Hellenic Air Force Open Day 2003 at Tanagra Air Base, Part 2

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Hellenic Air Force Open Day 2003 at Tanagra Air Base, Part 2
By Nicholas Tselepidis (photographs by George Dedes)
Dec 30, 2003, 16:20

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For the second and third parts of the ACIG Special report on the Hellenic Air Force Open Day this year, we go to Tanagra Air Base, home of the 114PM (FW). The wing which is located North of Athens and is the home of the Greek Mirages since 1977, is sometimes mentioned as the "French Wing" and this association with Dassault will remain since in the summer of 2004 the first Mirage 2000-5 Mk.II's (essentialy Mk.9s) will start to arrive. After the retirement of the Mirage F.1CG's in June 2003 the space for the new aircraft is ready and preparations are underway in order to integrate the new system as soon as possible. In this period of "change" things are pretty busy in Tanagra and this years celebrations of St.Michael's Day were a pleseant surprise. The display of aircraft included not only serving types, but also retired ones that were painted for this purpose by the 114th Base Maintenance Squadron, whose personnel once more proved its love for aviation with its imagination, enthusiasm and hard work, despite a full schedule. We hope that with the occasion of the 2004 Olympics, the Hellenic Air Force will encourage more activities like this and improve on them, in order to stage an airshow that will be the best "advertisement" for the Pilots and Technicians that are on "wartime" schedule 24/7.

Special thanks go to George Dedes who took the following photographs and kindly provided them to ACIG.org, and also to Major Neoptolemos Pavlantis for his invaluable help and ideas that hopefully will take the St. Michael's Day celebrations one step further! Officers like him are a true inspiration to us all.

The tails of a T-2E, an A-7E and of an RF-4E that were located to the west side of the display flightline.

T-2E "160079" that had a new paint and a rare "clean" look...

"160080" was also present and took high school students as backseaters for a "ride"... Makes you wish you were younger again...

A shot of the same aircraft's front cockpit.

The same Buckeye was parked on the other side of the airfield and this close shot shows the good condition of the camouflage.

The Buckeyes will remain in service until a replacement aircraft will take over of both the Advanced Training and LIFT roles. Although it lacks modern electronics, it can take up a good amount of "beating" and its a very solid trainer.

"219" was the resident host, and its camouflage looked much closer to reality, since most warning labels were worn off. The "feel" of the Mirage is something its pilots talk a lot about and once you sit inside you see it for yourself. Its very tight but not uncomfortable and gives you the impression that its an extension of your body.

"066" was the representative of 341 Mira, and also reflected its extensive use by having a weathered paint scheme.

The same aircraft from upfront. To the right is the HAS were the 114 Base Maintenace Squadron personnel displayed the memorabilia stands.

A-7E "159658" from 335 Mira was present, also with a fresh camouflage. It was a rare possibility to see all the warning labels on a Corsair, before they become weathered. Also the borderline was moved in the same position as in the Hotel Corsairs.

An unexpected visitor surpirsed us. This Peace Icarus 2000 F-4E AUP, "71760" was on its way from the EAV hangar, a bare 200 meters from the display area, to Andravida.

Now this was also interesting. F-102A "0-61106" was seen recently painted with the "Mirage Grey" camouflage, but for the occasion of St. Michael's Celebrations, it was painted with the scheme it carried when it was retired from active duty, in 1977. Very smart appearance and unfortunately the weapons bay was closed.

By far the most impressive presence in the flightline. Even if lower than the Phantom it still catched your eye with its sheer size.

T-33A "TR-516", the "Daskala" (Teacher) as it was known in PA service. Its essentialy the aircraft - along with the F-84G - that brought the Greek Pilots to the Jet age. Used extensively in a variety of roles, she's still remembered affectionately by those who flew her.

Another Kelly Johnson creation, the Starfighter. Painted in "Aluminum Grey" (FS:17178). Unfortunately the location of the buzz number on the fin is not correct, the roundels were light blue in 1965, when they arrived in Greece and also the wings were not painted white.

Manned missile? Yep! Its a rare sight to see the F-104 in its clean configuration.

Another surpise was CL.13 Mk.II "235" painted in 341 Squadrons "Hellenic Flame" Acroteam colours, that succeeded 337's "Aces Four".

Another view of the flightline from the West side. The fresh camouflage of the Buckeye stands out.

The East part of the flightline with the 341 red & blak band standing out on the fin of "066".

Mirage 2000 BGM "202" gave an impressive display on Sunday morning flown by 332Mira CO Lt.Col. Thomas "Tommy" Hatziathanasiou, one of the best "sticks" on the M2K.