Anything in Latvia?

Is anyone aware of any interesting aviation sites to see (I’ve previously visited the museul/collection at Riga Airport)? If anyone knows of any old derelict Wartime bases, srapyards, museums, etc, or just has any details of the air war over Latvia, I’d welcome more details.

http://www.virtualpilots.fi/feature/photoreports/latvia2005/

Just on the South-Eastern edge of the Riga suburbs is the ex-military airfield of Rumbula,the runway of which is easily visible on Google Earth between the river and the main road heading South East out of Riga. It is easily accessible by bus/tram from the centre of Riga. Most of the airfield is now derelict but there is a light aviation centre on the northernmost apron and the runway is still usable.Just! When I visited 3 years ago there were 2 An-2s(one active and 1 derelict in Aeroflot markings),2 disused Mil-2s and 2 disused Wilgas,plus a few other light aircraft. There is a locked gate onto the apron,but the friendly lady who lives in the caravan by the gate has the key and she kindly let me enter for photography.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumbula_(air_base)

Hi,

Are you getting a car while you are there?

1. You could try and have a look round the old Soviet fighter base at Tukums – it’s about 45 mins out of Riga to the West. I haven’t actually been on the site but it looks easily accessible. Just looks like the usual derelict airfield site however – no aircraft.

2. There is a military museum near Kuldiga – private and full of stuff that the owner has dug up from the battlefields, including bits of an IL-2 and FW-190 (from memory). There was also an AN-2 and some tanks. The opening times seem a bit eratic to say the least but I can try and get more details if you want from my better halfs father who took us there.

3. Liepaja – the airfield had a couple of derelict MiGs which you could poke around about 2 years ago. You can also take a glider flight here….where they stap on a parachute that looks WW2 vintage! Never mind the lack of height or training on its use…more of a seat cushion really.

4. The island of Saaremma (owned by Estonia) has a few bits as well including another private musuem of battlefields relics, old soviet rocket base and some fortifications from WW2 and the big battles that happened here. You are still warned not to go tramping about in the woods here since there is atill live ordnance to be found.

Hope some of that is useful.

SF.

have a look in the central market in Riga – old airship sheds I believe?
🙂

Not quite – the design of Riga market is based on the design of some old airship sheds, they aren’t actually old airship sheds.

They aren’t quite large enough to house an airship…..

Great place to visit though….

When in Riga, try to get to the old airport at Spilve – fascinating old Soviet-era terminal building…

Ken

have a look in the central market in Riga – old airship sheds I believe?
🙂