Forum for all news, background, discussions and research on vintage aircraft, warbirds and wrecks & relics (stored, preserved, dumped etc). Actual logs -especially those of active airfields- are preferred to be posted in the appropriate Spotters forums. |
The website mentions by appointment only and when we got there, it indeed was a "guard" sitting in the box accorss the road that came towards us and we were granted access after showing his email confirmation. At that point buildings and the fence were still closed. No idea if he will let you in without appointment but judging from what I saw that day the purpose of making an appointment is just for the man to be ensured at least someone shows up so he won't be sitting there in vain..Fogg wrote:Is access still for groups only or dependent on the whims of the guard in the box across the road?
Thanks, Peter
Hi gents, this aircraft belonged to Djibouti-based Escadron de Chasse 3/10 Vexin. EC3/10 was formed at Creil in 1968, but moved to Djibouti in 1978 where they replaced the F-100 Super Sabres of EC4/11 Jura. Their Mirages were locally modified to carry Magics and the RP-1P photo pod (this caused them to be known sometimes as "Mirage IIIC (DJ)"). They were used until 1988, having the distinction of being the last operational unit (by far!) to operate the Mirage IIIC. The "3" was added when 3/10 became an autonomous unit, reporting directly to the French General Staff. This happened when its original "parent"wing, Escadre de Chasse 10 (or EC10) at Creil, was disbanded (and the airbase closed). After June, 1988, the last IIIC's were flown to France (this was one of them). After that, the new unit 4/30 Vexin was created in Djibouti, with Mirage F.1C's.patrick dirksen wrote: 27/3_10LE Mirage IIIC pr, desert c/s, what markings are these? I am told they have something to do with a deployment or so, maybe from EC10?
That seems to be normal procedure as was explained to us by the owner. This following behaviour is caused by too many theft of aicraftparts and relics from the "exhibition" sheds..patrick dirksen wrote:Thanks Frank & Elvin for the additional information!
@ Fogg: when we were let in we were "followed" for some time by one of the volunteers. I chatted with him for a while (as far as my French permitted), and then he went to do other things. I think he wanted to find out wether we were seriously interested and could be trusted....
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