Greece II (2018)
Although Greece has been a frequently visited country by 4Aviation, we never visited the Athens Flying Week at Tanagra. Up until now! A group of photographers visited this show in September, their report can be found here.
In the course of the afternoon of Tuesday 18 September 2018, four men gathered at the famous red white meeting-point at Schiphol. The other two participants were already in Athens and would join us later. The flight went well and at nine o’clock in the evening we landed at Athens IAP. After collecting the checked baggage, we met our two Belgian travellers. Now that we were complete we could pick up our car and set out for our villa. It was about 1.5 hours drive and it was a short search but with telephone support from the daughter of the owner we found it. It was now a little after eleven o’clock. The first impression of our villa was very good. After drinking a bit together, the rooms were chosen, and we went to bed.
On Wednesday (19 September 2018), we slept well and then collectively did groceries and after a hearty breakfast we drove to Tanagra AB in the afternoon. The distance between the villa and Tanagra was about half an hour and was convenient. Here we had to arrange a number of formalities such as access documents for the car and arranging the spotter passes. The sun was shining, and the temperature was very pleasant. About half an hour later we went to the head of the track to see the Orliks of the Polish Air Force plus accompanying support (C-295M). After they landed we could photograph the Orliks on the platform.
After the breakfast on Thursday 20 September we went to Tanagra early. We had to be there at 8 o’clock because Hellenic F-4s were expected. Quite early, three Mirage 2000s of 331 and 332 Mira went airborne. Unfortunately, the promised F-4s did not arrive this morning (but did in the afternoon), however many participants came in for the open day, including Spanish and Swiss Hornets, Belgian F-16s and two Ospreys coming from Spain. The last two entered via the ‘wrong’ runway, resulting in backlight; that was a shame. This also applied to incoming Hellenic Navy helicopters that flew directly to the static and entered across the field. Unfortunately, the traffic control did not take us into account.
The first contours of the open day (static) were visible. It was a day with long periods of waiting, but we could make nice pictures in the end. We went off base when the sun went down with the result that we could capture the taxiing Swiss Hornets with a setting sun. This was a bit different from the standard landing shots. The Italian T-346 came in last in the dark. In the evening we ate outside at our pool. While enjoying a nice wine, the day was evaluated.
On Friday (21 September) everyone went to Tanagra. Today we were not at the end of the runway but in the grandstand that had been made for spotters. We were not allowed to visit the static and that was a shame. At the moment we entered the base, the first Army helicopters came in (UH-1H, CH-47D). Unfortunately, we missed these ones, but just after our arrival another UH-1H and an AH-64A Apache arrived. Both had special colour schemes and came in very nicely close to our grandstand. It was pretty hot today and some shadow was sometimes quite nice. Today we have seen various rehearsals and arrivals of various participants. From the stand we could photograph the flying aircraft because we were close to show center. The taxiing aircraft were also beautifully photographed from above. We had asked if we could go on base the next day earlier than the public so that we could photograph the aircraft without any people. Fortunately, this was possible. The next day at 8:00 am at the gate. When we left the base, the sun was already under. In the evening we have a nice dinner in one of the surrounding villages by the sea.
Of course, we were at the gate on time again on Saturday 22 September. We went to the base at exactly eight o’clock. We parked close to the stands and the static, so we could start shooting soon. The rising sun was beautiful, and no one got in each other’s way so that was fun. At the helicopters there were no fences around the aircraft so that was very nice. The second part of the static, in the shelter area, was positioned less good; a number of aircraft stood tight within the fences and the others were not well positioned in position to the sun. At a quarter to twelve the flying show started so we had plenty of time to photograph the static. The sun did its best again today. The show could be photographed quite good; most of the day you had the sun in the back. In the afternoon there was a demo of a Navy S-70, army AH-64A and CH-47D and an Air Force Super Puma. The show lasted until eight in the evening and the demonstrations of the helicopters could be photographed with beautiful light. The air show ended with a sport plane and a glider, both with fireworks. Very nice to see.
Because we had everything done and photographed, we decided not to go back the following day and do other things.
This morning, Sunday (23 September), we could sleep in late. Four of us went to the big Air Force museum at Tatoi and two stayed in the villa. It was very quiet in the museum of Tatoi. Most of it was photographable although we were not allowed in all of the places. We enjoyed the rest of the day in our villa, including the swimming pool. Spent dinner tonight in a nearby village, sitting at a nice terrace by the sea with good food and a comfortable temperature. What else do you want?!
At 8 o’clock on Monday 24 September we went on base to photograph the departing aircraft. Despite the agreements made, the helicopters went the wrong way from their static position. Unfortunately, thirty spotters were often not considered, who were patiently waiting at the end of the runway. Some Mirage 2000s also flew. There are currently very few operational Mirage 2000s available and there were also four at the TLP in Albacete, Spain. A good thing was that the Skyvan photographed the two Osprey’s over the airport. As a result of that we saw them twice and could shoot them well. A single departing aircraft once again passed low and hard. At the beginning of the afternoon all the aircraft were gone. The promise to be able to photograph some W&R on the field after the departure was withdrawn because it was already too late… Around two o’clock we drove from the base and we still had a lot of time to kill because we only started flying at a quarter to nine. We drove to the airport at ease and on the way, we fueled up and drank a bit. After handing in our car, we said goodbye to our two Belgian friends. They stayed for a day in Athens. Checked in on time and left for Schiphol where we landed after 12:30. After all the luggage was complete, said goodbye and headed home.
We can look back on a fun, relaxed trip. Because Athens Flying Week is a civil organisation, the agreements between the companies and the armed forces are different from what we are used to. The support of the armed forces to Athens Flying Week could be better, but fortunately this event grows every year and the organisation also gets better. Unofficially we were told that another edition will be held next year. We will keep an eye on the developments. The combination of a beautiful villa, the nice weather and relaxed spotting was good and certainly worth repeating.
