Tallinn Monday 7 July 2008
<table class="genmed" width="600" valign="top"><tr><td>BAe.3201EP</td><td>Avies</td><td>ES-PJR</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>L.410UVP</td><td>Border Guard</td><td>ES-PLY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-55S</td><td>CSA</td><td>OK-DGL</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ATP</td><td>West Air Sweden</td><td>SE-MAP</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ERJ.135ER</td><td>City AL</td><td>SE-RAA</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ERJ.145MP</td><td>LOT</td><td>SP-LGE</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>F.50</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BAS</td><td></td></tr></table>With KLM Fokker 70 PH-KZP we arrived in the Baltics. There was a lot more to see here, but although the views from the (partly new) terminal are not bad, this was all I could read.
Tallinn Harbour Tuesday 8 July 2008
<table class="genmed" width="600" valign="top"><tr><td>AW.139</td><td>Copterline</td><td>OH-HCQ</td><td></td></tr></table>While investigating what must be the ugliest building in Tallinn, we were surprised by helicopter sound. I was already wondering where the Helicopter port was, for the flights from Helsinki, and there it was. The ugly building is the old soviet music hall with the new heliport on the back (Google earth coordinates: 59°26'52.79"N 24°45'11.91"O).
Tallinn Tuesday 8 July 2008
<table class="genmed" width="600" valign="top"><tr><td>An-72</td><td>a/w</td><td>D2-MBW</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tu.134A-3</td><td>Stored</td><td>ES-AAP</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-53S</td><td>Estonian Air</td><td>ES-ABH</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-33R</td><td>Estonian Air</td><td>ES-ABJ</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>SF.340A</td><td>Estonian Air</td><td>ES-ASN</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>SA.226AC</td><td>JP Air</td><td>ES-JFA</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ce.208</td><td>nn</td><td>ES-MAA</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>BAe.3103</td><td>Avies</td><td>ES-PJG</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>L.410UVP</td><td>Avies</td><td>ES-PLC</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mi-8T</td><td>Border Guard</td><td>ES-PMD</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>L-39C</td><td>Estonian AF</td><td>ES-RAZ</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>L-39C</td><td>Estonian AF</td><td>ES-YLZ</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>An-26</td><td>Genex</td><td>EW-259TG</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>A319-111</td><td>easyJet</td><td>G-EZBO</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-322</td><td>FlyLAL</td><td>LY-AQU</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-35B</td><td>Aurela</td><td>LY-SKA</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ATR.72</td><td>Finn Comm</td><td>OH-ATF</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ERJ.145MP</td><td>LOT</td><td>SP-LGH</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Il-62M</td><td>Deta Air</td><td>UP-I6206</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>F.50</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BAT</td><td></td></tr></table>Early in the afternoon we picked up the rental car at the airport. Of course I wanted to take a quick look and we drove to the parallel road on the south side of the runway. From the terminal, exit to the right, take the first road on the right and continue until you reach the fence. From here you have a perfect view of the whole airport and almost everything can be read from here.
The big surprise came when we were about to leave for Paldiski. While everthing was landing and taking off with heading east, all of a sudden a smoker turned up from the other side. It looked like an Il-62 and it was an Il-62! Nice surprise of course and my first UP registered craft!
Riga Friday 11 July 2008
<table class="genmed" width="600" valign="top"><tr><td>F-4F</td><td>JG71</td><td>2x</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>G.150</td><td>Credit Suisse Leasing</td><td>EC-KMF</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-8AS</td><td>Ryanair</td><td>EI-DCM, EI-DHD</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Da.900EX</td><td>M&J First National Leasing</td><td>N70LF</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>SF.340A</td><td>Sky Express</td><td>SP-KPH</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>F.50</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BAS, YL-BAW</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-53S</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BBD</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-36Q</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BBJ, YL-BBY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-33V</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BBK</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-522</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BBN, YL-BBP</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>BAe.125</td><td>VIP Avia</td><td>YL-MAR</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>An-26B</td><td>RAF Avia</td><td>YL-RAA</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>An-74TK</td><td>RAF Avia</td><td>YL-RAF</td><td></td></tr></table>All this was seen from the museum (see below). The two German Phantoms made a low pass just when we stepped into the car again, too late to read them. These came most probably from Siauliai, as the Germans took up the patrollings duties there last month.
<table class="genmed" width="600" valign="top"><tr><td>An-14</td><td>Pres</td><td>...</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>An-2</td><td>Pres</td><td>110547307/22y</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>An-24B</td><td>Pres</td><td>YL-LCD</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ka-26</td><td>Pres</td><td>CCCP-24057</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>L-13</td><td>Pres</td><td>.../72r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>L-29</td><td>Pres</td><td>290421/22b</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>L-29</td><td>Pres</td><td>291109/92r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>L-29</td><td>Pres</td><td>294966/38b</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>L-29</td><td>Pres</td><td>691847/26r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mi-1</td><td>Pres</td><td>.../17y</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mi-2</td><td>Pres</td><td>513219103/21r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mi-2</td><td>Pres</td><td>513832104/22r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mi-24A</td><td>Pres</td><td>2201407/20r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mi-4</td><td>Pres</td><td>CCCP-31449</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mi-6A</td><td>Pres</td><td>10680704V/09r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mi-8T</td><td>Pres</td><td>9710819/17r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MiG-15U</td><td>Pres</td><td>022611/58y</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MiG-15U</td><td>Pres</td><td>022638/14r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MiG-21bis</td><td>Pres</td><td>50027021/76y</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MiG-21SMT</td><td>Pres</td><td>50023100/10y</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MiG-21ST</td><td>Pres</td><td>50029804/40y</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MiG-21UM</td><td>Pres</td><td>.../94y</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MiG-21US</td><td>Pres</td><td>02685133/06r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MiG-23M</td><td>Pres</td><td>07525/74ol</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MiG-23MF</td><td>Pres</td><td>06503/16r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MiG-25RBS</td><td>Pres</td><td>N820C064/34r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MiG-27</td><td>Pres</td><td>.../60ol</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MiG-29UB</td><td>Pres</td><td>.../52b</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Su-7BKL</td><td>Pres</td><td>5710/27r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Su-7U</td><td>Pres</td><td>2318/43w</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Yak-18T</td><td>Pres</td><td>CCCP-38342</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Yak-28R</td><td>Pres</td><td>7960808/22r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>L-13</td><td>Std</td><td>.../47r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tu-134A</td><td>Std</td><td>CCCP-65874</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tu-154B2</td><td>Std</td><td>YL-LAB</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tu-22M1</td><td>Std</td><td>.../53r</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>An-2</td><td>Dump</td><td>CCCP-02660</td><td></td></tr></table>The Riga 'Aviamuzeum' is located on the airport, right next to the taxiway. It is a very nice collection of 'old' Soviet hardware. Everything is outside and quit a few of the planes are ok for pictures. There is a lot more to be seen though, as there is a pile of weapons, parts, cars, engines and cockpits around. They can probably build many more exhibits from the spareparts!
Although you can easily check out the planes from upclose, I wasn't able to check all the construction numbers myself. All underlined numbers were found somewhere on the web. Any additional info is very welcome.
Siauliai Saturday 12 July 2008
<table class="genmed" width="600" valign="top"><tr><td>L-39C</td><td>Lithuanian AF / Std</td><td>03, 08</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Su-7</td><td>Std</td><td>01ol</td><td></td></tr></table>Next stop was in Lithuania: the Hill of Crosses. Needs to be seen to be believed, 100.000 crosses on a hill......
But even more interesting is the nearby former Soviet airbase of Siauliai (also called Zokniai). According to the Lonely Planet guide
this was the largest Soviet airbase outside of Russia. Now it is the main operating base for the Lithuanian Air Force. Again according to the Lonely Planet, you can get a guided tour of the airbase from the Tourist Office in the center of town. This takes two hours, cost anywhere from 10 to 50 euro per person and you need to arrange it at least one week in advance. We didn't have the time, so just drove along the base. From the new control tower the three planes above were seen. By the way, this is also the base that houses the Nato fighters that patrol the Baltics. In this case German Phantoms. If you wish to meet with the crews, take your shot in the Siauliai Hotel (a nice Soviet style hotel with elevator instructions still in Cyrillic). At breakfast my girlfriend was gazed upon by about 20 German Luftwaffe guys.....
Vilnius Monday 14 July 2008
<table class="genmed" width="600" valign="top"><tr><td>DHC.8</td><td>SAS / Std</td><td>LN-RDS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-522</td><td>FlyLAL</td><td>LY-AWE, LY-AWF, LY-AWG</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>BAe.125</td><td></td><td>LY-DSK</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ATR.42</td><td>nm</td><td>LY-ETM</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B757-204</td><td>FlyLAL</td><td>LY-FLG</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>S.2000</td><td>Lithuanian AL</td><td>LY-SBC, LY-SBD</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>S.2000</td><td>FlyLAL</td><td>LY-SBQ</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-35B</td><td>Aurela</td><td>LY-SKA</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B757-23N</td><td>Aurela</td><td>LY-SKR</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-382</td><td>Aurela</td><td>LY-SKW</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ce.680</td><td></td><td>N914SP</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ERJ.170-100ST</td><td>Finnair</td><td>OH-LEK</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Be.200</td><td>Unibrew</td><td>OY-PEB</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>F.50</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BAO, YL-BAU, YL-BAW</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-548</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BBH</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-522</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BBN, YL-BBQ</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-36Q</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BBX</td><td></td></tr></table>From Vilnius we flew back to Tallinn again. When we booked, the flight seemed to be in a lovely Saab 2000, upon check in it turned out to be a Boring 737 after all... Knowing we could have also chosen a Estonian SF.340 or an Air Baltic F.50, I think we choose poorly....
Anyway, all of the above were seen from the departure area. I was surprised by how many Air Baltic flights there were from Vilnius. Not only to Latvia, but also to Paris, Milan and other destinations. The SAS Dash 8 is of course the one that crashed here last year. It still carries its registration, just no titles anymore.
Tallinn Monday 14 July 2008
<table class="genmed" width="600" valign="top"><tr><td>L.410UVP</td><td>Border Guard</td><td>ES-PLW</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-322</td><td>FlyLAL</td><td>LY-AQU</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>F.50</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BAU</td><td></td></tr></table>The landing in Tallinn was extremely rough. The weather was bad and the plane was still twisting and turning while above the runway already. Some passengers started screaming and even with only the first bang on the runway, some started clapping already! A little premature with only the left main wheel on the deck.....
Tallinn Tuesday 15 July 2008
<table class="genmed" width="600" valign="top"><tr><td>B737-5Q8</td><td>Estonian Air</td><td>ES-ABD</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-36N</td><td>Estonian Air</td><td>ES-ABK</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>SF.340A</td><td>Estonian Air</td><td>ES-ASM, ES-ASN</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>An-26</td><td>Genex</td><td>EW-259TG</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>A319-111</td><td>easyJet</td><td>G-EZIY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-322</td><td>FlyLAL</td><td>LY-AQU</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-382</td><td>Aurela</td><td>LY-SKW</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-55S</td><td>CSA</td><td>OK-XGC</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B737-301(F)</td><td>TNT</td><td>OO-TNJ</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>F.70</td><td>KLM</td><td>PH-KZL</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ATP</td><td>West Air Sweden</td><td>SE-MAP</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ERJ.145MP</td><td>LOT</td><td>SP-LGO</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>F.50</td><td>Air Baltic</td><td>YL-BAR</td><td></td></tr></table>This was all seen from the terminal before heading back home on another Fokker 70.
Erwin
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holiday it is quite a nice log Erwin!