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.

Singapore Airshow 2014 - Day 1 - Airshow Grounds and Static Aircraft Displays (1)

Singapore Airshow 2014 - Asia's Biggest for Aviation's Finest. It was big alright, and the performances were fine indeed. The airshow was held over a 6-day period starting from the 11th February to the 16th of February. The first 4 days are reserved only for trade visitors, which required one to register and pay SGD 50. Coming from Malaysia, it would have cost about RM130 PER DAY !!

So public days it was, at SGD 22 per day, which was more than half the price. My hopes were high for Airbus' latest aircraft, the A350 and the Boeing 787 to be there. They were there alright, but only for the first two trade days. Those who went later than that would have missed those two.

Tiny "paper planes"

Aircraft arrangement at the Static Display

This post will be long. So sit back, relax and scroll on. Get a cup of coffee if you like.

Date       : 15 February 2014

Time       : 12.00 pm

Weather  : VERY HOT

Status     : Energetic and ready to take on the airshow

The flight touched down just about 12pm. Since there were no shuttles to and from the airport, the taxi was the fastest way there.

Singapore Exhibition Centre Arrival area (Note the queue for the taxi)

Entry point to the airshow complete with metal detectors

I am just amazed by the setup of the entrance. There are about 10 lines for heavy traffic conditions and almost as many scanners. They really aim to get people through as fast as they can. And the best thing, it is Air Conditioned !!

Big gathering area for the aerial performance

While we were already there, there was still some walking to do before we could see anything. Thank goodness for the creation of caps. The location had a dedicated control tower for the aerial performance as well as for official photographers, and not forgetting the announcer as well.

Great Ad for Breitling by the control tower

So close yet so far. Taken at 135mm with planes so small = still very far

Estimated Coverage for this leg. Some aircraft have been moved around

First to greet us was Lockheed Martin's F35 mockup Fighter. Looked real from a far. Up close well just don't look at the undercarriage section.

F-35 Mock up with armaments and engine mock up as well

Seen the F35? Checked

Proceeding on we are this much closer to the exhibition arena. There were lots of people moving around, snapping photos and selfies and of course, lining up for the rare opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet, a military helicopter and even a transport aircraft.

Finally at the static display area

Due to flight arrival and departure time, we didn't have much time to line up for each of the aircraft. We only had half of the first and half of the second day. External views will do.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

They were wise to cordon off the UAV. Or you'll be seeing people riding / hanging down from the wings of the UAV. They crammed quite a number of helicopters and business jets towards this side of the display area. It was blocked off from the public.

Bell 429 being all white and shiny

Bell 407GX

Notice the difference between non-accessible (above) and accessible (below).

CH-47 Chinook

Look at how low the rotor hangs when it is not moving. The small little red square did not save it from the touch of everyone in the vicinity (myself included). I would NOT want to be near it when it starts up its engines. It was a milestone for me to actually put my hands on the rotors of one of the great utility helicopter.

Held / Moved Enormous CH-47 Rotor Blades? Checked

AH-64 Apache

Being such a versatile and famous aircraft, the Apache too was surrounded by people. The organizers did a great job by stationing at least 2 crew / staff / personnel by each of the aircraft. They were they and were very polite, and ready to answer questions thrown to them by the public. Very well versed as well. They answered and even explained in details of the operation of the aircraft / weapon system. When I was there, he was explaining about the Hellfire missiles and Hydra rockets.

Moved Hydra Rocket out of the launcher? Checked

By the way, see the front cylinder at the nose of the helicopter? That is a super high tech camera controlled by the crew of the Apache. The lens and sensors are currently pointed inwards (towards the cockpit) to protect it from damage while the aircraft is parked, or when its not in use.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next area visited

Nearby there was this anti-submarine aircraft. The S-70B Seahawk. With an extra camera installed to the nose and a torpedo attached to the starboard side, it looks like it is ready to go.

Another wise move to cover up the cockpit panel with clear see through glass. Heaven knows what will happen (or what buttons will go missing) should they have left it open.

F-15 - Open for the public to experience seating in the cockpit

Felt the tip of an F-15? Checked

People queue up (very long line, but in a shade thankfully) on the left, then use the stairs on the left to go up to have a look and even sit in the cockpit, take photos, then leave on the right. The tip isn't as sharp as I thought of it to be. Comparatively it is sharp, but it is just a screw at the tip.

Armaments on the wings and CFTs

This aircraft was fitted with various air-to-ground bombs, demonstrating its flexibility as an air superiority fighter and an ground strike aircraft. The F-15s seen here are all fitted with CFT (Comformal Fuel Tanks) which increases the air time of the aircraft, as well as the hard points for the F-15.

I have seen that the F-15s have 4 hard points for missiles on the belly of the aircraft. After asking one of the personnel, they mentioned that the CFTs allows for more hard points, which means more air time and more weapons for use.

3 additional weapon slots on the CFT

This next one is the F-16. A significantly smaller but highly manoeuvrable aircraft. This is one of the first few fighters to employ side stick fly-by-wire. Instead of the yoke in the middle, the aircraft is controlled by a small joystick on the right hand side of the cockpit, similar to almost all of Airbus' commercial jets.

F-16 Fighting Falcon

Close up on the Heads-Up-Display (HUD) of the F-16

Like the F-15, there was a line for the cockpit visit. We could see people sticking their heads into the engine intake. But hey, it's a once in a while opportunity, so why not. Been there, done that, took a photo. Well I had my own share of snapping photos of the jets at places I would never have been able to during normal times.

A single air to ground bomb attached to the centre pod of the F-15

FLIR - Forward Looking Infra Red

Hercules in flight (C-130)

This C-130 was seen flying past the exhibition area at a rather low altitude. Of course it just took off, but my guess would be that this aircraft was transporting several lucky winners of the RSAF's lucky draw for the chance to ride in the C-130 and the Chinook. Those passengers must have been thrilled to be given this rare opportunity.

F-5 Nose on shot

Another aircraft spotted with a pointy nose is the F-5. If I am not mistaken, this aircraft is used as a trainer aircraft. And for those of you who are curious, the tip of the pointy pointy thing can be covered by your index finger, and the length from the nose is about 2-3 hand's (not arm) length. (Just in case for those who are curious, I was ;) )

Next may I present to you one of the advanced aircraft, the G550 AEW.

A heavily modified version of the Gulfstream G550 business Jet

It has a detection range of more than 200 nautical miles, capable of seeing incoming aircraft, it is a multi-role aircraft. In the air it is like the eye in the sky, on the ground..................................

A good shade for us public visitors :-)

Really glad that it was there. Provided a good pit stop for us before continuing our journey.

Gulfstream G550AEW

Explored the entire underside of the aircraft? Checked

*I have split this section into 2 as this post was getting rather lengthy.