Portuguese EMB-121B Xingu II

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Embraer EMB-121B Xingu II Portuguese Air Force profile, Squadron 502

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.

ASRA KRON © EIGHT SHADES OF BLUE 2019

 

Boeing MH-139 HSC-28 BR-36

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ASRA KRON © EIGHT SHADES OF BLUE 2018

  

Royal Navy F/A-18D 892 NAS 005

  
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This is my impression of what a F/A-18D Hornet would look like if the 892 Naval Air Squadron had adopted it to replace the Phantom F4K's were it not disbanded in 1978.
The livery has most of the old F4K elements down to the canopy ejection line and it also includes a homage to the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that took place on the very day this livery was painted on the aircraft and flown for the first time as part of a 100 RAF group grid flight. You can find the inscription with the Royal Wedding crest on the aft door of the frontal landing gear. The date (19MAY2018) also shows on both "anvils" over the wing extensions.

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With the Homebase at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, England, and the HMS Ark Royal as the Mother Ship, 892 Naval Air Squadron operated from 1969 to 1978. The first record of service places the squadron at RNAS Yeovilton from 31 March 1969 to 18 October 1969, followed by short sea trials aboard the USS Saratoga from 16 October 1969 to 24 October 1969. The last RN catapult launch was from Ark’s waist cat' at 15.11hrs. The honours fell to Flt Lt M.MacLeod RAF & Lt D. McCallum in Phantom F4K "012". McCallum was the deputy Air Engineer Officer (DAEO). It was his first flight in a Phantom F4K. On 04 December 1978 the Ark Royal returned to Devonport to pay off and 11 days later 892 Sqn disbanded at RAF Leuchars. This F/A-18D honors the Sqn and its Mother Ship, painted in the same colors as the 892 Squadron Phantom F4K’s. The Squadron's badge is prominent on the fin in red, white and black; the black letter "Omega" was chosen for the marking as it is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, and at the time of its formation it was thought that 892 would be the last fixed-wing Naval Squadron. The white letter "R" is the code for HMS Ark Royal and the white "005" on the nose is the individual aircraft identification number. The Squadron's Phantoms carried codes between 001 and 017.

From Eight Shades of Blue aircraft profile (included with the Paint Kit).

  
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Sneak Peek: Mitsubishi F-3B Hornet JASDF

Coming VERY soon.

Mitsubishi license built Boeing F/A-18 Hornet - Japanese Air Self Defense Force.

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 ASRA KRON © EIGHT SHADES OF BLUE 2018