VERY VERY OLD long shot

[chrisj]

HI ALL , a very old  (1973 ) long shot if anyone can please help !  I have searched various publications and a production list for the Magister , over the years and drawn a blank ! So here goes :-  On 10/01/73 whilst sitting in the sun at Akrotiri , Cyprus , two very clean Magisters arrived . I think on a delivery flight to some where . They were silver all over and national marks were a large upside down white triangle outlined in red . What could be serials were in what looked like large Arabic script to the side of the triangles .  By upside down I mean the apex was at the bottom .  I can not find any national markings like these and at one time thought they may be Libyan or delivery to an African nation but drew a blank .  Thanks in advance .  Chrisj

[keefyboy]

They could well be ex Austrian AF examples - 4 of which went to the Irish AC in 1975. Maybe your 2 were en route to Israel who also operated the type.
Cheers
Keith

[davebasing]

Hi Chris. Of the air forces that operated the Magister only Austria carried an inverted white triangle - or any sort of triangle - and it was indeed in a red circle as below. The aircraft were silver overall and the serial appeared either side of the roundel with 4D on one side and Y(followed by the individual aircraft letter) on the other. Austria operated 18 of them (including an aerobatic team the Silver Birds), and disposals of the survivors were to the air forces of Bangladesh, Biafra, Gabon and Ireland but none were disposed of at anywhere near the time of your sighting. One of those which went to Ireland was returned to Austria for preservation and is (minus its Austrian serial either side of the roundel) in the museum at Zeltweg. Sadly, it looks likely therefore that yours were indeed Austrian but were simply passing through for some reason rather than on delivery. There may however be someone out there who knows (there is a Cyprus enthusiast group at www.facebook.com/cyspotter).

Picture 116 by dave tompkins, on Flickr

[chrisj]

Thanks to everyone for the replies . Via a French site for the Magister , I had looked into various countries which may of used the Magister . The information might not of been total which can be the way of these things . The 'national makings' were a white upside down triangle outlined in red . The red was in the form of straight lines . Serial on each aircraft was Arabic type letters/digits . Now after seeing the photo supplied by Dave , I wonder if they could be ex Austrian with minimal change to the Austrian insignia and application of the Arabic type digits ! also I shall try that Cyprus group . Thanks . Chris

[seaharrierfa2]

Lebanon did receive some magisters. The roundel is the wrong way up though, apex at the top. Ie an upside down Austrian roundel. L-602 is a preserved one, alas I’ve only found camo pictures so far.

Bob

[chrisj]

Thanks Bob , suffice to say this was also looked into way back . Could be a task for coming long dark nights !! Chris