Hi all,
As said, today our main target was photographing an RF-5. We were told by multiple sources these fly a mission on Wednesday morning, so we had scheduled our itinerary around that.
Hualien AFB
Based:
F-16A-72V, 5 TFW: 6651, 6655, 6656, 6657, 6668 (no mks), 6669, 6676, 6679, 6681, 6683, 6693, 6720
F-16B-72V, 5 TFW: 6808, 6818 (no mks), 6825
Others (deployed):
1410/83-8022 F-CK-1C 3 TFW, 28 TFG
1411/83-8023 F-CK-1C 3 TFW, 7 TFG
1437/84-8056 F-CK-1C 3 TFW, 7 TFG
1460/86-8084 F-CK-1C 1 TFW, 9 TFG
1464/86-8089 F-CK-1C 1 TFW, 1 TFG
1470/87-8096 F-CK-1C 1 TFW, 1 TFG
1483/87-8112 F-CK-1C 1 TFW, 9 TFG
1504/95-8136 F-CK-1C 3 TFW, 7 TFG
2015 Mirage 2000-5Ei no mks (2 TFW)
2039 Mirage 2000-5Ei no mks (2 TFW)
2041 Mirage 2000-5Ei no mks (2 TFW)
2045 Mirage 2000-5Ei no mks (2 TFW)
2059 Mirage 2000-5Di no mks (2 TFW)
2310 S-70C(M)-1 no mks (701/702 Air Group)
915 UH-60M (601 AB, 601 AAG)
925 UH-60M (601 AB, 601 AAG)
809 AH-64E (601 AB)
820 AH-64E (601 AB)
821 AH-64E (601 AB)
NA-711/27329 UH-60M NASC
Preserved:
0752/70-3052 R-CH-1 pr, 12 TRS mks
(“1101”/21275) F-5B pr (ex 1106/21275), no mks
(5185/50358) F-5E pr, no mks
053/55020 F-86F pr, 5 FG, 26 sq c/s
0207/31550 F-100A pr, no mks
5654/41499 RF-101A pr, no mks
4375/(63-13254) F-104G pr, 12 TRS mks
Plus decoy F-5s: (5179/50352, 5206/60476, 5216/60486, 5226/61621, 5235/61630)
Well, although not a bad day, not a single RF-5 unfortunately. When we arrived we heard some F-16s taxiing out already and we hurried to the Carrefour, only to find it was still closed! So we went to the runway threshold, that is hidden behind a wall, but where we expected to be able to photograph the returning aircraft. Much to our (unpleasant) surprise two military trucks, including one with AAA on it, and quite a few soldiers were here at the exact spot we had planned to go. After some delibrations we decided we would stay anyway and be out in the open with our cameras, clearly showing our intentions. The soldiers did notice us of course, but didn’t seem interested. When another batch of F-16s had taken off we heard different jet noise taxiing towards us, and we were obviously hoping these would be our RF-5s. But when I climbed a childrens play thing to have a quick look, there were no less then five Mirage 2000s coming towards me. That was quite unexpected! And when these were gone, again a different kind of jetnoise came closer. However again no RF-5s, but Ching Kuo’s in this case. By now we guessed there was some kind of exercise going on, which also explained all the soldiers outside the base.
When the first F-16s came back, we quickly realised we were in the wrong spot, as they were too low behind the wall already. We missed two out of six returning, and quickly moved to another spot. That turned out to be very good. Despite the rather grey weather we were able to photograph all the visiting fighters returning and also still a handful of local Vipers. The navy and NASC Blackhawks also came in nicely, the army choppers were parked on the platform all morning and were seen (and read) from the civil terminal only.
We did also try another hit an run from the Carrefour by the way, only to find out they were putting up high screens on the roof of the building next to it, blocking the view on the runway. So that’s another good spot gone.
NB recently I learned the RF-5 did have a mission planned and even taxied out, but due to the bad weather their mission was cancelled. So we DID hear them, but never got to see them.... It's all in the game I guess.
Military Cemetery of Yilan County, Su’ao
4381/63-13265 F-104G pr, 11 AG mks
This is only visible during the opening hours of the cemetary. When I was here 10 years ago we ended up in front of a closed gate, but this time the Star could be graphed nicely.
We then quickly moved on, skipping other preserved aircraft on the way, as we wanted to try our luck at Songshan.
Taipei-Songshan AFB
B.737-8AR: 3701
Beech 1900C, Spec Transport sq: 1901, 1902, 1906, 1907, 1908, (1911), (1912) +1
Fokker 50, Spec Transport sq: 5001, (5002), 5003
S-70C-6, Air Rescue sq: 7015
AS.365, NASC: NA-102 (c/n 6363), NA-110
Well, here we scored good number wise, but photography wise it was quite dramatic. When we drove under the approach, on our way to the spotting area, the single B.737 came in over our heads, so we missed that one by minutes. We then spent two hours at the approach with only a Dauphin (plus lots of civil stuff) coming in, and when light was starting to fade we drove to the fence opposite the military platform, only to see the third Fokker 50 taxi in just after arrival. So a lot of bad timing, and still no Fokker (or 737) on camera.
HQ Ministry of National Defence R.O.C., Taipei
1121/40784 F-5B pr, 8 TFG mks
1288/97122 F-5A pr, no mks
5167/50340 F-5E pr, 1 TFG mks
This HQ is near the airfield, so a quick detour was made. The three F-5s are preserved in front of the building and are easily visible during daytime. As it was getting dark by now though, I had to walk up to the fence and use my scope to identify them and their markings. A local found that very suspicious and first came up to me but then without saying something started using his mobile phone. Of course we didn’t hang around to see who he called…. Funny though we hadn’t had any problems at the different airbases so far, and here somebody got all excited.
New Taipei City Arms Park, Shulin
5154/50327 F-5E pr, 1 TFG mks
5187/50360 F-5E pr 1 TFG mks
4192/63-8465 TF-104G pr, no mks
From Taipei to here took an hour longer that planned, as we ended up in the evening rush hour. The park has a gate that was closed, but a small pedestrian access way was open, so we went in and quickly found the aircraft.
By now it was rather late and we still had some driving to do, so we skipped the remaining W&R underway and headed straight to our hotel in Taichung. All in all not a bad day, but still a bit disappointing.
That’s all folks!
Patrick Dirksen & Stefan Jongen
Tristar Aviation
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