AeroExpo Marrakech 23-26 April 2014

[MartinNeedham]

Hi All,

I'm thinking of visiting Marrakech for the above airshow at the end of April. Having had a search on the forum, I've found some images from previous events and am wondering how people found shooting at Menara.

The static looks quite cramped and cluttered - Am I correct in thinking that the flypasts are performed by aircraft based at their respective airfields rather than being based at Menara for the duration of AeroExpo?

As the show site is on the northern side of the airfield and is quite a distance from the runway, which I assume to be the display line for the aerial component, I've looked at a small area of wasteground south of the Runway 10 threshold near to Ouarzazate Avenue.

Has anyone used this spot for photographing the displays/aircraft arriving and departing?

Any and all info about Menara/AeroExpo will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Martin

[Jaap]

Photography from the outside at and around Ouarzazate Avenue is very good for the fighters/transports at runway 10. Helicopters were flying from the field last year and therefore the best photospot for those is from the show-area, although you will be facing the sun.

During the opening day all Moroccan aircraft will show up, thereafter less (also with minor changes in airframes).

[Thermal]

I've been just told that I'm visiting the show for my work. Just hope my boss won't mind me walking aroud with 400mm around my neck.

But can not find much info on the static or the flying show however. Where did you find your info Martin? The info on the show's website is quite concise.

Thanks

[MartinNeedham]

Many thanks, chaps.

Jaap - Am I correct in the assumption that the helicopters display on a different line to the fighters/transports, and are therefore further away from Ouarzazate Avenue?

Thermal - I've made extensive and exhaustive searches for images from past AeroExpos on Airliners.net and the likes. I have also used SunCalc/The Photographer's Ephemeris and Google Maps to establish if there are areas close to the airfield suitable for photography and if so, at what times the light favours them best.

I've noticed that a number of images appear to have been taken on the larger of the two ASPs to the west of the show's static area, mainly of the stored Fouga Magisters, how accessible is this apron during the airshow?

There is also a cemetery which shares a boundary with the airfield and looks to be ideal for shooting aircraft on the southern taxiway, however I'd be hesitant to venture there as it may likely be seen by locals as disrespectful.

Many thanks,

Martin

[tonno1970]

I was there 2 years ago.

I confirm that static is cluttered but you can take nice shots on press day before the show, even if you have always to ask to pilots to take something out of the shot and some pilots are not so helpful...

About the show you are facing the sun from 10 am on, so you can take nice images if you are lucky if some aircraft taxing in or out but that's it.

I stayed inside one day because of the bad weather.

The show begins at 11.00 if I remember well.

From outside you have some opportunity on the approach. You must exit the show and go to the farest approach.

For me it was a bit disappointing. 2 years before were allowed to take pictures of the flightline, in 2012 no.... so you could only take photos of the static. And if you are thinking to go there before to catch arrivals be aware that in 2012 the fighters (F1,F16,F5 etc etc) arrived the week before!!

Here a link with some photos of mine:
http://webcommunity.ilvolo.it/marrakech ... 06s50.html

hope this helps.

[wweasel]

no F-16D at the static but two C models...looks like 2012 as you mentioned Paul.

[foc1]

Some serials today with c/ns noted as read

Static

CN-AKA 27 AB205A
CN-AQR 18 AB206B
CN-AZF Allouette II
228 Alpha Jet
245 Alpha Jet
112 AS565MB CNABH in cockpit
CN-AMQ C27J (4)171
CN-AON C130H
CN-ABG CAP10B 183
CN-ABH CAP10B 184
CN-ATQ CL415 2088
CN-AMA CN235 C-023
CN-BZF EC145
08-8004 F16C
08-8011 F16C
91933 F5E
CN-ANA KA100
CN-ANG KA200
173 Mirage F1
CN-AZX S2R T660-118DC
CN-TWF S2R
CN-AIJ SA330F 1393
CN-ARZ 26 SA330L 1470
SA341F 1415
(CN-A)CP SA342L 1946
20 TT T6C PM-20
21 TU T6C PM-21
08-8607 bl/wt C130J RS

The SA341F was trucked in and the c/n taken from a plate in the cockpit. It is painted like the RMAF aircraft

Flying by was a C130 + 2x F1. 2x F5. 2x F16 followed by three Alphas, four F5s, four F1s, two F16s and then some helos and CL415s flying from the flight line here.

CN-AOR KC130H
91944 F5E
91942 F5E
170 Mirage F1
171 Mirage F1
08-8014 F16C
08-8009 F16C
231 Alpha Jet
236 Alpha Jet
233 Alpha Jet
91924 F5E
91932 F5E
50617 F5E
5061? F5E
128 Mirage F1
127 Mirage F1
133 Mirage F1
(134?) Mirage F1
(08)-8016 F16C
??? F16C

CN-ARG 07 SA330L
CN-ARL 12 SA330L
CN-ASG 33 SA330L (did not fly)
CN-ATM CL415
CN-ATP CL415
CN-AMD CN235
CN-AQH 08 AB206A
CN-AQI 09 AB206A
CN-AQK 11 AB206A
CN-AQM 13 AB206A
(CN-A)CC SA342L 1894
(CN-A)CT SA342L 1963
(CN-A)CV SA342L 1972
(CN-A)CX SA342L 1985
CN-AJV 22 AB205A
CN-AJW 23 AB205A
CN-ABT 1 CAP232
CN-ABU 2 CAP232
CN-ABR 3 CAP232
CN-ABS 4 CAP232
CN-ABQ 5 CAP232
CN-ABV 6 CAP232
CN-ABW 7 CAP232
? ? CAP232

Looked like one more SA342 and AB206 on the flight line and could see some T34s and T37s when I landed. Would appreciate any info on the flying aircraft not positively identified.

A Spanish C295 was support for the Casa 101 display team, I did not read it, but showed as T.21-10 on sbs

CN235 CN-AMD arrived and departed and used hex 020060

The airport was shut for a while due to storms, and there were a few biz jets still to be moved into static, will list those tomorrow and any other additions.

[foc1]

Some notes from Tuesday morning

Practice flypast included
4x T6C: TC, TG, TH, TW
5x Alpha Jet: 231, 233, 234, 236, 244
4x F5E: 50617, 91924, 91932 + 5061?
4x F1: 127, 171 +2 others
4x F16C: one of them possibly 8005?

Flying from here:
Casa 101s:
E.25-63/1/74-17
E.25-22/2/79-22
E.25-23/3/79-23
E.25-62/4/79-17
E.25-14/5/79-14
E.25-78/6/79-02
E.25-86/7/79-32
+1

T6Cs: 14/TN, 16/TP + TB and TK were towed to the shelter area

Gendemarie helos arriving were: AS555 CN-AIZ (to static), CN-BZJ and EC145 CN-BZK

CN235 CN-AMD dropped some parachutists

[KM101]

Wheres the shelter area?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[K2G]

Noted inside a hangar:
Casa 101 E.25-14/79-14 "5"
Cap 232 CN-ABP "2" c/n 28
AS202 Bravo 12x AUH,AUK,AUI,AUE,AUJ,AUA,AUB,AUC,AUD,AUL,AUM,AUN

Visit:
Ces560XLS CN-AMK
C-27J CN-AMN
CN235 CN-AMG VIP
Beech 300 CN-ANX
Ces560 TR.20-01/403-11 SpAF
C-21A ?? USAFE

Helicopters on airfield:
4x SA330L 07,12,27,33
5x SA342 CC,CN,CT, CV,CX
5x AB206 AQE, AQM, AQH, AQI, AQK
2x AB205 AJV, AJW

T-6C under sheds:
5x TB, TK, TP, TR, TX

Extra static:
T-6C 14/TN
KC-135R 00316 UtahANG
AW139 MM81796/15-40
MC-27 CSX62127
SA.342L c/n 1945 (CN-ACO) cabin inside display hg
Titan Tornado II CN-AHX

Dump:
7x T-6 Harvard 27732/51, 27787/57, 78, 54, (1)7 (?) +2
1x T-28 fuselage

Flypast:
KC-130H OR
2x F-5F 91942,91944
2x Mirage F1 170, 171
2x F-16C 8003,8005
4x T-6C 03,07,08,10
4x F-5E 91932,91924,50613,50617
5x Alpha 231,233,234,236,246
4x F1 127,128, 133 +1
4x F-16

Who van help with missing serails in the flypast?

[nellis6]

I have 8005 as the other F-16 with 8003. But I have 91944 with 91942 and not 91943. I also have SA342 coded CT involved in the flying display. Which Hangar are the AS.202's in?

[K2G]

I have 8005 as the other F-16 with 8003. But I have 91944 with 91942 and not 91943. I also have SA342 coded CT involved in the flying display. Which Hangar are the AS.202's in?

Thank you for additions/corrections. You are right.
The as202 hangar is behind the 3 display hangars, there is a VIP parkinglot inbetween.

[K2G]

Some notes from Tuesday morning

Practice flypast included
4x T6C: TC, TG, TH, TW
5x Alpha Jet: 231, 233, 234, 236, 244
4x F5E: 50617, 91924, 91932 + 5061?
4x F1: 127, 171 +2 others
4x F16C: one of them possibly 8005?

Flying from here:
Casa 101s:
E.25-63/1/74-17
E.25-22/2/79-22
E.25-23/3/79-23
E.25-62/4/79-17
E.25-14/5/79-14
E.25-78/6/79-02
E.25-86/7/79-32
+1

T6Cs: 14/TN, 16/TP + TB and TK were towed to the shelter area

Gendemarie helos arriving were: AS555 CN-AIZ (to static), CN-BZJ and EC145 CN-BZK

CN235 CN-AMD dropped some parachutists

The missing CASA 101 have also code 4
CN-BZJ was not noted Apr23

[foc1]

Italian AF F900 MM62172 visited in the afternoon
I had C21 84-0109 on the SBS but did not read it myself
I thought the 5th Alpha Jet was 246 from photo?

[K2G]

Operating from nearby Ben Guerir for airshow are:

Alpha Jet 231,233,234,236,244,246
Mirage F1 127,128,133,134,144,170,171
F-5E 91924,91932,50613,50617
F-5F 91942,91943,91944

F-16C 8002,8003,8005,8007,8009,8010,8014,8016
F-16D 8018,8020,8021,8023

T-6C 03,07,08,10,22 for flypast
T-6C 05,09,13,23 + more

Also noted here were two RMorocAF "Harfang" (Heron) drones. It is reported they have received three from France.