Photographer: Dominique JOLY

Photographer: Dominique JOLY

With the arrival of the five former Italian Army Bird Dogs, the flying unit of the Armed Forces of Malta changed its name from Helicopter Flight to Air Squadron (later revised to the current Air Wing). 9H-ACA is the former MM61-2972/EI-34, becoming AS9206 on 1 May 2000.

Ex-MM80848/GdiF-49; on 1 May 2000 to AS9213 under the Armed Forces of Malta's new serial system. It was handed over to the GdiF in dismantled state on 13 February 2018 and then transported to Italy overland by truck. It was completely restored in AFM colours, and markings and is now displayed at the Museo Storico del Servizio Aereo della Guardia di Finanza at Pratica di Mare Air Base, near Rome. The GdiF chose AS9213 because it was the very first NH-500 to join the service and therefore had greater significance for the Museum. The restoration was completed on 19 December 2018.

Operated by 15 Stormo; based Luqa with the Italian Military Mission, attached to the AFM Air Squadron.

The Hawk had just been delivered to 100 Squadron as a Canberra replacement. Just the yellow part of the 100 squadron markings were in place.

Recently delivered from the Shorts factories this Tucano paid a visit to RAF Wyton.

On the Columbia River, adjacent to Golden airport.

My wife and I were having lunch in a diner in the small town of Golden, in the Canadian Rockies, when a CAF flight crew came in. Knowing that Golden's airport was a small one, I was curious to know what they were flying, so headed to the airport. This CC-138 was a pleasant surprise.