LOG: Sri Lanka 3-7th Feb

[BasS]

Hi Erwin and all,

At Ekala in 2011, we saw CT123 with a 'doctored' nose. It had "406 GA' on the tail plate. This vanished from GE before the one at the gate appeared as "CT121".

'CT123' is no longer at Ekala indeed. There was a CT123 at the SLAF museum though...

The antennae lay-out of CT167 matches the one pole mounted along the road as "CT129" the real CT129 has a distinctive square blade antennae.

Excellent. The real CT129 (a turbo-prop) is also at Ekala as part of the Trade Training School collection and not visible from the road. This one is c/n 023 which is correct for CT129. The fake CT129 at Ekala is a piston-engined SF260.

At Anuradhapura in 2011 the one marked CT125 with the bullet holes had '403 GA' on the tail plate.
As I understand they have now painted this also as CT121?

Correct. It has purple colours now.

Cheers,

Bas

[BasS]

Hi Erwin,

Regarding the unmarked Mi-171, this could also be SMH-4420 that was mentioned in SLAF's 2022 performance report as slated to be returned to service. Or even "enigma" aircraft SMH-585 last seen in 2017.

I doubt it could be SMH-585. The unserialled aircraft was a Mi-171E and I understand that SMH-585 is a 'plain' Mi-17? Just out of curiosity, does the performance report show squadron allocations?

Cheers,

Bas

[EvD]

Hi Erwin,

Regarding the unmarked Mi-171, this could also be SMH-4420 that was mentioned in SLAF's 2022 performance report as slated to be returned to service. Or even "enigma" aircraft SMH-585 last seen in 2017.

I doubt it could be SMH-585. The unserialled aircraft was a Mi-171E and I understand that SMH-585 is a 'plain' Mi-17? Just out of curiosity, does the performance report show squadron allocations?

Cheers,

Bas

Hi Bas,
Not always. SMH-4428 was mentioned as rts with 4sq in the 2023 report (published early Spring 2024.)
But SMH-4420 is/was also on o/h according the report and is likely back on the roster now, under the 6sq caption in the report.
Indeed SMH-585 is a 'normal' one, was Mi-171E read/printed on the nose of the one you saw?
rgds,
Erwin

[BasS]

Hi Erwin,

It carried Mi-171E just after the cockpit and was in full 4 Squadron markings.

Cheers,
Bas

[Fishbed_9307]

Hi Erwin,

Regarding the unmarked Mi-171, this could also be SMH-4420 that was mentioned in SLAF's 2022 performance report as slated to be returned to service. Or even "enigma" aircraft SMH-585 last seen in 2017.

I doubt it could be SMH-585. The unserialled aircraft was a Mi-171E and I understand that SMH-585 is a 'plain' Mi-17? Just out of curiosity, does the performance report show squadron allocations?

Cheers,

Bas

Hi Bas,
Not always. SMH-4428 was mentioned as rts with 4sq in the 2023 report (published early Spring 2024.)
But SMH-4420 is/was also on o/h according the report and is likely back on the roster now, under the 6sq caption in the report.
Indeed SMH-585 is a 'normal' one, was Mi-171E read/printed on the nose of the one you saw?
rgds,
Erwin

Did you ever find any evidence on SMH-585 or either CH-585 Erwin? I have a strong feeling that the sighting of '585' is in error.

[EvD]

This was allegedly a former Indian one.
There is a fair chance that is was only leased to combat the LTTE, however the ST dbase has it repaired at Katunyake in 2013 and with sightings in aug09, jan17.

However, it does not feature in any performance report around those sighting dates.

[AndyMarden]

I agree with Paul. I am also rather doubtful of the existence of 585, certainly not as late as Jan17. One mispole can often lead to others.
In May24, both these two were at Ratmalana:
SMH4420 which was wearing its serial
SMH4428 was not wearing an external serial (identified from call plate)
The operating unit for the Mi-17s at Ratmalana is called 61 Flt.
Finally, Harbin 858 was already SMR858 by May24

[mikebursell]

Discvoered this fascinating report rather late, but I would suggest that the Mi 24V on the storage line at Katunayake is SAH630, not SAH620.

Interested to see that the two new Beech 350/36 SMR844 & 845 were not noted.

Mike

[Ian French]

Re SAH630 correct. It was a typo!

[Ian French]

By the way, my logic for saying 4428 for our missing Mi 171 as opposed to 4420 was that in 2024 4420 was reported wearing its serial whereas 4428 did not wear a serial. Obviously, to be confirmed for 2025!

[Ian French]

March 2025 Scramble reports SMH-4420 as noted with a dash in its serial. Any ideas when and where this was seen?

[EvD]

Hi Ian,

It was reported with 61 Flight (part of 6sq) may24 (as per log in MAR JUN24).
Also, noted as such albeit only as an entry on a plan board by one of the group during your trip
That is why it is included as a c/n update (the c/n came from the plan board).

I do not know why there are no hyphens in the MAR log.
Most aircraft do have that hyphen in the serial. It is also used in documents/boards/paperwork.
As you can see, we have 'standardised' on the hyphen in our dbase.

I think that SMH-4428 is your missing bird.

rgds,
Erwin

[Ian French]

Many thanks Erwin. It sure seems like it.

My initial concern was how could I have missed it but that makes sense!

So, assuming our missing one is 4428, just for arguments sake, that should mean the only ones we did not see where 581 and 4420, ignoring the problematic 585!