Chateaudun (LFOC) - 2010 MIL

[mazzel]

May 5th 2010

I checked out Chateaudun this day. I'll try to list what I read. With almost no sun for the two weeks of the holiday now I was bothered by heatwaves so a lot remained unread.

I started out along the D31 south of the base (spot 1/2/3 scramble airfield guide). First of all a line of 8 C-160 fuselages was visible next to the fence. All were in the recent grey c/s and were missing tails and wings. I could only read the code of the one closest to the fence. The rest of the codes were blocked from view.
(RA06)/61-ZB C-160R
+7 C-160

Next to these the N262's. Tails were all easily read off (codes not visible):
64 N262D
66 N262D
67 N262D
68 N262D
76 N262AEN
77 N262D
80 N262D
87 N262AEN
88 N262D
91 N262D
92 N262AEN
94 N262D
105 N262D
106 N262D
107 N262D
108 N262D
110 N262D

Several Falcons could be seen but not read. After the N262's and visible from spot 5 were another 2 C-160 fuselages in the old grey/green camo, not read. Further towards the runway and visible from spot 1 (and 5) another grey C-160 was parked with its nose towards the fence. Missing tail, engines and outer wings. Next to it was a Mirage F1 with a large white triangle on its tail Anyone for these?

A bit further east on D31 the four dumped C-160H's hulls could be seen:
H01/59-BA C-160H
H02/59-BB C-160H
H03/59-BC C-160H
H04/59-BD C-160H
N2501?
MD312?
A little to the east of these was a (dumped?) Flamand. Right next to the C-160's (west) was also a Noratlas which looked quite complete. Anyone for these ID's?

Opposite of the 8 C-160's and the N262's is a dump area between the hangars. A lot of fighters are present. Moving up and down D31 gives some views but unfortunately I could ID only a few:
429/2-LO Mirage 3E
5 Mirage F1C
(83)/316-DB N262AEN forward fuselage only, code only partly visible
Several F1's, some of which in desert c/s, a Mirage IV, several Jaguars and a blue CM170 were not or only partially identified so I won't list them. Is there anyone with a log or with recent pictures from this area so I can fill in some gaps?

The following preserved a/c were seen:
615/92-AK Vatour 2B on base
? Mirage F1C old blue c/s. north of runway near flag pole also visible from D955 in between buildings
? Mirage F1 silver or metallic c/s near the tower, visible from D955
367/33-TP Mirage 3R at gate
Can someone help me with the F1's?

Nice to have been there for once but a little frustrating because you see a lot but can only read some of it. Hope someone can help with the gaps, especially the C-160's. Scramble db has 10 here, I counted 15.

[Arjan]

On the 16th of june also a long term inmate of the dump between the hangars, Mirage 4 (no. 13) was noted. Also Nord 262 No. 93 could be seen together with the other Nords noted above. Jaguar A2 is also still stored between the Nords.

An unknown Alpha Jet from Tours made a full stop at about 18.30h. On the north side a CM-170 (no. 217) was noted next to the eastern most hanger.

[hawk666]

Visited Chateaudun on 18th June , primarily to go round the CANOPEE museum which was excellent. Of the scrapped/ stored a/c, I can only really add to your unknowns ! I read off the same 262's and the odd Mirage but there were still stacks of others. The Transall line now stood at 9 plus a 10th just past the Falcons. In the same area were several complete Jaguars / Magisters but only visible from the northern side.Similarly there were numerous Jags / Magisters stored outside the large hangar in the SE corner ?

As for your Mirages on the north side, I logged 2 Jags, 1 vatour but only 1 Mirage F.1

I wonder if anyone had a visit round the base that week - do the French allow such things ?

[Lightning937]

I am planning a trip to France in June 2011 and am considering visiting Chateaudun. Did you have any problems with the police? I would really like to visit the Canopee Museum but I see from a website that it is not open to the public. How can I get around the museum? Any advice or tips very much appreciated.