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| Embraer EMB-121B Xingu II Portuguese Air Force profile, Squadron 502 |
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| Embraer EMB-121B Xingu II Portuguese Navy VII Centennial over the Discoveries monument, Lisbon, Portugal |
The EMB-121 has been in use by the French and Brazilian military since the early 1980's. At the time of its launch, Portugal flew a Spanish built all purpose light transport aircraft fulfilling the transport, training and patrol duties, but what if the choice had been the Xingu?
These aircraft liveries represent the Xingu II aircraft equipped with the four blade propeller Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135 (the model Dani Airplane's has available) as they would have been applied if Portugal flew this type.
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The Embraer 121 Xingu flew for the first time on October 10 1976, with a production aircraft following on May 20 1977. The major customer for the Xingu I was the French military, with a total order for 41 units (for air force and navy aircrew training and liaison duties), which accounted for almost half of all EMB-121 production. The EMB-121B Xingu II introduced more powerful engines, four blade props, increased fuel tankage and greater seating capacity due to a slightly stretched fuselage. The Xingu II made its first flight on September 4 1981. Production ceased in August 1987 after 105 had been built.
Portugal does not operate the Xingu, but if it did the 502nd squadron would be the most likely operator, due to its transport, training and patrol duties. The livery shown was the one in use by this aircraft type in the FAP during the 1980’s.
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To celebrate the 700 years of the Portuguese Navy (yes seven centuries!), I chose to apply a special tail design to this otherwise Portuguese "Armada" inspired livery. This livery is inspired by the color scheme once used by the Portuguese Navy long range patrol aircraft (like the P-3 Orion, now operated by the Air Force) and Lynx helicopters still in use on the Vasco da Gama class frigates, now the only squadron in use by Portugal's Naval Aviation.
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