Almaty - Pervomaiskiy

(All Photo's Copyright Vyacheslav Firsov - RussianPlanes.net)

Seen at Almaty - Pervomaiskiy on the 29th March were these Helicopter's of the 486th Brigade(?).

Al Quwwat al-Jawwiyah al Arabiya as-Souriya!!!

Syria's aircraft strength is very hard to assertain with various estimate's to number's of Aircraft delivered or in service, so please excuse me for any inaccuracie's if indeed they are inaccurate! Seen above are two image's of Syria's 40 or so MiG-29A Fulcrum-A's. Unfortunately, the serials are a little obscured due to haze and distance, but the scheme is very apparent. Syria is upgrading it's early MiG-29's to M-2 standard, and has ordered the more advanced MiG-29SMT.

The picture's above are taken Aleppo, and show some of the 33 MiG-23MLD Flogger-K's and MiG-23UB Flogger-C's that were transferred to Syria during 2008 from Belorussian stock's. They dont seem to carry any Syrian markings, so are proberly used as spares to keep the 100 or so fleet of earlier delivered MiG-23's airworthy, most of which are being upgraded. With that in mind, its also possible that some of the above may be upgraded, but it would be a pretty costly exercise to deliver the aircraft then take them back for upgrade!

A rare beast indeed! Seen here are example's of Syria's estimated 20 SU-24MK Fencer-D strike and interdiction Aircraft. They seem to wear the same scheme as Algerian examples, but unfortunately, no codes/serial's are noticable.

Another rare beast is the Syrians SU-22. A fleet of around 50 Su-22M-2 Fitter-J and SU-22M-4 Fitter-H aircraft. This aircraft seems to be wearing a scheme very similar to those of Iraq.

Three of Syria's 60 MiG-23BN Flogger-H aircraft formate over the Syrian skyline. Like those delivered to other countries, they seem to be painted in seperate schemes?

Not all of Syria's airpower is from the former Soviet Union as these Aerospatiale SA-342L Gazelle's testify. They suppliment the much heavier Mi-24 Hind in the close support and and anti-armour role, and have seen action over Lebanon. It is estimated that 42 may be in service, though attrition and serviceability issue may mean less are available.

Syria has over the year's recieved over a 100 Mi-8's in differing version's that include ELINT, VIP, Transport, and Assualt. This seem's seem's to be an armed Mi-8TB Hip-F model, used for Assault.

The fleet of early model Mi-8's has been supplamented by the much more capable Mi-17 Hip-H in the armed Assault role, with around 40 being delivered.

                                                    (All Photo's courtesy of Luftwaffe A.S.)



Many thank's to Luftwaffe A.S for his permission in using his unique and wonderful Photographe's!



Shiraz Fencer's!

(Copyright all Photo's  Mahdi Rashno - photozagros.com)

Three photo's dating from 2009, showing IRIAF Su-24MK Fencer-D's belonging to the 7th Tactical Air Base's 72nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, based at Shiraz. Of note is the two differing schemes, and the taped over serial in the bottom image. Fresh from upgrade or new?

Syrian Mi-17 Hip's!!

(Copyright all Photo's  Mahdi Rashno - photozagros.com)

You dont see much of the Syrian Air Force's asset's, and those that you do are either distant and blurry or old and tatty greyscale, so these are gems to be savoured!

Myanmar Fantan!!

(Copyright Andy Davey - Air Britain)

A nice shot of a Myanmar Air Force A-5C Fantan being towed across the Nyaung runway on March 1st. It is serialed 1526, and is one of 36 reported to be in service.

Thai Army inducts its first Mi-17's

(Copyright Reuters / Sukree Sukplang)

(Copyright Unknown)

The Thai Army has recieved the first three of  the 16 Mi.17-V5's that were ordered during 2008. The were originally delivered by AN-124 to Utapao Airbase in February, where there were re-asssembled. Two are seen here on the 28th March at Bangkok, where they are being inducted into service with the 11th Infantry Regiment.

Zambia Presidential

(Copyright EI-AMD)

Seen visiting Rand Airport in South Africa on the 13th March, HS.748.srs.265 (c/n.1688) AF-602. She was purchased in 1971 as a replacement for an earlier srs.231 which was unfortunately lost on the 26th August 1969.  She is used by the VIP Flight based at Lusaka.

A Dominican Feast!

The Escuadrón de Combate "Dragone's" based at San Isidro-San Domingo operate the A-29B Super Tucano on Drug Interdiction duties. Eight were ordered, being delivered from 2009, and replacing the elderly A-37B's.

Two Photo's above show an ex USAF OA-37B Dragonfly sometime during the mid ninetie's. Eight were delivered to the Escuadrón de Combate during 1984, and served until around 2010. FAD3707 (c/n 43430) is former USAF 73-1067.

Seen sometime during the late 60's is one the Fuersza Aerea Dominicana's 17 ex Swedish Air Force Vampire FB.MK.50's that were recieved during 1957. FAD2727 (Swedish 28174) is seen here at San Isidro with the Escuadrón de Combate.

AT-100 Super Ximango FAD1705 is one of around two that have been delivered to the FAD for observation dutie's. They are operated by the Escuadrón de Transporte Aéreo.

Eight militarised civilian Bell 205A-1's were aquired between 1976 and 1983 for operation with the Escuadrón de Rescate. FAD3026 (c/n 30182) was sold back to Bell Textron during 2000.

Seen at San Isidro recently, is C-45H Expeditor FAD1510, devoid of any marking's and in a rather bad state.

The Escuadrón de Transporte uses several types for both general transport and liason task's. FAD3500 is one of three CASA C.212-400 Aviocar's in service.

Cessna 207 Super Skywagon FAD1537 is now back in Air Force service after a brief spell on the civil register. She is operated by the Escuadrón de Transporte.

Another type operated by the Escuadrón de Transporte, is the Cessna 210 Super Centurion. FAD1542 is seen here, taking off from it's San Isidro base.

FAD1546 is one of three Eagle Aviation EA-100S aircraft that were delivered to the Escuela de Aviacion at San Isidro during 2010.

This S-55C Chickasaw is a survivor of  three that were delivered during the late 50's. She served with the Escuadrón de Rescate, and is seen here on display at Air Force's museum.

PA-31-350 Navajo FAD1539 of the Escuadrón de Transporte, looking rather smart in it's overall light grey scheme.

Three Beech Queen Air's have served with the FAD through time. FAD1528 (c/n LC-269) still carries it's former identity, and is seen here stored at San Isidro. She was proberly wfu soon after delivery, and is a Queen Air A65.

Four Schweizer 333 helicopter's were delivered to the Escuela de Aviacion during 2004. FAD3042 (c/n 0044A) being  one of them.

Three T-35B Pillan's from the  Escuela de Aviacion. At least two have been lost since thier delivery during 2000, out of  the Eight recieved.

This is one of six UH-1H's recieved during 1998 for operation within the Escuadrón de Rescate. They were replaced in 2004 by upgraded Huey II's.

(All Photo's  Copyright of Dax M. Roman)

Eight UH-1H-II Huey II's have been delivered. They are now appearing in the new two-tone grey scheme (lower two pics) after maintenance.