limits to us civilians. There's going to be a lot of frontal shots of aircraft in this post.

Bulbous Nose of the A400

MMEA CL415 (M71-01)

Not many aircraft were open to the visitors this round. Like the one above. Stairs were there but the doors were closed. Barriers have been set up around the aircraft. Good and bad. The good is that the pictures will be clear of humans. Bad news, we cannot get close.

USAF F/A-18F Super Hornet (165892)

Next up, a few aircraft from Singapore. First we have the RSAF's Apache attack helicopter.

RSAF AH-64 Apache

Followed by their main combat aircraft, the F-15SG. These came with a barrage of armaments that could be fitted to the aircraft. If you look closely at the sides of the engine intake, you can also see their Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFT) which boosts their fuel capacity.

With the (inert) armaments on display

Side Profile of the F-15

Next to the Eagle was the Malaysian Army's A109LUH helicopter. One rather big movable contraption caught my eye.

Imagine the firepower

It was now nearing my departure time and I had one big thing to check off my list. One last one.

Il-76 (RA-78833)

More of the Il-76

Something which I missed during the last LIMA is now here in beautiful conditions. Just look at the beast. Next time, perhaps we can see it in the air.

This IL-76 was parked near the edge of the display area. Like 2 years ago, the helicopters were parked at the very end of the tarmac. As it was really hot and really out of the way, there weren't many people around save for a few avid photographers. Here's a Globemaster before the choppers.

C-17 Globemaster III (A41-209)

Although it is not visible, this photo was actually taken right above the barriers, which explains why the area in front of the aircraft was devoid of people. Anyway, here's a Lynx, and its location in relation to the Globemaster.

Malaysian Navy Super Lynx (M501-4)

Malaysian Navy AS555SN Fennec (M502-2)

Side Profile with the dummy torpedo

Time Check?? Really close to departure time. It was time to head back. Being me of course, anything along the way would be captured.

RAAF P-3 Orion

Airbus Helicopter H130 (HS-JCN)

EMC EC-135 (9M-DRA)

Now this (finally) ends the LIMA 2017 coverage. It was a great time there and I am glad that there were things that were here that were missing the last time, such as the Russian Knights and the Black Eagles, and of course the IL-76. Was hoping for at least an airliner to be parked and open for viewing.

Looking forward to the next airshow, Singapore Airshow 2018.



SSLee

LIMA 2017 - Part 2

Part 2, where it includes the short static display tour right up to the aerial display session. Quite some things to see here so continue on. To make it easier for viewing, here is the overview of the static display. (Pardon the quality. This was a scan with some clean-up)

Overview

First on the list is the Caracal, the suppos-ed upgrade to our ageing Nuri (Sea King-ish) helicopters.

RMAF EC-725 (M55-10)

A turn to the right allows a view of all the jets parked in front of the MIEC.

RMAF F/A-18D (M45-06)

Skies were really clear and this allowed for good lighting for photographs. Also allowed for lots of Vitamin D acquisition. This next photo shows the inards of the jet engine.

Looking into the engine

On the other end, as in the side of the hangar that houses Flying School's Diamond aircraft, I caught this Russian Beauty which I missed the previous LIMA. Presenting (the back) of the Il-76. Too bad they weren't open for us to take a look inside. Would love to have a seat at the tail gunner's position.

Russian Air Force Il-76MD (RA-78833)

The helicopter portion, the Lynx and Dauphins were blocked off that time as the opening performance's helicopter just came in for landing. I would only have the opportunity to visit it on my last day at LIMA.

Nose shot

Looking at the (double) chin of the nose, I guess it would be a great experience to be in that seat while they are airborne. Being able to see forward as well as below the aircraft. I wouldn't mind paying extra to get that seat should this be an airliner of some sort.

Next to the Il-76 is the Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster. This was one of the very few aircraft that was open to the public (not the cockpit though). They had nice signages in place as to what was what. The crew were ever ready to answer any questions you throw at them. PLUS, there was air conditioning in the aircraft. A prized amenity in the hot and humid weather of Langkawi.

Looking out through the rear cargo entrance

Referring to the first PIC, the DCA calibrator Learjet was parked at where the Gulfstream was. There was no Gulfstream in sight during the first 3 days.

Interior of the ILS Calibrator

Learjet Cockpit

This is a rather small business jet. I had my backpack with me and therefore couldn't fit through the equipment.

This next thing is a first for me. A Reaper Drone, something I see a lot in movies and games but not up close.

MQ-1 Predator

The wingspan of the drone is amazing. So wide. And they are prop powered.

Up next is the Famous Apache Attack Helicopter equipped with the Longbow Radar. They flew to Butterworth AFB before heading to Langkawi. Missed them at Penang Airport.

RSAF AH-64 Apache

Then we have the French Rafale. Their presence in this region was not only for the airshow, but also for the potential contract signing with the RMAF. The RMAF is looking (at that time) to get the Rafales.

Dassault Rafale C (142)

Next to the Rafale was the Gripen. Had to get a full back shot of it.

Gripen from the back

Now being a frequent spotter at WMKP, ATR-72s are very common. BUT and ASW ATR, now that's something. Equipped with sensors.

Itallian Air Force ATR72-600MP (MM62298)

No internal shots as they were only going to open during Public Days.

Black Eagles

The Korean T-50B Black Eagles were here for LIMA 2017 (YAY!).

A400 Loading Ramp

Had to walk quite a distance to the other end to get the above shot. (Referring to the plan, it is located next to the Korean Black Eagles' parking spot). Now I know how they prevent scratches and damage to the ramp. There are 3 bumpers.

Port Engines

RMAF Bombardier Global Express (M48-02)

Zooming to the tarmac, looks like an important individual has arrived.

Here's a good shot of the Saab Gripen, from the front.

Royal Thai Air Force Gripen

Managed to board the Falcon 900LX. Had a good chat with the pilot and he explained quite a bit about the aircraft and the capabilities. And I just noticed that this jet only has reversers on the middle engine.

Falcon 900 Cockpit

And finally, before the start of the Aerial Demonstration, here's the P-3 Orion that did a Touch and Go at Penang International Airport the day before. This time in really good light.

RAAF P-3 Orion

Aerial Display will be in Part 3. Stay tuned.

New Year spotting

Happy New Year everyone. A new year calls for new things, new spotting locations and other new things. And since we are now at the beginning of the year, lighting will be much much better than before. Hope you all enjoy.

First up will be Thai Airways, departing in the morning at about 8 as usual.

A320-232 (HS-TXA)

I have seen them sending their 737s, their A300s and their A330s. With the retirement of the A300s and the slow withdrawal of their 734s, Thai Airways have been sending their A330s and sometimes their 772s to operate the PEN - BKK route. Now however, they are using the A320s from Thai Smile.

Dragonair A330-342 (B-HLB)

Next up was Dragonair, on their daily morning flight to Hong Kong. This was just moments before they made the right turn to avoid Butterworth AFB airspace. Slowly starting to miss Cathay's fleet - their 340s, 777s, 747s and 330s.

Apart from taking closeups of departures, there were many flying overhead. MAS, SQ and AirAsia were among them. Here's MH cruising in the sky.

Malindo Air ATR72-600 (9M-LMO)

ATRs are common still. Some all good, while others without landing gear doors. This one's good.

Air Contractors A300B4-622RF (EI-EXR)

Now back to movements on the ground. Have always been bugged by heat haze coming from the runway. However this time, -EXR arrives slightly earlier in the morning. Seen here about to exit the runway with full spoilers and flaps.

RMAF B200T (M41-03)

This was one of the surprise. While waiting for an aircraft to depart, there was a small black speck in the distance slowly ascending. Grabbed my camera and zoomed in, and it was still a small speck, now with wings and two propeller engines. This Beech looks like its going over to Butterworth AFB.

AirAsia A320 (9M-AHH)

Ahh...... one of the first few AirAsia departures for the day. No Idea where it's headed to. See the blue skies ?? 

Korean Air Cargo B747-4B5F (HL7449)

Changed location and caught Korean Air Cargo with a little bit of Penang in the background. Engines are at full power, emitting smoke and all. Looking at this picture makes me feel amazed at how designers made the Queen of the Skies. 

From some little reading, the cockpit placement on the second deck was mainly meant for the placement of the front cargo door for cargo operations. This trait became so well accepted and has been enhanced over and over again, from the -100 to the -800 series.

Air New Zealand Link ATR72-600 (ZK-MVF)

After Korean Air's departure, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw a black T-tail. No mistake whatsoever. Should be on a delivery flight from Toulouse to New Zealand, wherever it is based. Penang usually play host to delivery flights, serving as a fuel stop. 

Still many more to come. Stay Tuned.....

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