Russia II 2017
The expectations were high when the International Military Technical Forum “ARMY 2017” event was announced. The 2016 edition was brilliant with lots of participating operational Russian military hardware. The 2017 edition was set up in almost the same way. So this show was a no-brainer for 4Aviation to attend.
ARMY 2017 is not simply an airshow, it is a happening, at several locations around the newly erected, very impressive, Patriot Park, where the Russian industry and armed forces showed off their latest military hardware. Not simply ‘just’ a static exhibition, but the tanks, armoured vehicles and several helicopters also demonstrated their devastating capabilities on the shooting range.
On Wednesday 23 August a large group of 25 enthusiasts gathered at Schiphol airport for the first leg of the flight to Warsaw. Funny detail was that we joined up with the group heading to Poland for the Radom show. We were all on the same flight! In Warsaw there was time to look around a we noted a couple of Polish Air Force VIP helicopters next to the terminal. In Warsaw we picked up two guys who had a different departing airport to here. The second leg to Moscow Sheremetyevo also went smoothly and there we joined up with two more participants. It took a little while before our bus arrived, but we were soon on our way to our hotel in the centre of town. In the evening we held a small briefing for those who travelled to Moscow on their own. The total group size was 48 persons.
On Thursday 24 August we first visited Kubinka airbase, the location of most interest to all of us. At Kubinka we found a large static of all the branches of the military. The fences were put a bit too close to the aircraft, but it was possible to make a decent shot of most with a bit of effort. Our personal translator, which we hire for every Russia trip, was also of great help to ask the guards for a little help to take better pictures, moving signs etc. We knew that there would be no flying on this day, but were lucky with a Mi-8 and Ka-226 visitor. Also a T-50 was towed from the hangar to the flightline (and departed later in the day). In the early afternoon we took a free shuttle bus to Patriot Park.
The heart of Patriot Park is a collection of four big halls with a large outdoor area, where you can have a close look at all the Russian technical advances. Also displayed there were dozens of tanks and other military vehicles, some military helicopters and a couple of preserved aircraft. Just around the corner is the Park Patriot museum with about a dozen halls filled with historic tanks and armoured vehicles and outside about 25 military aircraft in excellent condition and also perfect to photograph or have a close-up look.
A fifteen minute bus ride south-east will take you to the Alabino shooting range. During the day you will hear continuous thunderous noises of tanks and other military equipment trying to hit the targets on the range. On most days a Mi-35 Hind and Ka-52 will also show off their capabilities.
Free shuttle busses run regularly between the different locations and waiting time is not very long. If you take the bus 5 to Kubinka railway station and then 5A you will end up at the airbase again. There our personal coach picked us up at 17:30 for the ride back to town.
Friday 25 August was supposed to be a flying day, but the weather did not cooperate at all this day. There was still enough to do and see at the several locations. Several choppers flew, as well as a blue MiG-35. Today also saw the arrival of the Turkish Stars.
4Aviation always tries to be very flexible and this was also displayed during this tour. Several participants visited other locations during the tour, like the aviation museum in Monino, Sheremetyevo airport, Vnukovo airport or the beautiful city centre. To name but a few. During the tour we had some basic rules to make sure the tour guide knew where everybody went and was able to provide help whenever necessary.
On Saturday (26 August) there limited flying of the based aircraft, only demonstration teams, and a visiting An-26 and Mi-8. Also the Turkish Stars had arrived in Friday with eight NF-5s, a former Saudi C-130 and brand-new A400M. Although the static is a bit difficult to photograph the landing aircraft are amazing to capture and the drag chutes, which most fighters use, are dropped right in front of you.
Near the hotel are several good restaurants where everybody can enjoy a good meal, and drink, in good company.
The skies were blue when we opened the curtains on Sunday 27 August. As every day we departed around 07.00 am and arrived at Kubinka around 08.30. Although the base officially opened the gates at 09.00 we were welcome early every day with a quick security check before entering the base.
Our plan for Monday was to stand outside the base and witness the departures of the participating aircraft. Therefore the 4Aviation tour guide went on a 11km recce mission to reconfirm the best spots. That went very well and a couple of good spots outside the base were confirmed as being accessible.
At 11.00 the flying started and there was a lot of activity until 17.00. This was the same schedule as was intended for the Friday, so a pity the weather did not play ball that day.
We saw formations of MiG-29s and Su-30s of the demonstration teams. Further operational fighter MiG-29s, Su-30s, Su-34, Su-35s and helicopters Mi-8s, Mi-28s, Mi-35s, Ka-52s and a Mi-26. At the end of the day the latter left in a large formation of 11 helicopters, a very impressive sight. What a great day it was!
For Monday 28 August, we had planned to do some ‘old school’ spotting from the fence. We had requested access to the base to witness the departures, but this was denied. The weather forecast was very bad for Kubinka, overcast and lots of rain. The majority of the participants started looking for others things to do for the day, but a small group went to the airfield anyway. The position on the outside of the airfield was easily found again and we waited for things to happen. A downside of that position was the lack of view of the airbase because of the large trees. It felt like old school spotting, waiting outside an airfield and not knowing what was about to happen.
This group was very lucky as it only had a little drizzle during the day, it remained mostly dry. We noted about 40 aircraft landing and taking off. The departing MiG-31 and Su-24 were among the highlights during the day.
On Tuesday 29 August our coach was waiting to bring us back to the airport for a reverse scenario of the Wednesday, via Warsaw to Amsterdam. Time for the transfer was rather short at Warsaw, but everybody made the flight and we all safely returned to Amsterdam.
The dates for the ARMY 2018 are already known and you can already register your interest for this great event.
