REQ.: Mil. aviation in Costa Rica ??

[Hilco]

Hi,

In a few weeks I'll be travelling around in Costa Rica. Can anybody tell me if there are some military planes to see? I know Costa Rica doesn't have an airforce or whatsoever anymore. Maybe someone can tell me if there are preserved/stored/dumped aircraft around the country. I know about a C-123 in Manuel Antonio which serves as a restaurant/bar. All info is welcome.

Thanks in advance.
Best regards,

Hilco Schigt

[toppiero]

Some info from scramble itself:

http://www.scramble.nl/cr.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Hilco]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, I found this info aswell. I hope someone has more detailed information about mil. aircraft which could be seen in Costa Rica.
Again thanks for taking the effort to share information.

Regards,

Hilco Schigt

[Arjan]

Hi Hilco,

Yes indeed, that's quite an obvious post.
However, it is just not that much over there. The surrounding countries are actually more interesting.

Have the following information for you:

W&R
Manuel Antonio (near Quepos)
An unmarked C-123K is in use as a bar at the restaurant "El Avion", part of the Hotel Costa Verde. See http://www.elavion.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
C-123K 54-0663

San Jose IAP
Stored here are Cessna 206 with camo c/s. Serial TI-SPD. On roof of the police hangar. And Rockwell Commander 690C. Serial. MSP001.
On the far side of the airport is the "La Candela"bar/ restaurant, which has a "musea de aviacion"in an adjoining open barn-type building. In it are:
C-7B 62-4146
Hughes 369D MSP-010

[/b]

Operational stuff:

All are based at San Jose - Juan Santamaria IAP
PA-31 MSP-019
PA-34 MSP-016, MSP-017
C-7B MSP-002
Cessna U-206G MSP-004, MSP-005, MSP-006, MSP-007
Cessna T-206N MSP-009
Cessna 210 MSP-010, MSP-011
Hughes 369E MSP-012, MSP-018

That's it! Don't expect any afterburners, but still happy hunting!!

Warm regards,

Arjan

[Hilco]

Hi Arjan,

Thanks for the info, that's what I was looking for!
As most of my holidays, the hunting wont be for aircraft... But it is always good to know where to take a little sidestep...

Regards,

Hilco

[kmarrie]

Hilco,

have you've been already to costa rica or do you still need to go??
If you have been here can you tell me some more about your experience?

To all others what about the police aircrafts is it oke to photograph them and are the easy to see, or is this not allowed?

gr ralph

[Hilco]

Hey Ralph,

I have been there in sept/oct. it was awesome... not for spotting aircraft but more for spotting wildlife... The only aircraft I have seen was the C-123 which is preserved as a bar at Manuel Antonio (coming from the direction of Quepos it is situated on the right hand side) and a Retreiver HUP2 or HUP3, identity still unknown. This one is preserved/stored in a bad condition near Rincon. It is placed in a fenced off garden of a residence besides the road. It is the road leading to Puerto Jimenez (roadnumber 245). I'll try to put a picture online soon.

I don't know anything about the police aircraft.

If you want to know more about travelling and photographing in Costa Rica, don't hesitate to contact me.

regards, Hilco

[RobertMB]

..... a Retreiver HUP2 or HUP3, identity still unknown. This one is preserved/stored in a bad condition near Rincon. It is placed in a fenced off garden of a residence besides the road. It is the road leading to Puerto Jimenez (roadnumber 245). I'll try to put a picture online soon.

Maybe it's Piasecki HUP-2 "Retriever" N93072 (rgd. by FAA with its Bu number as c/n...) ?

See FAA form at URL: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... rtxt=93072" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BR,

Robert

[Hilco]

Well it took a while but finally I managed to find some time to process my Costa Rica pictures. This is the Piasecky which I have seen on the way to Puerto Jimenez.
Maybe someone can help me out here with its identity?? Since I took the picture out of a driving bus the quality isn't the best (as is the helo itself).



Any info is welcome!

Regards Hilco

[kmarrie]

Hilco,

very nice to see those pictures i will search for this helo when i'm there.

Reallu would like to know if any one have ever visited the police airwing dep. in San Jose? Can't find that much info about the police helo and aircrafts? The only thing I heard so far is that the Caribou is back again and that they start using it again since 1 month.

gr ralph

[downwind]

Spent vacation in Costa Rica 20 April - 2 May 2011. Flew in & out Liberia Daniel Oduber International Airport. There appears to be a more or less permanent US detachment here. On multiple days I saw a US Homeland Security P-3AEW (s/n not read) and a USCG HC-130H (s/n 1711 Clearwater). But if you visit Costa Rica, you'll likely be after stunning scenery, wildlife & friendly people rather than planes...

[Stefan]

Noted a HC-130J (2004) at Liberia as well on 14 September 2011. The detachment is therefore apparently still in place.

Regards,
Stefan