Historic Planes of the Hellenic Air Force
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Hi everyone!
Here are some pics of Hellenic Air Force bird types that are not operational any more. These birds reside in the 114CW, so, understandably, most of them are types that once were operational in the Base.
Keeping these planes in good condition is solely effort of the Base personnel, on top of their operational duties...
They are annually exhibited during the week of 8th November, which is the Hellenic Air Force Day.
I had published this article sometime in the past, but the bugging monster accidentally erased it...
Not to worry! I retook the pics and republish it (do I seek every opportunity to get close to them lovely beauties? Oh yes!)
As usual, I will not bore you with my text, but, should you wish any info, please tell me!
Happy modeling and Happy New Year!
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- 1. Mirage F1 "ΣΠΑΡΤΗ - SPARTA", last flying HAF F1....
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- 1. F-86E "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΦΛΟΓΑ - HELLENIC FLAME" Aerobatic Team
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- 1. TF-104G
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- 1. RF-4E "EYES IN TIME"
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- 1. MIRAGE F1 "ΣΠΑΡΤΗ - SPARTA", Last flying HAF F1
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- 1. T-33, arly "silver" painted " scheme
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- 1. F-102A, nose wheel is main Mirage F1 wheel!
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- 1. SLUF
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- 1. F-84F "Early silver"
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- 1. TIGER II, Aegean Blue
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- 1. KK 156, last flying HAF C-47, original camo
John Healy said on January 3, 2021
Thanks for sharing this, Spiros. It’s nice to see them so well maintained.
Spiros Pendedekas said on January 3, 2021
Thanks John @j-healy! I hope Aviation culture will be expanded in Greece, in order to see better days for these beauties!
neil foster said on January 3, 2021
Great set of images Spiros thanks for sharing.
N.
Spiros Pendedekas said on January 3, 2021
Thanks Neil @Neil-Foster!
Michel Verschuere said on January 3, 2021
Great pics showing very natural weathering! Thanks for posting buddy!
Spiros Pendedekas said on January 3, 2021
Thanks Michel @Michel-Verschuere!
Bernard Bedeur said on January 3, 2021
Amazing how many different types you guys flew. Some overlapping And competing models it looks like. The procurement and awarding of contracts must have been complicated at best.
Very nice to see that efforts are made to preserve these Historic artefacts of Flight.
Thank you Spiros for showing this.
Spiros Pendedekas said on January 3, 2021
And you ain't seen nothing yet! We flew MANY types (ie a logistics nightmare), but, from a modeler's point of view, it's nice! :-).
The procurement and awarding of contracts has indeed been "complicated".
Thanks for liking, @bernardbedeur!
John vd Biggelaar said on January 3, 2021
Very nice images, Spiros. @fiveten
As Bernard said, the Greek air force used various interesting types of aircraft.
Unfortunately in the Netherlands we did not have so much different types.
These pictures were taken during your visit yesterday with your sons?
Spiros Pendedekas said on January 3, 2021
Thanks, my friend @johnb!
As amazing it is, modelingwise, to operate many different types, it is a logistics nightmare...and a very expensive one!
Those pics were taken a few days ago, at another visit (also with my sons, of course!)
During yesterday's visit I took many detail "walkaround style" pics of that C-47 and two Mirage F1s.
The amount of little stuff found at this highly cutsomized last HAF flying C-47 is simply unbelievable. I plan to publish those walkarounds here, so any body interested could use them as reference; I also plan to build a C-47 like that one, but with less worn camo, as she used to look when she was flying!
Amari Luu said on January 3, 2021
Thank you for sharing!
Spiros Pendedekas said on January 3, 2021
Thanks Amari @themturtles!
Robert Royes said on January 3, 2021
Nice!
Spiros Pendedekas said on January 3, 2021
Thanks Robert @roofrat!
Paul Barber said on January 3, 2021
Just sitting having breakfast and did the whole tour! What a place! I have to admit I have a very soft spot for that Mirage! The sort of thing you might build, Spiros?
Thanks for sharing - a really fantastic set of photos - a brilliant history lesson!
Spiros Pendedekas said on January 4, 2021
Thanks Paul @yellow10! It is a fantastic place indeed!
I do have a soft spot on that Mirage and there used to be a set of decals for that scheme.
Maybe one day...
Allan J Withers said on January 4, 2021
Great pic's Spiros, do you have one of the C130 tail ?
Spiros Pendedekas said on January 4, 2021
Thanks Allan @kalamazoo!
I'll take some pics of that C-130 tail, as well as its front, where two big nice custom emblems exist and notify you!
Allan J Withers said on January 4, 2021
Thank you Spiros.