TheTransall C-160is amilitary transport aircraft,produced as a joint venture betweenFranceandGermany."Transall"is a German abbreviation of the manufacturing consortiumTransporter Allianz,comprising the companies ofMBB,Aerospatiale,andVFW-Fokker.[1]It was initially developed to meet the requirements for a modern transport aircraft for theFrenchandGerman Air Forces;export sales were also made toSouth Africaand toTurkey,as well as a small number to civilian operators.

C-160
C-160 of theGerman Air Force
General information
TypeMilitary transport aircraft
National originFrance/Germany
ManufacturerTransall
StatusActive service withTurkish Air Force
Primary usersGerman Air Force(former)
Number built214
History
Manufactured1965–1985
Introduction date1967
First flight25 February 1963
RetiredSouth Africa(1997)
Germany (2021)
France (2022)

The C-160 remains in service more than 60 years after the type's first flight in 1963. It has provided logistical support to overseas operations and has served in specialist roles such as anaerial refuelingtanker,electronic intelligencegathering, and as a communications platform.

The C-160 is replaced in French and German service by theAirbus A400M Atlas,[2]and a small number ofLockheed-Martin C-130J Super Herculesoperated in a multinational unit.

Development

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Origins

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In the late 1950s, a requirement arose to replace thepiston-enginedNord Noratlastransports operated by the air forces of both France (Armée de l'Air) and Germany (Luftwaffe). Keen to encourage industrial co-operation between the two countries, as had happened under a previous arrangement in which Noratlases for German service had been built under license byWeser Flugzeugbau,France and Germany signed an agreement for the development of a Noratlas successor on 28 November 1957. The Italian government also became involved in the project early on to meet their own requirements, however Italy's participation in the fledgling program was soon terminated in favour of the smaller and locally-builtFiat G.222.[3]

The consortium, "Transporter-Allianz" or Transall, was formed in January 1959 between the French companyNord Aviationand the German companies Weser Flugzeugbau (which becameVereinigte Flugtechnische Werke(VFW) in 1964) andHamburger Flugzeugbau(HFB) to design and build the new transport.[3][4]The new aircraft was required to carry a 16,000 kilograms (35,000 lb) cargo over a range of 1,720 kilometres (930 nmi; 1,070 mi) or a load of 8,000 kg (18,000 lb) over a range of 4,540 km (2,450 nmi; 2,820 mi) and be able to operate out of semi-prepared airstrips.[5]One prototype was built by each of the production partners, with the first (built by Nord) flying on 25 February 1963, with the VFW and HFB-built prototypes following on 25 May 1963 and 19 February 1964.[6]These were followed by six pre-production examples, stretched by 51 centimetres (20 in) compared with the prototypes, which flew between 1965 and 1966.[7]

Production

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Production orders were delayed by attempts byLockheedto sell itsC-130 Herculestransport to Germany; these attempts were rebuffed, and a contract was signed for 160 C-160s (110 for Germany and 50 for France) on 24 September 1964. Manufacturing work was split between Germany and France in line with the number of orders placed; Nord built the wings and engine nacelles, VFW the centre fuselage and horizontal tail, and HFB the forward and rear fuselage. The aircraft's tail fin was to be built byDornier.Three production lines were set up to assemble these components at each of the three main partners.[4][7]

The first production airframes were delivered to France and Germany from 1967.[7]The first batch included 110C-160Ds for the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), 50C-160Fs for theFrench Air Force,and nineC-160Zs for theSouth African Air Force.Four C-160Fs were converted toC-160Pair mail transport aircraft, and were operated byAir France.[8]Production continued until October 1972.[4]

In July 1977, France placed an order for 25 aircraft to be built to an improved standard.[9]Production work for the new variant was split 50-50 betweenAérospatiale(the successor to Nord) andMBB(which had absorbed VFW and HFB), with a single assembly line inToulouse.The cargo loading door on the port side of the fuselage was replaced by provision for additional fuel tanks in the wing centre section. When fitted these tanks increased fuel capacity from 19,000 litres (4,190 imp gal) to 28,000 litres (6,170 imp gal). The aircraft were also fitted with updated avionics.[10]The first second generation C-160 took flight in 1981.[11]Aircraft produced in this batch included 29 for France (an additional four non-standard aircraft were constructed for special missions), and 6 for Indonesia.[12]

Design

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Overview

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C-160 on a rough landing strip, 1985

The Transall C-160 is a twin-engine tactical transport featuring a cargo hold, a rear-access ramp beneath an upswept tail, a high-mounted wing and turboprop engines. The C-160 is designed to perform cargo and troop transport duties, aerial delivery of supplies and equipment and is designed to be compatible with international railwayloading gaugesto simplify cargo logistics and loading.[6]In flight the cargo area is pressurised and kept at a constant temperature by integrated air conditioning systems.[13]

Theauxiliary power unitand port-side mainlanding gearof aLuftwaffeC-160, 2008

Additionally, the landing gear can be partially retracted while on the ground. This lowers the C-160, making it easier to move vehicles into the hold as they don't need to climb a ramp.

One aspect of the C-160 that made the type well suited to tactical operations is its short airfield performance, including the ability to perform steep descents of up to 20 degrees and perform landings on airstrips as short as 400 meters.[14]In the airlift role, a later production C-160 could carry up to 8.5 tons across a distance of 5,000 kilometers, and take off from airstrips as short as 700 meters.[15]Dependent upon aircraft configuration, a single aircraft could airdrop as many as 88paratroopersor transport up to 93 equipped troops.[16]

The C-160 is powered by a pair ofRolls-Royce Tyneturboprop engines, which drive a pair of four-bladedDowty Rotolpropellers.[6]Advantages of the twin-engine configuration over four include reduced unit and production cost, lower weight and fuel consumption, simplified design and reliability. Each engine is equipped with an auxiliary generator system, providing the aircraft with both electricity and hydraulic pressure.[17]Anauxiliary power unit(General Electric CJ610) is used to power the aircraft while on the ground, and for rare use in mid-air emergencies.[18]

Upgrades and improvements

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An updated second generation of the C-160 was produced during the 1980s. Amongst changes made, the new variant was equipped with additional fuel tankage, aerial refuelling probes and enhanced avionics.[11]While there were considerable changes to instrumentation, including the navigational and autopilot systems, the second generation C-160 retained the original operating characteristics to simplify crew transfers between types. The second generation C-160s were also designed for potential adaptation to other roles such as maritime patrol and aerial fire fighting.[19]

AGerman Air ForceTransall atILA2016

The C-160 proved to be a versatile aircraft, leading to a long operational service life. Between its introduction and 1999, approximately 2000 modifications and upgrades were incorporated upon the type, split 60/40 between the structure and equipment respectively.[20]Many changes were made over time in regards to the aircraft's avionics, incorporating new features such asGPSand laser inertial navigation systems, modern autopilot and crew management systems.[21]

Other improvements and additions to the type includekevlararmour, electronic warfare management systems, chaff/flare dispensers, missile approach warning systems andTCAScollision warning system.[21]Extensive efforts have been made by both France and Germany to extend the aircraft's operating lifespan up to and if necessary beyond 55 years to 2018.[22]In 2003–2004, Germany signed separate contracts withTerma A/SandNorthrop Grummanto upgrade the aircraft's electronic warfare self-protection andmissile approach warning systems.[23][24]

Operational history

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A C-160 performing a steep descent prior to landing, 2005

In July 1974, the Turkish Air Force used 7 C-160Ds during theinvasion of Cyprus,to transport troops, drop paratroopers and carry supplies. Having entered service with the Turkish armed forces in 1971, these aircraft provided great amount of lift during the operation.[25]

In April 1976, the French Air Force used 12 C-160s in support ofOperation Verveine,airlifting Moroccan troops and equipment toZaïreduring a border conflict withAngola.[26]In May 1978, several C-160s dropped paratroopers of theFrench Foreign Legionduring theBattle of Kolwezi.[26]

In 1977, the French Air Force ordered an updated version designatedC-160NG,forNouvelle Génération( "New Generation" ). From 1981, 29 of these aircraft were delivered, half of them configured astanker aircraftforaerial refuelling.Another four were configured asC-160H AstartéTACAMOaircraft for communication with submergedsubmarines,a vital component of France'snuclear deterrentsystem.[11]

In a final conversion, two aircraft were furnished forSIGINTelectronic surveillance, designatedC-160G Gabriel,replacing theNoratlasesthat had been in this role previously.[N 1]In routine operations, the C-160Gs would often supplement France'sBoeing E-3 SentryAWACSaircraft.[27]In 1991, a SIGINT-equipped C-160G was deployed as part of France's contribution to Coalition forces during and after theGulf Warto support ano-fly zoneand embargoing ofIraq.[27]

A pair of French Air Force C-160s flying overhead, 2006

C-160s were in continuous use to support French bases in sub-Saharan Africa; the tanker variants also proved valuable in supporting African operations.[28]The C-160 fleet was the staple of the French military airlift capability for many years, supplemented by small numbers ofMcDonnell Douglas DC-8s,CASA/IPTN CN-235andLockheed C-130 Herculesas of 1990.[15]

During theSouth African Border Warduring the late 1980s, the South African Air Force's C-160s were vital for deploying and supplying troops in the border region and into positions in southernAngoladue to the otherwise-impassable terrain. The importance of airpower in the war led to a great deal of the fighting being centred upon remote airstrips, both sides trying to gain or deny the same advantageous positions and place stress upon the opposing force's logistical efforts.[29]In one particular mission, a C-160 was used to move a capturedSA-8from Angola to South Africa. The C-160 was chosen for this task over theC-130because of its larger cargo hold and its ability to lower its hull while on the ground, which facilitated the loading of the heavy vehicle.[30]

The C-160 has been a prominent component of several other international efforts. Germany's C-160 fleet has been used to supportpeacekeepingefforts inSudan,[31]a regular detachment of C-160s was also dispatched in support of the multinationalInternational Security Assistance Forcepresence in theAfghanistan.[32]Both French and German C-160s were used in supportingOperation Serval,the French-led intervention in theNorthern Mali conflict.[33][34]For either humanitarian or military purposes, C-160s have conducted extensive operations in a number of nations, includingMauritania,Niger,Chad,Ethiopia,Bosnia,andLebanon.[35]

AWieselcombat vehicle being loaded into a C-160 via the rear ramp, 2010

Starting in 1984 onwards, German airframes underwent LEDA I[N 2]and LEDA II life extension measures, which were focused on the wings. Subsequent programs carried out in the 1990s, such as LEDA III, concentrated on the whole structure of the aircraft; raising the airframe life from 8,000 flights to 12,000 flights, and introducing new avionics systems such as a self-defence system and a replacement flight management system.[36]

From 1994 to 1999, all French C-160s underwent an avionics upgrade and the addition of new anti-missile countermeasures. The C-160Fs and NGs so updated were redesignatedC-160R(Renové— "renovated" ).[citation needed]In 2009, the French Defence Ministry announced a modernisation of the C-160 fleet, enabling it to continue in service until 2018 if required.[37]

In late 2011, it was announced that Germany's Transall fleet had accumulated a combined total of one million flight hours.[38]As of 2012,the global C-160 fleet was approaching the end of its service life; all South African C-160s have already been retired, while theTurkish Air Forcecontinued to operate 20 aircraft obtained from Germany (C-160T). To replace the Transall, the German, French and South African Air Forces ordered 60, 50 and eightAirbus A400Ms,respectively;[39]the South African order was later cancelled.[40]

In 2015, it was announced that the retirement of Germany's Transall fleet had been pushed back from 2018 to 2021 due to delays with the Airbus A400M; until 2021, a decreasing number of aircraft shall remain in service to perform missions that require the Transall's self-protection suite.[41][42]The last German Transall wing was disbanded in December 2021.[43]

Variants

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A French Air and Space Force Transall C-160R, 2013
Prototypes
Three prototypes were built, one by each production company.[26]
  • V1 was built by Nord Aviation at Bourges, France and first flew on 25 February 1963.[26]
  • V2 was built by VFW at Lemwerder, Germany and first flew on 25 May 1963[26]
  • V3 was built by HFB at Hamburg-Finkenwerder and first flew on 19 February 1964.[26]
Pre-production
C-160A
Six pre-production aircraft were built for Franco-German trials.[26][44]
Proposed versions
C-160C
Proposed commercial derivative, including a stretched 150-passenger version.[44]

First-generation production

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Turkish Air ForceTransall C-160D lands atRIAT2008. This is the support aircraft for theTurkish Starsaerobatic team.

The initial production run of 169 aircraft were built by the three companies in France and Germany; Nord built 56 aircraft, VFW built 57 aircraft and HFB/MBB 56 (HFB became part of Messerchmitt-Bolkow-Blohm in 1969 during the production run).[26]All three production lines produced a mixture of aircraft for France and Germany but the South African aircraft were all built by Nord.[26]

C-160D
Production aircraft for the West German Air Force; 110 were built.[26]Twenty of these aircraft were delivered to Turkish Air Force in 1971 as C-160T. A few of the remaining German C-160 were fitted with the self-protection suite calledESS.
C-160F
Production aircraft for the French Air and Space Force; 50 were built.[26]
C-160P
Conversion of four C-160Fs for use by the French Postal Service.[26]
C-160Z
Production aircraft for the South African Air Force; nine were built.[26]

Second-generation production

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From 1981 on, some new C-160 reached the wings of Armee de l'Air. The now C-160NG (Nouvelle Generation, New Generation) called aircraft has a fifth fuel tank in the middle of the wing above the fuselage, a refueling probe while the left side cargo door was removed. Some first-production series C-160F were fitted with the NG-versions changes and renamed C-160R (Renové).

Beside these changes, in 1989, the French Air Force introduced theC-160G Gabrielvariant, aSIGINTaircraft easily to distinguish because of the antennas fitted to the aircraft.

Until the early 2000s, also theC-160H Astartewas used, while Astarté (Avion Station Relais de Transmissions Exceptionelles), meaning "airborne relay station for special transmissions", was used for communication with submerged French nuclear submarines.

Operators

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Military operators

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Turkey

Civil operators

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Australia
  • Wieland Aviation Group Pty Ltd, Warnervale, New South Wales: 3 C-160D ex-Luftwaffe bought in September 2022 and registered VH-RFW, VH-RPR, VH-TIT.[46]The company intends to convert these planes into water bombers for firefighting.[47]

Former operators

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Military
Fly-by ofGerman Air ForceTransall 51+08
A Transall of the German Air Force performing a cargo drop
German paratroopers deploying from an inflight C-160
France

Since 1999, all the F and NG aircraft operated in French air forces have been converted to the last upgraded C-160R standard.

Last aircraft retired in May 2022.

Germany
South Africa
Civil
France
Gabon
  • Air Affaires Gabon– former V3 prototype modified to C-160G standard was sold to Gabonese company in July 1976.[26]Retired in France in 1987 and scrapped.
Indonesia
Switzerland
  • Balair– pre-production aircraft C-160V was leased in 1968 to the International Red Cross Committee and operated for them by Balair. Returned in 1970[26]

Accidents and incidents

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  • 9 February 1975 –German Air ForceC-160D 50+63 en route to a NATO base onCreteentered a heavy storm, causing it to crash into a mountain. All 42 people on board were killed.[50]
  • 11 May 1990 – During a routine flight fromWunstorfGerman Air Force 50+39 Air Transport Squadron 62 crashed into a hillside nearLohrduring bad weather. The ten crew on board were all killed.[51]
  • 22 October 1995 – A German Air Force C-160 50+43 crashed after takeoff in theAzoreswhen it collided with a telegraph pole; all seven crew on board were killed.[52]
  • 15 June 2001 – PK-VTQ being operated byManunggal Air Servicesexperienced engine problems and performed an emergency landing inIndonesia;during the forced landing the C-160 ran off the runway, one of the 16 passengers on board was killed.[53]
  • 3 November 2021 – A civilian C-160 EY-560 burned up after landing at Dolow in Somalia.[54]
  • 25 January 2024 -Turkish Air ForceC-160D made an emergency landing during a training exercise inKayseridue to a technical malfunction. While the crew managed to emerge unscratched from the emergency landing the aircraft sustained substantial damage.[55][56]

Specifications (C-160)

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Orthographic projection of a Transall C-160
Transall C-160NG, escadron Anjou,French Air and Space Force
External videos
C-160 landing on an autobahn
SAAF C-160 display flight

Data fromJane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83[57]

General characteristics

  • Crew:3 flight crew + loadmasters
  • Capacity:16,000 kg (35,274 lb)
  • 93 troopsor
  • 61–88 paratroopsor
  • 62 stretchers
  • cargo compartment: length 17.20 m (56.4 ft); width 3.15 m (10.3 ft); height 2.98 m (9 ft 9.3 in)[58]
  • Length:32.4 m (106 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan:40 m (131 ft 3 in)
  • Height:11.65 m (38 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area:160 m2(1,700 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio:10
  • Empty weight:27,782 kg (61,249 lb) empty equipped
  • Gross weight:46,000 kg (101,413 lb) with 17,000 kg (37,479 lb) payload
  • Max takeoff weight:51,000 kg (112,436 lb)
  • Powerplant:2 ×Rolls-Royce RTy.20 Tyne Mk 22turbopropengines, 4,549 kW (6,100 hp) each
  • Propellers:4-bladed Ratier Forest-built BAe Type 4/8000/6 fully feathering constant-speed reversible-pitch propellers, 5.486 m (18 ft 0 in) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed:513 km/h (319 mph, 277 kn) at4,875 m (15,994 ft)
  • Stall speed:177 km/h (110 mph, 96 kn) flaps down
  • Never exceed speed:593 km/h (368 mph, 320 kn)
  • Range:1,853 km (1,151 mi, 1,001 nmi) with 16,000 kg (35,274 lb) payload, 30 min reserves
  • Service ceiling:8,230 m (27,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb:6.6 m/s (1,300 ft/min)
  • Wing loading:319 kg/m2(65 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass:0.18 kW/kg (0.11 hp/lb)

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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Notes

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  1. ^The C-160G was designed to, while flying at altitudes between 7,000 and 10,000 meters, intercept communications and radar emissions within a radius of 800 kilometres.[27]
  2. ^LEDAis a German acronym forLebensdauerverlängernde Maßnahme,translating to 'life extension measures'.[12]

Citations

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  1. ^Aircraft, compared and contrasted (p.145)
  2. ^Hewson, R.The Vital Guide to Military Aircraft2nd edition. London: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2001.
  3. ^abWilsonFlight International25 April 1968, p. 614.
  4. ^abcPletschacherAir InternationalJune 1981, p. 286.
  5. ^WilsonFlight International25 April 1968, pp. 614–615.
  6. ^abcWilsonFlight International25 April 1968, p. 615.
  7. ^abcWilsonFlight International25 April 1968, p. 616.
  8. ^PletschacherAir InternationalJune 1981, p. 289.
  9. ^PletschacherAir InternationalJune 1981, p. 285.
  10. ^PletschacherAir InternationalJune 1981, pp. 286–287.
  11. ^abcChant 1987, p. 472.
  12. ^abBlumschein 1999, p. A26-2.
  13. ^Wache 2004, p. 100.
  14. ^"Transall – Strategy behind a tactical aircraft"Archived2015-04-03 at theWayback MachineFlight International,1979.
  15. ^abRouvez, Coco and Paddack 1994, pp. 96–97.
  16. ^Rouvez, Coco and Paddack 1994, p. 96.
  17. ^Wache 2004, p. 96.
  18. ^Wache 2004, p. 97.
  19. ^"C-160" Military – Fixed Wing. "Flight International,15 November 1980. p. 1885.
  20. ^Blumschein 1999, p. A26-4.
  21. ^abBlumschein 1999, p. A26-4-5.
  22. ^Blumschein 1999, p. A26-1-3.
  23. ^"Terma Signs $16 Million Contract With EADS For C-160 EW/Protection Suites.(Brief Article)".Defense Daily.Access Intelligence. 18 November 2003. Archived fromthe originalon 22 February 2016.Retrieved4 March2013.
  24. ^Fiszer, Michal (1 May 2004)."Luftwaffe Transalls receiving modernized countermeasures suites.(EUROPEAN REPORT)(Northrop Grumman Corp. bags a contract)".Journal of Electronic Defense.Horizon House Publications. Archived fromthe originalon 22 February 2016.Retrieved4 March2013.
  25. ^Kibris Icin Havalandilar: G - Gunu, Levent Basara - Serhat Guvenc, Page: 63 - Kronik Kitap
  26. ^abcdefghijklmnoChillon, Dubois and Wegg 1980, pp. 116–126.
  27. ^abcAid and Wiebes 2001, p. 198.
  28. ^Rouvez, Coco and Paddack 1994, pp. 97–98.
  29. ^Johnson, Grissom and Oliker 2008, pp. 217–218.
  30. ^Dick Lord, 2019,From Fledgling to Eagle: The South African Air Force during the Border War,Chapter 14
  31. ^"Sudan accuses Israel, Germany of involvement in Darfur conflict".Sudan Tribunal,22 December 2004.
  32. ^"German planes begin supply flights for anti-terror campaign, sharing burden with U.S. crews".Associated Press,26 November 2001.
  33. ^MÜller, Alberecht."German Government Wants To Boost Support for Malian Operation."defensenews,7 February 2013.
  34. ^"Mali: lancement de l'opération Serval, Ministère de la Défense"(in French). Defense. 12 January 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 15 January 2013.Retrieved2 March2013.
  35. ^Wache 2004, pp. 68, 82.
  36. ^Blumschein 1999, p. A26-1.
  37. ^Mackenzie, Christina."France to Upgrade C-160 Transalls."Archived2013-02-28 at theWayback MachineAviation Week,5 June 2009.
  38. ^Timo Braam, Alexander Bräutigam."Transall C-160 erfliegt eine Millionste Flugstunde."Archived2015-04-03 at theWayback MachineLuftwaffe.de, 5 October 2011.
  39. ^Hoyle, Craig."Europe's Transall turns 50."Archived2013-03-03 at theWayback MachineFlight Global,25 February 2013.
  40. ^Roberts, Janice."Airbus refunds A400M payments to Armscor."Moneyweb,19 December 2011.
  41. ^Stevenson, Beth."Germany to join multinational tanker effort."Archived2015-12-08 at theWayback MachineFlight International,2 December 2015.
  42. ^"LTG 63 fliegt noch bis 2021 mit Transall."Archived2016-08-22 at theWayback MachineLuftwaffe.de,14 December 2015.
  43. ^KS (2021-12-15)."Transall ist nun Geschichte: LTG 63 aufgelöst".flugrevue.de(in German).Retrieved2021-12-15.
  44. ^abThe Observer's Book of Basic Aircraft, William Green, 1968.
  45. ^"The Transall Turns 60 | Airbus".22 February 2023.
  46. ^"16Right - Australian Aircraft Register Search".
  47. ^"Drei C-160 Transall der Luftwaffe fliegen künftig in Australien".9 December 2022.
  48. ^Engelbrecht, Leon (2008-11-24)."SAAF to break up C160Z Transall wrecks".defenceWeb.Archivedfrom the original on 2015-04-03.Retrieved2013-03-02.
  49. ^"Jakarta - Kemayoran".oldjets.net.Retrieved24 March2021.
  50. ^"42 Dead In Plane Crash".Playground Daily News,Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Volume 29, Number 408, 11 February 1975, p. 1.
  51. ^Ungemach, Johannes."Transall-Absturz vor 20 Jahren: „Es war furchtbar".Archived2013-05-28 at theWayback MachineMainpost,10 May 2010.
  52. ^"Tragfläche berührte einen Mast".Die Welt,24 October 1995.
  53. ^"Aircraft accident Transall C-160NG PK-VTQ Wamena Airport".Archived2017-11-08 at theWayback MachineAviation-Safety.net,21 September 2011.
  54. ^"World's only civilian C-160 Transall destroyed".ch-aviation.
  55. ^"Incident Transall C-160D 69-036".aviation-safety.net.Retrieved2024-01-25.
  56. ^"Turkish C-160 makes emergency landing during training: video".2024-01-25.Retrieved2024-01-25.
  57. ^Taylor 1982, pp. 119–120.
  58. ^Transall C-160Archived2017-09-19 at theWayback MachineMilitary Today. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

Bibliography

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