22 - 23 September 2012
Static: | |||
640/118-IN | Mirage 2000D | ECE 05.330 |
323/118-HT | Rafale B | ECE 05.330 |
2301/CGM | AS332M1 | not known |
5496/AYC | AS555UN | EAALAT | 5496 |
F-HBVN | EC120B | HeliDax | 1650 |
2004/BHK | EC665 | EHAP1 / 5RHC |
2642/CAH | EC725AP | 4RHFS |
1256/EAB | NH90TTH | GAMSTAT? | 1256/FRA002 |
889/MCC | PC-6/B2-H4 | ETCM |
1231/DDK | SA330Ba | not known | desert colours |
1236/DDL-17 | SA330Ba | not known |
1617/DBM | SA330Ba | EHM2 / 5RHC |
1784/BBP | SA318C | Musée d’ALAT Dax |
3996/GAW | SA342M | EHRA / 5RHC | 3996 |
4162/GCE | SA342M | EHRA / 5RHC |
0787/JDH | EC135T2+ | SAG Merignac | 0787 |
F-ZBQL (Dragon 64) | EC145 | Sécurité Civile | 9452 |
Yes, indeed, the Gazelle had 3996 on the c/n plate, not 1996. |
Hangar (static, open): | |||
2299/CGK | AS332M1 |
2640/CAG | EC725AP | 4RHFS |
Hangar (static, open): | |||
… | Bell 47G1 | blue colours |
22/F-GPAU | CAP231 | ex Marche Verte |
Maintenance Hangar (static, open): | |||
2023/BHP, 2029/BHV | EC665 | east side |
2037/BIE | EC665 | east side |
2039/BIG | EC665 | west side |
Flight line (west side, off limits but visible): | |||
4211/GEG | SA342L1 | 5RHC |
4215/GEJ | SA342L1 | 4RHFS |
F-GETR | AS355 | Heli-Bearn (wh colours) |
F-HJLD | AS355F2 | Heli-Bearn (ye/bk colours) | 5064 |
F-HORN | AS350B3 | Heli-Bearn (gn colours) | 7381 |
Hangar 29 (west side, closed, off limits): | |||
1222/DDG | SA330Ba | desert colours |
1244/DDO | SA330Ba |
1027/BDD | SA341F | written from use | ex EAALAT |
1190/DRM | SA341F | written from use |
The two Gazelles used to be outside on the west side of this western most hangar. Probably they were tucked away for |
aesthetic purposes. The desert camo Puma had a “Drakkar Det ALAT” badge indicating a past deployment to Djibouti. |
Hangar 27 (west side, closed, off limits): | |||
1248/DBC | SA330Ba | new colours |
Hangar 093 (west side, closed, off limits): | |||
2285 | SA318C | Stored |
(3859)/GAK, 4164 | SA342M |
4231 | SA342L1 |
The Alouette used to be at the gate. |
Hangar (west side, closed, off limits but with windows): | |||
3848/GAG, 4095/GBL | SA342M |
4142/GBW, 4168/GCG | SA342M |
Flight lines 4RHFS area (off limits but visible): | |||
2290/CGI, 2316/CGO | AS332M1 | not known |
F-HBKZ | EC120B | not known | 1628 |
2034/BIB, 2042/BIJ | EC665 | not known |
2044/BIL | EC665 | not known |
(1109)/DAM, 1130/DCK/’3’ | SA330Ba | not known |
(1149)/DAB | SA330Ba | not known | desert colours |
(1186)/DCZ/’4’ | SA330Ba | not known |
(1232)/DBA/’6’, (1262)/DBD | SA330Ba | not known |
1732/GJA, (3849)/GAH | SA342M | not known |
3855/GJJ, 3857/GJK | SA342M | not known |
3957/GAU, 4172/GCH | SA342M | not known |
2549/SB | EC725R2 | not known |
The one-digit codes were actually pieces of paper, for airshow formation flying purposes. |
Hangars 4 RHFS (east side, closed, off limits but with windows): | |||
2002, 2035 | EC665 | not known |
2038 | EC665 | not known |
Parked tail on, so no codes noted during a quick peek. |
Hangars 4 RHFS (4RHFS area, off limits, closed) | |||
… | SA330 | not known |
One was ajar on Saturday showing at least one AS332/SA330. |
Elsewhere: | |||
161/63-BP | N2501F | Musée des Parachutistes |
1008/FVX | SA330B | Preserved on base, nr gate |
1075/BRY | SA330B | Musée des Parachutistes |
1270/GUT | SA341F | Preserved on base, nr gate |
1582/PAU | SE3160 | Preserved on base, nr gate |
As a rule of thumb the toned down coded aircraft are used by the special forces unit 4 RHFS whereas the white coded/titled ones are on 5RHC charge. We chose to omit the units unless |
they were pointed out to us. Interestingly, the construction number plate for Gazelle 3996 gave SA342M1 as type whereas Super Puma 2301 had AS332M1 as type, AS532UL |
Cougar being its ‘commercial’ name. Not all 5RHC’s Tigers were present. Some are deployed to ‘an undisclosed location’ while others are being upgraded to full production standard |
and will be redelivered after that. Tiger BHK is 5RHC’s first example up to this full standard. |
It was a delightful little show. Pau is not open that often and this airshow was put on the calendar late July. Maybe that is why there were only four spotters on the spotter’s day, along |
with a handful others walking around! This meant a personal tour guided by a Tiger pilot. It took some convincing to go through the west side hangars and the eastern 4RHFS-area |
was off-limits altogether, even their ramp. In the relaxed atmosphere and before the general public could enter, some half-decent shots were possible. Ropes and placards, you |
know it. The dual Tiger display was a treat and possibly the rest of the air show too, the sun being behind you; but we did not stay for that. |
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