Aircraft related to search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (9M-MRO): March – April 2014

A list and photos of the aircraft related to the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO which disappeared on 8 March 2014, whilst operating flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people aboard.

The initial search focused on the area of last radio contact in the Gulf of Thailand, and was later expanded to include the Andaman Sea, Bay of Bengal and Malacca Strait. However, analysis of satellite ‘pings’ from the aircraft’s systems indicated that the aircraft had in fact flown to the southern Indian Ocean. As this was in Australia’s search and rescue zone, Australia then took the lead role in coordinating the search effort from 17 March 2014.

The first search flight was flown by a single RAAF Orion on 18 March 2014.

Search operations continued daily except for a full day suspension on 25 March 2014 and 27 April 2014, due to extremely bad weather in the search area. Search operations also ended early on 22 & 23 April 2014, due to bad weather from Tropical Cyclone Jack.

The final search flights were conducted on 28 April 2014, which was the same day that Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and head of the Joint Agency Coordination Centre Angus Houston announced at a press conference in Canberra that the air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 would cease, with the search would be moving into a new phase, focused on a wider sub-sea search.

On 29 April 2014, eight aircraft from seven nations involved in the search gathered at RAAF Pearce for a group photo with many of the military personnel, to mark the end of the Australian part of the air search for MH370. Aircraft in the photo were:

5037 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 3 Kokutai. (RESCUE 932)
NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 5 Squadron. (RESCUE 795)
168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of the US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’ (RESCUE 74/75)
21045 Ilyushin IL-76MD of People’s Liberation Army Air Force (China), 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment. (RESCUE 802)
M30-09 Lockheed C-130H-MP Hercules of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, 20 Skuadron. (RESCUE 281)
A30-003 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) of the Royal Australian Air Force, 2 Squadron. (RESCUE 108)
A9-… Lockheed AP-3C Orion of the Royal Australian Air Force, 11 Squadron. (RESCUE 102/103/104/105)
950905 Lockheed P-3C-III+ Orion of Republic of Korea Navy, 613 Navy Squadron (RESCUE 86).

Search aircraft commenced returning to the respective home bases from 29 April 2014.

Only one aircraft remains at RAAF Pearce as at 12 May 2014: A9-759 Lockheed AP-3C Orion of 10 Squadron, RAAF – this is on standby, in case any surface debris from MH370 is found by the ships searching the area.

This list and photos includes aircraft directly involved in the search, as well as support and other aircraft, visiting Perth Airport, RAAF Base Pearce, and RAAF Base Learmonth in Western Australia.

AAWA wishes to extend our sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of those aboard this tragic flight.

We also wish to acknowledge the difficult work of the search coordinators and especially the military and civilian aircrews (including State Emergency Service volunteers trained as air observers), who had to spend up to 12 hours aboard the aircraft in the search for any sign of MH370. Aircraft and crews from Australia, New Zealand, USA, China, South Korea, Japan and Malaysia worked together as part of the air search effort.

Registration / Serial / Code	Type	MSN	Operator	Call sign	NOTES
165834 / 834	Boeing C-40A Clipper	32598/1174	US Navy, VR-58 ‘Sunseekers’	CONVOY 7275	4 April 2014: Arrived Perth Airport from Darwin as CONVOY 7275. Believed to be bringing parts for the P-8s.5 April 2014: Departed back to Darwin on 5 April 2014 with same callsign.
168429 / LF-429	Boeing P-8A Poseidon	40809/3792	US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan (deployed from Jacksonville, Florida)	RESCUE 74 & RESCUE 75	Operated initially from Subang (Malaysia) as part of the search for MH370.18 March 2014: Arrived Perth Airport from Subang on as ‘MY102’. Operated from Perth Airport. Used callsign RESCUE 74 initially, but RESCUE 75 on 2 & 3 April 2014. 10 April 2014: Departed Perth Airport to Subang and Kadena Air Base (Japan) as ‘MY102’. 22 April 2014: Returned to Perth Airport from Kadena using callsign ‘AU104’, to replace 168439. 24 April 2014: 168429 flew its first mission for this second visit, as ‘RESCUE 75’. 28 April 2014: Flew its final search flight as RESCUE 74. Air search was officially called off the same day, but this aircraft completed its mission. 29 April 2014: Flew a short flight from Perth Airport to RAAF Pearce as RESCUE 74, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search. Returned to Perth Airport in the afternoon. 1 May 2014: Departed Perth to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU104’.
168430 / LF-430	Boeing P-8A Poseidon	40810/3879	US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan (deployed from Jacksonville, Florida)	RESCUE 74 & RESCUE 75	28 March 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport from Kadena as ‘TALON 101’. Operated from Perth Airport. Used callsign RESCUE 75 initially, but RESCUE 74 on 1 April 2014. Later had avionics problems. 7 April 2014: Conducted test flight Perth – Albany – Perth as ‘TALON 78’. 8 April 2014: Resumed search flights as RESCUE 75. 10 April 2014: Departed Perth Airport to Subang, Malaysia and Kadena Air Base, Japan as ‘TALON 101’.
168433 / LF-433	Boeing P-8A Poseidon	40813/4055	US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan (deployed from Jacksonville, Florida)	AU105	26 April 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport from Kadena using callsign ‘AU105’. Arrived fitted with underwing weapons pylons. Was intended to replace 168438, which left Perth for Kadena the same day. Remained parked at Perth Airport (never flew any search flights), as the search was suspended on 27 April 2014 due to bad weather, then the air search was called off on 28 April 2014. 1 May 2014: Departed Perth Airport to RAAF Darwin as ‘AU105’. Departure was delayed a few hours, due to technical issues.
168438 / LF-438	Boeing P-8A Poseidon	40818/4294	US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan (deployed from Jacksonville, Florida)	RESCUE 74 / RESCUE 75	10 April 2014: Arrived Perth Airport from Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU103’. Operated from Perth Airport. 11 April 2014: First search flight conducted, using callsign ‘RESCUE 74’. Later also used callsign ‘RESCUE 75’. 26 April 2014: Departed Perth Airport to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU103’. Replaced by another P-8, 168433, which arrived the same day.
168439 / LF-439	Boeing P-8A Poseidon	40819/4331	US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan (deployed from Jacksonville, Florida)	RESCUE 74 / RESCUE 75	6 April 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport from Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU102’. Operated from Perth Airport. 7 April 2014: First search flight, using callsign ‘RESCUE 74’. Later also used ‘RESCUE 75’ callsign. 22 April 2014: Departed Perth Airport to Kadena Air Base (Japan), using callsign ‘AU102’. Replaced by 168429, which arrived at Perth the same day.
950905	Lockheed P-3C-III+ Orion	285K-5834	Republic of Korea Navy, 613 Navy Squadron, Pohang Air Base, South Korea.	RESCUE 86	25 March 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from Subang, Malaysia, as ‘RESCUE 86’. Operated from Pearce. 29 April 2014: Was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search. 1 May 2014: Departed RAAF Pearce to RAAF Darwin as ‘KOREAN NAVY 905’.
05-183	Lockheed C-130H Hercules	382-5183	Republic of Korea Air Force, 5 TATW/251st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Gimhae Air Base, South Korea.	RESCUE 87	25 March 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from Subang, Malaysia, as ‘RESCUE 87’. Operated from Pearce. 11 April 2014: Departed RAAF Pearce to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, using callsign ‘ARG 102’.
A9-658	Lockheed AP-3C Orion	285D-5782	RAAF, 11 Sqn, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA	For the RAAF Orions, callsigns refer to crews, and may be used on any of the available aircraft. Callsigns used include RESCUE 102, RESCUE 103, RESCUE 104, and RESCUE 105. RAAF Orions rotated through Pearce to keep flight hours balanced throughout the fleet, due to higher than normal utilisation on search operations. 28 April 2014: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that although air search operations have ceased, one RAAF Orion (A9-759) would be kept on standby at RAAF Pearce, in case the marine search discovers any surface debris from MH370.29 April 2014: One RAAF Orion of 11 Squadron was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search.29 April 2014: An unidentified 10 Squadron Orion departed RAAF Pearce as ‘STRIKER 30’ to RAAF Edinburgh.30 April 2014: An unidentified 11 Squadron Orion departed RAAF Pearce as ‘SHEPHERD 12’ to RAAF Edinburgh.	Operated from Pearce.Arrival and departure details unknown.
A9-659	Lockheed AP-3C Orion	285D-5784	RAAF, 11 Sqn, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA		Operated from Pearce.Arrival and departure details unknown.
A9-662	Lockheed AP-3C Orion	285D-5789	RAAF, 11 Sqn, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA		Operated from Pearce. Later grounded due to cracked windscreen. Subsequently repaired and returned to search operations. Arrival and departure details unknown.
A9-664	Lockheed AP-3C Orion	285D-5793	RAAF, 11 Sqn, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA		Operated from Pearce.Arrival and departure details unknown.
A9-751	Lockheed AP-3C Orion	285D-5657	RAAF, 10 Sqn, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA		Operated from Pearce.Arrival and departure details unknown.
A9-752	Lockheed AP-3C Orion	285D-5658	RAAF, 10 Sqn, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA		Operated from Pearce.Arrival and departure details unknown.
A9-753	Lockheed AP-3C Orion	285D-5660	RAAF, 10 Sqn, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA		Operated from Pearce. Arrival and departure details unknown.
A9-759	Lockheed AP-3C Orion	285D-5674	RAAF, 10 Sqn, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA		Operated from Pearce. ‘20,000 Operational Hours’ logo on the left side of nose – this was one of two Orions (the other was A9-665) deployed to Al Minhad Air Base (UAE) for operations over Afghanistan. They achieved 20,000 operational hours in the Middle East theatre of operations on 15 August 2011. 31 March 2014: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott had his photo taken in front of this aircraft when he visited RAAF Pearce to thank aircrews for their efforts in the air search for MH370. Still at RAAF Pearce on standby, in case the sea search discovers any surface debris from MH370.
A30-001	Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES)	33474/1245	RAAF, 2 Sqn, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW	RESCUE 107	3 April 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport from RAAF Williamtown using callsign ‘MITCHELL 11’. Departed back to RAAF Williamtown same day, using same callsign.4 April 2014: Arrived back at Perth Airport from RAAF Williamtown using callsign ‘MITCHELL 12’. 5 April 2014: Operated from Perth Airport from 5 April 2014. Used callsign RESCUE 107. Used as a coordination and communications relay aircraft for search activities. 7 April 2014: Departed Perth Airport to RAAF Williamtown using callsign ‘MITCHELL 11’. Replaced by A30-006, which arrived at Perth the same day.
A30-002	Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES)	33542/1232	RAAF, 2 Sqn, RAAF Williamtown, NSW	WEDGETAIL 13 WEDGETAIL 01 MITCHELL 02	13 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Learmonth from RAAF Edinburgh as WEDGETAIL 13. 14 April 2014: Departed RAAF Learmonth to RAAF Williamtown as WEDGETAIL 13. 24 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Learmonth from RAAF Williamtown as WEDGETAIL 01. 25 April 2014: Departed RAAF Learmonth to RAAF Williamtown as ‘MITCHELL 02’.
A30-003	Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES)	33476/1810	RAAF, 2 Sqn, RAAF Williamtown, NSW	RESCUE 108	18 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Learmonth from RAAF Williamtown, using callsign ‘MITCHELL 7’. 19 April 2014: Coordination and communications relay aircraft for search activities – used callsign RESCUE 108 from 19 April 2014. 29 April 2014: Flew from RAAF Learmonth to RAAF Pearce as callsign ‘MITCHELL 10’, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search. Departed RAAF Pearce in the afternoon, direct to RAAF Williamtown as ‘MITCHELL 10’.
A30-005	Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES)	33896/1934	RAAF, 2 Sqn, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW	RESCUE 106	31 March 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport from RAAF Williamtown using callsign ‘MITCHELL 10’. Operated from Perth Airport. Coordination and communications relay aircraft for search activities using callsign ‘RESCUE 106’. 8 April 2014: Departed Perth Airport to RAAF Learmonth, to operate search coordination flights from there, as this was closer to the search area. 30 April 2014: Departed RAAF Learmonth to RAAF Williamtown as ‘WEDGETAIL 07’.
A30-006	Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES)	33987/1991	RAAF, 2 Sqn, RAAF Williamtown, NSW	RESCUE 107	7 April 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport from RAAF Williamtown using callsign ‘MITCHELL 1’. Arrived to replace A30-001. 8 April 2014: Operated from Perth Airport as coordination and communications relay aircraft for search activities, using callsign RESCUE 107 9 April 2014: Departed Perth Airport to RAAF Learmonth, to operate search coordination flights from there,as this was closer to the search area. 19 April 2014: Departed RAAF Learmonth to RAAF Williamtown, using callsign ‘MITCHELL 7’.
A32-426	Beech B300 King Air 350	FL-426	RAAF, 38 Sqn, RAAF Townsville, QLD	DINGO 47 & DINGO 33	25 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from RAAF Townsville via Ayers Rock as ‘DINGO 47’. Used as a support/liaison aircraft, operating between RAAF Pearce and RAAF Learmonth. 27 April 2014: Flew first support flight as ‘DINGO 33’. 30 April 2014: Departed RAAF Pearce to Alice Springs then RAAF Townsville, as ‘DINGO 47’.
A32-439	Beech B300 King Air 350	FL-439	RAAF, 38 Sqn, RAAF Townsville, QLD	DINGO 51	28 March 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport. Used as a support/liaison aircraft. 3 April 2014: Last noted in Perth/Pearce area. Presumed to have returned to RAAF Townsville.
A32-670	Beech B300 King Air 350	FL-670	RAAF, 38 Sqn, RAAF Townsville, QLD	DINGO 33	8 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce. Used as a support/liaison aircraft between RAAF Pearce and RAAF Learmonth. 24 April 2014: Departed RAAF Pearce to Alice Springs, then its home base at RAAF Townsville, as ‘DINGO 33’.
A36-002	Boeing 737-7DT (BBJ)	30790/613	RAAF, 34 Sqn, RAAF Fairbairn, Canberra, ACT	ENVOY 09 ENVOY 24	30 March 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport from Canberra using callsign ENVOY 09. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was aboard. He visited RAAF Pearce the next day to thank search aircrews, but was also in Perth to support the Liberal Party campaign for the Senate Election. 1 April 2014: Departed Perth Airport to Melbourne as ENVOY 09. 3 April 2014: Returned to Perth Airport from Canberra as ENVOY 24, to collect Prime Minister Tony Abbott, after he met with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who visited RAAF Pearce that day to thank search aircrews and received an update on progress. A36-002 departed back to Canberra the same day as ENVOY 24.
A41-206	Boeing C-17A Globemaster III	F-166/AUS-1	RAAF, 36 Sqn, RAAF Amberley, QLD	STALLION 66 (3/4 April 2014) STALLION 15 (7 April 2014)	3 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce as ‘STALLION 66’. 4 April 2014: Departed to RAAF Edinburgh as ‘STALLION 66’. 7 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Learmonth as ‘STALLION 15’. Departure details unknown.
A41-208	Boeing C-17A Globemaster III	F-183/AUS-3	RAAF, 36 Sqn, RAAF Amberley, QLD	STALLION 74	28 March 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from Naval Air Station Nowra, NSW, with Royal Australian Navy Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter N24-006/(8)75 aboard. The Seahawk was for the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) which later departed HMAS Stirling at Garden Island, WA to join in the surface search for MH370. Photos of the C-17 arriving at RAAF Pearce and offloading the Seahawk. 29 March 2014: A41-208 departed RAAF Pearce to RAAF Amberley.
A41-209	Boeing C-17A Globemaster III	F174/P209/AUS-4	RAAF, 36 Sqn, RAAF Amberley, QLD	STALLION 35	21 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from RAAF Edinburgh as STALLION 35. Providing logistics support for the RAAF Orions deployed to Pearce. 22 April 2014: Departed RAAF Pearce to RAAF Edinburgh as STALLION 35.
A97-442	Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules	382-5442	RAAF, 37 Sqn, RAAF Base Richmond, NSW	RESCUE 160	19 March 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from RAAF Richmond via RAAF Edinburgh as ‘AUSY 481’. Operated from Pearce as ‘RESCUE 160’ – manually dropped four self-locating data marker buoys from the rear ramp. The buoys descended with to the sea surface on parachutes and then transmitted ocean current data and drift patterns to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority via satellite. 21 March 2014: Departed RAAF Pearce as ‘AUSY 481’.
A97-449	Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules	382-5449	RAAF, 37 Sqn, RAAF Base Richmond, NSW	TROJAN 35	7 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from RAAF Williamtown as TROJAN 35. Departed RAAF Pearce to RAAF Edinburgh. 8 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Learmonth from RAAF Edinburgh as TROJAN 35. 9 April 2014: Departed to Richmond?
A97-465	Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules	382-5465	RAAF, 37 Sqn, RAAF Base Richmond, NSW	TROJAN 01	14 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from RAAF Edinburgh. Presumably carrying logistics support for RAAF Orions. 15 April 2014: Departed Pearce to RAAF Edinburgh.
N24-006 / (8)75	Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk	70-0480	RAN, 816 Sqn ‘Tigers’, NAS Nowra, NSW.	TIGER 75	28 March 2014: Arrived at Pearce at 6:15pm aboard A41-208 Boeing C-17A Globemaster III of 36 Sqn, RAAF, arriving from Naval Air Station Nowra, NSW, . The Seahawk was for the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) which later departed HMAS Stirling at Garden Island, WA to join in the surface search for MH370. Photos of the C-17 arriving at RAAF Pearce and offloading the Seahawk. Photos of N24-006 / (8)75 aboard HMAS Toowoomba during the search operations
9M-NAA	Airbus A319-115X CJ	2949	Malaysian Government (operated by Jet Premier One (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd)	NR 1	2 April 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport late at night from Subang, Malaysia, with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak aboard, using callsign ‘NOVEMBER ROMEO 1″ (the PM’s initials). 3 April 2014: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak visited RAAF Pearce in the morning to thank the aircrews conducting the search for MH370, and later received an update on search operations at the Joint Agency Coordination Centre, together with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Departed Perth that afternoon with the Malaysian PM aboard, direct to Hanoi (Vietnam), where the Malaysian PM started a brief official visit.
M30-09	Lockheed C-130H-MP Hercules	382-4866	Royal Malaysian Air Force, 20 Skuadron, Subang Air Base, Malaysia	RESCUE 281	6 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce using callsign ‘RMF462’. 8/9 April 2014: Noted using callsign ‘RESCUE 281’ from RAAF Learmonth and RAAF Pearce. 29 April 2014: Was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the search. Later that night, departed RAAF Pearce to Jakarta-Halim (Indonesia) and Subang (Malaysia), using callsign ‘RMF460A’.
M30-12	Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules	382-5277	Royal Malaysian Air Force, 20 Skuadron, Subang Air Base, Malaysia	RESCUE 281	29 March 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from Jakarta-Halim using callsign ‘RMF460A’. Also shows as callsign ‘ALLIED 1’ on SBS logs (ADS-B hexcode 7500D2). 29 April 2014: Conducted a one-hour test flight from RAAF Pearce at 1245-1345. Did not fly again until it departed Pearce. 9 May 2014: Departed Pearce at 11:18pm to Jakarta-Halim (Indonesia) and Subang (Malaysia). Callsign unknown. Arrived back at Subang at 11am on 10 May 2014.
M30-16	Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules	382-5319	Royal Malaysian Air Force, 20 Skuadron, Subang Air Base, Malaysia	RESCUE 282	29 March 2014: Arrived Pearce from Jakarta-Halim on using callsign ‘RMF460B’. 29 April 2014: Conducted a one-hour test flight from RAAF Pearce at 1245-1345. Later that night, departed RAAF Pearce to Jakarta-Halim (Indonesia) and Subang (Malaysia), using callsign ‘RMF460B’.
NZ4203	Lockheed P-3K2 Orion	185-5200	RNZAF, 5 Sqn, RNZAF Base Auckland, New Zealand	RESCUE 795	18 March 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from Butterworth Air Base (Penang, Malaysia) using callsign ‘KIWI 795’, but later departed back to Butterworth and Dubai, then the UK for an exercise. Replaced by NZ4204, which used the same callsign.
NZ4204	Lockheed P-3K2 Orion	185-5202	RNZAF, 5 Sqn, RNZAF Base Auckland, New Zealand	RESCUE 795	19 March 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce as ‘KIWI 027’, replaced NZ4203. Operated from Pearce as RESCUE 795. 29 April 2014: Was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the search. 30 April 2014: Departed RAAF Pearce to RAAF Richmond as ‘KIWI 795’. 1 May 2014: Departed RAAF Richmond to RNZAF Whenuapai, New Zealand.
20541	Ilyushin IL-76MD	0083486570	PLAAF, 13^th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Dangyang, China	RESCUE 801	22 March 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport as ‘China Air Force 541’. After half an hour on ground, flew to RAAF Pearce for a formal welcome by Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss. Media incorrectly reported that the landing at Perth was a mistake. Could not operate from Pearce with full fuel load. 24 March 2014: Returned to Perth Airport in the early hours of the morning on 24 March to refuel and commence search ops as ‘RESCUE 801’. Operated from Perth Airport from then onwards – usually one of the two IL-76s flew on each day of the search. Departed Perth Airport to Subang, Malaysia on 3 May 2014 as ‘China Air Force 541’.
21045	Ilyushin IL-76MD	1033416524	PLAAF, 13^th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Dangyang, China	RESCUE 802	22 March 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport as ‘China Air Force 045’. After half an hour on ground, flew to RAAF Pearce for a formal welcome by Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss. Media incorrectly reported that the landing at Perth was a mistake. Could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load. 24 March 2014: Returned to Perth Airport in the early hours of the morning on 24 March to refuel and commence search ops as ‘RESCUE 802’. Operated from Perth Airport from then onwards – usually one of the two IL-76s flew on each day of the search. 29 April 2014: Flew a short flight from Perth Airport to RAAF Pearce as RESCUE 802, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the search. Returned to Perth Airport in the afternoon. Departed Perth Airport to Subang, Malaysia on 3 May 2014 as ‘China Air Force 045’.
5031	Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion	9028	JMSDF, 3 Kokutai, Atsugi NAS, Japan	RESCUE 931 (from 12 April)	9 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from Subang Air Base, Malaysia as ‘Japan Navy 31’. 5031 & 5037 arrived as replacements for 5056 & 5060, which departed RAAF Pearce on 11 April 2014. Operated from RAAF Pearce as RESCUE 931. 12 April 2014: Operated first search flight. 30 April 2014: Departed RAAF Pearce to Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore as ‘Japan Navy 31’.
5037	Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion	9034	JMSDF, 3 Kokutai, Atsugi NAS, Japan	RESCUE 932 (from 12 April)	9 April 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from Subang Air Base, Malaysia as ‘Japan Navy 37’. 5031 & 5037 arrived as replacements for 5056 & 5060, which departed RAAF Pearce on 11 April 2014. Operated from RAAF Pearce as RESCUE 932. 12 April 2014: Operated first search flight. 29 April 2014: Was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the search. 30 April 2014: Departed RAAF Pearce to Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore as ‘Japan Navy 37’.
5056	Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion	9053	JMSDF, 5 Kokutai, Naha Air Base, Okinawa, Japan	RESCUE 931	23 March 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from Subang (Malaysia) as ‘Japan Navy 56’. Operated from RAAF Pearce as RESCUE 931. 5056 & 5060 were replaced by 5031 & 5037, which arrived on 9 April 2014. 11 April 2014: 5056 departed RAAF Pearce as ‘Japan Navy 56’ to Subang (Malaysia). 12 April 2014: Departed Subang to Japan.
5060	Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion	9057	JMSDF, 5 Kokutai, Naha Air Base, Okinawa, Japan	RESCUE 932	23 March 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from Subang (Malaysia) as ‘Japan Navy 60’. Operated from Pearce as RESCUE 932. 5056 & 5060 were replaced by 5031 & 5037, which arrived on 9 April 2014. 11 April 2014: 5060 departed RAAF Pearce as ‘Japan Navy 60’ to Subang (Malaysia). 12 April 2014: Departed Subang to Japan.
JA500A / LAJ500	Gulfstream Aerospace U-4 (G-V) “Umi Washi” (Sea Eagle)	683	Japan Coast Guard, 3^rd Region, Tokyo-Haneda Airport, Japan	RESCUE 933	The U-4 is a maritime patrol version of the G-V, equipped with a Thales high performance maritime surveillance radar and FLIR system. 26 March 2014: Arrived at RAAF Pearce from Subang Air Base, Malaysia using callsign ‘JA500A’. Operated from Pearce as RESCUE 933. 3 April 2014: Departed back to Japan as ‘JA500A’.
N794CK	Boeing 747-222B(SF)	23737/675	Kalitta Air	CONNIE 562 CONNIE 9201	26 March 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport from Hong Kong as CONNIE 562. Delivered the US Navy’s Bluefin-21 (TPL-25) Towed Pinger Locater from New York-JFK via Anchorage (Alaska) and Hong Kong. This was towed behind the Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Ocean Shield, to try to locate the beacon on the Flight Data Recorder of MH370. 27 March 2014: Departed back to Hong Kong as CONNIE 9201. From Hong Kong, it flew to Khabarovsk as CONNIE 827, then to Anchorage, Chicago O’Hare and New York-JFK.
RA-76950	Ilyushin IL-76TD-90VD	2053420697	Volga-Dnepr Airlines	AUSY 106	8 May 2014: Arrived into Perth Airport as flight ‘ASY106’, on an Australian Defence Force charter flight from Al Minhad Air Base, UAE with stops at Male (Maldives) and Cocos Keeling Island. Carrying search and rescue equipment. 9 May 2014: Departed Perth Airport to RAAF Edinburgh. The search and rescue equipment was to be loaded onto a ship at Adelaide. 10 May 2014: Departed RAAF Edinburgh to Sultan Johor Bahru (Malaysia) as flight ‘VDA106’.
VH-ICV	Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS	9393	ExecuJet Australia Pty Ltd	ICV	21 March 2014: Arrived in Perth from Subang (Kuala Lumpur), after completing charters unrelated to the MH370 search. Civilian search aircraft. Operated from Perth on search flights for two days. 23 March 2014: Departed Perth to Sydney.
VH-LAL	Gulfstream Aerospace G550 (GV-SP)	5259	Little Aviation Pty Ltd	LAL	22 March 2014: Arrived in Perth from Essendon. Civilian search aircraft. Operated from Perth. 28 March 2014: Departed Perth to Essendon. 30 March 2014: Again chartered by AMSA, to search for a fishing support vessel after an emergency beacon was detected about 3,200 km SW of Perth – the aircraft flew Essendon direct to the search area and returned to Perth. An RAAF Orion involved in the MH370 search was also re-tasked to this search. 31 March 2014: VH-LAL returned to Essendon. 3 April 2014: Returned to Perth to conduct more search flights. 10 April 2014: Departed Perth to Essendon?
VH-LAW	Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS	9299	Walker Air Service	LAW	Named “Spirit of Kokomo”. 3 April 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport from Sydney. Civilian search aircraft. Operated from Perth Airport on search operations from 3 April 2014. 10 April 2014: Departed Perth to Sydney.
VH-OCV	Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS	9326	ExecuJet Australia Pty Ltd	OCV	22 March 2014: Arrived in Perth from Subang (Kuala Lumpur) after completing charters unrelated to the MH370 search. Civilian search aircraft. Operated from Perth on search flights until 30 March 2014. 30 March 2014: Stayed in Perth on other charter flights unrelated to the MH370 search.
VH-PPD	Dassault Falcon 900C	185	Maxem Aviation Pty Ltd	PPD	Civilian search aircraft. Normally based at Perth. 3 April 2014: Chartered for search flights. Departed Perth for Carnarvon. Operated from Learmonth (refuelling at Learmonth and Carnarvon). 8 April 2014: Returned to Perth for a rest day on 9 April. 10 April 2014: Resumed search flights from Learmonth.
VH-TGG	Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS	9368	ExecuJet Australia Pty Ltd	TGG	Civilian search aircraft. 21 March 2014: Flew from Essendon to Adelaide, to collect spare aircrew, then to Perth. Operated from Perth. 30 March 2014: Departed Perth to Essendon.
VH-VHD	Airbus A319-115CJ	1999	Skytraders Pty Ltd	SNOWBIRD 1	Civilian search aircraft. 22 March 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport from Darwin. Operated from Perth. 23 March 2014: First search flight. 28 March 2014: Departed Perth to Darwin.
VH-VRE	Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604	5561	ExecuJet Australia Pty Ltd	VRE	Civilian search aircraft. 14 April 2014: Arrived at Perth from Ravensthorpe after a charter unrelated to the search for MH370. 15 April 2014: Commenced operating search flights 17 April 2014: Final search flight. Remained at Perth.
VH-VSZ	Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604	5411	ExecuJet Australia Pty Ltd	VSZ	Civilian search aircraft. 6 April 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport from Sydney. 7 April 2014: Flew to Learmonth and operated from from Perth Airport and Learmonth (returning to Perth every second night). 16 April 2014: Final search flight. 17 April 2014: Departed Perth Airport to Sydney.
ZK-KFB	Gulfstream G650	6043	ExecuJet New Zealand Ltd	ZK-KFB	25 March 2014: Arrived at Perth Airport, direct from Wellington, New Zealand. Civilian search and communications relay aircraft. Operated from Perth. 16 April 2014: Departed Perth direct to Wellington, NZ.

MV Hai Xun 01 entering Fremantle Harbour at 10:16 am Saturday 14 June 2014
This is China’s largest patrol vessel, operated by the China Coast Guard, and has been Involved
in the search for the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 that went missing on 8th March 2014
Photo © Keith Anderson

Chines PLA-Navy ship Zhu Kezhen (872) leaving Fremantle Harbour at 10:13 am Saturday 14 June 2014
This ship has been conducting a bathymetric survey (mapping the ocean floor) in the southern Indian Ocean in the hopes of finding the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370
Photo © Keith Anderson

RA-76950 Ilyushin IL-76TD-90VD (MSN 2053420697) of Volga-Dnepr Airlines, named 'Vladimir Kokkinaki', at Perth Airport – Fri 9 May 2014. Photo © Steve Jaksic — RA-76950 Ilyushin IL-76TD-90VD (MSN 2053420697) of Volga-Dnepr Airlines, named ‘Vladimir Kokkinaki’, at Perth Airport – Fri 9 May 2014.
Seen during pushback and engine start at 10:50, preparing to depart Perth to RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia. The aircraft arrived the previous day (8 May 2014) on an Australian Defence Force charter flight from Al Minhad Air Base, UAE with stops at Male (Maldives) and Cocos Keeling Island, using callsign ‘AUSY 106’, carrying search and rescue equipment associated with the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Upon arriving at RAAF Edinburgh, the search and rescue equipment was to be loaded onto a ship at Adelaide. On 10 May 2014, the IL-76 departed RAAF Edinburgh to Johor Bahru (Malaysia) as flight VDA107.
Photo © Steve Jaksic

RA-76950 Ilyushin IL-76TD-90VD (MSN 2053420697) of Volga-Dnepr Airlines, named 'Vladimir Kokkinaki', at Perth Airport – Fri 9 May 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — RA-76950 Ilyushin IL-76TD-90VD (MSN 2053420697) of Volga-Dnepr Airlines , named ‘Vladimir Kokkinaki’, at Perth Airport – Fri 9 May 2014.
Taking off from runway 21 at 11:07 to RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia. The aircraft arrived the previous day (8 May 2014) on an Australian Defence Force charter flight from Al Minhad Air Base, UAE with stops at Male (Maldives) and Cocos Keeling Island, using callsign ‘AUSY 106’, carrying search and rescue equipment associated with the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Upon arriving at RAAF Edinburgh, the search and rescue equipment was to be loaded onto a ship at Adelaide. On 10 May 2014, the IL-76 departed RAAF Edinburgh to Johor Bahru (Malaysia) as flight VDA107.
Photo © Keith Anderson

20541 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 0083486570) of the 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) (China), at Perth Airport – Sat 3 May 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — 20541 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 0083486570) of the 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) (China), at Perth Airport – Sat 3 May 2014.
Taking off from runway 21 at 08:26, departing back to China via Subang, Malaysia as ‘CHINA AIR FORCE 541’. . It was one of two PLAAF IL-76MD aircraft deployed to Perth Airport for the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Usually, one IL-76 operated a search flight each day, and they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. This first arrived at Perth Airport on 22 March 2014, arriving from Sungai Besi Air Base, Malaysia, as ‘CHINA AIR FORCE 541’. Flew its first search mission on 24 March 2014, and used callsign ‘RESCUE 801’. 20541 was built in 1988, ex CCCP-78761 (Soviet AF), EW-78761 (Belarus AF), 27601 (PLAAF).
Photo © Keith Anderson

21045 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 1033416524) of the 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), at Perth Airport – Sat 3 May 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — 21045 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 1033416524) of the 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), at Perth Airport – Sat 3 May 2014.
Taking off from runway 21 at 08:31 to Subang, Malaysia and then home to China, as ‘CHINA AIR FORCE 045’. This aircraft first arrived at Perth Airport on 22 March 2014, arriving from Sungai Besi Air Base, Malaysia using callsign ‘CHINA AIR FORCE 045’. It was one of two PLAAF IL-76MD aircraft deployed to Perth Airport for the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Usually, one IL-76 operated a search flight each day, and they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. 21045 flew its first search flight on 24 March 2014, and used the callsign ‘RESCUE 802’. The air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was called off on 28 April 2014. To mark the end of the air search, 21045 made a short flight on 29 April 2014 from Perth Airport to RAAF Pearce as ‘RESCUE 802’, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, before returning to Perth Airport in the afternoon. Built in 1993, ex B-4034 (China United Airlines).
Photo © Keith Anderson

168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) and 168433 / LF-433 (MSN 40813/4055) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, US Navy, at Perth Airport – Thu 1 May 2014. Photo © Wilson — 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) and 168433 / LF-433 (MSN 40813/4055) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, US Navy, at Perth Airport – Thu 1 May 2014
On southern end of Terminal 2 apron at 08:33, next to VH-FNB Fokker 50 of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, still in Skywest Airlines livery.
168429: First arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. It flew the first P-8 search flight in the Australia-based search for MH370. 168429 used callsign RESCUE 74 or RESCUE 75 during search operations. On 10 April 2014, it departed Perth Airport to Subang and Kadena Air Base (Japan) using callsign ‘MY102’, having been replaced by another P-8 from Kadena. On 22 April 2014, it returned to Perth Airport from Kadena using callsign ‘AU104’, to replace 168439. The air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was called off on 28 April 2014 and 168429 flew the final P-8 search flight that day as ‘RESCUE 74’. To mark the end of the air search, 168429 made a short flight on 29 April 2014 from Perth Airport to RAAF Pearce as ‘RESCUE 74’, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, before returning to Perth Airport that afternoon. It departed Perth today at 10:23am to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU104’.
168433: Arrived at Perth to participate in the air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. 168433 is based at Jacksonville NAS, Florida, but deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan. It first arrived at Perth Airport on 26 April 2014 from Kadena. The P-8s were based at Perth Airport as they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. 168433 arrived fitted with underwing weapons pylons – the only P-8 to visit Perth with these. It was intended to replace 168438, which left Perth for Kadena the same day. However, 168433 remained parked at Perth Airport and never flew any search flights, as the search was suspended on 27 April 2014 due to bad weather, then the air search was called off on 28 April 2014. 168433 departed today at 12:04pm, flying back to Kadena using callsign ‘AU105’.
Photo © Wilson

168433 / LF-433 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40813/4055) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Thu 1 May 2014. Photo © Wilson — 168433 / LF-433 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40813/4055) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Thu 1 May 2014.
At Terminal 2 apron at 8:25am, next to 168429. It arrived at Perth to participate in the air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. 168433 is based at Jacksonville NAS, Florida, but deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan. It first arrived at Perth Airport on 26 April 2014 from Kadena. The P-8s were based at Perth Airport as they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. 168433 arrived fitted with underwing weapons pylons – the only P-8 to visit Perth with these. It was intended to replace 168438, which left Perth for Kadena the same day. However, 168433 remained parked at Perth Airport and never flew any search flights, as the search was suspended on 27 April 2014 due to bad weather, then the air search was called off on 28 April 2014. 168433 departed on 1 May 2014 at 12:04, flying back to Kadena using callsign ‘AU105’.
Photo © Wilson

168429 / LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, US Navy, at Perth Airport – Thu 1 May 2014. Photo © Wilson — 168429 / LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, US Navy, at Perth Airport – Thu 1 May 2014
On southern end of Terminal 2 apron at 08:27. First arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. It also flew the first P-8 search flight in the Australia-based search for MH370. 168429 used callsign RESCUE 74 or RESCUE 75 during search operations. On 10 April 2014, it departed Perth Airport to Subang and Kadena Air Base (Japan) using callsign ‘MY102’, having been replaced by another P-8 from Kadena. On 22 April 2014, it returned to Perth Airport from Kadena using callsign ‘AU104’, to replace 168439. The air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was called off on 28 April 2014 and 168429 flew the final P-8 search flight that day as ‘RESCUE 74’. To mark the end of the air search, 168429 made a short flight on 29 April 2014 from Perth Airport to RAAF Pearce as ‘RESCUE 74’, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, before returning to Perth Airport that afternoon. It departed Perth on 1 May 2014 at 10:23am to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU104’.
Photo © Wilson

168429 / LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Thu 1 May 2014. Photo © Steve Jaksic — 168429 / LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Thu 1 May 2014.
Heading back home after the conclusion of the air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Seen here after take-off from runway 21 at 10:23am, departing Perth Airport to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU104’. 168429 is based at Jacksonville NAS, Florida, but deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan. It first arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. The P-8s were based at Perth Airport as they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. 168429 initially used the call sign RESCUE 74, and later RESCUE 74 or RESCUE 75 during search operations. On 10 April 2014, it departed Perth Airport to Subang and Kadena Air Base (Japan) using callsign ‘MY102′, having been replaced by another P-8 from Kadena. On 22 April 2014, it returned to Perth Airport from Kadena using callsign ‘AU104′, to replace 168439. The air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was called off on 28 April 2014 and 168429 flew the final P-8 search flight that day as ‘RESCUE 74’. It also flew the first P-8 search flight in the Australia-based search for MH370. To mark the end of the air search, 168429 made a short flight on 29 April 2014 from Perth Airport to RAAF Pearce as ‘RESCUE 74’, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, before returning to Perth Airport that afternoon.
Photo © Steve Jaksic

168429 / LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Thu 1 May 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 168429 / LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Thu 1 May 2014.
Heading back home after the conclusion of the air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Seen here after take-off from runway 21 at 10:23am, departing Perth Airport to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU104’. 168429 is based at Jacksonville NAS, Florida, but deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan. It first arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. The P-8s were based at Perth Airport as they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. 168429 initially used the call sign RESCUE 74, and later RESCUE 74 or RESCUE 75 during search operations. On 10 April 2014, it departed Perth Airport to Subang and Kadena Air Base (Japan) using callsign ‘MY102′, having been replaced by another P-8 from Kadena. On 22 April 2014, it returned to Perth Airport from Kadena using callsign ‘AU104′, to replace 168439. The air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was called off on 28 April 2014 and 168429 flew the final P-8 search flight that day as ‘RESCUE 74’. It also flew the first P-8 search flight in the Australia-based search for MH370. To mark the end of the air search, 168429 made a short flight on 29 April 2014 from Perth Airport to RAAF Pearce as ‘RESCUE 74’, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, before returning to Perth Airport that afternoon.
Photo © David Eyre

168433 / LF-433 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40813/4055) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Thu 1 May 2014. Photo © Steve Jaksic — 168433 / LF-433 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40813/4055) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Thu 1 May 2014.
Heading back home after the conclusion of the air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Seen here after take-off from runway 21 at 12:04pm, departing Perth Airport to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU105’. 168433 is based at Jacksonville NAS, Florida, but deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan. It first arrived at Perth Airport on 26 April 2014 from Kadena. The P-8s were based at Perth Airport as they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. 168433 arrived fitted with underwing weapons pylons – the only P-8 to visit Perth with these. It was intended to replace 168438, which left Perth for Kadena the same day. However, 168433 remained parked at Perth Airport and never flew any search flights, as the search was suspended on 27 April 2014 due to bad weather, then the air search was called off on 28 April 2014. 168433’s departure was delayed a few hours due to technical issues.
Photo © Steve Jaksic

NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion (MSN 185-5202) of 5 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 30 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion (MSN 185-5202) of 5 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 30 April 2014.
Heading back home after the conclusion of the air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Seen here after take-off from runway 18L at 8:48am, departing RAAF Pearce to RAAF Richmond, New South Wales, using callsign ‘KIWI 795’. The aircraft then overnighted at Richmond and the following day (1 May 2014), it departed RAAF Richmond to RNZAF Whenuapai, New Zealand. This aircraft is home-based at RNZAF Base Auckland, New Zealand, and first arrived at RAAF Pearce on 19 March 2014 using callsign ‘KIWI 027’ – it replaced another RNZAF Orion, NZ4203, which had to depart to participate in a military exercise. NZ4204 used the callsign ‘RESCUE 795’ on search flights. The air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was officially called off on 28 April 2014 and on 29 April 2014, NZ4204 was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search. Around 40 RNZAF personnel were involved in the search over 53 days, completing 27 flights, spent 100 hours on search, and a total of 276 hours flying. The P-3K2 searched around 1.5 million square kilometres of the Southern Indian Ocean, an area about eight times the size of New Zealand, at an estimated cost of NZ$1.2 million.
Photo © David Eyre

5031 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9028) of 3 Kokutai, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 30 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 5031 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9028) of 3 Kokutai, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 30 April 2014.
Heading back home after the conclusion of the air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Seen here after take-off from runway 18L at 9:02am, departing RAAF Pearce to Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, and then Japan, using callsign ‘JAPAN NAVY 31’. The aircraft is based at Atsugi NAS, Japan. 5031 first arrived at RAAF Pearce on 9 April 2014, arriving from Subang Air Base, Malaysia using callsign ‘JAPAN NAVY 31’. JMSDF Orions 5031 and 5037 arrived as replacements for 5056 and 5060, which departed RAAF Pearce on 11 April 2014, so for a couple of days there were four Japanese Orions at Pearce. 5031 operated its first search flight from RAAF Pearce on 12 April 2014 as ‘RESCUE 931’, taking over the callsign previously used by 5056. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014. The Japanese aircraft flew a combined 46 missions, or the equivalent of 400 hours, over the seas off Malaysia and Australia.
Photo © David Eyre

5037 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9034) of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 3 Kokutai, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 30 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 5037 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9034) of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 3 Kokutai, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 30 April 2014.
Heading back home after the conclusion of the air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Seen here after take-off from runway 18L at 9:04am, departing RAAF Pearce to Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, and then Japan, using callsign ‘JAPAN NAVY 37’. The aircraft is based at Atsugi NAS, Japan.
5037 first arrived at RAAF Pearce on 9 April 2014, arriving from Subang Air Base, Malaysia using callsign ‘JAPAN NAVY 37’. JMSDF Orions 5031 and 5037 arrived as replacements for 5056 and 5060, which departed RAAF Pearce on 11 April 2014, so for a couple of days there were four Japanese Orions at Pearce. 5037 operated its first search flight from RAAF Pearce on 12 April 2014 as ‘RESCUE 932’, taking over the callsign previously used by 5060. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014, and on 29 April 2014, 5037 was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search.
Photo © David Eyre

Cargo hold of 20541 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 0083486570) of the 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) (China), at Perth Airport – Wed 30 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — Cargo hold of 20541 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 0083486570) of the 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) (China), at Perth Airport – Wed 30 April 2014.
‘RESCUE 801’ returning to land on runway 21 at 14:04, after a search flight looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. This first arrived at Perth Airport on 22 March 2014, arriving from Sungai Besi Air Base, Malaysia, as ‘CHINA AIR FORCE 541’. Flew its first search mission on 24 March 2014. Departed back to China via Subang, Malaysia on 3 May 2014 as ‘CHINA AIR FORCE 541’. 20541 was built in 1988, ex CCCP-78761 (Soviet AF), EW-78761 (Belarus AF), 27601 (PLAAF).
Photo © Wilson

Cockpit of 20541 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 0083486570) of the 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) (China), at Perth Airport – Wed 30 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — Cockpit of 20541 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 0083486570) of the 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) (China), at Perth Airport – Wed 30 April 2014.
This first arrived at Perth Airport on 22 March 2014, arriving from Sungai Besi Air Base, Malaysia, as ‘CHINA AIR FORCE 541’, to participate in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. It flew its first search mission on 24 March 2014. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014, and 20541 departed back to China via Subang, Malaysia on 3 May 2014 as ‘CHINA AIR FORCE 541’. 20541 was built in 1988, ex CCCP-78761 (Soviet AF), EW-78761 (Belarus AF), 27601 (PLAAF).
Photo © Wilson

Navigator's station in the glazed nose of 20541 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 0083486570) of the 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) (China), at Perth Airport – Wed 30 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — Navigator’s station in the glazed nose of 20541 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 0083486570) of the 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) (China), at Perth Airport – Wed 30 April 2014.
This first arrived at Perth Airport on 22 March 2014, arriving from Sungai Besi Air Base, Malaysia, as ‘CHINA AIR FORCE 541’, to participate in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. It flew its first search mission on 24 March 2014. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014, and 20541 departed back to China via Subang, Malaysia on 3 May 2014 as ‘CHINA AIR FORCE 541’. 20541 was built in 1988, ex CCCP-78761 (Soviet AF), EW-78761 (Belarus AF), 27601 (PLAAF).
Photo © Wilson

168429 / LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Tue 29 April 2014. Photo © Steve Jaksic — 168429 / LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Tue 29 April 2014.
The air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was called off on 28 April 2014 and 168429 flew the final P-8 search flight that day as ‘RESCUE 74’. It also flew the first P-8 search flight in the Australia-based search for MH370. To mark the end of the air search, 168429 made a short flight on 29 April 2014 from Perth Airport (as seen here, taking off from runway 21 at 8:29am) to RAAF Pearce as ‘RESCUE 74’, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, before returning to Perth Airport in the afternoon. 168429 is based at Jacksonville NAS, Florida, but deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan. It first arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. The P-8s were based at Perth Airport as they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. 168429 initially used the call sign RESCUE 74, and later RESCUE 74 or RESCUE 75 during search operations. On 10 April 2014, it departed Perth Airport to Subang and Kadena Air Base (Japan) using callsign ‘MY102′, having been replaced by another P-8 from Kadena. On 22 April 2014, it returned to Perth Airport from Kadena using callsign ‘AU104′, to replace 168439. On 1 May 2014, the aircraft departed Perth to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU104′.
Photo © Steve Jaksic

168433 / LF-433 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40813/4055) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Sun 27 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — 168433 / LF-433 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40813/4055) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Sun 27 April 2014.
At Terminal 2 apron at 1:21pm, next to 168429. Here to participate in the air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. 168433 is based at Jacksonville NAS, Florida, but deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan. It first arrived at Perth Airport on 26 April 2014 from Kadena. The P-8s were based at Perth Airport as they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. 168433 arrived fitted with underwing weapons pylons – the only P-8 to visit Perth with these. It was intended to replace 168438, which left Perth for Kadena the same day. However, 168433 remained parked at Perth Airport and never flew any search flights, as the search was suspended on 27 April 2014 due to bad weather, then the air search was called off on 28 April 2014. 168433 departed on 1 May 2014 back to Kadena using callsign ‘AU105’.
Photo © Wilson

NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion (MSN 185-5202) of 5 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, at RAAF Pearce - Tue 22 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion (MSN 185-5202) of 5 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, at RAAF Pearce – Tue 22 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 795’, seen here after take-off from runway 18L at 7:26am on another search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. NZ4204 returned hours earlier than usual, as the air search was suspended due to bad weather in the search area caused by Tropical Cyclone Jack. This aircraft is home-based at RNZAF Base Auckland, New Zealand, and first arrived at RAAF Pearce on 19 March 2014 using callsign ‘KIWI 027’ – it replaced another RNZAF Orion, NZ4203, which had to depart to participate in a military exercise. NZ4204 used the callsign RESCUE 795. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014, and on 29 April 2014, NZ4204 was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search. On 30 April 2014, NZ4204 departed RAAF Pearce to RAAF Richmond using the callsign ‘KIWI 795′, and the following day (1 May 2014), it departed RAAF Richmond to RNZAF Whenuapai, New Zealand.
Photo © David Eyre

A9-664 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5793) of the 11 Squadron, RAAF, at RAAF Pearce - Tue 22 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — A9-664 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5793) of the 11 Squadron, RAAF, at RAAF Pearce – Tue 22 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 103’, seen here after take-off from runway 18L at 8:08am on another search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. A9-664 returned hours earlier than usual, as the air search was suspended due to bad weather in the search area caused by Tropical Cyclone Jack. This aircraft is home-based at RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia.
Photo © David Eyre

A41-209 Boeing C-17A Globemaster III (MSN F-184/AUS-4, ex 06-0209) of 36 Squadron, RAAF, at RAAF Pearce - Tue 22 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — A41-209 Boeing C-17A Globemaster III (MSN F-184/AUS-4, ex 06-0209) of 36 Squadron, RAAF, at RAAF Pearce – Tue 22 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘STALLION 35’, seen after a very short takeoff from runway 18L at Pearce 08 8:24am, heading back to RAAF Edinburgh. The aircraft arrived the previous day from RAAF Edinburgh using the same callsign. It was possibly bringing logistics support for the RAAF Orions deployed to Pearce.
Photo © David Eyre

A9-664 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5793) of 11 Squadron, RAAF, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — A9-664 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5793) of 11 Squadron, RAAF, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 105’, taking off from runway 18L at 08:04 on another search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. Normally based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. For the RAAF Orions, RESCUE callsigns referred to crews, and the same callsigns were used on various Orions. Callsigns used by the Orions were RESCUE 102, RESCUE 103, RESCUE 104, and RESCUE 105. RAAF Orions were rotated through Pearce to keep flight hours balanced throughout the fleet, due to higher than normal utilisation on search operations.
Photo © Keith Anderson

950905 Lockheed P-3C-III+ Orion (MSN 285K-5834) of 613 Navy Squadron, Republic of Korea Navy, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — 950905 Lockheed P-3C-III+ Orion (MSN 285K-5834) of 613 Navy Squadron, Republic of Korea Navy, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 86’, taking off runway 18L at 8:16am on another search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. Normally based at Pohang Air Base, South Korea. This aircraft first arrived at RAAF Pearce from Subang, Malaysia on 25 March 2014 as ‘RESCUE 86’. It remained on search operations at Pearce until the air search was called off on 28 April 2014. On 29 April 2014, it was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search. On 1 May 2014, it departed RAAF Pearce to RAAF Darwin as ‘KOREAN NAVY 905′, and then returned home to South Korea.
Photo © Keith Anderson

950905 Lockheed P-3C-III+ Orion (MSN 285K-5834) of 613 Navy Squadron, Republic of Korea Navy, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 950905 Lockheed P-3C-III+ Orion (MSN 285K-5834) of 613 Navy Squadron, Republic of Korea Navy, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 86’, on final approach to runway 18L at 5:47pm (sunset) on cloudy day, returning from another search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. The aircraft took off at 8:16am today. This aircraft is normally based at Pohang Air Base, South Korea. It first arrived at RAAF Pearce on 25 March 2014 from Subang, Malaysia, using callsign ‘RESCUE 86’. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014, and on 29 April 2014 this aircraft was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search. On 1 May 2014, it departed RAAF Pearce to RAAF Darwin as ‘KOREAN NAVY 905′.
Photo © David Eyre

M30-12 Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules (MSN 382-5277) of 20 Squadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — M30-12 Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules (MSN 382-5277) of 20 Squadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014.
‘RESCUE 281’ taking off from runway 18L at 8:27am, on another search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO). Normally based at Subang Air Base, Malaysia. M30-12 first arrived at Pearce from Subang via Jakarta-Halim on 29 March 2014 using callsign ‘RMF460A’. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014. M30-12 made a one-hour flight from Pearce on 29 April 2014, then remained on the ground at Pearce until 9 May 2014, when it departed Pearce at 11:18pm to Jakarta-Halim (Indonesia) and Subang (Malaysia). Callsign unknown. Arrived back at Subang at 11am on 10 May 2014.
Photo © Keith Anderson

A9-659 Lockheed AP-3C Orion of Royal Australian Air Force at RAAF Base Pearce – 21 March 2014
Returning after a mission involving the search for Malaysia Airlines MH370
Photo © Richard Kreider

M30-09 Lockheed C-130H-MP Hercules (MSN 382-4866) of 20 Squadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — M30-09 Lockheed C-130H-MP Hercules (MSN 382-4866) of 20 Squadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 282’, taking off from runway 18L at 9:34am, on another search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO). Normally based at Subang Air Base, Malaysia. The aircraft first arrived at RAAF Pearce on 6 April 2014, using callsign ‘RMF462′. From 8 April 2014, it was noted using the callsign ‘RESCUE 281′ from RAAF Learmonth and RAAF Pearce. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014. On 29 April 2014, M30-09 was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search. Later that night, it departed Pearce via Jakarta-Halim to Subang.
Photo © Keith Anderson

A9-662 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5789) of 11 Squadron, RAAF, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — A9-662 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5789) of 11 Squadron, RAAF, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 103’, taking off from runway 18L at 10:13am on another search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. Normally based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. For the RAAF Orions, RESCUE callsigns referred to crews, and the same callsigns were used on various Orions. Callsigns used by the Orions were RESCUE 102, RESCUE 103, RESCUE 104, and RESCUE 105. RAAF Orions were rotated through Pearce to keep flight hours balanced throughout the fleet, due to higher than normal utilisation on search operations.
Photo © Keith Anderson

A9-662 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5789) of 11 Squadron, RAAF, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — A9-662 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5789) of 11 Squadron, RAAF, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 103’, returning from another search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. The aircraft took off at 10:13am, and upon returning, the pilot chose to do some training, conducting a missed approach (as seen here) at 5:57pm, a touch and go landing at 6:07pm, before finally making a full stop landing at 6:12pm. Normally based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. For the RAAF Orions, RESCUE callsigns referred to crews, and the same callsigns were used on various Orions. Callsigns used by the Orions were RESCUE 102, RESCUE 103, RESCUE 104, and RESCUE 105. RAAF Orions were rotated through Pearce to keep flight hours balanced throughout the fleet, due to higher than normal utilisation on search operations.
Photo © David Eyre

5037 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9034) of 3 Kokutai, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — 5037 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9034) of 3 Kokutai, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 17 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 932’, taking off runway 18L at 10:49 on another search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. This aircraft is home-based at Atsugi NAS, Japan, and arrived at Pearce on 9 April 2014 from Subang Air Base, Malaysia using callsign ‘Japan Navy 37’. Orions 5031 and 5037 arrived as replacements for 5056 and 5060, which departed RAAF Pearce on 11 April 2014, and for a couple of days there were four Japanese Orions at Pearce. 5037 operated its first search flight from RAAF Pearce on 12 April 2014 as ‘RESCUE 932’, taking over the callsign previously used by 5060. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014. On 29 April 2014, 5037 was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search. 5037 departed Pearce on 30 April 2014 as ‘Japan Navy 37′ to Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, and then home to Japan.
Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-PPD Dassault Falcon 900C (MSN 185) of Maxem Aviation, operated for Paspaley Pearling Company Pty Ltd, at Perth Airport – Tue 15 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — VH-PPD Dassault Falcon 900C (MSN 185) of Maxem Aviation, operated for Paspaley Pearling Company Pty Ltd, at Perth Airport – Tue 15 April 2014.
Outside Maxem Aviation’s base. This aircraft was chartered to participate in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. It departed Perth for Carnarvon on 3 April 2014, and operated search flights from Learmonth, Carnarvon and Perth. It returned to Perth on 8 April 2014 for a rest day on 9 April, then resumed search flights from 10 April 2014 until 17 April 2014.
Photo © Wilson

168438 / LF-438 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40818/4294) of VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, US Navy, at Perth Airport – Mon 14 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — 168438 / LF-438 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40818/4294) of VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, US Navy, at Perth Airport – Mon 14 April 2014.
Parked on the south end of Terminal 2 apron. Here to participate in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. First arrived at Perth Airport from Kadena Air Base, Japan, on 10 April 2014 using call sign ‘AU103′. Operated from Perth Airport as it could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load. It flew its first search flight on 11 April 2014 as RESCUE 74, and it also used callsign RESCUE 75. On 26 April 2014, the aircraft departed Perth Airport to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU103′ – it had been replaced by another P-8, 168433, which arrived the same day. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014.
Photo © Wilson

168439/LF-439 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40819/4331) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Mon 14 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 168439/LF-439 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40819/4331) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Mon 14 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 75’, returning at 5:24pm from another search flight looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. It is seen here heading northeast over the northern suburbs of Perth, before turning right to join the approach to Perth Airport’s runway 21. 168439 had arrived at Perth Airport on 6 April 2014 from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, using call sign ‘AU102′. This was the third P-8 to arrive at Perth for the search, and for a short time we had three P-8s at Perth at the same time – 168429, 168430 and 168439. However, 168439 was actually the first of two P-8s which arrived to replace the original two; 168429 and 168430 were replaced by 168438 and 168439. The P-8s operated from Perth Airport, as they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load – one P-8 would fly each day, using either RESCUE 74 or RESCUE 75 callsigns. On 22 April 2014, 168439 departed Perth Airport to return to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU102′ – it was replaced by another P-8, 168429, which had arrived the same day. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014.
Photo © David Eyre

20541 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 0083486570) of the Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Dangyang, China, at Perth Airport – Sun 13 April 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — 20541 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 0083486570) of the Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Dangyang, China, at Perth Airport – Sun 13 April 2014.
‘RESCUE 801’ returning to land on runway 21 at 14:04, after a search flight looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. This first arrived at Perth Airport on 22 March 2014, arriving from Sungai Besi Air Base, Malaysia. 20541 was built in 1988, ex CCCP-78761 (Soviet AF), EW-78761 (Belarus AF), 27601 (PLAAF).
Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-PPD Dassault Falcon 900C (MSN 185) of Maxem Aviation, operated for Paspaley Pearling Company Pty Ltd, at Perth Airport – Sun 13 April 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — VH-PPD Dassault Falcon 900C (MSN 185) of Maxem Aviation, operated for Paspaley Pearling Company Pty Ltd, at Perth Airport – Sun 13 April 2014.
Normally based at Perth, this aircraft was chartered to participate in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. It departed Perth for Carnarvon on 3 April 2014, and operated search flights from Learmonth, Carnarvon and Perth.
It returned to Perth on 8 April 2014 for a rest day on 9 April, then resumed search flights from 10 April 2014. Seen here on final approach to runway 21 at 16:14 after another day of searching.
Photo © Keith Anderson

168438/LF-438 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40818/4294) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Sun 13 April 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — 168438/LF-438 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40818/4294) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Sun 13 April 2014.
Arrived at Perth Airport from Kadena Air Base, Japan, on 10 April 2014 using call sign ‘AU103′. It arrived to participate in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. Operated from Perth Airport as it could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load. It flew its first search flight on 11 April 2014 as RESCUE 74, and it also uses callsign RESCUE 75. One of two P-8s operating from Perth – the other is 168439. Seen here on final approach to runway 21 at 17:11 after another day of searching.
Photo © Keith Anderson

168439/LF-439 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40819/4331) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Sat 12 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 168439/LF-439 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40819/4331) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Sat 12 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 75’, returning at 5:57pm from another search flight looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. It is seen here heading northeast over the northern suburbs of Perth, before turning right to join the approach to Perth Airport’s runway 21. 168439 had arrived at Perth Airport on 6 April 2014 from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, using call sign ‘AU102′. This was the third P-8 to arrive at Perth for the search, and for a short time we had three P-8s at Perth at the same time – 168429, 168430 and 168439. However, 168439 was actually the first of two P-8s which arrived to replace the original two; 168429 and 168430 were replaced by 168438 and 168439. The P-8s operated from Perth Airport, as they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load – one P-8 would fly each day, using either RESCUE 74 or RESCUE 75 callsigns. On 26 April 2014, 168438 departed Perth Airport to return to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU103′ – it was replaced by another P-8, 168433, which had arrived the same day. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014.
Photo © David Eyre

168438/LF-438 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40818/4294) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Fri 11 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 168438/LF-438 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40818/4294) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Fri 11 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 74’, returning from its first search flight in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. It is seen here heading northeast over the northern suburbs of Perth at 6pm, before turning right to join the approach to Perth Airport’s runway 21. 168438 had arrived at Perth Airport the previous day (10 April 2014) from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, using call sign ‘AU103′. It operated from Perth Airport, as it could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load. Later, it also used the callsign RESCUE 75. It was one of two P-8s operating from Perth – the other at this time was 168439. On 26 April 2014, 168438 departed Perth Airport to return to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU103′ – it was replaced by another P-8, 168433, which had arrived the same day. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014.
Photo © David Eyre

168439/LF-439 (MSN 40819/4331) and 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) and 168430 / LF-430 (MSN 40810/3879) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, US Navy, at Perth Airport – Wed 9 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — 168439/LF-439 (MSN 40819/4331) and 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) and 168430 / LF-430 (MSN 40810/3879) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, US Navy, at Perth Airport – Wed 9 April 2014.
Parked on the south end of Terminal 2 apron at 6:01pm. 168439 was the third P-8 to arrive at Perth for the search, and for a short time we had three P-8s at Perth at the same time.
168439: Arrived at Perth Airport on 6 April 2014 from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, (home base is NAS Jacksonville, Florida) using call sign ‘AU102′. 168439 was actually the first of two P-8s which arrived to replace the original two; 168429 and 168430 were replaced by 168438 and 168439. The P-8s operated from Perth Airport, as they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load – one P-8 would fly each day, using either RESCUE 74 or RESCUE 75 callsigns. On 26 April 2014, 168439 departed Perth Airport to return to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU103′ – it was replaced by another P-8, 168433, which had arrived the same day. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014.
168429: First arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. It also flew the first P-8 search flight in the Australia-based search for MH370. 168429 used callsign RESCUE 74 or RESCUE 75 during search operations. On 10 April 2014, it departed Perth Airport to Subang and Kadena Air Base (Japan) using callsign ‘MY102′, having been replaced by another P-8 from Kadena. On 22 April 2014, it returned to Perth Airport from Kadena using callsign ‘AU104′, to replace 168439. The air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was called off on 28 April 2014 and 168429 flew the final P-8 search flight that day as ‘RESCUE 74’. To mark the end of the air search, 168429 made a short flight on 29 April 2014 from Perth Airport to RAAF Pearce as ‘RESCUE 74’, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, before returning to Perth Airport that afternoon. It departed Perth on 1 May 2014 to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU104’.
168430: Arrived in Perth on 28 March 2014 (see photos) direct from Kadena Air Base, Japan. On search flights, this aircraft used callsign RESCUE 74 or 75. 168430 suffered some avionics troubles whilst in Perth and did not fly for a few days. On 7 April, it flew a post-maintenance check flight down to Albany and back to Perth as ‘TALON 78’. On 10 April 2014, 168430 departed Perth Airport to Subang, Malaysia and Kadena Air Base, Japan as ‘TALON 101’. 168430 and 168429 were replaced by another pair of P-8s from Kadena; 168438 and 168439.
Photo © Wilson

5031 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9028) of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 3 Kokutai, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 9 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 5031 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9028) of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 3 Kokutai, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 9 April 2014.
Home-based at Atsugi NAS, Japan. On final approach to runway 36R at 5:17pm, arriving from Subang Air Base, Malaysia using callsign ‘Japan Navy 31’, to join in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. Orions 5031 and 5037 arrived as replacements for 5056 and 5060, which departed RAAF Pearce on 11 April 2014, so for a couple of days there were four Japanese Orions at Pearce. 5031 operated its first search flight from RAAF Pearce on 12 April 2014 as ‘RESCUE 931’, taking over the callsign previously used by 5056. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014, and 5031 departed Pearce on 30 April 2014 as ‘Japan Navy 31′ to Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, and then Japan.
Photo © David Eyre

5037 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9034) of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 3 Kokutai, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 9 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 5037 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9034) of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 3 Kokutai, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 9 April 2014.
Home-based at Atsugi NAS, Japan. On final approach to runway 36R at 5:27pm, arriving from Subang Air Base, Malaysia using callsign ‘Japan Navy 37’, to join in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. Orions 5031 and 5037 arrived as replacements for 5056 and 5060, which departed RAAF Pearce on 11 April 2014, so for a couple of days there were four Japanese Orions at Pearce. 5037 operated its first search flight from RAAF Pearce on 12 April 2014 as ‘RESCUE 932’, taking over the callsign previously used by 5060. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014. On 29 April 2014, 5037 was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search. 5037 departed Pearce on 30 April 2014 as ‘Japan Navy 37′ to Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, and then Japan.
Photo © David Eyre

M30-09 Lockheed C-130H-MP Hercules (MSN 382-4866) of 20 Skuadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 9 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — M30-09 Lockheed C-130H-MP Hercules (MSN 382-4866) of 20 Skuadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 9 April 2014.
Normally based at Subang Air Base, Malaysia. Using callsign ‘RESCUE 281’, returning from the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. M30-09 is seen here at 6:11pm, 20 minutes after sunset, about to make a low pass over RAAF Pearce before circling around again and landing on runway 36R. The aircraft first arrived at RAAF Pearce on 6 April 2014, using callsign ‘RMF462′. From 8 April 2014, it was noted using the callsign ‘RESCUE 281′ from RAAF Learmonth and RAAF Pearce. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014. On 29 April 2014, M30-09 was photographed at RAAF Pearce in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the air search. Later that night, it departed Pearce via Jakarta-Halim to Subang.
Photo © David Eyre

A9-753 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5660) of 10 Squadron, RAAF, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 9 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — A9-753 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5660) of 10 Squadron, RAAF, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 9 April 2014.
Normally based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. Using callsign ‘RESCUE 104’, on final approach to runway 36R at 6:17pm, nearly 30 minutes after sunset on a cloudy evening. Returning from the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. For the RAAF Orions, the RESCUE callsigns referred to crews and were used on any of the available aircraft. Callsigns used include RESCUE 102, RESCUE 103, RESCUE 104, and RESCUE 105. RAAF Orions were rotated through Pearce to keep flight hours balanced throughout the fleet, due to higher than normal utilisation on search operations.
Photo © David Eyre

168439/LF-439 (MSN 40819/4331) and 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, US Navy, at Perth Airport – Tue 8 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — 168439/LF-439 (MSN 40819/4331) and 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, US Navy, at Perth Airport – Tue 8 April 2014.
Parked on the south end of Terminal 2 apron at 16:04.
168439: Arrived at Perth Airport on 6 April 2014 from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, (home base is NAS Jacksonville, Florida) using call sign ‘AU102′. This was the third P-8 to arrive at Perth for the search, and for a short time we had three P-8s at Perth at the same time – 168429, 168430 and 168439. However, 168439 was actually the first of two P-8s which arrived to replace the original two; 168429 and 168430 were replaced by 168438 and 168439. The P-8s operated from Perth Airport, as they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load – one P-8 would fly each day, using either RESCUE 74 or RESCUE 75 callsigns. On 26 April 2014, 168439 departed Perth Airport to return to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU103′ – it was replaced by another P-8, 168433, which had arrived the same day. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014.
168429: First arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. It also flew the first P-8 search flight in the Australia-based search for MH370. 168429 used callsign RESCUE 74 or RESCUE 75 during search operations. On 10 April 2014, it departed Perth Airport to Subang and Kadena Air Base (Japan) using callsign ‘MY102′, having been replaced by another P-8 from Kadena. On 22 April 2014, it returned to Perth Airport from Kadena using callsign ‘AU104′, to replace 168439. The air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was called off on 28 April 2014 and 168429 flew the final P-8 search flight that day as ‘RESCUE 74’. To mark the end of the air search, 168429 made a short flight on 29 April 2014 from Perth Airport to RAAF Pearce as ‘RESCUE 74’, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, before returning to Perth Airport that afternoon. It departed Perth on 1 May 2014 to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU104’.
Photo © Wilson

168430 / LF-430 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40810/3879) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Tue 8 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 168430 / LF-430 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40810/3879) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Tue 8 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 75’ ′, seen here heading northeast over the northern suburbs of Perth at 17:30, before turning to join the approach to Perth Airport’s runway 21. Returning from the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. 168430 arrived in Perth on 28 March 2014 (see photos) direct from Kadena Air Base, Japan, where it had been deployed from its home base at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. On search flights, this aircraft used callsign RESCUE 75 initially, and RESCUE 74 or 75 from 1 April 2014. It was one of a pair of P-8s deployed to Perth (the other was 168429), with one P-8 flying each day. 168430 suffered some avionics troubles whilst in Perth and did not fly for a few days. The day before this, it flew a post-maintenance check flight down to Albany and back to Perth as ‘TALON 78’. On 10 April 2014, 168430 departed Perth Airport to Subang, Malaysia and Kadena Air Base, Japan as ‘TALON 101’. 168430 and 168429 had been replaced by another pair of P-8s from Kadena; 168438 and 168439.
Photo © David Eyre

A30-006 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33987/1991) of 2 Squadron, RAAF, at Perth Airport – Mon 7 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — A30-006 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33987/1991) of 2 Squadron, RAAF, at Perth Airport – Mon 7 April 2014.
Parked on the southern end of Terminal 2 apron at 1:43pm, after arriving from RAAF Williamtown using callsign ‘MITCHELL 1’. It arrived to assist with the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 which vanished on 8 March 2014. A30-006 came over to replace another Wedgetail, A30-001, operating as coordination and communications relay aircraft for air search aircraft. The next day (8 April), it operated its first mission, using callsign ‘RESCUE 107’. It departed Perth for the final time on 9 April, redeploying to RAAF Learmonth to operate search coordination missions from there. Learmonth was closer to the search area, had no air traffic congestion issues and was probably cheaper in terms of airport costs. On 19 April 2014, A30-006 departed RAAF Learmonth back to RAAF Williamtown, using callsign ‘MITCHELL 7′.
Photo © Wilson

VH-LAW Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS (MSN 9299), named ‘Spirit of Kokomo’, owned by Walker Air Service, at Perth Airport– Mon 7 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — VH-LAW Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS (MSN 9299), named ‘Spirit of Kokomo’, owned by Walker Air Service, at Perth Airport– Mon 7 April 2014.
Parked outside ExecuJet Australia at 13:57. Normally based at Sydney, this aircraft was one of a number of civilian business jets chartered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and was based in Perth during the search. VH-LAW arrived in Perth from Sydney on 3 April 2014 and returned home to Sydney on 10 April 2014.
Photo © Wilson

A30-005 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33896/1934) of RAAF, 2 Squadron, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Mon 7 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — A30-005 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33896/1934) of RAAF, 2 Squadron, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Mon 7 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 106′, seen here heading northeast over the northern suburbs of Perth at 16:34, before turning to join the approach to Perth Airport’s runway 21. Returning from the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. Normally based at RAAF Williamtown, NSW. A30-005 arrived at Perth Airport on 31 March 2014 (see photos) from RAAF Williamtown, using the callsign ‘MITCHELL 10’. It then performed the role of coordination and communications relay aircraft for search activities, using callsign ‘RESCUE 106’. It initially operated from Perth Airport, but redeployed to Learmonth from 8 April 2014 to operate from there. The air search was called off on 28 April 2014, so on 30 April 2014, A30-005 departed RAAF Learmonth back to its home base at RAAF Williamtown as ‘WEDGETAIL 07′.
Photo © David Eyre

168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Sun 6 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Sun 6 April 2014.
Using callsign ‘RESCUE 75’, it departed around 7:55am, and is seen here returning at 4:56pm from the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. Home based at Jacksonville NAS, Florida, but deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan. 168429 arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. The P-8s could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load. Initially used the call sign RESCUE 74 and later RESCUE 74 or 75 during search operations. A few days after this photo, on 10 April 2014, it departed Perth Airport to Subang and Kadena Air Base (Japan) using callsign ‘MY102′, having been replaced by another P-8 from Kadena. On 22 April 2014, it returned to Perth Airport from Kadena using callsign ‘AU104′, to replace 168439. On 28 April 2014, it flew its final search flight as RESCUE 74. The air search was officially called off the same day, but this aircraft completed its mission. On 29 April 2014, it flew a short flight from Perth Airport to RAAF Pearce as RESCUE 74, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the search. Returned to Perth Airport in the afternoon. On 1 May 2014 it departed Perth to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU104′.
Photo © David Eyre

168439 / LF-439 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40819/4331) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport - Sun 6 April 2014. Photo © Ian Moy — 168439 / LF-439 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40819/4331) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Sun 6 April 2014.
On final approach to runway 21 at 18:04, arriving from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, on 6 April 2014 using call sign ‘AU102’, to participate in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. This was the third P-8 to arrive at Perth for the search, but was actually one of two P-8s which arrived to replace the original two – 168429 & 168430 were replaced by 168438 & 168439. The P-8s operated from Perth Airport as they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. 168439 started search flights the next day using callsign RESCUE 74, but later alternated between RESCUE 74 or 75.
Photo © Ian Moy

21045 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 1033416524) of the Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Dangyang, China, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 21045 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 1033416524) of the Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Dangyang, China, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014.
‘RESCUE 802’ returning to land on runway 03 at 14:39, after another search flight looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. 21045 first arrived at Perth Airport on 22 March 2014, arriving from Sungai Besi Air Base, Malaysia. Built in 1993, ex B-4034 (China United Airlines). One of two PLAAF IL-76MD aircraft deployed to Perth Airport for the search – one IL-76 operates a search flight each day.
Photo © David Eyre

165834 / 834 Boeing C-40A Clipper (MSN 32598/1174) named ‘City of Orange Park’ of US Navy squadron VR-58 ’Sunseekers’, with 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) & 168430/LF-430 (MSN 40810/3879) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport - Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — 165834 / 834 Boeing C-40A Clipper (MSN 32598/1174) named ‘City of Orange Park’ of US Navy squadron VR-58 ’Sunseekers’, with 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) & 168430/LF-430 (MSN 40810/3879) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014.
165834 arrived at Perth Airport from Darwin on today (4 April 2014) using callsign CONVOY 7275, and is seen here parked at the south end of Terminal 2 apron at 16:24, shortly after arrival. It departed back to Darwin on 5 April 2014 with same callsign. Believed to be bringing parts for the P-8s.
168429 arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. P-8s could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load. It initially used the call sign RESCUE 74 and later RESCUE 74 or 75 during search operations.
168430 arrived in Perth on 28 March 2014 (see photos) direct from Kadena Air Base, Japan. On search flights, this aircraft used callsign RESCUE 75 initially, and RESCUE 74 or 75 from 1 April 2014. Only one P-8 flew each day. 168430 had avionics problems, so the C-40 may have been bringing replacement parts for this aircraft. These two P-8s were replaced on 10 April 2014 by another pair from Kadena – 168438 and 168439.
Photo © Wilson

165834 / 834 Boeing C-40A Clipper (737-7AFC) (MSN 32598/1174) of US Navy, VR-58 ’Sunseekers’, 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) & 168430/LF-430 (MSN 40810/3879) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014. — 165834 / 834 Boeing C-40A Clipper (737-7AFC) (MSN 32598/1174) of US Navy squadron VR-58 ’Sunseekers’, 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) & 168430/LF-430 (MSN 40810/3879) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014.
165834 arrived from Darwin on 4 April 2014 using callsign ‘CONVOY 7275’, and seen here parked on Bay 217 at the south end of Terminal 2 apron at 16:37, shortly after arrival. It departed back to Darwin on 5 April 2014 with the same callsign. Believed to be bringing parts for the two Boeing P-8A Poseidons deployed to Perth as part of the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
168429 arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. P-8s could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load. It initially used the call sign RESCUE 74 and later RESCUE 74 or 75 during search operations.
168430 arrived in Perth on 28 March 2014 (see photos) direct from Kadena Air Base, Japan. On search flights, this aircraft used callsign RESCUE 75 initially, and RESCUE 74 or 75 from 1 April 2014. Only one P-8 flew each day. 168430 had avionics problems, so the C-40 may have been bringing replacement parts for this aircraft. These two P-8s were replaced on 10 April 2014 by another pair from Kadena – 168438 and 168439.
Photo © David Eyre

165834 / 834 Boeing C-40A Clipper (MSN 32598/1174) named ‘City of Orange Park’ of US Navy squadron VR-58 ’Sunseekers’, based at Fort Worth, Texas, USA, at Perth Airport - Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — 165834 / 834 Boeing C-40A Clipper (MSN 32598/1174) named ‘City of Orange Park’ of US Navy squadron VR-58 ’Sunseekers’, based at Fort Worth, Texas, USA, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014.
Arrived Perth Airport from Darwin on 4 April 2014 using callsign CONVOY 7275, and seen here parked at the south end of Terminal 2 apron at 16:21, shortly after arrival. It departed back to Darwin on 5 April 2014 with same callsign. Believed to be bringing parts for the P-8s.
Photo © Wilson

165834 / 834 Boeing C-40A Clipper (737-7AFC) (MSN 32598/1174) of US Navy squadron VR-58 ’Sunseekers’, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 165834 / 834 Boeing C-40A Clipper (737-7AFC) (MSN 32598/1174) of US Navy squadron VR-58 ’Sunseekers’, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014.
Based at Fort Worth, Texas, USA, based at Fort Worth, Texas, USA. Arrived from Darwin on 4 April 2014 using callsign ‘CONVOY 7275’, and seen here parked on Bay 217 at the south end of Terminal 2 apron at 16:37, shortly after arrival. It departed back to Darwin on 5 April 2014 with the same callsign. Believed to be bringing parts for the two Boeing P-8A Poseidons deployed to Perth as part of the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
Photo © David Eyre

168429 / LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 168429 / LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014.
Home based at Jacksonville NAS, Florida, but deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan. 168429 arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. The P-8s could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load. Initially used the call sign RESCUE 74 and later RESCUE 74 or 75 during search operations. On 10 April 2014, it departed Perth Airport to Subang and Kadena Air Base (Japan) using callsign ‘MY102′, having been replaced by another P-8 from Kadena. On 22 April 2014, it returned to Perth Airport from Kadena using callsign ‘AU104′, to replace 168439. On 28 April 2014, it flew its final search flight as RESCUE 74. The air search was officially called off the same day, but this aircraft completed its mission. On 29 April 2014, it flew a short flight from Perth Airport to RAAF Pearce as RESCUE 74, where it was photographed in a group of eight aircraft from the seven nations involved in the Australian air search for MH370, to mark the end of the search. Returned to Perth Airport in the afternoon. On 1 May 2014 it departed Perth to Kadena Air Base, Japan, using callsign ‘AU104′.
Seen here parked at Bay 219 on the Terminal 2 apron at 16:37
Photo © David Eyre

168430/LF-430 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40810/3879) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — 168430/LF-430 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40810/3879) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014.
Parked at the south end of Terminal 2 apron at 13:33. Arrived in Perth on 28 March 2014 (see photos) direct from Kadena Air Base, Japan. On search flights, this aircraft used callsign RESCUE 75 initially, and RESCUE 74 or 75 from 1 April 2014. One of a pair of P-8s deployed to Perth (the other was 168429), only one P-8 flew each day. These two P-8s were replaced on 10 April 2014 by another pair from Kadena – 168438 and 168439.
Photo © Wilson

168430/LF-430 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40810/3879) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 168430/LF-430 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40810/3879) of US Navy, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014.
Home based at Jacksonville NAS, Florida, but deployed to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. Parked at Bay 220 on the south end of Terminal 2 apron at Perth Airport. 168430 arrived in Perth on 28 March 2014 (see photos) direct from Kadena Air Base, Japan. On search flights, this aircraft used callsign RESCUE 75 initially, and RESCUE 74 or 75 from 1 April 2014. Only one P-8 flew each day. 168430 had avionics problems, so the C-40 may have been bringing replacement parts for this aircraft. On 7 April 2014, 168430 conducted a test flight Perth – Albany – Perth as ‘TALON 78′, before resuming search flights the following day. These two P-8s were replaced on 10 April 2014 by another pair from Kadena – 168438 and 168439. On 10 April 2014, 168430 departed Perth Airport to Subang, Malaysia and Kadena Air Base, Japan as ‘TALON 101’.
Photo © David Eyre

20541 (MSN 0083486570) callsign ‘RESCUE 801’ and 21045 (MSN 1033416524) callsign ‘RESCUE 802’, Ilyushin IL-76MD of the Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Dangyang, China, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 20541 (MSN 0083486570) callsign ‘RESCUE 801’ and 21045 (MSN 1033416524) callsign ‘RESCUE 802’, Ilyushin IL-76MD of the Peoples’ Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Dangyang, China, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014.
Deployed to Perth Airport to search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. Both aircraft arrived at Perth Airport on 22 March 2014, arriving from Sungai Besi Air Base, Malaysia. Usually, one IL-76 would operate a search flight each day, departing around 6am and returning around 2pm.
20541 was built in 1988, ex CCCP-78761 (Soviet AF), EW-78761 (Belarus AF), 27601 (PLAAF). 20541 used the callsign RESCUE 801, but did not fly a search flight today.
21045 was built in 1993, ex B-4034 (China United Airlines). 21045 had flown a search flight today as RESCUE 802.
Both aircraft departed Perth on 3 May 2014 to Subang Air Base (Malaysia), then home to China.
Photo © David Eyre

A30-001 Boeing E-7A (737-7ES) Wedgetail (MSN 33474/1245) of 2 Squadron, RAAF, at Perth Airport– Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — A30-001 Boeing E-7A (737-7ES) Wedgetail (MSN 33474/1245) of 2 Squadron, RAAF, at Perth Airport– Fri 4 April 2014.
Landing on runway 24 at 17:13, using callsign ‘MITCHELL 12’, arriving from its home base at Williamtown, NSW. This aircraft had flown Williamtown-Perth-Williamtown the previous day (3 April 2014). From 5 April 2014, it acted as a coordination and communications relay aircraft during the air search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, using callsign ‘RESCUE 107’. On 7 April 2014, it departed Perth back to Williamtown as ‘MITCHELL 11’, as it was replaced by A30-006.
Photo © David Eyre

A30-001 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33474/1245) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, NSW, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — A30-001 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33474/1245) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, NSW, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014.
The aircraft had arrived at Perth Airport the previous day (see photos) from its base at RAAF Williamtown, using callsign ‘MITCHELL 11’, to support the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. A30-001 is seen here parked at the south end of the Terminal 2 apron at 18:30. The Wedgetail performed a coordination and communications relay role for the air search, and later used the callsign RESCUE 107. It redeployed to Learmonth (near Exmouth) on 8 April 2014 to operate search coordination flights from there, as this was closer to the search areas.
Photo © Wilson

A30-005 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33896/1934) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, and 165834 Boeing C-40A Clipper (MSN 32598/1174) named ‘City of Orange Park’ of US Navy squadron VR-58 ’Sunseekers’, and A30-001 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33474/1245) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, and 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) & 168430/LF-430 (MSN 40810/3879) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport - Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — A30-005 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33896/1934) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, and 165834 Boeing C-40A Clipper (MSN 32598/1174) named ‘City of Orange Park’ of US Navy squadron VR-58 ’Sunseekers’, and A30-001 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33474/1245) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, and 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) & 168430/LF-430 (MSN 40810/3879) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014.
A gathering of military 737 variants involved with the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, parked at the south end of Terminal 2 apron at 18:48.
A30-005 arrived at Perth Airport on 31 March 2014 (see photos) from RAAF Williamtown. It performed the role of coordination and communications relay aircraft for search activities, using callsign RESCUE 106. It initially operated from Perth Airport, but redeployed to Learmonth from 8 April 2014 to operate from there.
165834 arrived at Perth Airport from Darwin on today (4 April 2014) using callsign CONVOY 7275, and is seen here parked at the south end of Terminal 2 apron at 16:24, shortly after arrival. It departed back to Darwin on 5 April 2014 with same callsign. Believed to be bringing parts for the P-8s.
A30-001 arrived at Perth Airport on 3 April 2014 (see photos) from its base at RAAF Williamtown. Used the callsign RESCUE 107 when supporting search operations. It redeployed to Learmonth (near Exmouth) on 8 April 2014 to be closer to the search areas.
168429 arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. P-8s could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load. It initially used the call sign RESCUE 74 and later RESCUE 74 or 75 during search operations.
168430 arrived in Perth on 28 March 2014 (see photos) direct from Kadena Air Base, Japan. On search flights, this aircraft used callsign RESCUE 75 initially, and RESCUE 74 or 75 from 1 April 2014. Only one P-8 flew each day.
These two P-8s were replaced on 10 April 2014 by another pair from Kadena – 168438 and 168439.
Photo © Wilson

VH-LAL Gulfstream Aerospace G550 (GV-SP) (MSN 5259) owned by Little Aviation Pty Ltd, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — VH-LAL Gulfstream Aerospace G550 (GV-SP) (MSN 5259) owned by Little Aviation Pty Ltd, at Perth Airport – Fri 4 April 2014.
Returning from a search flight looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Landing on runway 21 at 17:24. Normally based at Essendon, this aircraft was one of a number of civilian business jets chartered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and temporarily based in Perth during the MH370 search – VH-LAL was based here from 22-28 March 2014 and again during 3-10 April 2014. Built in 2009, ex N959GA.
Photo © David Eyre

ZK-KFB Gulfstream Aerospace G650 (MSN 6043) of Execujet New Zealand Ltd, at Perth Airport– Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — ZK-KFB Gulfstream Aerospace G650 (MSN 6043) of Execujet New Zealand Ltd, at Perth Airport– Fri 4 April 2014.
Landing on runway 21 at 17:46, returning from a search flight looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Normally based at Wellington, New Zealand, this aircraft was one of a number of civilian business jets chartered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and temporarily based in Perth during the MH370 search. ZK-KFB arrived from Wellington on 25 March 2014 and returned home to Wellington on 16 April 2014. Built in 2012, ex N643GA.
Photo © David Eyre

VH-LAW Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS (MSN 9299), named ‘Spirit of Kokomo’, owned by Walker Air Service, at Perth Airport– Fri 4 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — VH-LAW Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS (MSN 9299), named ‘Spirit of Kokomo’, owned by Walker Air Service, at Perth Airport– Fri 4 April 2014.
Returning from a search flight looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, landing on runway 21 at 17:56. Normally based at Sydney, this aircraft was one of a number of civilian business jets chartered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and temporarily based in Perth during the MH370 search. VH-LAW arrived from Sydney on 3 April 2014 and returned home to Sydney on 10 April 2014.
Photo © David Eyre

A32-439 Beech B300 King Air 350 (MSN FL-439) of RAAF, 38 Squadron, based at Townsville, QLD, ‘38 Sqn: 70 years’ logo on tail, at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014.
‘DINGO 51’, landing on runway 03 at 12:14, believed to be a liaison/support aircraft for the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. A32-439 also has small ‘Dingo Aviation’ titles on the fuselage under the cockpit windows – DINGO is the callsign used by 38 Squadron. The squadron will soon be receiving ten new Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft which are on order for the RAAF.
Photo © Steve Jaksic

A30-001 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33474/1245) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, NSW, at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — A30-001 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33474/1245) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, NSW, at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014.
Landing on runway 03 at 13:13 using callsign ‘MITCHELL 11’. The aircraft had arrived at Perth Airport from its base at RAAF Williamtown to support the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. The Wedgetail performed a coordination and communications relay role for the air search, and later used the callsign RESCUE 107. It redeployed to Learmonth (near Exmouth) on 8 April 2014 to operate search coordination flights from there, as this was closer to the search areas.
Photo © Keith Anderson

A30-001 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33474/1245) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, NSW, at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — A30-001 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33474/1245) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, NSW, at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014.
Taking off from runway 21 at 15:14 using callsign ‘MITCHELL 11’. The aircraft had arrived at Perth Airport from its base at RAAF Williamtown to support the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. The Wedgetail performed a coordination and communications relay role for the air search, and later used the callsign RESCUE 107. It redeployed to Learmonth (near Exmouth) on 8 April 2014 to operate search coordination flights from there, as this was closer to the search areas.
Photo © David Eyre

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014.
Driving past the Perth Airport Viewing Area car park at 14:15, before boarding his aircraft to depart Perth to Hanoi (Vietnam). Mr Najib had arrived at Perth Airport late the previous night, aboard 9M-NAA Airbus A319-115X CJ (MSN 2949) of the Malaysian Government (operated by Jet Premier One (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd), using callsign ‘November Romeo 1’. This morning, the Malaysian Prime Minister was accompanied by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on a tour around RAAF Base Pearce, north of Perth, where Mr Najib thanked all of the countries and their aircrews for assistance with the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. He also visited the Joint Agency Coordination Centre for an update on the continuing search. Mr Najib’s aircraft 9M-NAA took off from runway 21 at 14:54, bound for Hanoi, where he began an official visit to Vietnam until 5 April 2014.
Photo © David Eyre

9M-NAA / 1 Airbus A319-115X CJ (MSN 2949) of the Malaysian Government (operated by Jet Premier One (Malaysia) at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — 9M-NAA / 1 Airbus A319-115X CJ (MSN 2949) of the Malaysian Government (operated by Jet Premier One (Malaysia) at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak aboard as the aircraft taxies out at 14:49 from International Apron. It took off from runway 21 at 14:54 with call sign ‘November Romeo 1’ (NR standing for Najib Razak), departing direct to Hanoi, Vietnam. The aircraft, with Mr Najib aboard, had arrived at Perth Airport late the previous night, using the same call sign. This morning, the Malaysian Prime Minister was accompanied by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on a tour around RAAF Base Pearce, north of Perth, where Mr Najib thanked all of the countries and their aircrews for assistance with the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. He also visited the Joint Agency Coordination Centre for an update on the continuing search. Mr Najib departed to Hanoi, where he began an official visit to Vietnam, lasting until 5 April 2014.
Photo © Wilson

9M-NAA / 1 Airbus A319-115X CJ (MSN 2949) of the Malaysian Government (operated by Jet Premier One (Malaysia) at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 9M-NAA / 1 Airbus A319-115X CJ (MSN 2949) of the Malaysian Government (operated by Jet Premier One (Malaysia) at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak aboard as the aircraft takes off from runway 21 at 14:54 with call sign ‘November Romeo 1’ (NR standing for Najib Razak), departing direct to Hanoi, Vietnam. The aircraft, with Mr Najib aboard, had arrived at Perth Airport late the previous night, using the same call sign. This morning, the Malaysian Prime Minister was accompanied by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on a tour around RAAF Base Pearce, north of Perth, where Mr Najib thanked all of the countries and their aircrews for assistance with the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. He also visited the Joint Agency Coordination Centre for an update on the continuing search. Mr Najib departed to Hanoi, where he began an official visit to Vietnam, lasting until 5 April 2014.
Photo © David Eyre

A36-002 Boeing 737-7DT (BBJ) (MSN 30790/613) of 34 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (leased from GECAS), based at RAAF Fairbairn, Canberra, at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — A36-002 Boeing 737-7DT (BBJ) (MSN 30790/613) of 34 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (leased from GECAS), based at RAAF Fairbairn, Canberra, at Perth Airport – Thu 3 April 2014.
Taking off from runway 21 at 15:01 using callsign ‘ENVOY 24’, with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott aboard, returning to Canberra. Mr Abbott had initially been in Perth to support the Liberal Party in the re-run Senate Election campaign in WA, but stayed on when Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced that he was to visit Perth. Mr Abbott accompanied Mr Najib on a tour around RAAF Base Pearce, north of Perth, where Mr Najib thanked all of the countries and their aircrews for assistance with the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. The leaders also visited the Joint Agency Coordination Centre for an update on the continuing search.
Photo © David Eyre

A9-… Lockheed AP-3C Orion of the RAAF, 11 Squadron, based at RAAF Edinburgh, SA, over northern suburbs of Perth – Thu 3 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — A9-… Lockheed AP-3C Orion of the RAAF, 11 Squadron, based at RAAF Edinburgh, SA, over northern suburbs of Perth – Thu 3 April 2014.
Flying south over the northern suburbs at 17:13 before landing on runway 36R at RAAF Pearce. Believed to be using callsign RESCUE 102, but cannot identify the specific aircraft, as the callsigns for RAAF Orions relate to crews, not airframes. Returning from the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
Photo © David Eyre

A9-… Lockheed AP-3C Orion of RAAF, 10 Squadron, based at RAAF Edinburgh, SA, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 2 April 2014. Photo © Steve Jaksic — A9-… Lockheed AP-3C Orion of RAAF, 10 Squadron, based at RAAF Edinburgh, SA, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 2 April 2014.
SEALION 55 taking off from runway 36R at 10:23. This aircraft had previously been conducting search flights looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. However, use of the SEALION callsign shows that this particular flight was not connected with the search.
Photo © Steve Jaksic

A9-664 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5793) of the RAAF, 11 Squadron, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 2 April 2014. Photo © Steve Jaksic — A9-664 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5793) of the RAAF, 11 Squadron, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 2 April 2014.
‘RESCUE 103’ on final approach to runway 18L at 13:27, following a search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
Photo © Steve Jaksic

JA500A / LAJ500 Gulfstream Aerospace U-4 (G-V) “Umi Washi” (Sea Eagle) (MSN 683) of the Japan Coast Guard, 3rd Region, based at Tokyo-Haneda Airport, Japan, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 2 April 2014. Photo © Steve Jaksic — JA500A / LAJ500 Gulfstream Aerospace U-4 (G-V) “Umi Washi” (Sea Eagle) (MSN 683) of the Japan Coast Guard, 3rd Region, based at Tokyo-Haneda Airport, Japan, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 2 April 2014.
‘RESCUE 933’ taking off from runway 36R at 11:34 on another search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO). It departed back to Japan the next day (3 April 2014). This is a maritime patrol conversion of the Gulfstream G-V, equipped with a Thales high performance maritime surveillance radar and FLIR system.
Photo © Steve Jaksic

5060 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9057) of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 5 Kokutai, based at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 2 April 2014. Photo © Steve Jaksic — 5060 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9057) of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 5 Kokutai, based at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 2 April 2014.
Taking off from runway 18L at Pearce at 11:59 as ‘RESCUE 932’, to search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
Photo © Steve Jaksic

M30-12 Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules (MSN 382-5277) of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, 20 Skuadron, Subang Air Base, Malaysia, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 2 April 2014. Photo © Steve Jaksic — M30-12 Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules (MSN 382-5277) of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, 20 Skuadron, Subang Air Base, Malaysia, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 2 April 2014.
‘RESCUE 281’ on final approach to runway 18L at Pearce at 12:46, after another search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO). M30-12 first arrived at Pearce from Subang via Jakarta-Halim on 29 March 2014 using callsign ‘RMF460A’.
Photo © Steve Jaksic

M30-16 Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules (MSN 382-5319) of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, 20 Skuadron, based at Subang Air Base, Malaysia, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 2 April 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — M30-16 Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules (MSN 382-5319) of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, 20 Skuadron, based at Subang Air Base, Malaysia, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 2 April 2014.
‘RESCUE 282’, on final approach to runway 18L at 17:55 following a search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. M30-16 first arrived at Pearce from Subang via Jakarta-Halim on 29 March 2014 using callsign ‘RMF460B’.
Photo © Keith Anderson

A30-005 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33896/1934) of RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, NSW, at Perth Airport - Tue 1 April 2014. Photo © David Eyre — A30-005 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33896/1934) of RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, NSW, at Perth Airport – Tue 1 April 2014.
‘RESCUE 106’ on final approach to runway 21 at 16:27, returning from the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. A30-005 first arrived at Perth Airport from RAAF Williamtown on 31 March 2014, using the callsign ‘MITCHELL 10′. Coordination and communications relay aircraft for search activities as callsign RESCUE 106. It was operating from Perth Airport, but redeployed to Learmonth on 8 April 2014, as this was much closer to the more northerly search area. Another Wedgetail, A30-001 ‘RESCUE 107’ also joined the search and it too redeployed to Learmonth after initially operating from Perth.
Photo © David Eyre

A30-005 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33896/1934) of RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, NSW, at Perth Airport - Tue 1 April 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — A30-005 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33896/1934) of RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, NSW, at Perth Airport – Tue 1 April 2014.
‘RESCUE 106’ on final approach to runway 21 at 16:27, returning from the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. A30-005 first arrived at Perth Airport from RAAF Williamtown on 31 March 2014, using the callsign ‘MITCHELL 10′. Coordination and communications relay aircraft for search activities as callsign RESCUE 106. It was operating from Perth Airport, but redeployed to Learmonth on 8 April 2014, as this was much closer to the more northerly search area. Another Wedgetail, A30-001 ‘RESCUE 107’ also joined the search and it too redeployed to Learmonth after initially operating from Perth.
Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-OCV Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS (MSN 9326) owned by ExecuJet Australia Pty Ltd, at Perth Airport – Tue 1 April 2014. Photo © Wilson — VH-OCV Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS (MSN 9326) owned by ExecuJet Australia Pty Ltd, at Perth Airport – Tue 1 April 2014.
It was chartered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which was declared missing on 8 March 2014. Arrived in Perth 22 March 2014 from Subang (Kuala Lumpur), after completing charters unrelated to the MH370 search. Flew a number of long search flights of over 11-12 hours duration, far off the WA coast, until 29 March 2014. Built in 2008, ex C-FUDH. Seen here parked at the end of Taxiway R.
Photo © Wilson

A32-439 Beech B300 King Air 350 (MSN FL-439) of RAAF, 38 Squadron, based at Townsville, QLD, ‘38 Sqn: 70 years’ logo on tail, at Perth Airport – Tue 1 April 2014.
Believed to be a liaison/support aircraft for the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. A32-439 used the callsign DINGO 51 and has small ‘Dingo Aviation’ titles on the fuselage under the cockpit windows. The squadron will soon be receiving ten new Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft which are on order for the RAAF. Seen here parked at end of Taxiway R, next to Global Express VH-OCV, which was one of the civilian aircraft used in the search.
Photo © Wilson

A30-005 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33896/1934) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW, at Perth Airport – Mon 31 March 2014. Photo © Wilson — A30-005 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33896/1934) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW, at Perth Airport – Mon 31 March 2014.
Seen at the south end of the Terminal 2 apron at 13:40, just after arriving from RAAF Williamtown, using callsign ‘MITCHELL 10′, to support the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. It performed the role of coordination and communications relay aircraft for search activities, using callsign RESCUE 106. It initially operated from Perth Airport, but redeployed to Learmonth from 8 April 2014 to operate from there.
Photo © Wilson

A30-005 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33896/1934) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW, with 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) & 168430/LF-430 (MSN 40810/3879) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Mon 31 March 2014. Photo © Wilson — A30-005 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-7ES) (MSN 33896/1934) of the RAAF, 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW, with 168429 / LF-429 (MSN 40809/3792) & 168430/LF-430 (MSN 40810/3879) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Mon 31 March 2014.
Aircraft involved with the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, parked on the south end of Terminal 2 apron at 17:27.
A30-005 arrived from RAAF Williamtown this afternoon, using callsign ‘MITCHELL 10′. Performed the role of coordination and communications relay aircraft for search activities, using callsign RESCUE 106. Initially operated from Perth Airport, but redeployed to Learmonth on 8 April 2014 to operate from there.
168429 arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 (see photos) from Subang, Malaysia. P-8s could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load. It initially used the call sign RESCUE 74 and later RESCUE 74 or 75 during search operations.
168430 arrived in Perth on 28 March 2014 (see photos) direct from Kadena Air Base, Japan. On search flights, this aircraft used callsign RESCUE 75 initially, and RESCUE 74 or 75 from 1 April 2014. Only one P-8 flew each day.
These two P-8s were replaced on 10 April 2014 by another pair from Kadena – 168438 and 168439.
Photo © Wilson

168430/LF-430 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40810/3879) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Mon 31 March 2014. Photo © Wilson — 168430/LF-430 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40810/3879) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Mon 31 March 2014.
Parked at the south end of Terminal 2 apron at 17:36, after returning from a search flight looking for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. First arrived in Perth on 28 March 2014 (see photos) direct from Kadena Air Base, Japan. On search flights, this aircraft used callsign RESCUE 75 initially, and RESCUE 74 or 75 from 1 April 2014. One of a pair of P-8s deployed to Perth (the other was 168429), only one P-8 flew each day. These two P-8s were replaced on 10 April 2014 by another pair from Kadena – 168438 and 168439.
Photo © Wilson

M30-16 Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules (MSN 382-5319) of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, 20 Skuadron, based at Subang Air Base, Malaysia, at RAAF Pearce - Sun 30 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — M30-16 Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules (MSN 382-5319) of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, 20 Skuadron, based at Subang Air Base, Malaysia, at RAAF Pearce – Sun 30 March 2014.
‘RESCUE 282’ after takeoff from runway 36R at 10:53am, headed to the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. M30-16 first arrived at Pearce from Jakarta-Halim on 29 March 2014 using callsign ‘RMF460B’.
Photo © David Eyre

A9-659 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5784) of RAAF, 11 Squadron, based at RAAF Edinburgh, at RAAF Pearce - Sun 30 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — A9-659 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5784) of RAAF, 11 Squadron, based at RAAF Edinburgh, at RAAF Pearce – Sun 30 March 2014.
RESCUE 103, after take off from runway 18L at 11:12am, headed to the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
Photo © David Eyre

M30-16 Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules (MSN 382-5319) of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, 20 Skuadron, based at Subang Air Base, Malaysia, at RAAF Pearce – Sat 29 March 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — M30-16 Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules (MSN 382-5319) of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, 20 Skuadron, based at Subang Air Base, Malaysia, at RAAF Pearce – Sat 29 March 2014.
‘RESCUE 282’′, taxying in at Pearce after landing on runway 18L at 12:06 following a search flight for missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
This aircraft arrived Pearce from Subang via Jakarta-Halim on 29 March 2014 using callsign ‘RMF460B’.
Photo © Keith Anderson

NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion (MSN 5202) of 5 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, based at RNZAF Auckland, New Zealand, at RAAF Pearce – Sat 29 March 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion (MSN 5202) of 5 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, based at RNZAF Auckland, New Zealand, at RAAF Pearce – Sat 29 March 2014.
‘RESCUE 795′, lining up on runway 36R at Pearce for departure at 12:15 to the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
Photo © Keith Anderson

NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion (MSN 185-5202) of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 5 Squadron, based at RNZAF Base Auckland, New Zealand, at RAAF Pearce – Sat 29 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion (MSN 185-5202) of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 5 Squadron, based at RNZAF Base Auckland, New Zealand, at RAAF Pearce – Sat 29 March 2014.
This aircraft first arrived at Pearce on 19 March 2014 using callsign ‘KIWI 027’. It replaced another RNZAF Orion, NZ4203, in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
It is seen here after takeoff from runway 36R at 12:20 as ‘RESCUE 795’, departing for another search flight.
Photo © David Eyre

168429 / LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, and A39-003 Airbus KC-30A (A330-200MRTT) (MSN 969) of RAAF, 33 Sqn, based at Amberley, QLD, at Perth Airport – Fri 28 March 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — 168429 / LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, and A39-003 Airbus KC-30A (A330-200MRTT) (MSN 969) of RAAF, 33 Sqn, based at Amberley, QLD, at Perth Airport – Fri 28 March 2014.
A39-003 callsign ‘DRAGON 14’ landing on runway 03 at 13:52, arriving from Amberley via Canberra and Adelaide on a training flight. It departed the next day to Adelaide and Sydney.
In the foreground on the taxiway is 168429/LF-429, callsign ‘RESCUE 74’, taxying out for another search flight to look for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
Photo © Keith Anderson

A32-439 Beech B300 King Air 350 (MSN FL-439 of RAAF, 38 Squadron, based at Townsville, QLD, ‘38 Sqn: 70 years’ logo on tail, at Perth Airport – Fri 28 March 2014.
‘DINGO 51’, on final approach to runway 24 at 16:35. Also has small ‘Dingo Aviation’ titles on the fuselage under the cockpit windows – DINGO is the callsign used by 38 Squadron. 38 Squadron is the RAAF’s longest continuously serving operational squadron, and they celebrated their 70th anniversary in September 2013. The squadron will soon be receiving ten new Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft which are on order for the RAAF.
Photo © David Eyre

168430 / LF-430 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40810/3879) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’ at Perth Airport – Fri 28 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 168430 / LF-430 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40810/3879) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’ at Perth Airport – Fri 28 March 2014.
Arriving direct from Kadena Air Base, Japan at 17:19 with callsign ‘TALON 101’. It was arriving to join the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014. This was the second P-8 to operate from Perth – they could not operate from RAAF Pearce with full fuel load. On search flights, this aircraft used callsign RESCUE 75 initially, and RESCUE 74 or 75 from 1 April 2014. It later had avionics problems and conducted a test flight on 7 April 2014 flying Perth – Albany – Perth as ‘TALON 78’. It re-entered search operations on 8 April 2014 as ‘RESCUE 75’.
Photo © David Eyre

A9-659 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5784) of RAAF, 11 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 27 March 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — A9-659 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5784) of RAAF, 11 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 27 March 2014.
‘RESCUE 102’, returning from a search flight at 16:07, looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
Photo © Keith Anderson

A9-753 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5660) of RAAF, 11 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 27 March 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — A9-753 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5660) of RAAF, 11 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 27 March 2014.
‘RESCUE 105’, returning from a search flight at 16:34, looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
Photo © Keith Anderson

A9-753 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5660) of RAAF, 11 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 27 March 2014. ‘RESCUE 105’, returning from a search flight at 16:34, looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — A9-753 Lockheed AP-3C Orion (MSN 285D-5660) of RAAF, 11 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA, at RAAF Pearce – Thu 27 March 2014.
‘RESCUE 105’, returning from a search flight at 16:34, looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
Photo © Keith Anderson

NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion (MSN 185-5202) of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 5 Squadron, based at RNZAF Base Auckland, New Zealand, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 26 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion (MSN 185-5202) of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 5 Squadron, based at RNZAF Base Auckland, New Zealand, at RAAF Pearce – Wed 26 March 2014.
This aircraft first arrived at Pearce on 19 March 2014 using callsign ‘KIWI 027’. It replaced another RNZAF Orion, NZ4203, in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014.
It is seen here on final approach to runway 18L at 17:22 as ‘RESCUE 795’, returning from another search flight.
Photo © David Eyre

N794CK Boeing 747-222B(SF) (MSN 23737/675) of Kalitta Air, at Perth Airport - Wed 26 March 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — N794CK Boeing 747-222B(SF) (MSN 23737/675) of Kalitta Air, at Perth Airport – Wed 26 March 2014.
On final approach to runway 03, arriving from Hong Kong as ‘CONNIE 562’ at 09:44. Delivered the US Navy’s Bluefin-21 autonomous underwater vehicle and the TPL-25 Towed Pinger Locater from New York JFK via Anchorage (Alaska) and Hong Kong. These will be used underwater to listen for the beacon on the Flight Data Recorder of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER, 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. N794CK departed 27 March 2014 to Hong Kong, Khabarovsk, Anchorage and Chicago. This aircraft was built in 1987 in passenger configuration for United Airlines as N152UA. It was converted to a freighter in 2000 and delivered to Northwest Airlines (later Delta Airlines) as N646NW. It was stored at Marana, Arizona from June 2009 to Oct 2010 before being acquired by Kalitta Air, and was then registered as N794CK.
Photo © Keith Anderson

N794CK Boeing 747-222B(SF) (MSN 23737/675) of Kalitta Air, at Perth Airport - Wed 26 March 2014. Photo © Steve Jaksic — N794CK Boeing 747-222B(SF) (MSN 23737/675) of Kalitta Air, at Perth Airport – Wed 26 March 2014.
Landing on runway 03, arriving from Hong Kong as ‘CONNIE 562’ at 09:44. Delivered the US Navy’s Bluefin-21 autonomous underwater vehicle and the TPL-25 Towed Pinger Locater from New York JFK via Anchorage (Alaska) and Hong Kong. These will be used underwater to listen for the beacon on the Flight Data Recorder of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER, 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. N794CK departed 27 March 2014 to Hong Kong, Khabarovsk, Anchorage and Chicago. This aircraft was built in 1987 in passenger configuration for United Airlines as N152UA. It was converted to a freighter in 2000 and delivered to Northwest Airlines (later Delta Airlines) as N646NW. It was stored at Marana, Arizona from June 2009 to Oct 2010 before being acquired by Kalitta Air, and was then registered as N794CK.
Photo © Steve Jaksic

N794CK Boeing 747-222B(SF) (MSN 23737/675) of Kalitta Air, at Perth Airport – Wed 26 March 2014. Photo © Wilson — N794CK Boeing 747-222B(SF) (MSN 23737/675) of Kalitta Air, at Perth Airport – Wed 26 March 2014.
Arrived from Hong Kong as ‘CONNIE 562′ at 09:44, and seen here parked at Bay 56 at 22:39. Delivered the US Navy’s Bluefin-21 autonomous underwater vehicle and the TPL-25 Towed Pinger Locater from New York JFK via Anchorage (Alaska) and Hong Kong. These will be used underwater to listen for the beacon on the Flight Data Recorder of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER, 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. N794CK departed at 1.02am on 27 March 2014 to Hong Kong, Khabarovsk, Anchorage and Chicago. This aircraft was built in 1987 in passenger configuration for United Airlines as N152UA. It was converted to a freighter in 2000 and delivered to Northwest Airlines (later Delta Airlines) as N646NW. It was stored at Marana, Arizona from June 2009 to Oct 2010 before being acquired by Kalitta Air, and was then registered as N794CK.
Photo © Wilson

168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport - Wed 26 March 2014. Photo © Steve Jaksic — 168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Wed 26 March 2014.
Arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 from Subang, Malaysia, to join the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO). It initially used the call sign ‘RESCUE 74’ and later ‘RESCUE 75’ during search operations over the following weeks. It was operated from Perth Airport, as it could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. This is the second production example of the P-8A, which made its first flight 20 December 2011, with Boeing test registration N397DS. Normally home-based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida (USA), this aircraft participated in the first overseas deployment of the P-8, when it arrived at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan on 1 December 2013. Seen here taxying to runway 03 at 10:48 for another search flight, using callsign ‘RESCUE 74’.
Photo © Steve Jaksic

168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport - Wed 26 March 2014. Photo © Keith Anderson — 168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Wed 26 March 2014.
Arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 from Subang, Malaysia, to join the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO). It initially used the call sign ‘RESCUE 74’ and later ‘RESCUE 75’ during search operations over the following weeks. It was operated from Perth Airport, as it could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. This is the second production example of the P-8A, which made its first flight 20 December 2011, with Boeing test registration N397DS. Normally home-based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida (USA), this aircraft participated in the first overseas deployment of the P-8, when it arrived at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan on 1 December 2013. Seen here taxying to runway 03 at 10:48 for another search flight, using callsign ‘RESCUE 74’.
Photo © Keith Anderson

168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport - Wed 26 March 2014. Arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 from Subang, Malaysia, to join the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO). It initially used the call sign ‘RESCUE 74’ and later ‘RESCUE 75’ during search operations over the following weeks. It was operated from Perth Airport, as it could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. This is the second production example of the P-8A, which made its first flight 20 December 2011, with Boeing test registration N397DS. Normally home-based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida (USA), this aircraft participated in the first overseas deployment of the P-8, when it arrived at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan on 1 December 2013. Seen here holding on taxiway M at 10:50 to depart on another search flight, using callsign 'RESCUE 74', whilst VH-VOX Boeing 737-8FE of Virgin Australia lands on runway 03 at 10:47. Photo © Keith Anderson — 168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Wed 26 March 2014.
Arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 from Subang, Malaysia, to join the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO). It initially used the call sign ‘RESCUE 74’ and later ‘RESCUE 75’ during search operations over the following weeks. It was operated from Perth Airport, as it could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load. This is the second production example of the P-8A, which made its first flight 20 December 2011, with Boeing test registration N397DS. Normally home-based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida (USA), this aircraft participated in the first overseas deployment of the P-8, when it arrived at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan on 1 December 2013. Seen here holding on taxiway M at 10:50 to depart on another search flight, using callsign ‘RESCUE 74’, whilst VH-VOX Boeing 737-8FE of Virgin Australia lands on runway 03 at 10:47.
Photo © Keith Anderson

950905 Lockheed P-3C-III+ Orion (MSN 285K-5834) of the Republic of Korea Navy, 613 Navy Squadron, based at Pohang Air Base, South Korea, at RAAF Pearce – Tue 25 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 950905 Lockheed P-3C-III+ Orion (MSN 285K-5834) of the Republic of Korea Navy, 613 Navy Squadron, based at Pohang Air Base, South Korea, at RAAF Pearce – Tue 25 March 2014.
On final approach to runway 18L at Pearce at 16:42 as ‘RESCUE 86’, arriving from Subang, Malaysia, to join the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014. This Orion later operated search missions from RAAF Pearce using callsign ‘RESCUE 86’.
Photo © David Eyre

05-183 Lockheed C-130H Hercules (MSN 382-5183) of the Republic of Korea Air Force, 5 Tactical Air Transport Wing / 251st Tactical Air Support Squadron, based at Gimhae Air Base, South Korea, at RAAF Pearce – Tue 25 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 05-183 Lockheed C-130H Hercules (MSN 382-5183) of the Republic of Korea Air Force, 5 Tactical Air Transport Wing / 251st Tactical Air Support Squadron, based at Gimhae Air Base, South Korea, at RAAF Pearce – Tue 25 March 2014.
On final approach to runway 18L at Pearce at 17:34 as ‘RESCUE 87’, arriving from Subang, Malaysia, to join the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014. This Hercules later operated search missions from RAAF Pearce using callsign ‘RESCUE 87’.
Photo © David Eyre

VH-LAL Gulfstream Aerospace G550 (GV-SP) (MSN 5259) of Little Aviation Pty Ltd, at Perth Airport - Mon 24 March 2014. Photo © Wilson — VH-LAL Gulfstream Aerospace G550 (GV-SP) (MSN 5259) of Little Aviation Pty Ltd, at Perth Airport – Mon 24 March 2014.
Arrived in Perth from Essendon. It was chartered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. VH-LAL flew a number of long search flights up to 11 hours in duration, far off the WA coast, until 29 March 2014. Built in 2010, ex N959GA.
Photo © Wilson

VH-OCV Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS (MSN 9326) owned by ExecuJet Australia Pty Ltd, at Perth Airport - Mon 24 March 2014. Photo © Wilson — VH-OCV Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS (MSN 9326) owned by ExecuJet Australia Pty Ltd, at Perth Airport – Mon 24 March 2014.
Arrived in Perth from Subang (Kuala Lumpur) after completing charters unrelated to the MH370 search. It was chartered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which was declared missing on 8 March 2014. VH-OCV flew a number of long search flights of over 11 hours in duration, far off the WA coast, until 29 March 2014. Built in 2008, ex C-FUDH.
Photo © Wilson

168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport - Mon 24 March 2014. Photo © Wilson — 168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Mon 24 March 2014
This aircraft had previously been to WA on 24 February 2014, when it visited RAAF Base Pearce. It arrived at Perth Airport on 18 March 2014 from Subang, Malaysia, to join the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO). It initially used the call sign ‘RESCUE 74’ and later ‘RESCUE 75’ during search operations over the following weeks. It was operated from Perth Airport, as it could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load.
This is the second production example of the P-8A, which made its first flight 20 December 2011, with Boeing test registration N397DS. Normally home-based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida (USA), this aircraft participated in the first overseas deployment of the P-8, when it arrived at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan on 1 December 2013.
Photo © Wilson

21045 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 0083486570) of the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Dangyang, China, at Perth Airport - Mon 24 March 2014. Photo © Wilson — 21045 Ilyushin IL-76MD (MSN 1033416524) of the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Dangyang, China, at Perth Airport – Mon 24 March 2014.
This first arrived at Perth Airport on 22 March 2014, arriving from Sungai Besi Air Base, Malaysia to join in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. Although the aircraft landed at Perth Airport as it was supposed to, the Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss was for some reason waiting at RAAF Pearce. So after a short time on ground, the aircraft was flown to RAAF Pearce for a formal welcome. Media later incorrectly reported that the landing at Perth was a mistake – it was not. Perth was the correct destination, as the aircraft was unable to operate from Pearce with a full fuel load. In the early hours of the morning of 24 March, they flew back to Perth Airport for refuelling (as seen here at 5:26am), and set out on their first search mission from Australia. 21045 uses the callsign RESCUE 802. Built in 1993, ex B-4034 (China United Airlines).
Photo © Wilson

21045 (MSN 1033416524) (on the left) & 20541 (MSN 0083486570) Ilyushin IL-76MD of the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Dangyang, China, at RAAF Pearce - Sun 23 March 2014. Photo © Matt Hayes — 21045 (MSN 1033416524) (on the left) & 20541 (MSN 0083486570) Ilyushin IL-76MD of the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), 13th Transport Division, 39th Air Regiment, Dangyang, China, at RAAF Pearce – Sun 23 March 2014.
The aircraft had landed at Perth Airport the previous day, arriving from Sungai Besi Air Base, Malaysia. Whilst on final approach, the Tower controller asked the crew to confirm their destination was Perth, as the Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss was waiting at RAAF Base Pearce. The crew confirmed that their destination was Perth Airport. However, after a short time on ground, the aircraft was flown to RAAF Pearce for a formal welcome by Acting PM Warren Truss. Media later incorrectly reported that the landing at Perth was a mistake. Perth was the correct destination, as the aircraft was unable to operate from Pearce with a full fuel load. Seen here parked on runway 05/23 at Pearce on 23 March, in the early hours of the morning of 24 March, they flew back to Perth Airport for refuelling, before setting out on their first search mission from Australia. 20541 used the callsign RESCUE 801 and 21045 is RESCUE 802.
Photo © Matt Hayes

5056 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9053) of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 5 Kokutai, based at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, at RAAF Base Pearce – Sun 23 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 5056 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9053) of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 5 Kokutai, based at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, at RAAF Base Pearce – Sun 23 March 2014.
On final approach to runway 36R at Pearce at 17:30 as ‘JAPAN NAVY 56’, arriving from Subang, Malaysia, to join the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014. This Orion later operated search missions from RAAF Pearce using callsign ‘RESCUE 931’.
Photo © David Eyre

5060 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9057) of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 5 Kokutai, based at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, at RAAF Base Pearce – Sun 23 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 5060 Lockheed (Kawasaki) P-3C-II½ Orion (MSN 9057) of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, 5 Kokutai, based at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, at RAAF Base Pearce – Sun 23 March 2014.
On final approach to runway 36R at Pearce at 17:39 as ‘JAPAN NAVY 60’, arriving from Subang, Malaysia, to join the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO), which disappeared on 8 March 2014. This Orion later operated search missions from RAAF Pearce using callsign ‘RESCUE 932’.
Photo © David Eyre

A9-... Lockheed AP-3C Orion of 11 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, based at Edinburgh, SA, over the northern suburbs of Perth - Sat 22 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — A9-… Lockheed AP-3C Orion of 11 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, based at Edinburgh, SA, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Sat 22 March 2014.
‘RESCUE 102’, headed south west at 8:20am to the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014, whilst operating flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people aboard. This was Day Five of the search in the southern Indian Ocean area, and on 22 March 2014 the search was focused on a thin rectangular strip of sea comprising 36,000 square kilometres, located 2,330 kilometres south west of Perth. The distance was such that the Orion took over four hours to reach the area and could only spend two hours searching before fuel limitations forced a return flight home to RAAF Pearce. Two Orions (this RAAF example and one of the RNZAF), together with two civilian Global Express business jets (VH-ICV & VH-TGG), performed the search today.
Photo © David Eyre

NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion (MSN 5202) of 5 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, based at RNZAF Auckland, New Zealand, over the northern suburbs of Perth - Sat 22 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — NZ4204 Lockheed P-3K2 Orion (MSN 5202) of 5 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, based at RNZAF Auckland, New Zealand, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Sat 22 March 2014.
‘RESCUE 795’ headed south west at 10:35am to the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO, which disappeared on 8 March 2014, whilst operating flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people aboard. This was Day Five of the search in the southern Indian Ocean area, and on 22 March 2014 the search was focused on a thin rectangular strip of sea comprising 36,000 square kilometres, located 2,330 kilometres south west of Perth. The distance was such that the Orion took over four hours to reach the area and could only spend two hours searching before fuel limitations forced a return flight back to RAAF Pearce. Two Orions (this RNZAF example and one of the RAAF), together with two civilian Global Express business jets (VH-ICV & VH-TGG), performed the search today. NZ4204 arrived at Pearce on 19 March 2014 as ‘KIWI 027’.
Photo © David Eyre

168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, over the northern suburbs of Perth - Wed 19 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, over the northern suburbs of Perth – Wed 19 March 2014
This aircraft had previously been to WA on 24 February 2014, when it visited RAAF Base Pearce. It arrived at Perth Airport the previous day, to join the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO). It used the call sign ‘RESCUE 74’ during search operations over the following days and is seen here at 16:00 heading northeast over the northern suburbs of Perth at 2,300 feet, before joining final approach to Perth Airport’s runway 21. It was based at Perth Airport as it could not operate from RAAF Pearce with a full fuel load.
This is the second production example of the P-8A, which made its first flight 20 December 2011, with Boeing test registration N397DS. Normally home-based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida (USA), this aircraft participated in the first overseas deployment of the P-8, when it arrived at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan on 1 December 2013. During the search for MH370 in March 2014, it was temporarily based at Subang, Malaysia before going to Perth Airport.
The P-8 is a maritime patrol version of the Boeing 737-800 using wings based on the 737-900, but with raked wingtips which are better suited to the lower altitudes where the P-8 operates. The fuselage is strengthened, to accommodate six additional body fuel tanks for extended range and a short bomb bay (with doors) behind the wings, for torpedoes, missiles and other stores. An in-flight refuelling receptacle is located on top of the forward fuselage, just aft of the cockpit. The P-8 has a Raytheon APY-10 multi-mission surface search radar. In the cabin are five operator stations mounted in a sideways row, along the port side of the cabin. One observer window is located on each side of the forward cabin. The engine nacelles and wing mountings had to be modified due to the use of more powerful electrical generators. Interestingly, the P-8 does not have a Magnetic Anomaly Detector boom, as this was deleted during development, to reduce weight and improve endurance.
Photo © David Eyre

168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Tue 18 March 2014. Photo © David Eyre — 168429/LF-429 Boeing P-8A Poseidon (737-8FV) (MSN 40809/3792) of US Navy squadron VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, at Perth Airport – Tue 18 March 2014.
On final approach to runway 21 using call sign ‘MY 102’, arriving at 14:25 from Subang, Malaysia. This aircraft had previously been to WA on 24 February 2014, when it visited RAAF Base Pearce. This was its first visit to Perth Airport, where it was based for a number of days whilst operating as part of the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO). It used the call sign ‘RESCUE 74’ when conducting search flights from Perth.
This is the second production example of the P-8A, which made its first flight 20 December 2011, with Boeing test registration N397DS. Normally home-based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida (USA), this aircraft participated in the first overseas deployment of the P-8, when it arrived at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan on 1 December 2013. During the search for MH370 in March 2014, it was temporarily based at Subang, Malaysia before going to Perth Airport.
The P-8 is a maritime patrol version of the Boeing 737-800 using wings based on the 737-900, but with raked wingtips which are better suited to the lower altitudes where the P-8 operates. The fuselage is strengthened, to accommodate six additional body fuel tanks for extended range and a short bomb bay (with doors) behind the wings, for torpedoes, missiles and other stores. An in-flight refuelling receptacle is located on top of the forward fuselage, just aft of the cockpit. The P-8 has a Raytheon APY-10 multi-mission surface search radar. In the cabin are five operator stations mounted in a sideways row, along the port side of the cabin. One observer window is located on each side of the forward cabin. The engine nacelles and wing mountings had to be modified due to the use of more powerful electrical generators. Interestingly, the P-8 does not have a Magnetic Anomaly Detector boom, as this was deleted during development, to reduce weight and improve endurance.
Photo © David Eyre

MORE PHOTOS TO BE ADDED SOON….

23 thoughts on “Aircraft related to search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (9M-MRO): March – April 2014”

John McHarg says:

30 April 2014 at 9:45 am

Well done David.

You’ve been busy.

Did you ever work for Qantas? Reservations, that is, in their Perth office?

Cheers

John McHarg

Reply
1. David Eyre says:
  
  30 April 2014 at 8:15 pm
  
  Thanks John, and no, I have not worked for Qantas.
  Kind Regards,
  David Eyre
  
  Reply
Geoff Kingman-Sugars says:

28 April 2014 at 1:35 pm

What a great collection of aircraft photos – well done, indeed.

For the RAAF, SAR callsigns (Rescue 1xx) – they aren’t crew related but are SAR Mission related numbers as assigned by HQ RAAF Glenbrook as the main co-ordinating authority of the RAAF SAR operational sorties. From memory, we used to reset the sequence each calendar month. Personal callsigns of the aircraft captain are prefixed with a squadron rootword followed by the individual pilot’s assigned number, such as Sealion 55. Positioning flights are normally conducted using personal callsigns, hence, Mitchell 7or Sealion 55.

For the identity of the unidentified RAAF P3 Orion (03APR2014) using the callsign Rescue 102 (the second one assigned for the month of April) I would suggest consulting Operations at HQPEA or HQGBK. I doubt that such information would be classified.

Reply
1. David Eyre says:
  
  28 April 2014 at 5:52 pm
  
  On behalf of all of the photographers involved, thank you for your compliments.
  Regarding the Orion RESCUE callsigns, they do not seem to be reset each month, as we have seen the same callsign used on consecutive days or every second day in the same month. The Orion callsigns are limited to RESCUE 102 through 105. Wedgetails use RESCUE 106 through 108. They may be mission-related numbers, as you suggest.
  The US Navy uses one P-8 on search flights each day, and each aircraft uses either RESCUE 74 or RESCUE 75 as its callsign, although initially the callsigns related to individual aircraft. The Malaysian C-130s also seem to switch callsigns around, as M30-09 and M30-12 have both been noted using callsign RESCUE 281.
  
  Regards,
  David Eyre
  
  Reply
Bryan Carpenter says:

28 April 2014 at 10:44 am

Excellent work David. Your chronological history is quite accurate and will remain in the annals of history for some time.
Keep it up.

Bryan carpenter
Brisbane

Reply
1. David Eyre says:
  
  28 April 2014 at 5:41 pm
  
  Thanks Bryan for your kind compliments.
  If you happen to find any inaccurate information in the list or captions, please let me know.
  Regards,
  David Eyre
  
  Reply
David Hennigan says:

22 April 2014 at 6:56 pm

Its unfortunate that the tragedy that befell MH370 is the cause of this excellent record of the attempts made in the rescue effort.

Oh to be living in the Western Australia area to capture such aviation activity.

And if you are not living there, like me from Ireland, then to have someone record the activity with such passion and detail for the benefit of a wider community is a real joy.

Thank you David for the effort you have put into this project albeit caused by a tragedy.

Reply
1. David Eyre says:
  
  23 April 2014 at 9:23 am
  
  Thanks David for your compliments.
  Myself and the other local aviation Western Australian aviation enthusiasts have found it awe inspiring to see so many people from around the world working together to try to find MH370.
  In compiling the list and photos of aircraft involved, one can see what a massive effort this search has been. This only covers the Australian part of the search since 18 March 2014, not the many aircraft involved in the search over the Gulf of Thailand, Malacca Strait and Andaman Sea, etc during the early stages.
  We sincerely hope that they succeed in solving this mystery, as the relatives and friends of those aboard have suffered so much, for so long.
  
  Regards,
  David Eyre
  
  Reply
Guus Ottenhof says:

22 April 2014 at 2:32 am

CAN ANYONE PLEASE TELL IF THE MSN OF THE IL-76S WERE ACTUALLY CHECKED AND IF SO, WHERE?

Reply
1. David Eyre says:
  
  22 April 2014 at 6:30 am
  
  Hi Guus,
  MSNs of the IL-76s have not been confirmed, as this would require access to the interior of the aircraft.
  Scramble’s website states that the MSN of the Il-76 is to be found on the rear cargo-hold pressure bulkhead which lifts up to the ceiling of the aircraft for loading and unloading – which can only be read off when the cargo doors are open, and some aircraft do not have it painted there. The only other place where the MSN is located is the doors to the cockpit from inside the cargo-bay, which carry a small plate with the last five digits.
  As far as I am aware, none of the local aviation enthusiasts have been able to gain access to either of the IL-76s when the doors are open.
  Regards,
  David Eyre
  
  Reply
Alec Wilson says:

21 April 2014 at 9:55 pm

A fantastic set of pictures in very unfortunate & sad circumstances. Keep up the great work.

Alec Wilson
Khon Kaen
Thailand

Reply
Robbie Shaw says:

21 April 2014 at 7:34 pm

WOW – what a great selection of photos and information. Must have been a very time consuming task. Thanks for all your hard work. Those PLAAF IL-76 shots just fantastivc.
Robbie Shaw

Reply
1. David Eyre says:
  
  21 April 2014 at 8:23 pm
  
  Hi Robbie,
  
  Many thanks for your kind compliments.
  
  I have a backlog of photos to be uploaded, but try to keep the list updated daily. Assigning of callsigns to aircrews, rather than aircraft makes things a bit tricky, and we try to only report movements we know or believe to be connected to the MH370 search. I have tried to ensure the list is as accurate as possible.
  
  We have so many photos of the two PLAAF IL-76s now that it is difficult to choose which ones to include – we don’t want too much repetition.
  
  Regards,
  David Eyre
  President
  Aviation Association of WA
  
  Reply
Antoin Daltun says:

21 April 2014 at 5:59 pm

David

That is a fantastic record.
Could you send me an e-mail address so that if any of the local [Irish] aviation magazines could contact you? They are professional quality but the contributors don’t get paid!
I think I spotted typo on two adjacent photos where 21045 is given the msn of 20541. A pair of numbers that could almost be chosen to confuse!

Your efforts and the wonderful photos are much appreciated.

Antoin Daltun

Reply
1. David Eyre says:
  
  21 April 2014 at 8:12 pm
  
  Thanks Antoin for the compliments, and for spotting the typing error in the MSN for IL-76 21045 – have fixed it now.
  
  Our email address is: AviationWA(at)gmail.com
  
  Kind Regards,
  David Eyre
  President
  Aviation Association of WA
  
  Reply
SM TANG says:

13 April 2014 at 8:04 pm

The two Japanese P-3s (5056 and 5060) arrived SZB on 11th April and departed (presumably back to Japan) on 12th April. CALLSIGN ‘JAPAN NAVY 56’ and ‘JAPAN NAVY 60’ respectively.

PS. Thanks for your hard work in keeping track of the movements of aircraft involved in the SAR mission for MH370!

Reply
1. David Eyre says:
  
  14 April 2014 at 8:00 am
  
  Thank you for the compliment and the additional information about the two Japanese Orions. Will update the list.
  Regards,
  David Eyre
  
  Reply
Ron Killick says:

12 April 2014 at 3:22 pm

WOW1 That is come list. Going to take a while to digest, Thank you very much for all the effort

Thank you seems inadequate!

.

Reply
Evan says:

8 April 2014 at 10:32 pm

Love your work mate keep it up.
Nothing better than reading your posts and seeing photos of special aircraft that have visited Perth airport.
Especially love the detail you put with every photo.

Thanks for such a quality post and I look forward to future posts

Reply
Ravi says:

3 April 2014 at 4:53 pm

Very nice pics…hope to see more soon…
Good work

Ravi

Reply
Wade says:

31 March 2014 at 12:54 pm

Great information and photos, my question is where are all the flight and ground crews staying, surely not at Pearce the accommodation would be a bit stretched?
I suppose in hotels in the city.

Reply
geoff selby says:

29 March 2014 at 5:51 pm

well done lads, that is fantastic what you have done for all of us spotters out here, you have worked hard to deliver all that information to us, im from the uk I live in Currambine in the northern suburbs with all what you have done there I can now start logging, I have been spotting aircraft for nearly 30 years now, and my only regret was to throw away all my log books when I came over to wa 6 years ago, what a fool so here we go again from the start. so once again many thanks
Geoff Selby,

Reply
1. David Eyre says:
  
  29 March 2014 at 8:19 pm
  
  Thanks Geoff for the compliment.
  We will try our best to keep the list updated for all interested.
  Kind Regards,
  David Eyre
  
  Reply