Maleme (Crete) 2008

[frank kramer]

The state of this airfield is uncertain; its east-west directed runway doesn't have runway lighting or apparent landing aids (and no ICAO locator code), but it is still a military terrain with a small control tower. Interestingly, this was the first of the Cretan airfields occupied by the German paratroopers in 1941. It is situated on the coastal road from Chania to Kastelli Kissamou (not the "New National Road" highway), about 16-20 km west of Chania. Though not very active, it holds 5 interesting airframes:

51-7549/tail 17549/TR-549 T-33A
52-8740/tail 28740 RF-84F
53-7218/tail as "87218" F-84F
64-13366/tail 13366 F-5A
7409 (no code on l/h side) F-104G

These aircraft can easily be seen from the coastal road; the first 4 are parked to the left of the "apron", the Starfighter is parked on the opposite side. Stopping/photographing is no option, as just across the road is a very active base of the Hellenic Army (with guards patrolling the area). The aircraft were read off when walking past the field on the coastal road (and hopping on the first bus that came along immediately afterwards)

[Wijgert IJlst]

All noted again by me on the 5th of September. There is a carparking next to the old gate of the airbase where I had parked the car for a few minutes. Wasn't that hard to walk a bit in the direction of these aircraft, but did not bother taking any pictures as my camera was left in my appartment on purpose. And on the otherhand I think that the guard would not have allowed it, as he did see us park our car here. He did not pay that much attention though.