Wednesday 22 August 2007
Driving down the 'secret' ramp at Zhukovsky - photographing through the coach window. Loads of derelict airframes on the Sukhoi ramp.
Tu-160 through the glass.
A closer look at Red 19 - 'Valentin Bliznyuk' - designer of the Tu-160.
Forlorn looking Tu-144LL at the end of the ramp.
The first day starts proper with a stroll down the static line - to photograph this immaculate An-2 on floats.
Myasischev M-55 'Geophisica' Earth Resources high altitude research aircraft.
Strange looking gyrocopter - with the name 'Adel' on the side.
Il-76LL used by LII to test the NK-93 ducted propfan.
Another testbed - LII Su-27 testing the TVC Al-31FM1 engine from Salyut.
Mil Mi-171 from Kazan Helicopters.
Mil Mi-8AMT
Mightly Mi-26T in the colours of MChS
Mi-24P/Mi-35P upgrade.
Mil Mi-38 - Potential Hip replacement.
Full scale mockup of the Mil Mi-54
A success story - Kamov Ka-226 in Militia markings.
Detachable passenger cabin.......
....from a Ka-226AG of GaspromAvia.
Another Hip upgrade - this time a Mi-17V-5.
Piston-engined 'Aktai' from Kazan Helicopters.
Based on the Ansat - this 'Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter' is also from Kazan.
Aerovolga Ekranoplan.
Another Ka-226 - this time with a FLIR turret.
MiG-31
Smart looking Tu-95MS Bear - in an all-grey paint scheme.
Beutifully restored Po-2 biplane.
Mi-28 attack helicopter.
Yet another Mi-8 upgrade - this time a Mi-8MTKO.
Fixed-wheel Mi-35PN.
Perennial 'Black Shark - Ka-50.
Menacing looking Ka-52 'Alligator'.
Su-25SM.
Upgraded Su-27SM.
Su-34 'Platypus'.
MiG-29UB in the colours of Russian TV station 'Channel One'
One of the few new exhibits - the MiG-29K/KUB - note the retractable boarding ladder and IFR probe.
UPAZ refueling pod laid out alongside.
Yak-130.
Upgraded Il-76MD-90 with PS-90 turbofans is due to enter service with the Russian VTA.
The Sukhoi S-80 programme appears to be stagnant.
Interestingly, the Su-33 carrier fighter was being closely investigated by a Chinese delegation - make of that what you will!!
Model of the new Su-35 inside the Sukhoi hall.
Another shot of the large Aerovolga ekranoplan.
MiG-29OVT being towed out for its display slot.
Allison-engined MiG-3 restoration.
Antonov An-148
Beriev Be-200ChS in MChS colours.
Ilyushin Il-114 radar testbed with some interest lumps & bumps.
Il-114-100.
Tail end of the new Su-35.
The fins on the Su-35 are supposed to be smaller - but I couldn't decide.....
The nearest I could get to a cockpit shot of the Su-35.
This restored Tu-144 is destined to become a gate guard over the main entrance at Zhukovsky.
The only flying shot I took on the Wednesday was this combined formation of Russian Knights Flankers and Swifts Fulcrums.
I snapped off a quick shot of this MiG-29UBT as he taxied out.....
......and our old friend Valentin Bliznyuk being towed out - he later took off, presumably for a flight back to Engels?
MiG-29UB in the colours of Channel One TV.
MiG-35.
Camouflaged Ka-52 Alligator.
Tu-160 named after Vasily Sen'ko.
All-grey Tu-95MS - named after the city of Great Novgorod.
The restored DIT (two seat trainer verrsion of the I-15bis) suffered a landing mishap - it is here being inspected for damage.
Neat looking autogyro.
.....unlike this Ministry of Silly Planes example - actually from a company called GyRos........
....... and its more agricultural looking stablemate.
Closeup of the nacelle on the NK-93 ducted propfan testbed Il-76.
Give me a set of steps........ M-55 Geophisica in the late afternoon sunshine.
More proof that the Tu-144LL is still at Zhukovsky - remember we drove past it on the way in ??
Strolling back to the coach at the end of the day, I photographed this Seawind amphibian.
Interesting scale replica of a Ju-87 - with the words 'Hitler Kaput!' on the nose.
Last in the lineup was this An-38 from Region Avia.
This Indian Navy Il-38SD was calling 'please take a photo' - so I obliged from the coach window as we left the VIP park.
Algerian Air Force Il-76TD - taken from the coach window....
.....as was this Il-96.
Final photo of the day - this MiG-21F stands as a gate guard on the approach to Zhukovsky.