WELCOME EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON !    
 
GOODBYE STARFIGHTER GROSSETO
2004
On Grosseto still rules the activity concerning the Starfighter ! (2004)
Within the AMI (Aeronautica Militaire / Italian Airforce) we find the 4th  Stormo (4th wing) with the 9e Gruppo (9th Sqn)
m
It’s an important Air-defence unit with Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) status
There is activity that morning on the flightline and the runway the day we visit.
An F-104S-ASA-M shows this characteristic howling sound of the J-79 engine, a unique sound nostalgic in short time.
We do realize that this will be the last time we'll hear it on this base, pilots will also say goodbye to a very beloved plane  
And let's be frank, what a sight, this living legend on the Grosseto concrete, still there's a time of coming and going.
 
Goodbye Starfighter, Welcome first Eurofighter called 'TYPHOON'.
AMI's Elite 4th Stormo's experience in the OCU squadron makes it selected to receive as the first the Eurofighter !
It gives a warm feeling on a hot day to see this plane land, flown by two Italian pilots
On arrival it shuffle's off his chute as if he would say: 'Well, here I am ! '
A short ride to the hangar where it will be parked and admired by a handfull of VIP's and press
 
In no time the machines is handled off, and parked in it's new home. Who wouldn't have his picture overhere ?
The first pilots being considered to fly Eurofighter were the F-104 exchange pilots who built up their experience...
...in the USA on F-16, France on Mirage 2000 and Canada on the F-18 Hornet in the fly-by-wire techniques.
GOODBYE STARFIGHTER GROSSETO ! WELCOME TYPHOON !
 i
Click here for the article inEnglish   
Klik voor artikel in het Nederlands  
 
iiDVD's can be ordered by us
A DUTCH AVIATION SUPPORT REPORTAGE IN CER SENIN ROMANIA -  Chief Editor  Cpt. C. Preda
 i
SEE OUR ARTICLE IN THE LARGEST DUTCH INDEPENDENT AVIATION MAGAZINE
   ' PILOOT EN VLIEGTUIG'