An Observation

As I looked at Starsign’s picture of the black Afghan Police Mi-172, I wondered how many times people have taken pictures or shot video footage containing extremely interesting things of which they aren’t even remotely aware. If we had a chance to scour all them, imagine what we could uncover! But part of the fun, I guess, is the excitement of discovery, like a miner striking gold after digging for what seemed like an eternity. I had finally abandoned all hope of ever finding an image of an aircraft in Liberian markings, for instance. And that very same day I stumbled across one on a slides auction site as I was lazily searching the internet. The ironic thing was, the submitter had captioned the image as a USAF aircraft!

South Sudanese Beech 1900

A South Sudanese Beech 1900, with the national flag adorning its fin and rudder. I’m anxious to see some combat aircraft sporting their new roundel. Also, a Namibian Government Agusta A.139, trimmed with its national colors.

Many Thanks

I decided to revisit all of the small air forces threads, from #1 on, to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Sure enough, I dug up even more wonderful treasures the second time around! I am now even more amazed and astounded than I was before at the quality and the volume of images spread across these threads. They are a most impressive collection of information on small air forces, a modeler’s delight. I want to thank everybody who has contributed over the years- epecially glanini, who started it all!

More Philippines

Here are a few more I have.

A Very Rare One From Yugoslavia

Here’s a really rare one- a Yugoslav Ikarus S-451MM Matica (Queen Bee). The designation Ikarus 451 covers a family of six research aircraft designs built in Yugoslavia in the 1950s, all sharing the same basic airframe, but otherwise quite different from each other. One member of the Ikarus 451M family became the first domestically-built jet aircraft to fly in Yugoslavia, on 25 October 1952. The Matica is a two-seat jet trainer. Picture from http://www.airlinehobby.com.

At least its not Sudan Peoples Liberation Independant Federation Force!

I’d love to see THAT roundel!

Ethiopian SF-260TPs

I was not aware that Ethiopia ever used this aircraft. From the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force on Facebook, http://www.hs.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o.241133072443.