Jennings Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Two new C-17 users inside of two weeks! The first of three C-17s has been delivered to the NATO multinational heavy airlift wing at Papa Airbase, Hungary. Not the most exciting of markings, but 20 years ago would you have bet money you'd ever see Hungarian markings on a US military aircraft? I sure wouldn't have! J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne S Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Strange, wonder who decided to put the Hungarian markings on the aircraft? Is that one of the USAF planes or Hungry buy it or is it a joint buy by the nations making up the multinational heavy airlift wing? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 Strange, wonder who decided to put the Hungarian markings on the aircraft? Is that one of the USAF planes or Hungry buy it or is it a joint buy by the nations making up the multinational heavy airlift wing? It's similar to the NATO AWACS unit - those a/c carry Luxembourg markings (and are, in fact, the entire Luxembourg Air Force in and of themselves). Basing the airlifters in Hungary was a decision based on the centrality of Hungary to anticipated areas of operation for the unit. It's far enough east to be able to reach far into Asia, and far enough west to be able to reach anywhere in the NATO sphere of operations in that direction. It's not a USAF aircraft. Two are being funded by NATO from joint member nation funding, and the third will be the US contribution to the unit. All will carry NATO markings with Hungarian national insignias to comply with ICAO regulations (since NATO isn't a sovereign nation). They all have USAF serials (this one is 08-0001) because they came through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system. J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Not funded merely by ten NATO countries, but by two outsiders as well. Sweden is the eleventh nation and Finland the twelfth. Been following this project for some time since a good friend of my bride lives now in Hungary with her husband who works as a communications officer on Finland's behalf at the Papa AB. Some photos of the ceremony here: http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/ulkomaat.shtml/.../2009/07/921473 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Yuri Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 (edited) Strange, wonder who decided to put the Hungarian markings on the aircraft? Is that one of the USAF planes or Hungry buy it or is it a joint buy by the nations making up the multinational heavy airlift wing? They outsourced it to Hungary because it cost less No, seriously... I think most of the move is also "political": give an important part of the Nato heavy airlift to a (almost) new ally Edited August 3, 2009 by Yuri Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I just received a souvenir straight from Papa Air Base, Hungary: a Revell 1/144 C-17A. The fact that I got the kit from the Heavy Airlift Wing and the beautiful illustration by Jennings made me think if someone's going to really do markings for this big bird..? I'm suddenly interested since after all, it's our plane as well. :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 I just received a souvenir straight from Papa Air Base, Hungary: a Revell 1/144 C-17A.The fact that I got the kit from the Heavy Airlift Wing and the beautiful illustration by Jennings made me think if someone's going to really do markings for this big bird..? I'm suddenly interested since after all, it's our plane as well. :) I have decal artwork finished and ready to print, but other than you, I have received ZERO interest in them. If nobody is interested in buying them I'm not interested in printing them. If I could get ~25 pre-orders I would proceed with them. J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I'm a bit surprised they have gathered that little interest. I would've thought guys coming from the countries that are particpating in the NATO Strategic Airlift Capability program would prefer building their plane as opposed to the two US options given in the kit sheet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 Go figure.. J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Well, for what it's worth, please do keep my name on that pre-order list! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kingoalie Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Neat profile Jennings! Is anyone else getting the C-17? Is Germany still thinking about leasing a few until the A400M gets finished? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sebastijan Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I'm suddenly interested since after all, it's our plane as well. :D ours aswell Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 ours aswell :D Yes, but we have more flight hours! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Archangel12 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Any more interest in 1/144 decals for the NATO Heavy Airlift Wing C-17s? I would certainly be interested in a set of decals for those aircraft. Thanks. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 I've already expressed my interest and I will do it again - just to keep this thing on the surface. My (certain) European fellows, we are part of this multinational program and have three huge aircraft hauling for us and you want to build the Revell kit with USAF markings! Shame on you! B) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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