Distributor of Military and Aerospace Components Specializing in Discontinued Parts

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat


Image by Chris Devers

Quoting Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum | Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat:

The Grumman F6F Hellcat was originally conceived as an advanced version of the U.S. Navy’s then current front-line fighter, the F4F Wildcat (see NASM collection). The Wildcat’s intended replacement, the Vought F4U Corsair (see NASM collection), first flown in 1940, was showing great promise, but development was slowed by problems, including the crash of the prototype.

The National Air and Space Museum’s F6F-3 Hellcat, BuNo. 41834, was built at Grumman’s Bethpage, New York, factory in February 1944 under contract NOA-(S)846. It was delivered to the Navy on February 7, and arrived in San Diego, California, on the 18th. It was assigned to Fighter Squadron 15 (VF-15) on USS Hornet (CV12) bound for Hawaii. On arrival, it was assigned to VF-3 where it sustained damage in a wheels-up landing at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. After repair, it was assigned to VF-83 where it was used in a training role until February 21, 1945. After numerous transfers 41834 was converted to an F6F-3K target drone with the installation of sophisticated radio-control equipment. It was painted red with a pink tail that carried the number 14. Its mission was to be used in Operation Crossroads – the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. It flew on June 24, 1946, with a pilot, on a practice flight and was launched, unmanned, soon after the first bomb test. Instrumentation on board and photographic plates taped to the control stick obtained data on radioactivity. Three more manned flights preceded the final unmanned flight on July 25, 1946, which evaluated the first underwater explosion. Records indicate that exposure of this aircraft to the radioactive cloud was minimal and residual radiation is negligible.

F6F-3K 41834 was transferred to NAS Norfolk and logged its last flight on March 25, 1947, with a total of 430.2 flying hours. It was assigned to the National Air Museum on November 3, 1948, and remained at Norfolk until October 4, 1960, when it was moved by barge to Washington and placed in storage. In 1976 this Hellcat was loaned to the USS Yorktown Museum at Charleston, South Carolina. A superficial restoration was performed at the museum, but because of the harsh environment and its poor condition the Hellcat was returned to NASM on March 16, 1982. In 1983, it was sent to Grumman Aerospace where a team of volunteers completely restored the aircraft. In 1985, it was shipped back to the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration and Storage Facility in Suitland, Maryland, and put in storage. NASM’s F6F-3 Hellcat is scheduled to be displayed in the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy center at Dulles International Airport in Virginia in 2004.

Transferred from the United States Navy.

Manufacturer:
Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation

Date:

1943

Country of Origin:

United States of America

Dimensions:

Overall: 338 x 1021cm, 4092kg, 1304cm (11ft 1 1/16in. x 33ft 5 15/16in., 9021.2lb., 42ft 9 3/8in.)

Physical Description:

Heavy armor plate, reinforced empennage, R-2800-10W engine, spring tabs on the ailerons (increased maneuverability), could carry rockets as well as bombs.

Admired Services Electronic Components has become an elite distributor of Military, Aerospace and Industrial electronic components by consistently supplying the highest-quality parts demanded by the market.  As a specialist in the obsolete components service market, quality is always the top priority.  Preventative steps are taken to greatly reduce the risks of counterfeit products from continuing on through the supply chain.  Though there is no way to completely remove all fraudulent parts, Admired Services strives to provide the most reliable products available.

Components such as connectors, capacitors, semiconductors and ICs are regularly supplied to Department of Defense contractors and to all major branches of the Military directly.  Mil-Spec components are quickly shipped with accurate MIL-STD labeling and packaging.  Sales representatives are always available to discuss custom packaging and labeling for other customers as well.

Located in FL, Admired Services supplies components and hardware directly from on-site stock and with the help of a qualified supply chain.  Ample excess inventory of hard-to-find parts in the local FL market make the sourcing of surplus products that are not in on-site inventory quick and accurate.  Visit the extensive electronic parts catalog on the ASEC website to find the parts you require and easily submit a request for quote.  Sections of the catalog are broken down by both first letter and number.  Quote requests are addressed accurately and in a timely manner.

Millions of parts are available from thousands of the most recognized manufacturers in the world, both past and present.  An offering of such a wide variety greatly increases the chance that customers can acquire the components they need to keep their manufacturing schedules on time.  Below you will find some of the most commonly supplied product lines.  Each product line has many sub-categories that can be found by visiting the ASEC Line Card page on the website.

Aerospace components and hardware are distributed completely and accurately by request.  Connectors, fasteners and pins are just a few items acquired by aviation customers regularly.

Capacitors for military, commercial and industrial applications continue to be an overwhelmingly popular product supplied.  Just-in-time delivery of obsolete capacitors allows for maintenance and repair projects to remain on time.

Semiconductors are supplied by Admired Services Electronic Components on a daily basis.  Reliable semiconductors are purchased by both OEMs and maintenance companies.  Most are supplied directly from on-site inventory and include manufacturer certs.

Interconnect products of all types are available upon request.  Obsolete connectors, current connectors, D-Sub connectors, miniature connectors and much more can be purchased by contacting a friendly sales representative or emailing a request for quote.

Switches of a variety of categories can be acquired at discounted prices.  Digital, diode, limited, power, programmable and toggle switches will be shipped directly to the customer’s location and packaged safely to ensure the highest quality.

Integrated circuits for commercial, industrial and defense contracts are constantly changing in availability with innovation and increased demand.  Admired Services is an excellent source for obtaining such parts, regardless of specifications and production year.

A quality-focused operational policy and setting the industry standard for service allows Admired Services Electronic Components to meet and exceed customer expectations.  Removing the stress of procuring obsolete electronic components and hardware is a valuable trait of a true partner within the supply chain.  ASEC is a HUBZone Certified, Woman Owned Small Business registered with the CCR and SBA.

Toby Burgandy is an experienced quality control specialist within the Military electronics supply industry.  Concentration on obsolete and discontinued products.

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Distributor of Military and Aerospace Components Specializing in Discontinued Parts

Flights News On AAD 2010 Africa Aerospace & Defense Air Show Display of Military & Civilian Fleet Aircraft Held In Cape Town

Airbus & Airbus Military

Airbus military is still hopeful that the South Africa Air Force will order its state of the art A400M airlifter following its cancellation of eight aircraft, citing cost escalation and program me delays. The SAAF has indicated it prefers a three-tier transport solution and Airbus Military hopes the A400M will prevail for the medium and heavy transport requirements .Airbus points out that the A400M will add versatility with an air-to-air refueling capability and palletizedmnaritime patrol mission package being available.

The A400Ms certification program me is moving forward quickly with the three test airframes having racked up 600 flight hours in 180 sorties.

Airbus Military is offering its CN235 and C295 for the SAAFs Light Tactical Transport requirements using airframes that have already proven their worth as maritime patrol platforms.

Airbus announced its civil program me progress and extending its ties with South African partners. The manufacturer has placed some R4 billion contracts with South African suppliers including R500 million on A350XWB and A400M work. Airbus views South Africa as a long term strategic partner and to this end is supporting the development of unique technologies in South Africa for the latest generation of Airbus aircraft. Two South African companies, Aerosud and Cobham Omnipless-will supply Airbus planes with airframe parts and satellite communications systems respectively.

Aerosud has been awarded two additional contracts one to produce Track Cans (components that house the wing flap actuators) and to produce Frame Clips for the A350XWB progamme.The clips are used to secure the carbon composite skin panels to the fuselages skeleton, marking a revolutionary concept in airframe manufacture. In order to manufacture the Frame Clips, Aerosud will establish new production facility employing new production techniques including a thermoform press.

Aerosuds existing parts manufacturing contracts for the A320 Family of single-aisle aircraft have also been renewed. It has been a supplier to Airbus programmes since 2004, designing, engineering and manufacturing numerous aero structure components and cabin installations, including galleys, fuselage and cockpit linings and avionics racks on Airbus civil aircraft. Aerosud is also a full industrial partner on the A400M military transport aircraft which is now in flight test ahead of first deliveries.

Cape Town-based Cobham Omnipless has been contracted to design, develop and supply satellite communications systems for Airbus aircraft .This system also supports in-flight connectivity for crew and passengers.

Hawker T-6 Tours Africa

The Hawker Beech craft Corporations T-6 military trainer recently debuted in Africa as part of a demonstration tour before going on show at AAD in Cape Town .The trip of nearly 9500 miles included stops in Algeria, Gabon, Angola and Namibia with demonstration flights in Nigeria and South Africa.

Upon completion of the African tour, the T-6C military trainer continued on to India to take part of its competition for a new basic trainer.

The T-6 is a primary trainer aircraft that accommodates instruction in instrument flight procedures and basic aerial manoeuvres.The aircraft delivers a training capability that is appropriate for the most basic introductory flight training through more challenging and complex advanced training missions. To date, it has been used to train pilots in approximately 20 different countries.

The T-6 draws its heritage from HBCs T-6 A/B Texan trainer aircraft. Designed to provide close air support and meet the demands of the irregular warfare environment, the T-6 is outfitted with a more powerful engine, a variety of self-protection mechanisms, multiple secure communications functions and advanced intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Provider Resurrection in Africa

The design of modern aircraft is an extremely costly exercise fraught with challenges. To this end some companies have recently suggested returning certain niche models to production. One such example is the DeHavilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter that has re-entered production as the Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400. This company is also proposing the return of the DHC-5 Buffalo.

Another company that sees potential for the return to production of an existing airlifter design is Fleet Wings Aircraft Company of the USA who, in partnership with the South African based Elmer Group plans to return the Fairchild C-123 provider to the skies as the C-123T powered by two Rolls Royce T56-A-15 turboprops of 4,950 shp each. The company is looking to produce the aircraft in Africa, initially rebuilding existing airframes and, should there be a requirement, re-open the production line once more. The C123T will have a 25,000lb payload and a take-off run of just over 1000ft as a 50,000lb MTOW.

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin brought their C-130J-30 to AAD in a bid for an order from the SAAF for new tactical transport aircraft. The South Africa Air Force has been a long time operator of the C-130 but its fleet is rapidly nearing a 2015 end of useful life date. The cancellation by the SAAF of the airbus Military A400M has opened a window of opportunity for several manufacturers to try securing an order to satisfy an urgent three-tier transport fleet requirement.

LM says the aircraft is a “great fit” for the SAAF, fulfilling its transport, maritime patrol and aerial refueling requirements in one airframe with associated cost savings. The combat proven aircraft is in service with several international air arms and is capable of austere strip operations .The worldwide fleet has flown more than 650,000 hours so the C-130J is a no-risk solution for the SAAF.More than 50% of the current SAAF C-130 infrastructure will be retained for J operations.

LM says that, should the SAAF order the C-130J, it could be available as early as 2014 off the production line, fitting in well with the 2015 out of service date of the C-130BZ fleet.

The C-130J-30 that was flown to AAD is from the 143rd Airlift Wing of the Rhode Island Air National Guard unit which is based at the Quonset ANG base. In Dec 2001, the 143rd received its first C-130J-30 .The wings became the first in the Air Force to receive the “stretch” version of the J model. As the most modern tactical airlifter in the world, the C-130J-30 can carry more cargo or personnel farther, faster, and more economically that the c-130E proving its increased airlift capability. The fleet for the 143d was completed with the arrival of the eighth J-model at Quonset on 15 June 2007.

BAE 146M Promoted

BAE Systems has proposed the BAE 146M as a candidate to meet the transport requirements of African Air Forces. There is a ready pool of BAe 146 and AVRO RJ regional aircraft available which the asset management division of BAE Systems says is an ideal choice of aircraft. Several of these aircraft have recently entered service with a number of civilian operators in South Africa. Aircraft would be modified for their military airlift tasks including the fitment of additional fuel tanks, LCD digital avionics suites, steep approach and austere runway operations capability and specialist multirole concepts. Specific military modifications include Kevlar Cockpit armour, and the Directed Infra Red Counter Measures (DIRCM) missile defense system.

 

Anthony Juma is the Editor and Senior Aviation Director at Wings Over Africa Aviation. 

This is an Air Charter Company that specializes on Flight News on Aviation Sports  Held In Cape Town ,South Africa For Display of Military & Civilian Fleet . The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http:// www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/our-fleet.htmla>

 

 

 

 

 

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Flights News On AAD 2010 Africa Aerospace & Defense Air Show Display of Military & Civilian Fleet Aircraft Held In Cape Town