Bilbays (Belbes)

1South side approach 04

At the roundabout south of the airfield, were the 45 bends north, go straight taking the second exit. This will lead towards the southern gate. From the 401 this is the first exit of the Su-7 roundabout. Moments before you reach the gate make a right on a gravel road leading towards and along the fence. Make right when the plantations start. Alternatively you can find a spot among the houses a bit further south.

2South side ramp view

From the sand track that leads to spot 1 can see the ramp on the south side of the southern taxi track that used to be a runway also. This place is in full sight of the airfield, although the watch towers are not manned. Sunset light and at least 45x magnification is needed.

An alternative route to this spot without having to take the road towards the secondary gate, is to use the 401. At the Misr gas station 1.8 km southeast of the Su-7, you have to enter a sand track. When coming from the Su-7 you have to make a U-turn because it is a left. From the Ismailiya desert road its a right at the gas station. Go straight, after some houses the track bends left and right, seemingly leading into a quarry but you can go past that. Another left and right brings you between walled off plantations. Continue on this track and you will arrive at the fence somewhat east of spot 2.

3Southeast approach 35R - p.m.

The track running along the fence gets rather sandy east of spot 2. From that general area the approach to 35R can be watched. You will be to the west of the approach to runway 35R.

4Northeast side main ramp view

From no.401 road there is an asphalt road north, about 5.5 kilometres southeast from the Su-7. Same procedure, make a U-turn and then go right into this road.
From the Ismailiya desert road this will be the shortly after you reach the vegetated were the road bends left and right again. After the plantation ends go right. There is a sort of road block but that is some kind of local toll booth.
Stay on this asphalt road for about 6.5 km. Just over 3 km there is another Sekem sign; make a left onto the gravel track here. This road still has patches of asphalt on it and leads past some plantations and houses all the way to the fence, over 2.5 km down the track. Early morning light and around 30-45x magnification will do the trick.

5Northeast side storage view

From spot 4 you can go north along the fence towards a secondary gate. Before you reach that gate the stored aircraft parked around the shelters can be read.
If the gate is not manned, you can risk going past that further north on a sand path along the fence. This is probably only negotiable with a 4x4 or by foot.

6Southwest side dispersal area, south side

This area can only be reached by foot. Take the road to Bilbays from the Su-7. After the gas station, park your car on the desolate patch of land next to the gas station. You can see the skeleton of an old hangar, walk towards that and keep right of it. Were the fence meets the base wall you can just see the first part of the F-6 storage and a Gomhouriya wreck. The plantation / base wall on the opposite side blocks your view.
As it happens there is a whole in the fence at this spot and it is a 100 metre walk to the corner of the opposite wall...

7Southwest side dispersal area, northwest side

When approaching the skeleton of the hangar described at spot 6, the plantation wall is broken down a bit. If you feel like some serious trespassing enter the plantation and follow the inside of the wall. The east side wall of the plantation seemed lower.
About 400 metres further down the road there is an entrance gate to the same plantation, so in theory you can enter it by car also. When it is open, people are bound to be at work here though. So early Saturday morning seems a good moment. We accept no responsibility for the consequences though...

This spot is not validated.

8North side approach 17L/R & storage view

The 45 to Bilbays is rather annoying because the first possibility for a U-turn is were it meets the 41 at the canal upon entering the village itself. After the gate, the road bends sharply to the left and you can exit right in this corner. By going straight for about 1 km and then right 200 metres and straight again you are technically under the approach of 17L/R. Making a right should take you to the perimeter with views of the north westernmost shelters and storage. We are talking obscure houses, plantations, narrow sand tracks and lots of curious people here, enjoy!

This spot is not validated.