2012-11-27

SyAAF MiG-23ML's in Krasnodar


Great finding on the web for few rare photos of SyAAF MiG-23ML units in Krasnodar airbase in Russia !!
These units were brought to the facility in that airbase to be overhauled and maintained, the above photo shows a unit with serial 2797; Note the washed-out Syrian flag on the fin !!


These are the same ML's been photographed here in this facility some few years ago (after been overhauled and repainted but without serials), can be seen in this POST


This unit with serial 2797 was coded (547) painted in white on the intake hole.


Another ML with serial 2798 coded (548) under cockpit.
Referring to the digital signature of these images shows that the first three were taken on 6 & 11 June 2008, while the last one here was dated 28 December 2010.

p.s. special thanks for "robi"

2012-11-25

SyAAF Aircraft in Action !!


More stills for SyAAF units of different types could be taken while in action.
Let's start with the L-39's which conduct air raids over Aleppo and recently over Raqqa (providing that some units are based in Kshesh airbase which is very close to Raqqa).
Above a unit carries serial 2112 spotted somewhere over Aleppo province.


This could be the last photo for this L-39 with serial 2119 downed on 19 November 2012 near Ain Jara town in Aleppo province (Source: CNN).


A still I extracted from an HD video shows an L-39 with serial 2125 spotted over Raqqa.


MiG-21 spotted over Jarjanaz town - Idleb province, on 1 September 2012.


Su-22M-3 releasing FAB-500.


Another stills for Su-22M-3 extracted from an HD video spotted while bombing Ma'arret Annu'man town on 10 October 2012.


Another still for the same Su-22 carrying two FAB-500's fitted to the pylons of the wing roots, the two bombs on the belly pylons look like cluster ones.
 

Clear still for a Su-24MK loaded with eight free-falling bombs maneuvering over Jabal Azzawiyah in Idleb province before it released its hell, dated 21 November 2012.

2012-11-18

Photos of SyAAF MBB 223 Flamingo


I believe these should be the only available photos for SyAAF primary trainer MBB 223 Flamingo (in addition to the still extracted from the video posted HERE...real rare stuff !!


Deliveries of this light trainer took place from mid to late1970s, 45 units were delivered first, followed by 17 units after 4~5 years.
One or both of these two batches flew from West Germany in direct flight to Syria, for this purpose, the second seat was removed for the sake of additional temporary fuel tank for this long trip.


The photos above are for a SyAAF Flamingo with serial 1719 based in Mennekh airbase (Mi-8 with serial 273 in the background) Czechoslovakian or Russian instructors photographed here.
Syrian Flamingo's are based in Rasm Al Abboud (east of Aleppo) and in Mennekh (north of Aleppo), it's good to know also that not all SyAAF Flamingo's are camouflaged like the one here, some are painted in light blue with white strips.

2012-11-15

SyAAF Su-24MK in Action

Syrian regime did not save any kind of "Killing Machines" to destroy beautiful Syria and bomb towns and villages even with civilians are there !!

The bomber Su-24MK which should be reserved for attacking enemy's front lines in real wars performed sorties almost all over Syria, of course due to the fact it should be flying in high altitude, it could not be videoed as much as Su-22's and MiG-23BN's...


The first video -I could find- published for a SyAAF Su-24MK was in Idelb province near Mhambel town, when it was carrying out air raids over FSyA units whom were besieging Assadist Army in Ma'sarah checkpoint on 2 November 2012.


The next unit was seen over Eastern Gouta of Damascus on 3 November 2012.


Another video in the same place, same date.


The same date, but this time over Bennesh town in Idleb province.


Another one was spotted in the same date bombing Taftanaz town in Idleb also.


On 4 November 2012, Su-24MKs continued their air raids over Eastern Ghouta towns in Damascus.


Today, 15 November 2012, it was videoed over Saraqeb in Idleb province.


Another video for a Su-24MK in the same place, today also...

 

Although it is the worst video for Syrian regime's aircraft killing innocents, women and children...but these are the best video for SyAAF Su-24MKs for the good resolution and showing the moment it is releasing free-fall bombs over Taftanaz in Idleb, and towards the camera holder himself whom got panicked and said the "Shahadatain" !! (the first video)

2012-11-11

Updated AFB's on Google Earth - Oct.17th 2012


Again...to the series of Updated AFB's on GE, and this time starting with Yemen, Sana'a International Airport, in which we can see that the Su-22s are shifted to the main yard (13 units), four MiG-29s can be seen in addition to three F-5 Tiger II.


To U.A.E, and specifically to Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra AFB, which is half-updated, five AWACSs are parked aside some tankers.
Unfortunately, this update didn't show the F-22s newly deployed in U.A.E !! 


Algeria, Aguenar AFB, located in the heart of Sahara, it shows four Su-24s in addition to two Su-30MKA.


Ukraine, Hvardiis'ke AFB, the strange thing is that all images of Su-24s available in Panoramio show them carrying the Russian red star ?!? Around 25 Su-24s can be seen here, not all look operational.


The famous Engel AFB, the home base of the white Tu-160s, is updated too !!
Eleven bombers of this type can be seen here in addition to fourteen Tu-95s.


Another Russian base is Khanskaya AFB, which looks to be either a training base or it does include a maintenance facility as it includes not less than 43 L-39s trainers parked in the eastern yard in addition to few accompanied with phased-out MiG-23s looks to be stored or withdrawn from service in the western yard.


China, LiuLang airbase, shows few J-7s in both eastern and western exposed yards.


Still in China, Xi'an Xiguan AFB, a home base for the H-6 heavy bombers, at least 15 units can be seen here.


To the U.S., the land of HD aerial images and starting with JBLM McChord AFB, an F-22 Raptor can be seen here, aside many C-7s military transporters.
Nicely-configured small exposed museum for aircraft here !!


Portland Int'l airport, at least nine F-15 are parked here.


Tinker AFB !! realy WOW for the high resolution here which shows the agile B-1B with many B-52s and AWACS's here !!


Tulsa airport, seven F-16s can be seen here.


Whiteman AFB, the home base of the B2 Spirit stealth bombers (which unfortunately all look to be parked under roof).
A-10s, Apache's, and T-38s can be seen here (unless those are F-5s??)
Camouflaged B-52 in display near the gate of this base, looks to be one of those took part in carpet bombing somewhere over Vietnam ?!

2012-11-02

Aircraft & Air Vehicles Over Syria

While updating the LIST of aircraft spotted in Syria, I found few interesting videos:


Syrian Airline Tu-154 landing in the military airbase in Hama city, 14 July 2012.


Gazelle scouting over Darayyah town, Damascus country, few videos are available in the LIST, this one is dated 20 March 2012.


Syrian Airline Yak-40 spotted flying over Al Qsair town, Homs country, 2 May 2012.


UAV spotted scouting over Kafar Batna town, Damascus country, 6 February 2012.


Another UAV spotted flying over Homs city, 14 April 2012.


Later, on 7 July 2012 another UAV appeared flying again over Kafar Batna town, Damascus country.


The recent UAV appeared over Talbeeseh town, Homs country, 21 September 2012.


Very strange propeller appeared over Al Atareb town, Aleppo country on 13 March 2012.
Can anyone recognize this air vehicle which wasn't seen before? Is it one of those could be seen in Al Qsair AFB as per the below aerial image (one of the four airplanes) ?


Note there are two types of propellers in this yard.


If the footage here is true in Syria, then this will be the first appearance of a Harbin Z-9 helicopter spotted on 13 May 2012 over Darayyah town, near Mazzeh AFB in Damascus, this should be used for VIP or even Assad family transporting.


The first appearance in media for a SyAAF Su-24MK in action in Idleb province, dispensing flares while maneuvering and bombing Free Syrian Army units besieging Al Ma'sara checkpoint near Mhambel town !!


I left the most strange video to the last, it's a real UH-1 Huey said to be flying over the borderline town of Talkalakh on 21 September 2012 !!!!
Again, if the footage is real, then there are two theories, it might be a Lebanese (FAL) Huey patrolling near the border, or it is an Iranian (IRIAF) unit been transferred to Syria !!


Again a pair of Huey's were spotted flying over Al Qsair town in Homs country as said in the video, the publishing date of this video is 22 September 2012.
The last theory of these Huey's is they might be videoed flying in the Lebanese sky, but said to be in the Syrian sky !?!?