Spotting at Istres & Orange

[r.e.hendriks]

Hi all,

As we all know by now Exercise Garuda will be held in June this year. As I'm in the neighborhood during this exercise I planning to visit both Istres and Orange. Now I have two 'small' questions:

1) Is it already known whether they will fly two missions a day? Or just one?

2) How is spotting & photography along the fence at these bases? Last October we had the most friendly Gendarmes at Dijon, I have ever met. I'm hoping for the same at those bases. Or will they send you away as soon as they spot you?

Thanks in advance!

Best regards, Rob.

[Bruno]

For Orange AB, usually there is no problem to spot all around the airbase. And this air base gives you opportunities to take nice shoots.

Some examples taking from outside.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/420 ... 77b787.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/420 ... 10eba3.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/420 ... 737cd0.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bruno

[Eric van Lisdonk]

Hi Bruno,

Nice pics. Do you need a stepladder for Orange??

Cheers,
Eric

[Bruno]

These pics were made without stepladder.
Be advise that usually Gendarmerie isn't really fan about stepladders close to the fences

[Stefan]

Just in case:

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

The guides do not include the current "attitude" of the local Police towards spotters. In general, I tend to conclude that spotting is not a problem at all these days. Furthermore, the worst thing that can happen is that you are sent away...

Regards,
Stefan

[r.e.hendriks]

Thanks a lot for these great advises!!

@Bruno: Can you tell mee from which spot these nice shots were taken??

Thanks again!

Best regards, Rob

[wizard 51]

We were checked twice at Orange last Year, simple passport check polite and friendly at both.

http://www.vlnphotography.co.uk/orange_caritat.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Also checked on the south side at Istres and told not to take photos.Hope the summer wind comes cause its really not great down the South end.

Rich

[Bruno]

@Rob

Following airfield guide these pics were taken:

- Pic 1 : Point 3 (in the morning)
- Pic 2 : Point 1 (during afternoon)
- Pic 3 : Point 2 (during afternoon)

Regards

Bruno

[r.e.hendriks]

Thanks a lot Bruno!!

I see Spot 3 is really the place to be in the morning!

Best regards, Rob.

[mirage 69]

Yesterday it was a bad place to go...
I was there in the morning, only one Mir2000 departed 506/115-OD.
Also an AS.555AN departed, it belongs to EH.05.067 and had serial 5536/ WK.

At 11.00 o'clock I depated to Nimes.

Grtz Rene

[r.e.hendriks]

Hi all,

Is there already anything known about the arrival of the Su-30's at Istres and the F-16's at Orange?
I'm leave for France this thursday, so any info would be more than welcome.

Best regards and see you in France!

Rob.

[Sleegertje]

Rafex posted the following messages on this forum:

Orange:
Reported yesterday at Bangalore (India) were 6x RSingAF F-16D-52+, 1x RSingAF C-130 and 2x RSingAF KC-135. Arrival planned this Thursday.

Istres - Le Tube
Yesterday 6x Su-30MKI, 3x Il-78s and 1x Il-76 departed Bareilly for Istres.
Arrival planned this Thursday.
(Flanker serials mentioned: SB-060, SB-301, SB-303, SB-305 +2. No idea if these are correct)

Don't forget to go the Marseille Harbour, the USS Truman is seen there today!!
Happy hunting and probably see you this weekend in France. We'll arrive on Saterday.
Regards, Rene Sleegers

[r.e.hendriks]

Thanks a lot Rene!!!

I didn't know the Truman was in the harbour. Where did you find the info?
Is there anything known where I can find it in Marseille Harbour? And when will it leave for open sea again?

Best regards, Rob.

[DennisV]

Hi,

Found some photos of the departure of the Su-30s on this website:
http://www.defence.pk/forums/india-defe ... rance.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The good thing is that this is photoprove they are coming but I find the mentioning of 'fake' serials to confuse serial spotters quite interestings. Is anybody aware of these 'tactics' of the Indian Air Force

Dennis

[Wrecks]

Thanks a lot Rene!!!
I didn't know the Truman was in the harbour. Where did you find the info?
Is there anything known where I can find it in Marseille Harbour? And when will it leave for open sea again?
Best regards, Rob.

The "normal" location at Marseille harbour is at N43.34458, E5.33347.
If you click on Google earth picture at that location you will see the
Truman when see was in port in May 2008.

Regards,

Otger