What about Tu-22M1 refuelling picture ?
(I mean – have anybody need in this image ?).

You are thinking of Aeroflot in western terms……

It isn’t (or wasn’t) an airline like we in the west think of a commercial airline.

It was a transport arm of the state – and used for military transport duties.

Even now in post-communist Russia, the ‘Air Force’ Il-76 transports, Il-18s, Il-86/96s, An-74s etc etc are all still in the old Aeroflot livery – and none of them are ‘airliners’…

Dear Rookh !

Yes, Flanker man is mostly right. But I want to correct his statement – the AEROFLOT is MOSTLY CIVILIAN airline; but in critical cause any (or all) of it’s airplanes can to be mobilized for military use. I certain, ALL countries will to do it by the same way in emergency cases. This way can to be used for the mobilization of any cars, trucks, ships, trains, etc.

And now I post new series of images:

1) IAI Sea Scan – military version of Israeli IAI Westwind plane (http://www.myaviationphotos.com/events/20080206afb27/20080206afb27.html).

2) Fokker F-27MPA – maritime patrol version of civil F-27 (http://forum.valka.cz/viewtopic.php/p/242998).

3) RU-21H – King Air in military use (http://www.planepictures.net/netsearch4.cgi?srch=Beech%20RU-21H&stype=actype&srng=2).

4) HFB-320 Hansa – military VIP-transport and 5) HFB-320 – electronic warfare aircraft (http://www.geschichte.luftwaffe.de/portal/a/geschlw/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLNwyL93D3BcmB2e5eTvqRcNGglFR9X4_83FR9b_0A_YLciHJHR0VFADHVIBY!/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82XzFWX0hIRA!!).

Civil Islander in “uniform” – Britten-Norman Defender in different versions:
6) “Usual” Defender,
7) Defender CASTOR,
8) Defender AEW,
9) Defender 4S ALMk1,
10) Defender 4000 – [All these images are from: (http://www.spyflight.co.uk/defender.htm].

Regards,
Flyer.

Flyer, thanks for that interesting pic, what are those two very large pods under the hardpoints on the wing, a housing for equipment or extra fuel?
Also, how did the operation of the command post tie in with the civilian roles the aircraft flew for Aeroflot? was there some rotation or was the aircraft used as and when required?

First of all:
Excuse me please, for my mistake. The image, posted earlier, shows the Ilyushin Il-80 aircraft (not Il-82) !

The right list is here:
– Ilyushin Il-86 – passenger aircraft (see image 1 here from http://retropost.ru/postcards/1921.html),
– Ilyushin Il-80 (another designation – Il-86VKP (or – seldom – Il-87)) – flying command post on Il-86 base (see image 2 here from http://www.archive.vpk-news.ru/print.asp?pr_sign=archive.2006.123.articles.army_02).

The Ilyushin Il-82 (another designations – Il-76VKP and Il-76SK) – it is flying command post on Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane base (with the same radome on fuselage, as on Il-80 – see image 3 here from http://gora7777.borda.ru/?1-17-0-00000002-000-0-0).

My answer on Your first question:
– these two large pods on Il-80 are for equipment most probably (see image 4 and 5 here from http://www.airwar.ru/aircraftnow.html).

On Your second question:
– Four Il-80 planes were built in total, as fully new machines (not rotation). They uses for military purposes only, and are in inventory of Separate squadron of control and retranslation. Those aircraft are secret, and I think, the “AEROFLOT” livery is painted for “disguise” purposes.

And let’s see a new pic of Il-80 (see image 6 here from http://www.airforce.ru/index.htm).

And, finally, more images from the World:
– Swearingen Metro AEW – version of civil Metro (see image 7 here from http://war1960.narod.ru/air/air.html);

– Embraer EMB-111 Bandeirante Patrulha – version of civil EMB-110/111 Bandeirante (see image 8 here from http://www.pabloaerobrasil.net/albuns/pages/Bandeirante%20%20Patrulha_jpg.htm).

Enjoy !

Flyer

Civilian aircraft in military use

Hello from Russia !

Here is one WELL-KNOWN plane:

[the image from http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpaper/Aircraft/NonCombatants/Special/index.html]

And now – the Russian example. This is Ilyushin Il-82 flying command post – the military version of civil Il-86. Note the “AEROFLOT” title and logo on fuselage, Russian flag and RA-xxxxx registration on tail.
It is seen clearly, that an old “CCCP-xxxxx” registration was modified in new “RA-xxxxxx” by the furbishing of “CCCP” letters and painting of “RA” letters. The red Soviet flag on tail was furbished too, and new tricolour was painted.

[the image from http://pvo.guns.ru/avia/photo_il.htm]

Regards,
Flyer.

Foreign Lynx with British roundels ?

Hello !

For what reasons Algerian (see in this thread above) and Omani (see links below) Lynx helicopters carries British roundels and serials ?

http://www.the-grey-lynx.com/13_oman/photos_om_768.htm
http://www.the-grey-lynx.com/13_oman/photos_om_762.htm
______________________________________________________
Flyer.

Syrian MiG-23. Anyone know the nationality of the L-39 on the right of the pic?

Well, first of all, this image is from Russia again (or is from one of ex-Soviet Republics).

This fact is confirmed, that the pattern of reinforced concrete slabs, of which the enclosure (on the image) is made, is widely used in Russia (and – earlier – in the USSR) for the fencing of different objects.

The view of trees in background clearly indicates, that this picture was taken in Southern part of Russia (or ex-Soviet republic).

This L-39 is usual Russian plane – see enlarged and lightened fragment of head photo on the PIC_1, and compare it’s camouflage pattern with PIC_2. The red stars (in six positions) are of well-faded colours, or the paints on stars are strip off, and we can see natural metal colour under it.

Thus, it is not Ukraine, not Moldova, not Georgia or Armenia photo (these countries are situated in Southern part of former USSR), because Russia have own Aviation Repair Plants enough.

And this photo is made, probably, on same ARZ, which Ëcm and Googeler wrote about.

PIC_1
PIC_2

This is fragment of colour scheme by Americo Maya artist from his site /geocities.yahoo.com.br/alvmaia (now closed).

Regards,
Flyer.

[Libyan An-124]

GREAT !

Nice shot, Otaku !
At the boy !

Myanmar Chipmunk

621andy wrote:

Beagle Husky 2112 with Chipmunk UB-154…

I dream to see side-view photos of this Myanmar Chipmunk…

Or side-view images of any other Burmese/Myanmar Chipmunks.
Maybe, somebody can help ?

Regards,
Flyer.