Portugal Retires Aviocar

摘要

After almost four decades of service the Forga Aerea Portuguesa (FAP, Portuguese Air Force) has formally retired the CASA 212 Aviocar from operational service with 401 Esquadra 'Scientists'. A ceremony was held on December 6, 2011 at Base Aerea 6 Montijo, near Lisbon, to mark the withdrawal from service of the transport. Portugal acquired two versions of the Aviocar, with the first of 24 CASA 212-lOOs delivered from 1973 to replace ageing Douglas C-47s and Nord N2501 Noratlases. In 1994 the FAP acquired two CASA 212-300s. These two aircraft differed quite markedly from the Series 100 by having an extended nose and carrying sideways-looking airborne radar, which was used for maritime patrol and surveillance.