Stock Articles & Illustrations
The below-mentioned selection of our latest stock articles can be submitted to aviation magazines for publication. Submitted material includes images (RAW, TIF or JPEG) and a full article report (including illustration captions) in MS Word document.
• Tanagra's Mirage 2000-5BG/EG MkII 'Dash Fives'.
Words & Images : Koen Aerts
On 11/09/2007 the Hellenic Air Force 114 Combat Wing received two new Mirage 2000-5EG aircraft, bringing the delivery status up to 6 M2000-5EG and 4 M2000-5BG. With a delivery rate of 2 aircraft per month, all new aircraft (10 EG and 5 BG models) will be handed over to HAF by December 2007. Furthermore, 10 Mirage 2000EG aircraft of in total 36 acquired in 1988 are undergoing 'Dash Five' upgrade works at Tanagra-based HAI facilities and are planned to roll out by the end of this year.
• Operational Integration Exercise '07.
Words & Images : Koen Aerts
From 16 to 18 July last the Operational Integration Exercise concentrated a lot of European fighter power at northern Belgium's Kleine Brogel airbase. Staged by the co-located Operational Conversion Unit, the exercise was marked by the large-scale participation of fourth generation fighters.
• Indra Danush '07 : IAF Su-30 MkI Flankers vs RAF Typhoons.
Words : Koen Aerts
Images : Peter van de Schans
From 2 until 12 July Indian Air Force deploys eight Su-30 MkI Flankers, two Il-78 Midas tankers and two Il-76 Candids to RAF Waddington for exercise Indra Danush '07.
• Belgian Helidays 2007 : ASPA Team at Europe's biggest Heli Show!
Words & Images : Koen Aerts
During mid May the Spanish ASPA heli team relocated to Southern Belgium for a demonstration at Belgian Helidays, Europe's biggest helicopter airshow. The team could furthermore be admired in the same weekend at the ‘Journée portes-ouvertes' at Metz airbase, France. Aero Topics reports on the team's long journey and their splendid performance.
• Last of the Greek SLUFs !
Words & Images : Koen Aerts
The delivery of the first Block 52+ F-16C/D aircraft to 340 Bomber Sqn in 2002 initiated the pooling of all remaining A-7 aircraft at 116 Combat Wing at Araxos AFB. We visited the Pelloponisos peninsula to report on the surviving Greek A-7 Corsair II fleet, operated by 335 Bomber Sqn 'Tigris', 336 Bomber Sqn 'Olympos' and the A-7 OCU flight.
• Last of the Belgian Fouga Magisters - air-to-air images
Words & Images : Koen Aerts
After almost 47 years of service with the Belgian Air Force, the Fouga Magister is now at a fast pace being withdrawn as each airframe reaches overhaul flight hours. By the end of 2006 only 3 of in total 50 'Maggies' linger on with Beauvechain-based 7th Squadron. We visited the Belgian Air Component 7th Squadron for a full report on this unit.
• Belgian Marchetti's - air-to-air images
Words & Images : Koen Aerts
Introduced in early 1970, some 36 SIAI SF.260M Marchettis were a welcome change to the obsolete Stampe-Vertongen SV-4bis biplanes as primary trainers in the Belgian Air Force. Although by the end of the 1980s Marchetti replacement was considered, plans were put on ice and 9 additional airframes were acquired to make up for fleet attrition. We visited the Belgian Air Component's 5th Squadron, home of the Marchetti fleet, for a full report and inflight photography of their Flying Ferraris !
• NATO Tiger Meet '06
Words & Images : Koen Aerts
[ALBACETE AB, Spain] - From 25 September to 1 October last Spain's Albacete airbase - home to the Dassault Mirage F.1M equipped 141 Esc 'Perros' and 142 Esc 'Tigres' - was the venue for the annual NATO Tiger Meet.
• Czech Mates at the TLP
Words & Images : Koen Aerts
Czech AF participated for the first time in the Tactical Leadership Programme during the 2006-4 session, deploying three Caslav-based L-159 Alcas and five pilots from 212 Tactical Squadron to Florennes AB, Belgium.
• Zeltweg Drakens
Words : Koen Aerts
Images : Koen Aerts, Dominiek Nouwen
In october 2005 the Austrian Air Force organised the last mass formation flight of its Saab J35OE Drakens before fleet retirement at the end of the same year. While awaiting delivery of the first Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoons, the Drakens are currently replaced 'ad interim' by short-term leased Northrop F-5E Tigers from neighbouring Swiss Air Force.