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Around the Corps
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Breaking News!: KIA has rolled out a new Litro Trainer. Tentatively dubbed 'Shadow', two examples have been constructed and Stage 2 flights have already commenced. T&E is planned immediately, and the spring thaw has just become even more eagerly awaited. Pics as we get them.
Cutlass/Petrel Service Coming to an End?
The last two aircraft of the illustrious Windcutter line are rumored to be retiring with the advent of the SuperNova & Pilum coming online. We are unsure as of this writing what SIL plans for the medium airlifter and bomber, but there was little indication they would be going to any reserve regiments. And that bodes ill for the 24 year old designs. However, there are stronger rumors that a new variant of the venerable aircraft could become SILs new Lead-In Large Trainer. The first quarter of 2019 will be interesting for the Windcutter Team.
For the foreseeable future, SIL has tasked Goblins with the Litro Training role and has moved forward in the basing plan, stationing them at Copeland IAB. This is pending further tests into the flight plan come spring.
Goblins in Training
To accommodate the Vampyres coming in to the Dive Bomber role, IVPAC-SIL has plans to resurrect four inactive squadrons and place them at Bomber bases as needed. The 143rd (ex-FS), 146th (ex-SS), 223rd (ex-SS), and 224th (ex-SS) are expected to be the first four, and others may follow suit. As units gain their full complements, expansion squadrons may be needed. This change will also be effective upon the end of 2019-Q1.
"New" Squadrons for Vampyres
First IVPAC Launch Facility Breaks Ground
A couple years in the making, and IVPAC planners have found the location for their new rocket launching site. KIA and SIL teamed up to make the place a reality, and have developed a twin tower mobile pad offering multiple launch angles and payloads. The pad remains mobile while the planners lock down the location before installation of tubes as well. It has been proposed that there could be a different site but recent construction delayed surveying before the cold set in.
Fly-In at Walker-Lafollette
A great many aircraft were to be seen clouding the skies of Walker IAB's Lafollette annex as no less than eight contractors' planes were present. It is estimated somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 aircraft were there, representing a host of different roles, flying styles, sizes, and designs. An as-yet unnamed KIA aircraft took the size "award", while a SIL Venom NG graced us with the longest flight. MSIL showed us some amazing new tech on a few examples, and NASAS used the opportunity to show off two new designs and hone up another two. Click the planes for more coverage.