Hi all,

An early start saw some Athens/Eleftherios Venizelos spotting take place before we hit the road for a day around Athens.

9H-SHO, Boeing 737NG 85F, Bluebird Airways (28824)
9V-OFH, Boeing 787 8, Scoot (37124)
D-AIDE, Airbus A321 231, Lufthansa (4607)
F-GZHE, Boeing 737NG 8K2/W, Transavia France (29678)
F-HTVI, Boeing 737NG 800/W, Transavia France (62164)
HB-JPB, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Swiss International Air Lines (10115)
OE-LBQ, Airbus A320 214, Austrian Airlines (1137)
PH-HSB, Boeing 737NG 8K2/W, Transavia (34172)
SX-DGA, Airbus A321 231, Aegean Airlines (3878)
SX-DGP, Airbus A321 232, Aegean Airlines (3302)
SX-DGQ, Airbus A321 232, Aegean Airlines (3322)
SX-DGZ, Airbus A320 232SL, Aegean Airlines (6643)
SX-DNA, Airbus A320 232SL, Aegean Airlines (6655)
SX-DNH, Airbus A321 231, Aegean Airlines (3546)
SX-DVK, Airbus A320 232, Aegean Airlines (3392)
SX-EIT, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 42 500, Sky Express Greece (530)
SX-ELV, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Sky Express Greece (1643)
SX-FIT, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Sky Express Greece (1642)
SX-NAA, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Aegean Airlines (9553)
SX-NEA, Airbus A320 271NSL, Aegean Airlines (9497)
SX-NEC, Airbus A320 271NSL, Aegean Airlines (9583)
SX-NTE, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Sky Express Greece (1575)
SX-OAY, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 42 600, Olympic Air (1002)
SX-OBJ, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Olympic Air (1325)
SX-SEV, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 500, Sky Express Greece (699)
SX-SVT, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Sky Express Greece (1657)
SX-TEM, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Sky Express Greece (1640)

On airways:
D-ABBD, Boeing 737NG 86J/W, TUIfly (30880)
D-AGWD, Airbus A319 132, Eurowings (3011)
D-AGWK, Airbus A319 132, Eurowings (3500)
HB-JOK, Airbus A320 214, Chair Airlines (3923)
N610FE, McDonnell Douglas MD-11 F, FedEx Express (48603)
OE-IJZ, Airbus A320 214SL, easyJet Europe Airline (6502)
OE-IZD, Airbus A320 214, easyJet Europe Airline (4581)
SU-BUL, Airbus A320 251NSL, Air Cairo (8970)
SU-GDO, Boeing 777 36NER, Egypt Air (38289)
SX-CHG, Airbus A320 251NSL, Sky Express Greece (10079)
SX-NAB, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Aegean Airlines (9575)
SX-TEC, Airbus A320 251NSL, Sky Express Greece (9566)

 

 

Agios Andreas

We went a bit out on a limb for just this one frame, but as our next target (Hellenic Air Force Museum) wasn’t open until 10am, we thought why not? This Starfighter is inside a military complex and can barely be seen as it is hidden behind trees. A bit of patience and walking up and down was required…..

On display with the Barracks:
(47782)/(FG-782), Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (683D-6127)

On airways:
EI-GXH, Boeing 737NG 800/W, Ryanair (44852)
SX-IOG, Airbus A320 251NSL, Sky Express Greece (10083)
SX-NIV, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 500, Sky Express Greece (767)
TC-CPY, Boeing 737NG 8H6/W, Pegasus Airlines (41767)
TC-JJE, Boeing 777 3F2ER, Turkish Airlines (40707)

 

The main target of the day was Tatoi, home of the Hellenic Air Force Museum and some operational/stored stuff on the base, including the rare Erickson Air-Crane Skycarnes. We had a discrete look from the perimeter road before we went in the base, as the heat forecast for today was going to mean nothing would be read later on.

The collective in the car had agreed that cameras would be kept in the boot, so that there would be no temptation to inadvertently shoot base infrastructure whilst trying to get pictures of aircraft. We of course, kept our scoping to a minimum and no hanging around anywhere. This approach served us well and we all made it home without any approach from any security services…..

After handing our passports in at the main gate, it was off the excellent museum here…..the request is for the identity of the Tecnams under the sun shelters please and whether the 8 x Ag-Cats are right? We were given 348 by someone, but 9 others went begging. Looking at flight trackers, 337, 338, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349 & 350 all flew on 13th/16th & 17th May. 336 last flew 12th May. This is bloody bad luck as we saw 10, but it seems that 11 out the 12 they have, were operational at that time……

All the photographs from here can be seen at;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720299271570

On display at the main gate:
26837/837, Republic F-84F Thunderstreak, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (52-6837)
69-7200, Cessna T-41D Mescalero, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (R172-0385)

Outside Hellenic Air Force Museum:
(2060)/066, Agusta-Bell 47J-2 Ranger, Hellenic (2060)
(19146), Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk.2, Hellenic (46)
(19169)/202, Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk.2, Hellenic (69)
(19199), Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk.2, Hellenic (99)
74742/TE-742, Cessna T-37B Tweety Bird, Hellenic (40997)
01959/TE-959, Cessna T-37C Tweety Bird, Hellenic (42014)
(62355), Convair TF-102A Delta Dagger, Hellenic ( 8-12-87)
0-54035, Convair TF-102A Delta Dagger, Hellenic (8-12-24)
101, Dassault Mirage F.1CG, Hellenic (51F/50A)
4120, Dornier Do.28D-2 Skyservant, Hellenic (4120)
(4131), Dornier Do.28D-2 Skyservant, Hellenic (4131)
KJ960, Douglas C-47B Skytrain, Hellenic (14807/26252)
SX-ECF, Douglas R4D-7 Super Skytrain, Hellenic CAA (16458/33206)
120, Grumman Gulfstream I, Hellenic (120)
517190, Grumman SHU-16B Albatross, Hellenic (G-250)
517204/204, Grumman SHU-16B Albatross, Hellenic (G-274)
1260, Grumman-Schweizer G-164A Super Ag-Cat, Hellenic (1260)
6677/RF-677, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, Hellenic (6677)
7415/FG-415, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, Hellenic (7415)
(32720), Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, Hellenic (683D-6072)
5908/TF-908, Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter, Hellenic (583F-5908)
(35029)/TR-029, Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star, Hellenic (580-8368)
7487, McDonnell RF-4E Phantom II, Hellenic (4101)
10541, Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter, Hellenic (N6202)
697170, Northrop RF-5A Freedom Fighter, Hellenic ( RF1050)
13952/952, Sikorsky UH-19B Chickasaw, Hellenic (55-460)
(158825), Vought A-7E Corsair II, Hellenic (E-381)
(160616), Vought A-7E Corsair II, Hellenic (E-540)
159664, Vought A-7H Corsair II, Hellenic (H-3)

Inside Hellenic Air Force Museum:
8005, Agusta-Bell AB.206A Jet Ranger, Hellenic (8005)
4944, Bell OH-13H Sioux, Hellenic (2527)
(L9044), Bristol Blenheim IV, United Kingdom (unknown)
(19168)/12910/FU-910, Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk.2, Hellenic (68) fake USAF marks
3321, Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver, Hellenic (unknown)
T6776, de Havilland Tiger Moth, Hellenic (85063)
no marks, Mignet HM.14 Pou-Du-Ciel, Hellenic (unknown)
5210067/FU-067, North American F-86D Sabre, Hellenic (190-792)
(26361)/26595/595, Republic F-84F Thunderstreak, Hellenic (52-6361)
(110822)/998, Republic F-84G Thunderjet, Hellenic (2542-1275B)
17011, Republic RF-84F Thunderflash, Hellenic (51-17011)
(301)/925, WSK-Mielec SBLim-2 (MiG-15), Polish (1B-00301) fake North Korean marks

Hellenic Air Force Museum storage area:
(KK169), Douglas C-47B Skytrain, Hellenic (15415/26860)
(349111), Douglas C-47B Skytrain, Hellenic (14927/26372)
(15289), Grumman SHU-16B Albatross, Hellenic (G-171)
(7607)/(DI+KG), Junkers Ju 52/3mg4E, German (7607)
7151, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, Hellenic (7151)
(58519)/TR-519, Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star, Hellenic (580-1488)
(53-258), Nord N.2501D Noratlas, Hellenic (D001A)
didn’t read, Republic F-84F Thunderstreak, Hellenic (unknown)

On military ramps:
69-7186, Cessna T-41D Mescalero, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (R172-0371)
69-7197, Cessna T-41D Mescalero, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (R172-0382)
69-7188, Cessna T-41D Mescalero, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (R172-0373)
69-7185, Cessna T-41D Mescalero, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (R172-0370)
69-7198, Cessna T-41D Mescalero, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (R172-0383)
69-7183, Cessna T-41D Mescalero, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (R172-0368)
69-7187, Cessna T-41D Mescalero, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (R172-0372)
69-7184, Cessna T-41D Mescalero, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (R172-0369)
70-1962, Cessna T-41D Mescalero, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (R172-0445)
AC-1, Cessna 172RG Cutlass RG, Hellenic Coast Guard (172RG-0849)
AC-21, Reims/Cessna F.406 Caravan II, Hellenic Coast Guard (F406-0087)
AC-22, Reims/Cessna F.406 Caravan II, Hellenic Coast Guard (F406-0088)
AC-23, Reims/Cessna F.406 Caravan II, Hellenic Coast Guard (F406-0089)
AC-3, SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad, Hellenic Coast Guard (814)
AC-4, SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad, Hellenic Coast Guard (815)
(348), Tecnam P.2002-JF Sierra, 360 MEA, Hellenic Air Force (348)
?, Tecnam P.2002-JF Sierra, 360 MEA, Hellenic Air Force (unknown)
?, Tecnam P.2002-JF Sierra, 360 MEA, Hellenic Air Force (unknown)
?, Tecnam P.2002-JF Sierra, 360 MEA, Hellenic Air Force (unknown)
?, Tecnam P.2002-JF Sierra, 360 MEA, Hellenic Air Force (unknown)
?, Tecnam P.2002-JF Sierra, 360 MEA, Hellenic Air Force (unknown)
?, Tecnam P.2002-JF Sierra, 360 MEA, Hellenic Air Force (unknown)
?, Tecnam P.2002-JF Sierra, 360 MEA, Hellenic Air Force (unknown)
?, Tecnam P.2002-JF Sierra, 360 MEA, Hellenic Air Force (unknown)
?, Tecnam P.2002-JF Sierra, 360 MEA, Hellenic Air Force (unknown)
N154AC/733, Erickson S-64E Skycrane, Erickson Air-Crane (64037)
N164AC/735, Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe S-64E, Erickson Air-Crane (64034)
N173AC/731, Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe S-64E, Erickson Air-Crane (64015)
N189AC/730, Erickson S-64E Skycrane, Erickson Air-Crane (641001)
N194AC/737, Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe S-64E, Erickson Air-Crane (64017)
N218AC/734, Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe S-64E, Erickson Air-Crane (64033)
N243AC/740, Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe S-64E, Erickson Air-Crane (64022)
N247AC, Erickson S-64E Skycrane, Erickson Air-Crane (64052)
N6962R/748, Sikorsky S-64E Skycrane, Erickson Air-Crane (64058)
SX-AEW, Reims/Cessna F172P (2164)
SX-AMM, Cessna 152 (15280216)
SX-ASV, Reims/Cessna F172M (1513)

On display within the base:
(160080), North American/Rockwell T-2E Buckeye, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (396-22)
88018/TE-018, Cessna T-37C Tweety Bird, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (41123)

Stored on the airfield: serials needs to be confirmed – where is 1606?
(1221), Grumman-Schweizer G-164A Super Ag-Cat, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (1221)
(1265), Grumman-Schweizer G-164A Super Ag-Cat, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (1265)
(1269), Grumman-Schweizer G-164A Super Ag-Cat, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (1269)
(1279), Grumman-Schweizer G-164A Super Ag-Cat, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (1279)
(1547), Grumman-Schweizer G-164A Super Ag-Cat, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (1547)
(1569), Grumman-Schweizer G-164A Super Ag-Cat, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (1569)
(1570), Grumman-Schweizer G-164A Super Ag-Cat, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (1570)
(1604), Grumman-Schweizer G-164A Super Ag-Cat, Stored, Hellenic Air Force (1604)

Military ramp:
026, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z010-26)
028, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z010-28)
029, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z010-29)
030, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z010-30)
101, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z011-17)
102, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z011-02)
116, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z011-16)
117, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z011-17)
118, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z011-18)
119, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z011-19)
125, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z011-25)
201, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z012-01)
202, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z012-02)
205, PZL-Mielec M.18 Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z012-05)
807, PZL-Mielec M.18BS Dromader, 359 MED, Hellenic Air Force (1Z028-07)

Aeroclub ramp:
LZ-RAF, Cessna T206H Turbo Stationair (T20608663)
SX-AWD, Reims/Cessna F172M (1342)
SX-AXL, Cessna 172P Skyhawk (17275067)

Flying:
SX-APE, Cessna 172P Skyhawk (17275547)
SX-ASG, Reims/Cessna F172M (1091)
SX-UCB, Fly Synthesis Texan Club (unknown)

Compound: any ideas on the types for the questions marks please – they were pretty mangled!
C-FQZR, Normand Dube Aerocruiser 912 (unknown)
D-EOFS, Grob G.115 (8039)
(SX-HDR), Agusta A.109 E Power (11060)
SX-HDV, Agusta A.109 E Power (11096)

On display within the base:
5958/TF-958, Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (583F-5958)
97166, Northrop RF-5A Freedom Fighter, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (RF1046)

On display within the base:
25970/TE-970, Cessna T-37C Tweety Bird, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (40763)

On display within the base:
67960/TE-960, Cessna T-37C Tweety Bird, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (42016)
16714/TR-714, Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (580-6046)

 

 

Kifisia/Athens

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/52101082436/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/52101320764/in/dateposted-public/

This is just a few minutes drive from Tatoi.

On display within a public park:
32717/FG-717, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, On Display, Hellenic (683D-6069)

 

 

Psichiko/Athens

Now heading off into the centre of Athens, these two were a bit of a challenge. They are preserved with the military complex here and couldn’t be seen on our first pass. However, once we had turned the card around and came back along the road, they were able to be seen, albeit not easily.

On display within the Ministry of National Defence grounds:
121, Dassault Mirage F.1CG, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (unknown)
38405, Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (N6042)

 

 

Athens (Athens War Museum)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720299278998

There is an underground car-park nearby. No charge from the museum to view this lot……

On display outside the Athens War Museum:
ES-709, Bell OH-13H Sioux, Hellenic (4002)
no marks, Farman MF.7 replica, Hellenic (unknown)
6695/FG-695, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, Hellenic (6695)
18404/FU-904, North American F-86D Sabre, Hellenic (173-537)
93500, North American T-6G Texan, Hellenic (168-644)
689071, Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter, Hellenic (N6442)
37216/216, Republic F-84F Thunderstreak, Hellenic (53-7216)

 

 

Palio Faliro/Athens

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720299274867

On display outside the Air Force History Department:
134, Dassault Mirage F.1CG, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (unknown)
92751, North American AT-6D Texan, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (88-5418)

On display within a public park:
175, Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter, On Display, Hellenic (N6492)

 

 

Athens/Hellenikon

This former Athens airport largely remains intact and makes for quite an eery sight. We tried to get to the spot where the Jet Ranger and Aztec could be seen, but a security check point put paid to that. Luckily, I had seen both from the air as we approached the new airport two days earlier. However the rest of the below can be easily seen and photographed;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720299277354

Stoted outside at the old Athens airport:
SX-AAZ, Piper PA-31 Navajo (31-604)
SX-AOS, Cessna 421B Golden Eagle (421B0570)
**SX-APC, Piper PA-23 Aztec 250B (27-2310)
SX-APU, Cessna 411 (411-0159)
SX-BAR, British Aircraft Corp One-Eleven 215AU, Hellenic Air (096)
SX-BCA, Boeing 737 284, Olympic Airways (21224)
SX-CBA, Boeing 727 284, Olympic Airways (20003)
**SX-HDI, Bell 206B Jet Ranger II (976)
SX-OAB, Boeing 747 284B, Olympic Airways (20825)

 

 

Elliniko/Athens

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/52101115441/in/dateposted-public/

All shut up here and a walk around gave no better views that from where we parked the car. The photograph below gives you an idea and this place is just minutes from the old airport.

On display within the Dakota Beer Garden premises:
(SX-ECD), Douglas C-47B Skytrain, On Display, (14797/26242)

 

 

Glyfada/Athens

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720299277484

On display outside the Glyfada Military Cemetery:
107, Dassault Mirage F.1CG, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (65)

 

 

Kalivia

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/52101658165/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/52101657995/in/dateposted-public/

We went here very much expecting a zero, but we were rewarded for our efforts. I knew that all elements of the failed Palis Foundation museum attempt were outside but stored in a pretty secure compound. We tried the entrance and a chap told that access was not possible or desired. Being by the entrance did however allow us to see five helicopters grouped close together – result for me as I needed the British Whirlwind.

We then found various elevated and distant views which enabled us to see a lot of what else is here but not a clear out by any means. You can’t see the helicopters from these views and a good scope will be required to see the rest.

A new type for me here in Soko J-22 Orao and also a rare Harbin Y-5 was present. Only seen two of these before and that was in China.

Stored outside within a very secure compound:
(ZD991), BAe Harrier T.4, Palis Foundation, United Kingdom (212044)
(XW421)/60, British Aircraft Corporation Jet Provost T.5A , Palis Foundation, Royal Air Force (EEP/JP/1043)
235, Dassault Mirage IIIB, Palis Foundation, French (235)
(WT537), English Electric Canberra PR.7, Palis Foundation, United Kingdom (71476)
34, Harbin Y-5 Colt (An-2), Palis Foundation, Albanian (1332018)
FX-52, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, Palis Foundation, Belgian (683-9095)
1703, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PF Fishbed-D, Palis Foundation, Polish (761703)
(20+08), Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MF Flogger-B, Palis Foundation, German (0390213351)
(SP-WXH), Mil Mi-2, Palis Foundation (513307123)
(SP-ZXP), Mil Mi-2, Palis Foundation (515020116)
(925), Mil Mi-8T Hip-C, Palis Foundation, East German (10542)
(11082), North American F-86E Sabre, Palis Foundation, Yugoslavian (602)
(35329)/29, SAAB J 35D Draken, Palis Foundation, Swedish (35329)
(25112), Soko J-22 Orao, Palis Foundation, Yugoslavian (unknown)
(3909), Sukhoi Su-22M-4, Palis Foundation, Polish (23909)
22, Sukhoi Su-7BKL Fitter, Palis Foundation, Polish (6022)
(XS876), Westland Wessex HAS.1, Palis Foundation, United Kingdom (WA256)
(XM660), Westland Whirlwind HAR.10, Palis Foundation, United Kingdom (WA251)
(805)/301, WSK-Mielec SBLim-2 (MiG-15UTI), Palis Foundation, Polish (1A-08005)
(1920), WSK-Mielec TS-11 Iskra bis D, Palis Foundation, Polish (3H-1920)

 

 

Porto Rafti

As we sat for our evening meal at the lovely coastal port of Porto Rafti, this went over us as it headed back to its base at Elefsis. Showed on flight trackers as N889FM “HAF404”.

404, Beechcraft B300C Super King Air 350C, EKAB/356 MTM, Hellenic Air Force (FM-89)

–
Best regards,

Grant Robinson
https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfordaviationgroup
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums

Photograph credits: Grant Robinson