Tirana - Rinas / Mother Theresa airport (LATI) MIL

[Sjoerd]

Noticed here on a non-spotting volunteer trip, was an Italian Piaggio 166DP1 presumed detached for at least 8 days. It flew several times orbiting the Northern Albanian territories, likely assisting counter drugs missions with the local police forces.

Noted 29th of July & 6th of August

MM62267/GF-10 P166DP1 GEA

On the 6th there was also a C-26 (or civil Metro?) parked on the apron next to the P166. I can also confirm the stored military aircraft are also still here and visible (see also viewtopic.php?f=81&t=139934)

Not strictly this airport and not strictly military, but on the 3rd an EC.135 (ZA-XHB) of the Ministry of Heatlth overflew the military academy in town landing at the nearby hospital heli pad. Since Scramble has these listed in the database I'm adding this for completeness sake.

[Basman]

Nice log, I thought the P166's had gone out of service....

Bas

[Sjoerd]

Nice log, I thought the P166's had gone out of service....

Bas

Thanks, I was a bit surprised too. As per Scramble database 3 remain active after some updates to the DP1 version. Also there MM#s have changed. Photographic evidence is secured

Cheers,

[GWM]

I visited Albania last week, and can add a little to last month's report. The three camouflaged AVIC Y-5s at Rinas are 12, 14 and 21 plus the all red one by the Police Building at the Airport Terminal. The c/n of the Harbin Z-5 at the Military Academy was read off as 2512504, making this frame 6-54. Unfortunately the consents to visit active bases were rescinded before we arrived and we were only able to visit some of the museums, including the base museum at Kucove. Here we saw:

Chengdu F-7 A: 203
Harbin Z-5: 6-58
MiG-15 bis: 5-18
MiG-15 bis: 5-48
MiG-15 UTI: 5-09
Nanchang PT-6: 05
Nanchang PT-6: 41
Shenyang F-5: 4-13
Shenyang FT-5: 4-65
Shenyang F-6: 4-22

Outside the operations building and on a pole was Shenyang F-6: 4-47

The all red Y-5 at the Airport has defied identification so far; does anyone know anything about it please?

Regards,

George

[ehusmann]

George, thanks for the info! Just one question about Kucove, are those still along the access road to the base? The GE image is a bit confusing, on the picture in 2016 they are, but in 2017 only the Z-5 and a CJ-6 are left.

Erwin

[GWM]

Yes, they are between the main gate and the operations building to the left of the roadway.

[Sjoerd]

Thank you George, that helps answering all my queries. Too bad your access got declined in the end.

[GWM]

Pleased to be able to help. Now we just need to find out about that red Y-5 at the airport!

[patrick dirksen]

Chengdu F-7 A: 203
Harbin Z-5: 6-58
MiG-15 bis: 5-18
MiG-15 bis: 5-48
MiG-15 UTI: 5-09
Nanchang PT-6: 05
Nanchang PT-6: 41
Shenyang F-5: 4-13
Shenyang FT-5: 4-65
Shenyang F-6: 4-22

Nice additional info, thanks. This means that the academy at Vlore has no aircraft left at their gate, 5-18 and 41 came from there. 0203 came from Gjader and 6-58 from Farke. 4-65 used to be stored on the airfield.
Do I understand it right that all these (or at least the former Vlore aircraft...) can be seen from outside?

[GWM]

Patrick, sorry but to be honest I do not really know. By travelling just North East of the main entrance gate it should be possible to see something, but as we went straight to that gate I can not say for certain. A look on Google Earth suggests there might be a view. However I understand that if prior permission is sought access to the museum site should be possible....just don't expect to be able to be shown stuff on the "active" field. Some views over the field are available from the nearby road though.
Regards, George

[Bennie]

IAM3162 will pay a visit here on 12/9. Expect a Falcon900 from Ciampino.

[Freeman Lowell]

MM62267/GF-10 P166DP1 GEA

On the 6th there was also a C-26 (or civil Metro?) parked on the apron next to the P166.

Hi Sjoerd,
We photographed an all white Metroliner near the P.166 the next day (7.9) - SX-BKZ.
Regards,
Freeman

[Sjoerd]

Thanks Lowell