For the a main feature article describing the history and operation of the Beechcraft B-200T and B-200 Super King Air, alongside the Uruguayan Naval Aviation, visit the following link: Defender of the River Plate: Beechcraft B200T Maritime Patrol
(Video courtesy of Marcelo Umpiérrez)
Patch worn by the crews of the B-200T Super King Air, Armada 871. (Ernesto Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)B-200T built in 1978 and registered in the USA as N2067D. It was the factory demostrador of a concept titled as MRS (Medium Range Surveillance) (Beechcraft/Textron)N2067D during flight testing in the USA before its sale to Uruguay and becoming Armada 871 (Imagen Beechcraft/Textron)Armada 871 was originally registered in the US as N2067D. (Beechcraft/Textron)N2067D in the late 70s during his flight testing period in the USA previous to her sale to the Armada Uruguaya (Uruguayan Navy) and becoming Armada 871 (Beechcraft/Textron)The B-200T (A871) over the Atlantic Ocean. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)In the climb out over Maldonado Bay ant the beautiful peninsula of Punta del Este in the background. Punta del Este is the external limit of the River Plate, indicating the end of the widest river on earth and the beginning of the South Atlantic. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Each fixed wing tip fuel tank carries a maximum total de 50 USG (189 litres). (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) B-200T (A871) cockpit (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The crew of Airpressman’s first flight on the B-200T (Armada 871), from left to right.: Airpressman, Gonzalo Ciganda, Hugo Martini (pilots) Victor Olivera and Albín Correa (Radar & Systems Operators). (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Lateral “bubble” style observation windows are fitted on either side of the fuselage. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Heading north over the green fields of Maldonado province, home of the Base Aeronaval 2 ( Naval Air Station 2 – BAEN 2) (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Entering Portezuelo bay abeam Punta Ballena and Casa Pueblo, white building right of the image. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)B-200T (A871) on the final stages of its “Ten year” inspection, seen here with a new, darker naval grey paint scheme at MAGAN´s hangar (Mantenimiento de la Aviación Naval/Naval Aviation Maintenance) at BAEN 2 during February 2020. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) B-200T Armada 871 (a B-200T) during February 2020 without its two turboprop engines fitted, during a long “Ten Year” overhaul (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)B-200T (A871) with its new darker grey paint scheme and newly fitted lateral “bubble” observation windows.(E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The B-200T can stay airborne for approximately eight hours. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Radar & Systems Operator console located on the left central cabin of B-200T (A871) (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Fast and low, abeam the Bulgarian Bulk carrier Liliana Dimitrova, as she leaves uruguayan territorial waters east of Punta del Este. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Climbing eastbound over the Atlantic on a CAJ mission (Control de Aguas Jurisdiccionales/ Control of Jurisdictional Waters) (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Over the Laguna del Sauce (Willow Tree Lagoon) setting heading towards the BAEN 2. The B-200T (A871) was escorted by her two smaller brothers, the Beechcraft T-34C1 used for pilot training and light attack duties. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Back home after an early morning CAJ mission (Control de Aguas Jurisdiccionales/Control of Jurisdictional Waters) (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)One of Airpressman´s images utilised on a poster fitted on the entrance of the facilities of ESCAN-Escuadrones de la Aviación Naval (Naval Aviation Squadrons) (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The swept back horizontal stabilizer is typical on the “T tail” of the model Super King Air. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) The metallic blue B-200 (A872) over the Atlantic in formation with its rotary wing brother – so called Esquilo Biturbina Armada 071 (Twin Squirrel) – a Brazilian built Helibras AS-355F2. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)B-200T (A871) at the BAEN 2 MAGAN hangar (Mantenimiento de la Aviación Naval/Naval Aviation Maintenance). The aircraft on hydraulic jacks, was awaiting spares to complete a long overhaul. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Artist impression of the Interior of B-200T N2067D. Before becoming Armada 871 the aircraft was the factory´s demonstrator of the MSR – Medium Range Surveillance. aircraft concept. (Foto Beechcraft/Textron)Armada 871 in October 2006 after suffering an accident due to a main right undercarriage collapse whilst landing at Comandante Espora Naval Air Station, Bahia Blanca (Argentina). It is one of the main bases of the Comando de Aviación Naval Argentino (COAN/Argentinian Naval Aviation Command). (J.C. Cicalesi)At Comandante Espora (Bahia Blanca, Argentina) awaiting repairs .(J.C. Cicalesi)Flying westbound over the River Plate towards Colonia del Sacramento on B-200T A871 with pilots Hugo Martini (left) and Gonzalo Ciganda. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The cockpit of A871 during the year 2000. Note the lack of weather radar. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)B-200T (A871) leads the formation alongside two Beechcraft T-34C1 Turbo Mentor (Armada 271 & 272). (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) More about the Turbo Mentor in Naval service, please check our article by following this link: El T-34C-1 en la Aviación Naval UruguayaThe radar operator station on A871 is located on the left hand side of the cabin.(E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The ten people, launchable Skymaster II Unipack raft, can be installed on one of the two underwing hardpoints available on the B-200T (A871). (Foto ANU)Gear down and low over the River Plate (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) SAR missions are generally flown at heights between 300-500ft. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) The ESM (Electronic Support Measures)Elisra AES 210 system has its square sensors fitted under both wingtips. (Ernesto Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)B-200T (A871) in formation over Laguna del Sauce (a lagoon adjacent to the BAEN 2, where amphibious aircraft used to operate) alongside two of the service´s T-34C1 Turbo Mentor. A272 (left of the image) flown by Gerardo Moreira whilst A271 by Esteban Larre. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-41 turboprop engines, provide 850 shp (634 Kw) each. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Each 850 shp, PT-6A-41 turboprop engines, drive two, three bladed Hartzell propellers. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Lateral view of a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-41, 850 shp turboprop engine. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Skimming the limits of the Isla de Lobos (Sea Wolves Island) with Punta del Este in the background (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)On a shallow descend over the Atlantic preparing an observation flypast of a ship navigating on uruguayan jurisdiction sea lanes.(E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Loitering over the Atlantic (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The ventral antennae of the Telephonics AN/APS 128 radar, generates a turbulent airflow inflight, adverse condition corrected by two lateral strakes fitted aft of the antennae. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The bubble style lateral observation windows were recently replaced with a new set. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Armada 871 completed during November 2020, 40 years of service to the Uruguayan Naval Aviation (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The rectangular antennae of the Elisra AES 210 ESM system are located under the wingtip fuel tanks. This Israeli system was installed in Uruguay in 1993. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The few available ANU aircraft must patrol a territorial sea, far larger in area than the land surface of Uruguay. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Flying over Isla de Lobos (Sea Wolves Island) opposite Punta del Este; its peninsula seen in the background. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The ventral antenna of the AN/APS 128 radar, generates a turbulent airflow inflight, this undesired condition corrected by two fins fitted at either side of the large radome. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)B-200 flight deck. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Armada 871 (a B-200T) operating alongside the ROU 34 “Audaz” (Bold in Spanish) a Kondor II class minesweeper, ex german navy “Eisleben”, during a control of jurisdictional waters mission. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Fast and low over the Atlantic, A871 (B-200T) flies abeam the training ship ROU 20 “Capitán Miranda” a three-masted staysail schooner built in Spain in 1930. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Airpressman onboard the B-200T (A871) with Corporal Albín Correa in the background.(E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)No room for luxuries: a busy time for the crew in the cabin of Armada 871 during a mission over the Atlantic.(E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Excellent and patient professional: Gerardo Moreira (left) seen here with Airpressman outside the ESANA hangar. He was the pilot of the T-34C1 Turbo Mentor (A271) during an air-to-air photographic sortie (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Back home: about to touch down at Curbelo´s RWY 19 near Punta del Este. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman)Pilot In Command Julián Iglesias Torello, completes a pre-flight inspection on A871 at the BAEN 2. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) B-200T (A871) rests alongside two “Charlies” (T-34C1 Turbo Mentor) on the large maneuvering area of the BAEN 2. Beyond the aircraft stands a single Westland Wessex HC MkII helicopter and the ramp leading into the lagoon, utilised during the 1950s, by the service´s large Martin PBM Mariner maritime patrol aircraft. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Pilots and technicians after a mission next to the B-200T (A871). Nicolas Sanguinetti (first on the left) is the actual Commander of the Uruguayan Naval Aviation. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The old warrior getting ready! B-200T (A871) with a new – darker – paint scheme and completely refurbished after its overhaul, seen here at the ANU’s MAGAN during February 2020. The type is now back in service. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Back flying since mid 2020 , B-200T (A871) seen here without its engine fitted at the end of its “Ten year” overhaul. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The “civilian” B-200 (Armada 872) arrived in Uruguay from Switzerland on January 8, 2013. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) B-200 (A872) was previously operated by the Swiss government, registered as N200NA (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)B-200 Armada 872, lowers its undercarriage for the camera ship. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)The silhouette of B-200 (A872) differs from that of B-200T (A871). This version of the Beechcraft type, has no wing tip fuel tanks nor ventral radar radome. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)B-200 (A872) over the Atlantic joins its rotary wing brother Armada 071, a Brazilian built Helibras AS-355F2 “Esquilo” Biturbina (Twin Squirrel)). (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)B-200 Super King Air Armada 872 (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Alone over the Atlantic, close to Jose Ignacio’s oil buoy belonging to Uruguay´s national petrol company ANCAP. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Armada 872 does not possess military electronic equipment as that fitted on A871 (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) Setting heading towards an oil tanker, navigating on Uruguay’s Atlantic shipping lanes. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) Busy at work over the Atlantic on location east of Punta del Este. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) The absence of ventral fairings evident on this shot, as well as the two strakes fitted aft and below the tail, for improved directional stability. Isla de Lobos (Sea Wolves island) and its powerful lighthouse seen in the background. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) Armada 872 on patrol over the Atlantic. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) The original high quality metallic blue paint scheme from its previous Swiss government service as N200NA, will be utilized until the aircraft enters its next mayor overhaul. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) Leaving on a mission from the taxiway that connects the BAEN towards the RWY 08-26 (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) Another difference between B-200 (A872) and its older brother A871, is that fitted with four bladed propellers (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) Ready to take some fuel after a long mission. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) Armada 872 stands proud next to a T-34C1 (A272) and BAEN 2 personnel during the service´s anniversary ceremony carried out on February 7. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) A872 cockpit (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) Armada 872 cockpit with newly installed navigation suite fitted on its central panel.(E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) Antonio Borges on the command seat of Armada 872; the newly fitted radar and navigation equipment seen here during flight operations. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com) Over the Laguna del Sauce (Willow Tree Lagoon) B-200T (A871) leads the formation heading towards the BAEN 2 whilst carrying out formation flight practice for the service´s anniversary, escorted by two Turbo Mentors (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Over the green fields of Maldonado province, north of Curbelo, with the gentle rolling hills of the Sierra de las Ánimas in the background. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Not such an old time! B-200T (Armada 871) on standby next to a naval Westland “Wessex” HC Mk II . In the background FAU 080, a Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (FAU – Uruguayan Air Force) Wessex approaches to land, carrying visiting air force top brass to the BAEN 2.(E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Right turn over Punta Ballena near Punta del Este, setting heading towards the BAEN 2 (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)A postcard: Armada 871, with of Punta del Este in the background. The peninsula denotes the exterior limit of the River Plate (the widest on earth) and the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean. (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)Eyes on the prize: Corporals Victor Olivera and Albín Correa (background) on board B-200T (Armada 871). (E. Blanco Calcagno/Airpressman.com)
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