C-27J Fuselage Trainer for RAAF Arrived in Amberley

23 Desember 2019

C-27J Spartan fuselage trainer (photos : Down under Aviation News)

On 10 December 2019, a so-called C-27J Spartan Fuselage Trainer arrived at RAAF Base Amberley (QLD), following a journey by cargo ship from the USA to Brisbane (Australia). After arrival the aircraft moved to the Australian air base via road transport. The Spartan Fuselage Trainer is a training aid for 35 Squadron "Adept", simulating the cargo compartment and other fuselage systems as featured on a real Spartan. The fuselage can also be used to trial and develop new load-carrying methods and other practices on the Spartan.

The use of Fuselage Trainers and Cargo Compartment Trainers by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) reduces the need for real aircraft to be used for this type of training, increasing the availability of aircraft for flying tasks. At RAAF Base Amberley, the C-27J Fuselage Trainer (FuT) is being installed within the dedicated 35 Squadron training facility, and is anticipated to be handed over for use by the squadron by mid-2020.

This particular FuT is reported to originally be a converted G222/C-27A fuselage. It was acquired by Australia from L3Harris Technologies. It will be installed and commissioned by L3Harris Link and L3Harris Oceania.

The previous identity of the airframe is yet unknown, but it might be one of five former USAF C-27As of which Scramble Magazine knows they are stored. Any info on the identity of the aircraft would be appreciated.

(Scramble)