Ian Allan aviation tours

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W1lmaluvxx
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Joined: Mon 30 Dec 2019, 11:39 am

Ian Allan aviation tours

Post by W1lmaluvxx »

Hi all,does anyone rate Ian Allen aviation tours?only ever travelled with 4Aviation (true proffecionals and great guys)was thinking of aviation nation at nellis in November.any report on these guys would be greatly appreciated

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Tommy
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Re: Ian Allen aviation tours

Post by Tommy »

I used them once to go to MAKS 2015 - they’re pricey, but decent. It’s nice to know everything is sorted on your behalf. They try to focus on some of the less hardcore stuff than 4Av (so I’ve heard, not used 4Av so couldn’t say for certain). For example we had a day to explore Moscow, which I personally loved, but if you’re on an AvGeek holiday, you may want to cram as much aviation in as possible.

These days, I prefer to do stuff on my own or with mates (particularly to an English-speaking or a European nation) to save money, but it is nice having stuff sorted for you.

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jasonT1981
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Re: Ian Allen aviation tours

Post by jasonT1981 »

Looking at their site, I am very tempted to do Nellis in November.

W1lmaluvxx
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Re: Ian Allen aviation tours

Post by W1lmaluvxx »

Thanks foo I’llr the info there guys,might be booking nellis then.hopefully back with 4 aviation next year

W1lmaluvxx
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Re: Ian Allen aviation tours

Post by W1lmaluvxx »

Erm sorry,info

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aviationanoraks
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Re: Ian Allen aviation tours

Post by aviationanoraks »

Went on four of their tours in the 2000’s;
New Zealand 2004
Malta 2004
USA (Coast to coast almost) 2005
California 2006.

As said, they are pricey but you get what you pay for. (Never dreamt I would spend a night on the Queen Mary - outbound to NZ).
With everything sorted except most meals, it’s nice to be able to concentrate on enjoying the trip, but there can be some early start times if travelling is involved.
Opportunities arose on most trips to fly in historic/interesting aircraft, and at the time their travel insurance was good value and covered you for these extra flights.
Would go with them again in a heartbeat if the opportunity arose.

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keithjs
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Re: Ian Allen aviation tours

Post by keithjs »

Probably not a lot of help to you but I went with them twice back in the early 80's to the CAF and some Texas bases and had no complaints. (I think they were about £400 plus food back then!) Also the first time I met the much missed Robert Rudhall who was there too after which we became great friends.
BTW Its Allan with an A....
I'm sure you'll have a great time.
...Rad shutters auto.

pb643
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Re: Ian Allan aviation tours

Post by pb643 »

I travelled with them to Russia in 2005. Fanatastic experience with the usual ups and downs of visiting Russia. Dissapointing visits to some airbases, hoping to see operational types, only to be allowed to see museum airframes. But the ups!! We were offered an unscheduled overnight trip to Lipetsk. At the time, I think we were told to expect to see a navalised Mig29. In actual fact we had probably the most fantastic day. Escorted through the area with a police escort, on to the operational airfield, visited a small static display followed by a multi-hour flying display of Mig29s, Su25s, Su27/30s and Su24s. Solos, pairs, fourships, culminating in a mass takeoff and formation flypast of 4 of each type? There were more than one set of photos on the forum at the time, but I am not sure if they are still accessible?

How it happened, I have no idea. Why it happened, I have no idea? But it did, all laid on for 40 or so visitors from the UK (mainly) An unbelievable experience, that we certainly wouldn't have got without travelling with the group.


I had a similar experience travelling to Russia in 1994, with George Pick. We ended up at Kubinka having a private display by the Russian Nights, then the Swifts and I think even the Sky Hussars, plus solo displays. Again, how it happened remains a mystery, I guess the all encompassing power of the $$?

Both unbelievable experiences and now unrepeatable :sob: .

Phil
Last edited by pb643 on Thu 17 Mar 2022, 10:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

Georgeconna
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Re: Ian Allan aviation tours

Post by Georgeconna »

As said I have been on some excellent tours which offered Value for Money, The are are bit pricey now and if you looked into it you could probably do this yourself for a fraction of the cost.
Cheers

George

Zero shows for 2018 Giving in a Rest.

Berf
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Re: Ian Allan aviation tours

Post by Berf »

4 Av is doing Nellis..

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AMB
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Re: Ian Allan aviation tours

Post by AMB »

Georgeconna wrote:
Wed 16 Mar 2022, 2:20 pm
As said I have been on some excellent tours which offered Value for Money, The are are bit pricey now and if you looked into it you could probably do this yourself for a fraction of the cost.
But you have to faction in all their work negotiating access to military bases and ramp tours at airports, both of which would be near impossible for just one person to arrange. Ian Allan Tours took over George Pick Tours in the late '90s. I went to Russia, Bulgaria, Romania and twice to Greece with them. Excellent and well worth the money considering they gain access to bases with interpreters etc. Military bases are all prepared for the visits too as they are expecting you.
Adrian

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