Spotting in Syria and Lebanon

[Coyote]

Does anybody has some info regarding spotting in Syria and Lebanon? Only military bases.
Thanks in advance!

[ehusmann]

I have been to Lebanon, but not to military bases. In all, the country is extremely tense. Military all over the place and even in Beyrut the situation can be a bit intimidating (situation of last year April).

In Syria your best shot is to book some Syrianair flights to combined airbases. Latakia on the coast is one, Navy Mi-8 and Mi-14 very close to the civil platform. You can see just about everything, reading is a bit more difficult. I managed to get one Mi-14 only while taxiing on to the platform.
Another option is Aleppo. Although not much based there, I did see a lot. 30 MiG-23s were parked on the platform (all in Russian camouflage with overpainted roundels and boardnumbers) and at the end of the runway were two operational Mi-8s which I could read off. All from taxiing planes (A320, Yak-40 and Tu-134).

Spotting operational from outside the fence is not really recomendable. Most airbases are in the middle of nowhere and you will be spotted from miles away (if you can even get that close). If you are interested I can give you some coordinates of bases and preserved planes.

Erwin

[stanly]

Hi. I have lived in both countries and can only advise that you be very, very careful. Just because one security guard or police man says it's o.k., don't assume that it is - I have seen people losing cameras whilst air-side in the terminal at DAM. On the other hand, you can and I hope will be very lucky and have absolutely no problem. In particular be careful if there are military or VIP flights in the area - at that time things can get very fragile!

Enjoy the trip - two fabulous countries with very nice people and food.

[ehusmann]

I have seen people losing cameras whilst air-side in the terminal at DAM.

You are absolutely right! Even in the October war memorial in Damascus (that has a MiG-21 and a Mi-8 on display), I got escorted by a soldier who did not approve of taken a lot of pictures!

Enjoy the trip - two fabulous countries with very nice people and food.

And again you are right. A 30 cent falafel sandwich for breakfast or a full mezze in the evening.... it was all terrific!

Erwin

[Kruidenplukker]

Have been to Syria.

Great country, friendliness = second nature, largely unspoiled by tourists (even the touristic sites, outside those you will encounter none).

The Damascus museum does not longer exist, so the panorama is the only 'easy' catch.
Besides that, the helicopter bases are open and easy to approach, so I'm told
See for example: http://www.scramble.nl/databases/airpor ... country=SY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(members only)

Check Google Earth. You can even get close to the dozens of stored MiG-15/17 at Jirah from this road: 36° 5'11.66"N, 37°57'0.76"E. Serials too faded though...
In fact most bases are simple to find and quite open, albeit in open stretches of land/desert. But hey, how many people can say they saw a dozen Syrian MiG-25s or MiG-23BNs?
Serials is much more difficult, do not expect long lists, just the odd number here or there.

Good luck and watch your back.

Karl

[streep]

Best bed is to buy some domestic tickets, and keep your eyes open during taxi and take off.
Tickets are VERY cheap and there are still some cool aircraft types flying around.
Yak-40 to Latakia and search for the Tu134 on the Damascus Aleppo route.

Make sure you get a daytime flight in and out as well !
many airlines operate to Lebanon and Syria during the night.

[The DJ]

Sorry the reply is a bit late, but thanks for the very usefull info guys!

Me and Mr Coyote are driving from Turkey to Jordan thru Syria and Lebanon.
I did found most (if not all) airbases on Google Earth, but info on preserved aircraft would be great.

MTIA,
Mark