Topics

16

Irish Aviation History / Ex IAC Spitfire wheel up landing

« on: May 04, 2012, 11:42:30 pm »

Spitfire Tr9 MJ772 ex IAC 159 made a wheel up landing today in Germany where it is now based. Damage does not appear to be too serious.......hopefully.
Tony K

17

Scale Aircraft Modelling / Air Corps AW139 serials

« on: April 26, 2012, 01:06:29 pm »

I notice that the serial numbers of the AW139 helicopters are now repeated on the tail boom.Modellers like Gnat etal might be interested.
Tony K

18

Irish Aviation History / New Chipmunk169

« on: January 15, 2012, 11:13:13 pm »

Went to Ballyboy Airfield today to see Declan Curtis and his Chipmunk restored and painted in Irish Air Corps colours. It looks fantastic, great job.Even met our great Leader (Frank) but he seemed to disappear when I was leaving, too cold, I must be getting soft!
Tony K

19

Aviation Waffle / Happy Christmas Frank

« on: December 24, 2011, 02:34:01 pm »

Happy Christmas Frank and keep taking the pictures in 2012
Tony K

20

Air Corps News / An Cosantoir, October edition

« on: October 11, 2011, 06:50:50 pm »

There are two Air Corps related articles in the October edition of An Cosantoir.
An interview with the GOC Air Corps Brig Gen Paul Fry  and an article remembering the one and only ejection from an Air Corps aircraft, Vampire 186 fifty years ago. Ron Mc Partlin was the cadet who ejected while flying with Comdt Jerry O' Connor (Brig Gen J B O'Connor retd.) as explained in the article by Michael Traynor author of that most valuable tome Iona, Ireland's First Commercial Airline
Tony K

21

Aviation Waffle / Baldonnel visitor

« on: October 11, 2011, 06:27:17 pm »

King Air G FBLE Cobham Flight Inspections was at Baldonnel yesterday (10th)
Tony K

22

Air Corps News / Awards, Michael Whelan

« on: October 03, 2011, 08:54:30 pm »

Congratulations are in order to Airman Michael Whelan MA, Curator of the Irish Air Corps Museum and Heritage Centre.
He has been awarded a Paul Tissandier Diploma for 2010 by the the FAI on the nomination of the National Aero Club of Ireland. The delegates to the General conference 2010 in Dublin were very impressed with their visit to Baldonnel and especially the Museum.

Michael was also awarded joint second place in the Patrick Kavanagh International Poetry Award 2011

Well done Michael  
Tony K

23

Scale Aircraft Modelling / IPMS exhibition

« on: October 03, 2011, 08:40:34 pm »

I spent a most enjoyable afternoon yesterday in Swords Co Dublin at the International Plastic Modellers Society exhibition. As I wandered around the exhibits and competition table I couldn't but be impressed by the sheer talent of the members who were displaying their various planes, boats, trains, and armour. I even met up with a few old friends and exchanged information on our various ailments real and imagined!
Well done to everyone involved.
Tony K

24

Irish Aviation History / Miles Master projectI am looking for some photographs of

« on: September 14, 2011, 11:26:31 am »

I am searching for Air Corps Miles Master photographs showing them in the air, either air to air or ground to air for a special project. Any help much appreciated.
Tony K

25

Shameless Promotion / New book by Michael Whelan

« on: July 18, 2011, 08:15:00 pm »

Not strictly aviation but nevertheless an important publication by Michael Whelan, the devoted hardworking curator of the Irish Air Corps Museum and Heritage Centre, has arrived on the scene. Allegiances Compromised, Faith Honour and Allegiance, Ex British Soldiers in the Irish Army 1913-1924.
This important publication explores the complexities of the new relationships of the Irishmen who fought in the Great War, their subsequent return, the isolation for many, for some to join in  the War of Independence against the former comrades in British regiments and later to join the new Free State Army and fight their former Republican comrades. Allegiances compromised indeed. A most interesting part of our history.
Available from South Dublin Libraries, Tallaght approx 6 Euro.
Tony K

26

Irish Aviation History / D248 another year passes

« on: July 02, 2011, 11:32:03 am »

2 July 1999 D248 Tramore
Capt. Dave O'Flaherty
Capt. Mick Baker
Sgt. Paddy Mooney
Cpl. Niall Byrne
 
Rest gently

27

Irish Aviation History / Chipmunk restoration

« on: March 25, 2011, 08:30:51 pm »

Declan Curtiss at present based in Scotland is restoring an ex RAF Chipmunk in Irish Air Corps markings.
The colour scheme as shown is at the time of delivery to Baldonnel and number 169 has been chosen. Declan has taken great care to have the exact scheme for that time and the pictures attached show just what a fantastic job has been completed.
He intends to take it to Ireland and no doubt will attract a great deal of attention, looking forward to seeing it.
Tony K

28

Irish Aviation History / Spitfire Tr9 ex 158 at Duxford

« on: January 29, 2011, 01:44:05 pm »

The Maurice Bayliss owned Spitfire Tr9 MJ62. Ex IAC 158 is at Duxford having wing tanks fitted.
With thanks to Joe Kennedy and Brian Marshall.

29

Irish Aviation History / de Havilland Dove no 188 27 January 1961

« on: January 27, 2011, 12:17:11 pm »

Sixty years ago, 27 Jan 1961 Dove 188 crashed on approach to Shannon Airport.
2nd pilot Lt D J  Brady, Lt P B Corr ATC Air Corps
Mr P B Wall, Mr J C O' Donoghue, Dept Transport & Power.
All Killed
Comdt Jim Liddy sole survivor.

Rest gently

30

Irish Aviation History / Another piece of history disappears

« on: November 23, 2010, 03:07:19 pm »

No. 1 Hangar at Baldonnel is being demolished. A new hangar will have to erected to replace this original 1917 bulit building. If only those walls could talk before they are knoecked!