Historic & Museum Reports
A Polish Air Force Fitter farewell
On the 10th and 11th of September, a significant chapter in the history of the Polish Air Force came to a close, as the nation officially retired the Sukhoi Su-22 Fitter from active service. Operated by Poland for over four decades, the iconic swing-wing fighter-bomber served as a mainstay of the country’s tactical strike capability throughout the latter stages of the Cold War and into the 21st century. In this article, Mark Empson explores the Su-22's storied career within the Polish Air Force and reports from the retirement celebrations that marked the end of operations for this cold war era aircraft.
RAF Puma, 54 & out
The Westland Puma HC2 currently serving with 33 and 230 Squadron at RAF Benson, and 84 Squadron at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, will be withdrawn from service on March 31, 2025. Ian Harding provides a brief review of the helicopter at the end of an illustrious 54 years operational career which commenced with the types first operational flight on September 29, 1971. Throughout this period, the Puma, its aircrew and maintainers have been deployed on numerous operations including combat operations, exercises, provided humanitarian relief, and during more recent times, provided search and rescue capability and fulfilled fire-fighting duties. The Puma had become a genuine ‘jack of all trades’ and will therefore be sadly missed.
Turkish Air Force Phantom’s turn 50!
Over the weekend of November 16/17, 2024, the Turkish Air Force (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) celebrated the 50th anniversary of their F-4E Phantom Terminator 2020 in service at the Ist Main Jet Base Eskişehir; the operational home base for 111 Filo and the test unit 401 Filo. With aviation press and enthusiasts in attendance, what transpired was a truly exceptional event and Chris Lofting was there for AeroResource to provide his own personal experience of proceedings.
Jurmala Airport Air Zoo
Just 40 miles west of the Latvian capital Riga in the small sleepy town of Tukums sits Jurmala Airport. Once a Soviet air base, the site is now home to an interesting yet largely unknown museum concept known as the Jurmala Airport Air Zoo. Conceived initially by KSAvia, Duncan Monk [...]
Hawker Siddeley Harrier T4A XW271
From its initial conception and drawings made in 1957 by Ralph Hooper, the P.1127/P.1154/Kestrel went on to become the well-known and much loved icon of British aviation - the Hawker Siddeley Harrier. The first production Harrier GR1 (XV738) was flown for the first time on December 28, 1967 by Hawker [...]
WT333 First Flight 60th Anniversary
On 30th January, the quiet surroundings of Bruntingthorpe were replaced with the roar of jet engines as one of the airfield’s most colourful residents celebrated a huge milestone. Jamie Ewan was among the gathered guests as resident English Electric Canberra WT333 – better known as ‘Treble Three’ - celebrated 60 [...]
93rd Bomb Group Museum
During World War Two the shape of the Norfolk countryside was transformed with a multitude of airfields being built to support British and American forces operating over Europe and further afield. Whilst many of the airfields and memories may be long since gone, a few small groups of dedicated individuals work [...]
L’Epopee de l’Industrie et de l’Aeronautique
Hidden away in a nondescript industrial estate in the French town of Albert lies L'Epopee de l'Industrie et de l'Aeronautique - unknown to many who pass through. This collection of aircraft, vehicles and other varied items may be off the beaten track but is it worth seeking it out? Adam [...]
Flying Leatherneck Museum
Miramar may well be best known to the general public as the setting for the famous 1986 movie ‘Top Gun’ but for the aviation enthusiast, it is home to one of the largest naval aviation bases within the United States. Currently home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing of the [...]
Aeroseum – Göteborg
To the North of Göteborg, Sweden’s second largest city, lies the old military airfield of Säve - now a low cost carrier hub known as Göteborg City Airport. The eastern side of the airport holds a hidden gem in the form of an underground museum of aviation - the Aeroseum. [...]
8th Air Force – The Mighty Eighth
August 1942 saw the commencement of operations of what was to become the biggest daylight bombing force ever assembled. The Eighth Air Force of the United States Army Air Force (as it was then) came to be known as “The Mighty Eighth” and with good reason. Steve Smith takes a [...]
The Century Bombers Return
On 4th May 2012, five men returned to a place that they had called home in the latter half or World War II. Some had not been back since to this place, that has become the stuff of legends, since 1945. Steve Smith was there for AeroResource.... The place in [...]
RAF Broadwell
Steve Smith of Fighter Control and Runway Photography examines the history of a little known airbase located within 3,000 yards of RAF Brize Norton – the often forgotten RAF Broadwell. Many of the Fighter Control regulars will know Brize Norton. They will also know that there is very little in [...]