REQ.: MIL spotting in Israel

[Sjoerd]

Hi everybody,

I'm leaving for Israel for a partial holiday/spotting honeymoon. Due to the fact we'll be traveliing around a lot, we come accross several bases. Having never been there before and not a whole lot of info is around on the web, I thought I'd ask it here. I do remember a scramble edition covering several visits from the outside of mil bases, but a can't find it anymore in the large pile of Scrambles.

We'll arrive at Tel Aviv and the bases Sde Dov, Hatzor, Tel Nof, Hatzerim, Ramon and Ovda are all posibles for inspection. Also wrecks and relics are of interest . I do know about the museum at Hatzerim and the two preserved aircraft in Beer Sjeva.

I´m specifically interested in spots around bases to loiter without hassle and possible photography.

Many thanks for your help!

Cheers,

[Wildpicture]

Spotting on your honeymoon?

[jp 74]

Yeah that's the way to learn her to deal with a spotter!

[Arjan]

Ovda is visible from the outside, but you have to get there really early (just past sunrise) to avoid the heatwaves.

[perrie]

Hatzerim museum is a must.
You will see operational a/c landing there too!

[phkza]

One word of advice: be very careful when leaving the country. At least take your CF/SD card with mil planes out of your camera, just in case officials ask to see your pictures at border control when leaving the country. I was asked a lot of questions for 45 minutes when I left. Very sensitive thing...

[Sjoerd]

Spotting on your honeymoon?

Yeah, times are changing, I'm telling ya! I'm very pleased with her!

@phkza,
Thanks, I already had that in mind!

@perrie
They don't mind you scoping the skies at the museum?

Thanks guys!

[Piet Luijken]

There is an airfield guide for Sde Dov

[Sjoerd]

Hi Piet,

Yeah, I checked it already, but it didn't include any "along-the-fence" experiences regarding photography and binoculars, especially from along the beach. If I can add any after my visit I will give you guys a heads up!

Cheers,

[11E]

Many moons ago (1994) I did some fence spotting with a telescope (only number crunching) at the following bases;
Haifa; technical school
Hazerim: spotted from the museum area in the shade of a aircraft wing, no problems encountered
Lod/Ben Gurion: walked around the fence with a big telescope, no problems, no problems encountered
Ramat David: by bus, then walked to the fence, checked out by a helicopter while sitting and waiting for aircraft, no problems encountered
Sde Dov: from the beach, swimming and spotting, no problems encountered
Ufda: back then there were only 2 public buses a day, getting there was no problem, getting back was (the last bus of that day was gone), we had to hitchhike back to Eilat. Could not get to the military side. Chatted with the guard which were a bit amazed to see two Dutch persons in the middle of nowhere and asking if there was some flying activity that day. There was not such a big civilian part as now. No problems encountered (except getting back in the evening to Eilat....

Of course times change and the security measures could be different present day.

Regards

[PH-BRAD]

Does it help to ask guards at military/civil airports/bases? Or could you get more probably NO as answer?

Maybe it doesn't fit in here but I'll hear that

[MvS]

Ufda: back then there were only 2 public buses a day, getting there was no problem, getting back was (the last bus of that day was gone), we had to hitchhike back to Eilat. Could not get to the military side. Chatted with the guard which were a bit amazed to see two Dutch persons in the middle of nowhere and asking if there was some flying activity that day. There was not such a big civilian part as now. No problems encountered (except getting back in the evening to Eilat....

[/quote]

Longtime ago. I remember one very hot day, almost no shade and only one bottle of water.

Michel

[Oscar01]

Hi Sjoerd,

Congrats on your wedding

I only have a few tips:
Sde Dov, I did read the entire ramp from between the "flats" on the east side of the base. Just within 5min, people will take notice of you here

Hatzerim, already mentioned by others, good possible from the museum. If you take pictures of flying a/c, make sure to change cards before leaving the museum, as they can check you're camera.

The coastal line.
We stayed at a hotel on the coastal line, and there are very very often (few years back at least twice an hour) helicopters flying exactly along the coastal line. Very low, and very good opportunities if you find one of the rocks along the coastal lines.... just go out for some laying in the sun (though I was noticed by one of the helicopters and got a bit of a problem ).....

Take care,
Oscar

[Frank van Hemert]

hi,
Just from my own personal experience:(been married to an israeli girl)
Take the advantage of one of the holidays in Israel: Israeli new year (september/october), succot(october),yom kippur(october), pesach (april/may) or independenceday (normally april/may). Active aircraft will be on display in the Hatzerim museum. With independenceday all bases are open but a day before you can get access with organised tours (4aviation is going there this year).

I can advise only not to go spotting on your own during the year as our hobby is clearly not understood by most Israeli's and you can get big problems with the authorities.

Kind regards
Frank

[Sjoerd]

Thanks for all the comments guys!

Cheers,