Wonder whether the requirement for Yak-130s still persists as the K-8 is only a basic trainer, not a true LIFT.

Within the Generals probably yes, within the politicians probably no.
The number of aircraft is simply too high for an additional Yak purchase. I guess all the money available needs to be spent for the new batch of 24 Su-30s in order to boost Chávez’ ego. I’d really like to know how often he has stated by now that he will attack the US 4th fleet with them :rolleyes:

Yes Chávez has confirmed it several times in his show. They intended to buy Yak-130 first, but apparently the need for a trainer became too urgent to wait any longer.
Venezuela intended to buy Hawks in the 1980s but the deal was scrapped because of the Falklands war. Their Buckeyes were faced out quite some time ago and since then they have been using the F-5s as jet trainers. But those aircraft are extremely aged and in terrible condition. There once were photos of a Freedom Fighter during maintenance on the FAV club forum. The worst pictures were removed only a day or so after they were posted. Apparently revealing their condition is a threat to national security..

I wonder how long it will take until it is repainted bright red :rolleyes:

An Antonov An-2 and Mil Mi-17 of the rather elusive Abkhazian Air Force

Has someone already contacted the guy who posted the Turkmen pictures? If not I may do it, I’m just too curious to find out mor about those Turkmen MiG-25s 😉

The first picture shows Tu-134s, not L-29s. The mentioned weird insignia with yellow and red spiral is not a roundel, but a logo of civilian transport company (forgot the name)

Thanks, I stand corrected. The name of the company was STIGL and they apparently were to some degree covert Chechnyan AF planes used for ferrying weapons (pretty much like Afghanistan’s Ariana). They operated four Tu-134s, not a single one survived. There is even a decent photograph on Airliners.net 😉
http://www.airliners.net/photo/STIGL/Tupolev%20Tu-134A-3/0790103/L/&width=1251&height=839&sok=keyword_(%27+%22stigl%22%27_IN_BOOLEAN_MODE))_&sort=_order_by_photo_id_DESC_&photo_nr=1&prev_id=&next_id=NEXTID

A Libyan Tu-22 on a stamp. It is interesting to not that it seems to be painted in green and gray (ie Iraqi style camo).

BTW that Gaddafi guy did release some badass stamps :diablo: