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  100 лет ВВС России
  (100 years of Russian military aviation)
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Text:

Andy Herzog

Pictures:

Guido Bühlmann

Google Maps Position
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With a gigantic air show the Russian Air Force was celebrating on 10th  to 12th  of August 2012 her "100" years anniversary of Russian military aviation. Not only in Zhukovsky near Moscow, but throughout the country, there were numerous celebrations. The government of President Vladimir Putin was showing strength and power.
  But the visit of the air show on Saturday was reserved to invited guests with special permits, diplomats and government people, much to the regret of all the other guests. But also outside the site it was possible to take some great pictures, even if only in the air. Regarding the poor lighting conditions on the grounds of Zhukovsky (mainly backlight) it was certainly a advantage, as the following report by Guido E. Buehlmann impressively shows.  

The celebration

In order of the thousands of spectators, the leaders of the Russian Air Force pulled all the registers to celebrate this memorable occasion in style. Aviation in Russia has forever strong ties with the military what has been demonstrated in an impressive way for these three days!

Fighters

Suchoi Su-27 Flanker,  Suchoi Su-34 Fullback,  MIG-29 Fulcrum
Most modern fighter jets such as the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker, the Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback, and the legendary MiG-29 Fulcrum showed their skills in association as well as in solo performances. Highlights were certainly the firing of so-called "flares" and the stylized formation flight in the figure of the Jubilee number "100" at the beginning and end of the show.
   

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

   

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

Suchoi Su T-50
Unmistakable the similarity of the Sukhoi Su-50 T, here escorted by a MIG-29, with the American Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor. Equipped with stealth characteristics the Su T-50 is still in flight testing and will be built in series by 2015.

Yak-130
The Yak-130 is a trainer and light attack aircraft that was ordered along with Russia by Algeria, Bangladesh, Libya, Syria and Vietnam. The first deliveries were made to the Russian armed forces (11) and Algeria (3).

MIG-31  Foxhound
With over 500 built MIG-31Foxhound it is an advanced variant of the former MIG-25 Foxbat, here flying in formation with three other aircrafts.

   

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

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Bomber

Tupolev Tu-22M3  Backfire
In the "middleweight" class, three Tupolev Tu-22M3 Backfire from the Air Base Solzy near Novgorod Oblast, showed a precise formation flying that was very impressive.

Tupolev Tu-95 Bear, Tupolev Tu-160  Blackjack
The backbone of the Russian strategic bombers is the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear and the Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack. A fly-past of six aircrafts impressed the crowds and showed the capability of these aircrafts.
All aircrafts are stationed at Engels Air Force Base near Saratov.

   

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

Attack

Aero L-39  Albatros
As a trainer and light fighter plane the Aero L-39 Albatross is found not only in the Russian inventory. Almost thirty countries and there air force’s set on these robust and proven training aircraft. Also acrobatic teams, such as the Breitling aerobatics team, the Baltic Bees and the pictured "RUSS team" relied on the albatross.

Suchoi Su-24M  Fencer
A low flying formation of four Sukhoi Su-24M Fencer, with their distinctive swing wings.

Suchoi Su-25  Frogfoot
Much like the American Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt, the Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot is known as "Tank Buster". Tested during the Afghanistan conflict in the 80s, the Frogfoot on the battlefield is mainly used to bust and destroy tanks and armored vehicles. Their heavy weaponry and superior armor makes it to a dreaded enemy be recognizing also in formation as shown on this picture.

   

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

Helicopter

MIL Mi-26  Halo, MIL Mi-8  Hip
Further developed from the MIL Mi-6 "Hook", the MIL Mi-26 "Halo" is the world's largest helicopter ever manufactured in series. With a payload up to 20 tons of cargo, it is the "heavyweight" champignon among the helicopters. Not only the Russian army (30) flies the Halo, even countries such as India (11), Mexico (1) and Venezuela (3) and many more operate the MIL-26. Even the UN needs this helicopter for their humanitarian efforts. The picture shows the MIL-26 Halo escorted by four MIL Mi-8 of the newest generation.

MIL Mi-28  Havoc
With an aim of tracking 20 objects simultaneously, the MIL Mi-28 "Havoc" is the ideal combat helicopter on the battlefield and is mainly used for armored targets. In the association, as the pictures shows, the heavily armed Havoc is a serious opponent, similar to the U.S. AH-64 "Apache"

 

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

Aircrafts for special mission

IL-86VKP  Maxdome
As a flying command post, the Russian Air Force operates two IL-86VKP "Maxdome" (RA-86147 and RA-86149) from its Air Base Chkalovsky near Moscow.

Myasischev M-55 Geophysica
As the flying laboratory "Aero Monitoring" presented, Myasischev M-55 Geophysica is still used as research aircraft among others in exploring of the ozone hole.

Tupolev Tu-134UBL  Crusty
This Tupolev Tu-134UBL (RF-93938) is used for training the pilots of the Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack and Tupolev Tu-22M3 Backfire. Very distinctive is the typical pointy nose.

Beriev A-50  Mainstay
The Beriev A-50 "Mainstay" is the Russian AWACS-Version and originally based on the IL-76. The only other operator in addition to Russia is the Indian Air Force.

 

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

Transporter

Antonov An-2  Colt
With over 18,000 units had been built, the Antonov An-2 "Colt" is the largest, single-engine biplane in the world and, as shown in this picture, used for paramilitary tasks and training of parachutists.

Antonov An 12 Cub
The Antonov An-12 "Cub" is in many air forces, including the Russian, still the standard transport-aircraft. In addition to countless more developed versions, the An-12 was also produced as a construction license (Shaanxi Y-8) in China.

Antonov An-22  Cock
Only a few Antonov An-22 "Cock", the largest aircraft in the world powered by propellers, are still in use today. The pictured RA-09342 shows its gigantic size.

Antonov An-124-100  Ruslan Condor
Everywhere transporting bulky loads is the place where you will find the Antonov An-124-100 "Ruslan" in use. The pictured RA-82013 is part of the 224th Air Transport Wing.

 

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

IL-76MD  Candid-B
These modern versions of the IL-76MD 'Candid-B "are subject to the Transport Squadron 196 from Tver.

     

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

(Picture courtesy Guido Bühlmann)

In the form of the number "100" the modern Russian fighter jets opened and closed in each case the impressive air show.
Certainly an impressive demonstration of the Russian air force also with the participation of well-known aerobatic teams, such as the "Russian Knights and Swifts" as well as their guests, the Red Arrows from England, the Frecce Tricolori from Italy and the Iskry from Poland, in the grand finale.

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last update 20. Oktober 2012

Written 20. Oktober 2012

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