Remarks: Top-side view of Italy Air Force C-27J Spartan CSX62127 (Airshow Code 171). Photo taken at the 49th Salon International - Paris Air Show at Le Bourget. The aircraft wears a special livery for the Air Show. The Spartan cargo/ transport aircraft performed aerobatics in cloudy conditions. Grey livery and grey skies - again! (Note extended spoiler on the Port wing). The pilot performed rolls and steeply banked passes during the display. Maybe he was a frustrated Fighter Pilot! I also photographed Sister-Ship CSX62219 at the Avalon International Airshow in Australia on Friday 04Mar2011. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will take delivery of the first of 10 C-27J Spartan ‘Battlefield Airlifters’ in 2015. (A Caribou replacement at last! They were Retired in Sep 2009.) The Spartans will be operated by 35 Squadron from RAAF Base Richmond. 38 Squadron’s King Airs at Townsville will be retained, but the remaining 37 Squadron C-130Hs will be retired early, in late 2012.
