Deep in Russia - 1996 visit on Ivanovo Severny Airbase for the mighty Antonov AN-22

 Actually and since too many years already I whould not recommand a visit in this country. But back in the millenium years I've visited regularly, my last visit was 1998. 

Anyway - since Ukrainian Air Defence / Air Force is playing turkey shoot at russian warplanes like Su-34/35 and the russian AWACS called A-50 Mainstay those days, a name of an air base reappeared in the media I was visiting back in 1996 - IVANOVO SEVERNY. There should be the main base of those A-50 and discussions are going on about the still airworthy aircrafts.

For more information about the actual knowledge please visit Tom Cooper's article about A50 on substack

Actual discussion about airworthy cells on MT_Anderson's Twitter account

No A-50 seen on my visit in 1996, but already the arrival was spectacular - in Il-18D RA-75496 operated by 223 LO out of Chkalovski !

This big building in the center is the 308th ARZ, the main reparation/revision/overhaul center for the AN-22.

Main target where the famous Antonov AN-22 COCK - some already broken up but most of them just staying there and awaiting there faith.

The crews started one of those beast for some nice photos in rolling - impressive is too little as word to describe

Surprise - the only known COCK in camouflage. Still active in 2023, but received standard (Aeroflot) colors.

Unfortunally our visit was not including the many, many lines of Il-76 transport aircrafts, we where lucky though with those three in the colors of different eras.

I hope you enjoyed the small visit of the past where we all believed that Russia is no thread anymore. We all underestimated the butcher named Putler (Copyright Tom Cooper) and some politicians still are friends with him - so we, the people, have to pay the price. 

Slava Ukraini - Слава Україні