Zamir, Tzofit and Kukia, Double Engined from Beechcraft– by Ilan Warshai p.12-23
The Yom Kippur war has demonstrated the deficiencies of the IAF's light transportation array.
At the eve of that war, the IAF had a single light transportation squadron, "the Flying Camel" squadron.
The single squadron had operated more than 70 platforms, including Cessna 206, Piper Super Cub, Dornier 27 and Dornier 28.
The imminent requirement was for a faster and a higher capacity platform than the existing Cessna 206.
Within a few weeks, a decision was taken to purchase the B80 Queen Air.
In the beginning of 1974, 12 B80 were purchased, having arrived in Israel by June through December the same year.
It had been named "Zamir", Hebrew for Nightingale.
They were serial 101 thru 112.
It was decided to interduce the new planr to a newly formed squadron.
On May 1, 1974, the "Kings of the Air" squadron was formed at Sde Dov.
The CO was lieutenant colonel Shaul Cohen, deputy A was Major Avishai Katzir.
The squadron also operated the Cessna 206s and the two BN Islanders.
Therfore,two squadrons were allocated two different tasks:
- "The Flying Camel" squadron, for observation and surveillance, flying the DO-27 and DO-28.
- "The Kings of the Air" squadron, for transportation and liaison, flying the B80, Cessna 206 and Islander.
By the end of the 70s, the B80 were merged to the flying academy for navigators training
In 1982, it was also used to train cadets at the advanced transportation course..
For that purpose, about half the B80 fleet had been allocated to the academy.
"Kukia" (Cuckoo), the clandestine aircraft
During the mid 70s, the requirement for an airborne intelligence platform had arrised, among others, the need to locate jettisoned pilots.
By 1979, an IAF delegation visited the US in order to review existing options.
It had been offered the RU-8 Beechcraft Seminole, which was found to be insufficient.
The Beech 200 was recommended, to be equipped with an Israeli intelligence payload.
By July 1982, it was decided to purchase a small quantity of B200s, to be operated by "the Kings of the Air" squadron.
It was named "Kukia", Hebrew for cuckoo.
It had been allocated the serials 900, and civil registration of the series FSA.
The new planes were supplied during 1984, introducing the squadron to the intelligence gathering world.
Their existence was officially published only in June 1996.
The operational burden on the planes led to the purchasing of additional ones over the years..
Existing photos reveal external changes in the sensor type and locations changing over the years.
"Tzofit" (Sunbird), an advanced observation plae
The positive experience with the 'Kukia", led to review acquiring similar platforms for visual intelligence (VISINT) missions.
The need to replace the DO-28 with a larger and more powerful platform arose during the introduction of heavier payloads into service, capable of operating at higher altitudes and covering larger areas.
By the end of the 80s, a decision to purchase a small quantity of the civil B200 was made.
It was to be equipped with indigenous observation payloads.
The first planes arrived in Israel in January 1991, having been named "Tzofit", Hebrew for Sunbird.
It had been allocated the serials 500, and civil registration of the series FEA.
Within one week,the first Tsofit was fitte with long range observation gear in order to be operated during the first Gulf War.
The modification included altering the internal fuel system, which led to a significant range increase.
By the end of the war, all improvised modifications had been removed and all planes were put through an organized modification process.
By the end of 1997, a second purchase deal was signed.
It involved the sub type B200T, with the additional 50 gallons wing tip tanks.
These extended the flight time by one hour more.
These five A/C, named "Tzofit 2", were allocated the serials 600, and were absorbed by "the Flying Camel" squadron.
Uniforming the light transportation array
During 1999, upon headquarter survey, a decision to acquire 11 additional A/C, and finish the conversion of the two squadrons into the "Tzofit" was reached.
The deals included:
- Eight, civil, B200CT, with large cargo door and wing tip tanks.
These were allocated the serials 700.
- Three, civil, B200C, with large cargo door but without the wing tip tanks.
These were allocated the serials 800.
All A/C arrived in Israel during 2002-2003, and were modified, locally, for mission purposes, by Elbit's Cyclone division.
All of these had four propeller blades.
By the end of 2003, the IAF took the adventure to acquire two additional civil B200C.
These remained painted in the white civil pattern.
All together, 13 new A/C had been purchased.
Most of the additional A/C were absorbed by "the Kings of the Air" squadron, which subsequently discharged of the "Zamir" A/C.
Seven of the "Zamir"s were relocated to the flying academy, joining five A/C already employed by the academy.
The last three "Zamir"s were withdrawn from service on June 2003 by the end of flying course #148.
This ended 29 years of "Zamir" service in the IAF.
Unification of the light transportation fleet around the "Tzofit", led to the withdrawal from service of the Dakotas (in 2000), the Arava (in 2004) and the DO-28 (in 2005).
Epilogue
Two "Zamir"s were moved in 2003 to the IAF museum.
#109 remains at the museum, while #104 is in front of the navigators training squadron, at Hatzerim.
The rest were put on tender.
As of summer 2011, four are in flying conditions, under Israeli civil registration.
The "Tzofit" and "Kukia" remain the backbone of IAF's light transportation array.
The IAF was one of the pioneers in modifying the civil Beechcraft into a successful intelligence platform.
External features
"Zamir" A/C were painted standard green/sand/brown, with light blue undersurfaces.
Propellers were painted grey, while the spinners were painted red.
Engine undersurfaces were painted black, including the wheel bay doors.
IAF emblem was applied on four places, on both fuselage sides, over the left wing and under the right wing.
Serials were applied on six places:
- Large font on both fuselage sides, over the left wing and under the right wing.
- Small font on both tail sides.
Originally, the serials were painted white, with the under wing serial being painted dark blue, similar to that of the David shield color.
Around 2000, all serials were painted black.
Squadron emblem was applied on both tail sides.
By 1997, the squadron emblem was applied in a smaller size, inside a white surrounding disk.
As for the "Tzofit/Kukia" fleet, all A/C are painted FS36300.
This can be accomplished by lighting FS36321 (Humbrol 140) with a tint of yellow color.
However due to weather erosion, the grey color on operational A/C is more of FS36375 (Humbrol 127).
The A/C arrived in Israel with glossy chrome spinners, later painted grey.
Propeller blades are painted grey on the forward surfaces, and black or the rear surfaces.
Two glossy red strips are painted on the tip of the blades.
Two "Tzofit"s, #856 & #859, retain the original white civil pattern.
In 2008, "Tzofit"s, #703 & #714, were also painted in the original white civil pattern.
Black serials are applied on six places, on both fuselage sides, on both tail sides, over the left wing and under the right wing.
During 1984-1995, black civil registration was applied, on both fuselage sides under the tail.
Squadron emblem is applied on both tail sides.
Not a single "Tzofit/Kukia" A/C has ever been applied the IAF emblem.
External differences between different versions of "Tzofit/Kukia", currently in IAF service:
|
"Tzofit" 500 |
"Tzofit" 600 |
"Tzofit" 700 |
"Tzofit" 800 |
" Kukia" 900 |
Color |
Grey |
Grey |
Grey* |
Grey or white |
Grey |
Wing tip fuel tanks |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Large mission pods |
Cabin windows |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Painted windows** |
Blades type |
3 blades |
3 blades |
4 blades |
4 blades |
3 blades |
Large L/H side cargo door |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
no |
* In 2008, "Tzofit"s, #703 & #714, were also painted in the original white civil pattern.
**" Kukia" #987 & #990 do not have cabin windows at all.
On the remaining "Kukia"s, cabin windows are painted grey.
In the model world
There is no B80 model.
As for the "Tzofit/Kukia" the following models exist:
- RARE PLANE 1:72nd scale vacuform kit of the civil B200. Very rare and very expensive.
- RVHP 1:72nd scale resin kits. One of which is for a "Tzofit" #625, and one for a "Kukia" #974.
|
p.12-23 |
BN-2 Islander in Israel and the IAF - by Noam Hartoch & Ilan Warshai
The firs Islander arrived in Israel on August 1969.
It had been operated by "Ya'af" company under the registration 4X-AYF.
Two others had later joined the company's fleet.
Additional Islanders were purchased by other newly established local companies:
- "Avirom" – single A/C.
- "Isra-avia" - single A/C.
- "Canaf" – 10 A/C.
- "Nativ" - single A/C.
- "Shahaf" - 3 A/C.
Financial constrains led to the merge of "Ya'af", "Avirom" and "Nativ" into "United air lines", while "Arkia" and "Canaf" merged into "Canaf- Arkia".
Most of these A/C were later sold abroad.
Subsequently, few others were purchased by other companies.
All together, 21 Islanders were operated in Israel, 13 of British origin, 5 of Belgian origin and 3 of Romanian origin.
On March, 1989, a single Trilander was brought to Israel, under the registration 4X-CCK.
It did not last long and was sold abroad in November 1992.
As the Yom Kippur War broke, all of "Canaf" A/C had been drafted to the IAF, as a separate flight within "The Flying Camel" squadron.
Soon it became a separate, emergency, squadron under the command of the company's chief pilot, Mr. Avner Caspi.
Previously, "Isra-avia" company, which as the Yom Kippur War broke had operated two
Islanders, decided to donate it to the IAF.
It was painted standard green/sand/brown, with light blue undersurfaces, and was integrated within "The Flying Camel" squadron.
A/C 4X-AYV became #001.
A/C 4X-AYK became #004.
For a short period, it also carried civil registration markings.
#004 was 4X-FNP and later changed to FNR.
#001 may had become 4X-FMD.
By 1974, the A/C were moved to the newly formed "the Kings of the Air" squadron.
The A/C remained in service till mid 1982.
A/C #001 was moved to the IAF museum branch at Haifa airport.
A/C #001 was moved to the IAF museum at Hatzerim.
In the model world
Two main kits exist in 1:72nd scale:
- AIRFIX resin kit.
- Omega resin kit, with decals for Israeli #004 A/C
Additionally, a 1:144th scale model by Airspeed Models. |
p.24-27 |