First MELTEM III delivery for Turkish Navy
The first of six ATR72-600T Maritime Patrol Aircraft/Anti-Submarine Warfare (MPA/ASW) that were ordered under the MELTEM III programme, was taken up in the active inventory of the Türk Deniz Hava Komutanlığı (Turkish Navy Aviation Command).
The MELTEM III programme covers the procurement of six ATR72 airframes and the modification into Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) configuration.
The contract was signed in July 2012 between the Turkish Navy, Alenia Aermacchi S.p.A and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
The first ATR72-600 arrived at TAI's facilities on 19 April 2013. The aircraft that has now been delivered has serial TCB-751 and is operated by 301 Filo at Topel/Kocaeli (Izmit). The ATR72 was test flown from its birthplace Torino-Caselle (Italy) as CSX62296. This temporary registration was later changed to M.T.62296. The aircraft's manufacturer serial number (msn) is believed to be 1070.
Under the same project, the Turkish Navy Aviation Command received two ATR72-600TMUA (Turkish Maritime Utility Aircraft) in 2013. These ATR72s are registered TCB-701 and TCB-702.
Scramble Magazine would like to know the manufacturer serial numbers of the six MELTEM III ATR72-600TMPAs and the two ATR72-600TMUAs. Please send your updates to us.
For detailed information on the Air Order of Battle of the Turkish Navy Aviation Command please visit https://www.scramble.nl/planning/orbats/turkey/turkish-navy-aviation-command
Photos: Turkish Navy Aviation Command