IAC acquisitions

[Sneaky_Nikon]

Judging by Facebook the IAC are about to announce the procurement of one or more PC12s.

[jasT1981]

The Irish Air Corps will be replacing their old Cessna fleet with new PC12 Aircraft.

Minister with responsibility for defence, Paul Kehoe today signed a contract for the provision of the three Pilatus PC-12 NG, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in Stans, Switzerland.

They will replace the five Cessna aircraft, purchased for the Air Corps in 1972.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/air-corps-to-spend-32m-on-new-aircraft-to-act-as-an-eye-in-the-sky-36421630.html

[Sneaky_Nikon]

I think it's possible the Garda may also purchase one to replace their Defender.

[smudge]

Nice machine but a bigvstep up and pricey, didn't realise they wanted pressurisation.

I thought they'd go for something in the class of the Caravan or Canguro.

[jasT1981]

Their CASA 235s are due to be replaced also in 2019. Wonder what will be the replacement for them. The CASA 295?

[smudge]

Came across this in Flight for November 1976 whilst digging for something else.  Skyvan demonstration to the Irish Air Corps with the prospect of purchasing four.

In the end they decided not to but instead in 1977 leased a pair of King Airs from Beechcraft Sweden. They had a good range but were hammered flying low-level over the sea in salty air.  Didn't really need pressurisation.  They bought them outright in 1979 and sold them in 1990 , both were refurbished and went on to the US civil register.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Sneaky_Nikon]

King Air was the first IAC aircraft I ever saw, 240 (I think) Aldergrove on a Saturday evening, probably circa 1982.

[smudge]

The King Airs ( 232 & 234, plus 240 which was used for training & transport ) were meant to be short-term, to be replaced by F.27s or 748 maritimes in the mid-80s.  Of course that never happened and they kept slogging away until knackered. 

240 kept going until 2009 but was reportedly sold for parts to a US dealer a few years later.  When it was delivered in 1980 it was the first Atlantic crossing by an Air Corps aircraft. Shame they didn't keep it for preservation.

[smudge]

Continuing to dig through the archives.

From Flight in January 1973 we have a report that the Irish Defence Estimates for the year included provision for six Macchi MB.326s to replace the Vampire Trainers.  Instead in April 1974 it was announced that six refurbished Super Magisters had been ordered from Aérospatiale for £1 million.


There was also provision in those Estimates for a medium-lift heli, likely either a Commando or a Super Frelon, to supplement the three Alouettes.  That didn't happen and by 1975 interest had turned to the Puma or Bell 212, with the Puma preferred.  But by 1979 they still hadn't bought anything so for the Pope's visit the Garda wet-leased a Bundesgrenzschutz Puma ( SA.330J D-HAXQ cn 1549 )

https://www.flickr.com/photos/shanair/8247257654

In July 1981 the IAC finally leased a Puma ( SA.330J F-BRQK cn 1240 ) directly from Aérospatiale but reportedly it was in very poor condition and was returned in Feb 1983.  It had previously been the personal transport of the Emperor of Ethiopia.