>> South Korea buys Airborne Early Warning jets

by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 27 November 2006

BOEING'S Integrated Defense Systems today won a contract to supply four B737 Airborne Early Warning and Control jets to South Korea's air force. The contract, worth US$1.59 billion, followed Australia's order for six similar Boeing jets and Turkey's for four.

Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, a prime sub-contractor, will fit its MESA radar, capable of tracking airborne and maritime targets, to the Korean aircraft.

Boeing expects to deliver the first jet in 2011, and the rest in 2012.


SOURCE / PHOTO: Boeing Media

Copyright © 2007 AIRMENews. All rights reserved.

>> Australia's first Globemaster III lifts off

by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 9 November 2006

ROYAL Australian Air Force's first Boeing C-17 Globemaster III flew on its test flight on 7 November from California's Long Beach Airport. The giant transport, with C-17's test pilot Joel Brown in charge, lifted off at 11.03 hours Pacific Time.

The flight lasted more than five hours. The crew checked and tested all vital airframe, engine and electronic systems.

Boeing planned to deliver the first of four Australian C-17s on 28 November. Aircraft number two will join the fleet in 2007, and number three and four in 2008.

According to RAAF's Acting Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal John Blackburn, the Globemaster III "will meet vital airlift needs of the Australian Defence Force over the next 30 years."

The Australian C-17s will form 36 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley near Brisbane, Queensland.

SOURCE/PHOTO: Boeing Media

Copyright © 2007 AIRMENews. All rights reserved.

>> Henry and Cyril Talalla: RAF's brothers-in-arms [Part 1]

by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 2 November 2006

ELDEST SON, Henry, shot down during the D-Day invasion, had a French provincial road named after him. King George VI of Britain invested second son Cyril with a bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross. They were the Talalla brothers, oldest of seven siblings - six sons and a daughter - of Hewage Benjamin Talalla.

Hewage Talalla, a prominent and successful Sinhalese entrepreneur in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya - now West Malaysia - made his fortune, running a flourishing business in sanitary hardware. His company, Fletcher Trading Company Ltd, introduced modern sanitation to KL.

Hewage Talalla became a founding member of the original Rotary Club of Kuala Lumpur; and became a leading figure in Malayan society.

He learnt flying too. In 1932, he flew an epic 28-day journey from Alor Star, Perlis to Croydon, England, then returned to Malaya an instant celebrity. Society elites honoured, feted and invited him to guest-speak wherever he went.

Henry and Cyril, inherited their father's love of the sky and aeroplanes.

*To be continued . . . [Part 2]

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