Hellenic Air Force open days November 2008

EI3GSB · Post by **EI3GSB** » 25 Sep 2008, 12:04

Hi,

First post here! I'm interested in visiting Greece in November for the Air Force open days and was wondering has anyone any plans to go? Is there any arranged trips scheduled? Any info on this would be welcome!!

Cheers,
Andrew
Dublin, Ireland

aviodromefriend · Post by **aviodromefriend** » 25 Sep 2008, 13:37

Already some discussions at http://www.scramble.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42688 also about these open days.

EI3GSB · Post by **EI3GSB** » 25 Sep 2008, 16:51

Thanks for the link!

Hans Rolink · Post by **Hans Rolink** » 25 Sep 2008, 17:30

EI3GSB wrote:Hi,

First post here! I'm interested in visiting Greece in November for the Air Force open days and was wondering has anyone any plans to go? Is there any arranged trips scheduled? Any info on this would be welcome!!

Cheers,
Andrew
Dublin, Ireland

Hi Andrew,
to my knowledge neither Ian Allan nor BAES run a trip to Greece. But why bother if you can do it easily yourself? Just fly up there with Mr. O'Leary's outfit, rent a car and plan ahead your hotels. The dates of the open days are known already and bookings.com has many hotels in the vincinty of the bases.
I went to Tanagra on a similar basis.

Hans.

MISOS · Post by **MISOS** » 25 Sep 2008, 17:40

Take a look at http://www.4aviation.nl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Grtz Henk

PS I am not a member of this organization......I only had a good experience with one of their organized basevisits!!

Freeman Lowell · Post by **Freeman Lowell** » 12 Oct 2008, 22:57

Can anyone enlighten me as to the hours that bases will be open during Archangel please?
My Greek isn't very good and all I can find on the GAF website is a note from Archangel 2007 which appears to suggest that bases were open:
8th 1300-1700hrs and
9-11th 0900-1700hrs.
The finish at 1700hrs looks very likely considering sunset times, but I'd appreciate confirmation or correction of the other times for 2008.

Efharisto,
Freeman

phantom_phixer · Post by **phantom_phixer** » 31 Oct 2008, 16:42

Sorry for the late reply guys

Right. The HAF has officially announced that all bases will be open for 4 days; Saturday 8th, Sunday 9th, Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th. According to the same official announcement visiting hours will be from 0900 to 1700 except for Saturday 8th where the bases will open at 1300. (Sunset is at approx. 1715)

Photography is allowed only for the static display. Having said that you may find that the individual base security officer on duty the day and time you are visiting thinks otherwise. That is a possibility.

The only flying display announced will happen at Tatoi - Dekelia AB at 1300 hours during the weekend. Notice that on Saturday the time of the display is the same with the gate open time. This display should (usually) consist of a CL415 water drop, a T-6A solo demo and a HAF Super Puma CSAR demo.

For the rest of the bases, you should expect no flying but there should be a variety of visiting aircraft from other bases. For example when visiting Andravida AB you should expect to see an A-7 and a Mirage 2000 and maybe an F-16, a T-2, etc in addition to the resident Phantoms.

It is practically possible to visit more than two bases in one day. For example you can do Kalamata, Andravida and Araxos on the same day. Also Eleysina, Tatoi - Dekelia and Tanagra. Then Nea Anhialos, Larisa, Mikra, Sedes. Off the beaten track (and for good reason) is Tripoli AB with a small collection of preserved aircraft and maybe a visiting type, Agrinion AB with retired - preserved aircraft but only a handful would be photographable, Preveza - Aktion AB with visiting types but very far from the rest of the bases.

General advise. Gate guard aircraft are usually off limits. Aircraft dumps are also usually off limits. Ask before taking a picture just to be on the safe side or make prior arrangements with the HAF HQ.

Should you have any more questions I'll be glad to answer them. Also, members of the Hellenic Aviation Enthusiasts Society "Air-Born" will be out and about during those days. We may be able to help you on the spot

HTH

phantom_phixer · Post by **phantom_phixer** » 02 Nov 2008, 11:13

In addition to my previous post, yes you can photograph any aircraft found on poles and/or pedestals around the country in towns and villages.

If you are in Thessaloniki start with Mikra AB first and while there ask to see if Sedes will be open for the public this year. Asking first could save you the disappointment and wasted time.

HTH

And BTW, it is the "Hellenic Air Force" and not the Greek Air Force

Key · Post by **Key** » 05 Nov 2008, 11:13

Thanks for all the info, Kostas. Appreciated!

Erik

Phantomphlyer · Post by **Phantomphlyer** » 05 Nov 2008, 11:56

...As far as Sedes is concerned the last few years is not open for public during the celebrations...only Mikra AB...I know this because I leave near Sedes...

phantom_phixer · Post by **phantom_phixer** » 05 Nov 2008, 22:11

Update:

The Tatoi - Dekelia AB flying demo (T-6A solo display & CSAR demo) will take place only on Sunday November 9th at 1230, weather permitting.

However, on Saturday there should be at least one fighter formation doing a fly-past over Tatoi - Dekelia AB to honour the President and the ministers attending the ceremony, also if the weather permits that.

Last but not least, the weather forecast for the weekend doesn't look good

HTH

Stefan · Post by **Stefan** » 05 Nov 2008, 22:13

Phantomphlyer wrote:...As far as Sedes is concerned the last few years is not open for public during the celebrations...only Mikra AB...I know this because I leave near Sedes...

It is NOT open this year either.

Greetings,
Stefan

phantom_phixer · Post by **phantom_phixer** » 06 Nov 2008, 21:31

Update:

All demos have now been cancelled due to the crash of a Hellenic Army Aviation AH-64 yesterday evening (Nov. 5th) and the death of both crew members.

Also, an electronic warfare exercise is scheduled to take place next week at Andravida AB and around. Contact the base or the HAF Press Representative's office before setting out for Andravida on Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tim Jones · Post by **Tim Jones** » 13 Nov 2008, 18:21

Can anyone help with the 2 Mirage 2000's in the QRA shelters and the 2 Mirage 2000's on display in the 2 HAS. Also conformation of the 2 Mirage 2000's in the hanger would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

Tim.

phantom_phixer · Post by **phantom_phixer** » 13 Nov 2008, 19:39

Tim,

I'm sure you are talking about Tanagra AB.

The QRA area was actually off limits and was only open for a little while by mistake. So I can't help you with that. As for the rest, you have Mirage 2000-5 '553' in the first HAS and Mirage 2000 '239' in the second HAS. In the maintenance hangar you have Mirage 2000 '221' and Mirage 2000-5 '545'.

And before someone asks "are you sure it was 545 because I can't find it on the database?" or something along these lines, here is a picture of the tail I took on Sunday November 9th.

HTH

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