The Mail has arrived!

[ChrisL]

A selection of Beriev Be-12's, NATO name Mail, shot over the last few years.

Kiev Museum 2008

Again in 2011 looking a lot better!


Some derelict frames left at Yevpatoria










Some of the very last active Be12's caught on the Crim. You will just have to imagine the noise they made...........

[RickIngham]

Wow just stunning! But couldn't you have asked to have that scaffolding taken down?

[Mad Dan]

Glorious - truly glorious...

But did that cow produce all that pile of ordure by itself?

[Macc]

Superb! Lovely machine, lovely markings, lovely colours.

[Paultojo]

Super shots thanks for sharing

[chilts]

You will just have to imagine the noise they made...........

Surely it's ...Moo...

[Mad Dan]

What ho Keith... Moo certainly has the ring of authenticity about it...but it's the methane I'm worried about......

[SamP]

Just amazing! Do you ever get bad weather?!

[TonyO]

Go Chris - what a set!

[IanH]

Load of rubbish.......te one with all the scaffolding!!

Priceless set and the light on them...just gorgeous.

Cheers, Ian

[bigcrow]

Now that's a post.. What a beast of a machine.

[Cimmerian]

What a great post. Thanks for sharing the pictures of that fantaastic machine.

[RichPittman]

Superb selection Chris

[APG]

Superb shots, love the engine out shots.

Are they still carrying out water landings?

[RobS]

Amazing.

[urkles]

Excellent stuff of a rare airframe, well done

[Maisie]

Go Chris - what a set!

Agreed! Awesome photos, best I've seen for ages! Would love to see one fly, but my chances are SLIM.. How much longer will they keep going, anyone??

[POD]

Great set.....proper aviation photography....no silly 45 degree ramp angles and false colouring....

[Mark K]

Now that's a set and a half Chris! Wonderfully taken and processed as always.

[Fr8ter]

Phenomenal post - for me the best posting this year great to see something different to the'loop' and Heathrow shots.

[dinovandoorn]

Wow real nice hardware !
are the flying boats just on a operational day from outside the airfield ?
when and where are these nice pictures taken ?

[st24]

No words needed, just Would just love to see one in the flesh...

[Mad Dan]

dinovandoorn asked:

where are these nice pictures taken ?

Here, I think...


It's a couple of miles south of the town of Saki and there are six Be-12s visible in the image above, plus a couple of An-24/26s and what looks like an An-2... I won't bore you with the helicopters!

As for the rest of your questions, you'll have to let Chris answer them...

[hornet]

Stunning set for a rare bird ! Really beautifull !!!

[centaurus18]

Awesome shots - will have to look on youtube to see if there is any footage of them flying to savour the noise you describe!

Respect to the cow too.