Marseille-Provence (LFML/MRS) - 2012

[EvD]

We spent some days at Marseille en route to Marrakech airshow, and this is what we saw:
(underlined = parts not read off)

03apr12

EC130 F-WWXO primer

SA330F 122/F-ZKCB UAE Navy fcs

AS532UL 2331/CGU/F-ZWDI ALAT fcs
AS532UL 2446/CGX/F-ZWBK ALAT fcs

AS350B3 Ut Air y/bk/rd c/s, c/n7390
AS350 F-ZKCX Eurocopter dk.green c/s
AS350 F-WTAF bk c/s, sv cheatline
AS555AN 5412/VI/F-ZKCT AdlA fcs
AS555AN 5431/VM AdlA arrived

EC155 F-WMXD Eurocopter
EC155 F-WWOF blue c/s, c/n 6949 TUA 006 (read on 4-4)
AS565 F-ZWRS primer, c/n 6359 AVX 110, should be EB-2010 Exercito Brasileira under repair, large metal plate bolted to the side!

EC665 F-ZVLJ Eurocopter test a/c
EC665 2044/F-ZKBN fcs, but without code/roundel
EC665 2045/F-ZKBO fcs, but without code/roundel

EC225 F-WJXX Japan CG? wh/bl c/s in hangar
EC225 F-WJXV CHC fcs
EC725 ...4/SI/F-ZWDA AdlA fcs (previously noted with customer code CAR030, see http://forum.scramble.nl/viewtopic.php?p=507344)
EC725 AMHT-230/F-ZWDU Marina (Mexico) fcs
EC725 AMHT-231 Marina (Mexico) fcs, parked outside untill at least mid day 05apr12
EC725 1008/F-ZWDM FAMexicana fcs, hangar (civ reg read on 4-4)
Plus two in primer being washed

NH-90-TTH EAC/F-ZWBY c/n1271 fcs, but without serial/roundel (civ.reg read on 4-4)
NH-90-TTH NZ3303 F-ZWDO RNZAF fcs c/n seemed to end in 37
NH-90-TTH F-ZWDV primer c/n1229
NH-90-NFH BSWN01 (1st Swedish Navy, in NH-90 fll hangar)
NH-90-NFH 8/F-ZWDF c/n1243 fcs
Plus one TTH primer being washed, one primer in the NH-90 fll hangar, one dark green in the fll hangar and one TTH primer outside the NH-90 hangar

04apr12 (* = new compared to 3rd)

Do228-212 NAF031 dep

AS532UL*2..7?/F-ZWBN ALAT fcs

AS350*F-WWPN sv c/s
AS350*F-WWPX sv, bl/y cheatline, c/n7392
AS350B3 F-WWPY y/bk/rd c/s, should be the UtAir c/n7390?
AS350*LN-OWD/F-WWXJ or c/s
AS555AN 5412/VI/F-ZKCT AdlA fcs
AS555AN 5431/VM AdlA fcs
AS555AN 5530/WH AdlA arrived

SA365F*313 Aeronavale overshoot
AS565 F-ZWRS primer, c/n 6359 AVX 110, should be EB-2010 Exercito Brasileira under repair, large metal plate bolted to the side!

EC665 2044/F-ZKBN fcs, but without code/roundel
EC665 2045/F-ZKBO fcs, but without code/roundel

EC225*F-HRLI/F-WWOQ wh/bl c/s
EC225 F-WJXV CHC fcs
EC225*F-WJXY Japan CG? wh/bl c/s
EC225 F-WJXX Japan CG? wh/bl c/s in hangar
EC225*2752 Aeronavale 32F badge? arrived
EC725*FA630/F-ZWDL AlbanianAF fcs
EC725 ...4/SI/F-ZWDA AdlA fcs (previously noted with customer code CAR030, see http://forum.scramble.nl/viewtopic.php?p=507344)
EC725 AMHT-231 Marina (Mexico) fcs, parked outside untill at least mid day 05apr12
EC725*1005/F-ZWDJ FAMexicana fcs
EC725 1008/F-ZWDM FAMexicana fcs

NH-90-NFH*F-ZWTO code NFRS01 Marine titles and c/s
NH-90-TTH EAC/F-ZWBY c/n1271 fcs, but without serial/roundel
NH-90-TTH*NZ3304/F-ZWDR RNZAF fcs c/n1208
NH-90-TTH*629/F-ZWBF OmanAF fcs c/n1204 being washed
NH-90-TTH F-ZWDV primer c/n1229
NH-90-TTH*F-ZWFE primer c/n1242
Plus one NH-90-TTH primer being washed

05apr12
Just a quick look between 0745 and 0845 before our flight to Seville for another stop over on our way to Marrakech, the whole detour was cheaper than flying to Marokko directly from Weeze BTW

AS532UL 2446/CGX/F-ZWBK ALAT fcs
EC665 2044/F-ZKBN fcs, but without code/roundel
NH-90-NFH 8/F-ZWDF c/n1243 fcs
NH-90-TTH F-ZWDV primer c/n1229
Plus one in primer being washed

The washing pit is quite frustrating with primer helos being washed that do not have markings other than a tiny scribbled c/n or customer code on the window cover (too small to read in the short time they are towed into view ).
The ever on going building activities and expansions mean that the view from La Butte is nearly completely gone.

However, we really do love this place!

Michiel & Erwin

[Michiel]

AS555AN 5530/WH AdlA arrived

Was wearing civil regi F-ZKCS

[SG Woensdrecht]

EC725 AMHT-231 Marina (Mexico) fcs, parked outside untill at least mid day 05apr12

This one was still outside on Sunday 8th april.

Do you know which Securite Civile EC145 is based at Marseille at the moment?

[Michiel]

F-ZBPG was the one we saw, if you mean the EC-145. There was also an AS.350 in the hangar.

Regards,

Michiel

[jreijmer]

Do228-212 NAF031 dep

That one went to Prague for a nightstop after which it continued to Aero Vodochody. It went there to pick up some L-39 spare parts. Quite a trip for such a small aircraft for picking up things!

Kind regards,
Jeroen

[woelfie]

Many thanks for your comprehensive and detailed log! Please find a few additions from my side below:

AS350 F-ZKCX Eurocopter dk.green c/s
This is a company demonstrator AS.550U2 with MSN 4588.

EC155 F-WWOF blue c/s, c/n 6949 TUA 006 (read on 4-4)
This is an AS.365N3 destined for Tunisair.

EC225 F-WJXX Japan CG? wh/bl c/s in hangar
This is destined for a Brazilian civil customer.

EC225*F-WJXY Japan CG? wh/bl c/s
This is destined for a Brazilian civil customer (the same as for F-WJXX).

EC725*FA630/F-ZWDL AlbanianAF fcs
MSN 2800

Best regards
Woelfie

[Michiel]

EC225 F-WJXX Japan CG? wh/bl c/s in hangar
This is destined for a Brazilian civil customer.

Has become the PR-OMV for Omni.

Regards,

Michiel

[Michiel]

[mod edit: split from this one]

Iwan,

I think he was standing at 43°25'25.15"N, 5°13'29.09"E.
Liitle bit depending on which runway they came in (left or right). Otherwise 43°25'26.98"N, 5°13'33.69"E will do.
During fire season the Securite Civile is flying a lot. Otherwise every day some trainingsmissions will be flown.
From the hill you can have nice shots of course on the taxiway.

Regards,

Michiel

[Iwan Bogels]

Thanks Michiel.

That looks like a great spot! Do you know if these two spots are also accessible? 43°25'43.46"N 5°12'58.15"O and 43°25'49.06"N 5°12'48.87"O

If it's really as busy as you say, I may well have to go there soon. Trackers are very high on my wish list these days, and I don't mind the CL-415's either.

Cheers,
Iwan

[CBR]

Iwan,

I think he was standing at 43°25'25.15"N, 5°13'29.09"E.
Liitle bit depending on which runway they came in (left or right). Otherwise 43°25'26.98"N, 5°13'33.69"E will do.
During fire season the Securite Civile is flying a lot. Otherwise every day some trainingsmissions will be flown.
From the hill you can have nice shots of course on the taxiway.

Regards,

Michiel

Spooky ... spot on , where you standing next to me?? These are the spots for the afternoon/evening.

Since they use both parallel runway depending on the other mostly civilian traffic (and I did not have a radio - highly recommended to bring one), I had to play it save and use two bodies with different lenses. from 200 - 500mm.

The hill is nice in the morning but heathaze prevented me from taking taxiway shots.

SC flies a lot in the fire season (I saw 10 CL-415 and 5 Trackers in the morning and by the afternoon all had gone) but the real bonus overthere is of course Eurocopter. Unfortunately closed for vacation during my visit.

Do you know if these two spots are also accessible? 43°25'43.46"N 5°12'58.15"O and 43°25'49.06"N 5°12'48.87"O

Interesting spots I did not check them out.

The entrance to the second position 43°25'45.54"N 5°12'39.81"E was marked as private so I did not enter (law abiding citizen I am ...).

Just check them out, they look promising. But make sure to bring stairs since Marseilles fences are high and impenetrable.

[Michiel]

Iwan

Both places are accessible but at the first point you are able to take pictures over the fence. Most of the time the airplane do use the right runway and the Eurocopter heli's the left. But sometime the Securite Civile also use the left one. I even saw the Cl-415's on the taxiway near the fence.
Eurocopter is also very nice but is better for the numbers.

Michiel

[Belgianboy]

You can also spot from the disused wartime taxiway near the cemetery, South side of the airport. Suitable free parking place at the cemetery entrance.

Low fence which do not impede photography from floor level. Recommended lens 200-400 mm.

Willy

[Iwan Bogels]

Thanks for he replies guys ! It has sparked my interest and I may well make a trip there soon.

Cheers,
Iwan

[Key]

And for those with a Scramble subscription: check out our airfield guide as well, via http://www.scramble.nl/airports/index.html .
We will see if it needs updating with the above.

Thanks all!
Erik

[leonard van T]

Marseille-Provance(F) 11 september 2012

locals;
F-ZBFJ/98 Beech B200 Securite Civile
F-ZBKF/96 Beech B200 Securite Civile
F-ZBMB/97 Beech B200 Securite Civile
F-ZBEU/42 CL-415 Securite Civile
F-ZBFN/33 CL-415 Securite Civile
F-ZBFS/32 CL-415 Securite Civile
F-ZBFV/37 CL-415 Securite Civile
F-ZBFW/38 CL-415 Securite Civile
F-ZBFX/34 CL-415 Securite Civile
F-ZBFY/35 CL-415 Securite Civile
F-ZBMF/45 CL-415 Securite Civile
F-ZBMG/48 CL-415 Securite Civile
F-ZBEH/T20 S-2 Firecat Securite Civile
F-ZBET/T15 S-2 Firecat Securite Civile
F-ZBMC/73 DHC-8-Q402MR Securite Civile
F-ZBMD/74 DHC-8-Q402MR Securite Civile
F-ZBPG EC-145 Securite Civile
F-???? AS-350 Securite Civile (hangar)
471 EMB-312F stored ? Aeromechanica hangar
1548 SE-3160 preserved/dumped

visitors;
160/62-IS CN-235M-200 ET01.062
?? Falcon 7X ETEC00.065
?? Gulfstream IV nn
the Gulfsteam had a militairy look.

Eurocopter;
4226/GEU SA-342L1 GAMSTAT crew ferry
EC-225 ? rd/wh
F-WWOT EC-225 Eurocopter
G-PUMT EC-225 Bont Helicopters
AMHT-230 EC-725 Mexican navy
AMHT-232 EC-725 Mexican navy
EC-725 Eurocopter in hangar
2802/SK F-ZWDC EC-725R2 AdlA
????/SI F-ZWDA EC-725R2 AdlA
Puma HC.2 RAF
EC-665 Tigre ALAT
EC-665 Tigre primer
F-WMXD EC-155 Eurocopter
F-WWOM EC-175 Eurocopter
EC-565? Rd
EC-565 camouflaged+badge in tail
[edit] this is a Gabon EC-135/635
/EAD NH90-TTH ALAT test flight
NH90-NFH primer test flight

This was all I could read with my 20x "scramble-pijp" I took pictures but can,t read much of them.
the camouflaged Panther looked like a rear exotic one !
all help is welcom


Leonard