The L-39 Albatros is one of the most succesful jet trainers ever built, with nearly 3,000 built and operated by many air forces. The type is now becoming popular on the civilian market, with several hundred registered by private owners. 1. This aircraft served with the 444th TsBP i PLS (Combat Aircrew Training and Retraining…Continue reading Aero L-39 Albatros
1. Mirage IIIC n°10 from EC 1/5 “Vendée” in 1966. 2. Mirage IIIC n°22 from EC 3/10 “Vexin”. This unit was based in Djibouti and was the last French AF unit to operate the Mirage IIIC. 3. Mirage IIIC n°49 from EC 3/2 “Alsace”.
The Dassault Mirage 2000 is the ultimate evolution of the delta-winged Mirage family and proved to be a highly successful aircraft. Attack, trainer and nuclear bomber variants have been delivered to the French air force, where it is gradually replaced by the Dassault Rafale. It has been widely exported to numerous countries such as India,…Continue reading Dassault Mirage 2000 (revisited)
The Tucano is a very successful trainer/light attack aircraft designed by Embraer. It has been widely exported and is notably used by Brazil, France and Great-Britain. 1. The first Tucano received by the French were painted in a lively red and white scheme. This aircraft was operated by the EPNAA 05.312 (Flight and Navigation…Continue reading Embraer EMB 312 Tucano
One of the most amazing designs in aviation history, the Blackbird was a great achievement of the Skunk Works, headed by Clarence “Kelly” Johnson. 1. 61-7955 was based at Edwards AFB, Ca., and used as a flight test aircraft by Lockheed and the Air Force, to test new systems and configurations for the rest of…Continue reading Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
The Berkut is a technology demontrator with an inverted swept-wing. Consequently, I was asked to create a top view of the aircraft. I’d never done one but the result is better than I feared it would be.
I drew a new and substantially improved template for the P-80 Shooting Star. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find the original version for comparison. 1. This was the first XP-80A prototype, nicknamed “Grey Ghost” because of its pearl-grey livery. 2. This aircraft was initially built as a P-80B-1-LO, and later converted to F-80C…Continue reading Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star
The N.2501 Noratlas was a successful French cargo aircraft of the 1950s, which was used by several military and civilian operators. 1. 63-WA was Noratlas #169 and served with the 63rd Escadre de Transport. It was flown by the Escadron de Transport 2/63 “Vercors” and the Centre d’Instruction des Equipages de Transport 430, both based…Continue reading Nord N.2501 Noratlas
1. “Athos 1” is the callsign of the leader Patrouille de France. In 1978, Cdt Amberg was Athos 1 and flew this Magister. I don’t know which serial his aircraft bore, so I chose 456 VL, which did fly with the PAF. Note that the aircraft has had the instructor’s periscope removed. Also of note,…Continue reading Fouga CM.170 Magister
I drew the F-8 Crusader because I wanted to depict the F-8E(FN) French Navy version. USN, USMC and PhAF versions were also created once I was done with the French birds. 1. F-8E(FN) of Flottille 14.F based at Landivisiau, 1973. The aircraft is painted in the original Light Gull Grey over Insignia White USN scheme.…Continue reading Vought F-8 Crusader