+ghostrider883 526 Posted August 1, 2012 The first Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, which came together in a 'major join' ceremony today at Longbeach, California, will make its first flight in December this year. Was a fun event -- Indian Embassy, senior Indian Air Force and local politicians noisily drove ceremonial rivets into the aircraft to consecrate the 'major join' milestone. Ambassador N. Parthasarathi, Consul General of India, San Francisco said, “This momentous occasion, where we see India’s first C-17 take shape, further strengthens our growing relationship. As India strives to become a global reservoir of highly skilled and technologically sophisticated manpower, we will witness an escalating technology transfer, collaborative joint research and development, and co-production of defense items between our two countries.” The guy I enjoyed listening to more was Congressman Dana Rohrabacher who subjected Pakistan to a tonguelashing, saying the Indian C-17 deal represented a step towards a joint fight against 'radical Islam' and Pakistan's support of it (I've got his brief speech on video, and will upload it shortly). It stirred things up a bit in what was otherwise a light, formal affair :), also attended by India's Air Attache Air Commodore Sanjay Nimesh. The first of the ten Indian C-17s will be delivered to India in May-June 2013. All ten aircraft will be delivered by the end of 2014 and will be based out of Hindan Air Force Station on Delhi's outskirts. The C-17 contract, worth $4.116-billion, does not have a formal options clause, though the IAF is contemplating contracting for 6-10 more aircraft once deliveries begin next year. For Boeing's only big military airplane facility, it's a precarious situation. The C-17 line will proceed to shut down by the end of 2014, which gives the IAF a fairly brief window to decide on follow-on orders. The IAF C-17 factors only a few small changes to the one being supplied to the USAF -- these, presumably, are communications and CISMOA-protected equipment. A batch of 20 IAF pilots and 10 loadmasters are currently undergoing contractual training at Altus, Oklahoma with the USAF. http://livefist.blogspot.in/2012/08/first-indian-c-17-comes-together.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stratos 3,167 Posted August 1, 2012 Congrats to Indian Air Force. The C-17 is a truly beautiful aircraft... ad useful too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lazarus1177 164 Posted August 1, 2012 Looks great!Anybody know what the operational colour scheme will be? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SayethWhaaaa 245 Posted August 1, 2012 Looks great!Anybody know what the operational colour scheme will be? I'm willing to bet it's a choice between uneventful grey and boring grey... like just about every other C-17. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted August 1, 2012 I think the only one I've seen different is one in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi maybe? Or Qatar? It's gloss white with red lettering on it. Ah, found it. Qatar. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qatar-Emiri-Air/Boeing-C-17-Globemaster/1559021/L/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+ghostrider883 526 Posted August 1, 2012 (edited) I'm willing to bet it's a choice between uneventful grey and boring grey... like just about every other C-17. Well, that grey painted on IAF aircraft is known as "Tipnis Grey" in the IAF, after Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis. It was during his tenure( during the 1999 Kargil War) that all IAF aircraft were ordered to change to the dull grey paint scheme. Only Mirage 2000s were spared and allowed to retain their dual tone blue paint scheme. That was the end of those colourful Fishbeds and Floggers in IAF service . Expect the same Tipnis grey shade painted on C-17s, as was done with the C-130Js, IL-76/78s, Do-228s, Avros and An-32s. Edited August 1, 2012 by ghostrider883 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast 153 Posted August 1, 2012 So we can go with Grey with a hint of Grey... damn that will hide the Duct tape!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FastCargo 412 Posted August 1, 2012 As long as it isn't '50 Shades of Grey'...or is it '50 Shades of Gray'... FC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted August 1, 2012 You should read "50 Shades of Erin Gray", a steamy behind-the-scenes look at the making of Buck Rogers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FastCargo 412 Posted August 1, 2012 Now that I would like to read! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast 153 Posted August 1, 2012 (edited) You should read "50 Shades of Erin Gray", a steamy behind-the-scenes look at the making of Buck Rogers. Now that I could deal with... just watched Buck Rogers the other night hot is the right word... though what she looks like now I am not sure of... Edited August 1, 2012 by Slartibartfast Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wrench 9,427 Posted August 1, 2012 shoot! the LB factory is only 30-odd miles south of me!! would have liked to have seen that! Erin Gray???? aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh.... (back then of course) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted August 2, 2012 She's 62 now, what can you expect? This is from almost 3 years ago, when she was 59 I guess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
