HAF Open Days - Kalamata - 07th November 2019

[Jetnoise]

With the venerable T-2s of the Greek Air Force reaching the end of service in the not too distant future, I took the opportunity presented by the open days held in honour of the patron saint of the air force to capture some whilst still operational. Kalamata has a certain reputation for restrictions on photography, but on this occasion the base security shadows were happy for me to photograph the operational aircraft and those forming the small static display, but not those stored/withdrawn from use on the ramp - I took full advantage of that!

First off, a selection of images of the reason for the visit....

SX_AF_157043_T-2_R_LGKL_20191107_1S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

SX_AF_160082_T-2_T_LGKL_20191107_2S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

SX_AF_158889_T-2_D_LGKL_20191107_2S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

SX_AF_158889_T-2_T_LGKL_20191107_4S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

SX_AF_160064_T-2_T_LGKL_20191107_1S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

SX_AF_160064_T-2_T_LGKL_20191107_2S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

SX_AF_160064_T-2_T_LGKL_20191107_5S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

The Static display consisted of a hanger-bound T-6 and T-2, plus a T-2, T-6 and F-16 on the ramp...

SX_AF_010_F16_R_LGKL_20191107_1S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

SX_AF_160084_T-2_H_LGKL_20191107_1S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

SX_AF_045_T6_H_LGKL_20191107_1S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr


There was also no problem photographing a visting Army Chinook and a Swedish Coast Guard Dash 8 detached on Frontex duties....

SX_AR_ES929_CH47_T_LGKL_20191107_1S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

SX_AR_ES929_CH47_D_LGKL_20191107_1S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

SE-MAA_DHC8_D_LGKL_20191107_1S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

Bizarrely, when chatting to one of the aircrew he commented on the zoom lens I had and asked if it was good enough to photograph a WFU Phantom on the ramp - of course it was! The security detail were not happy with the impromptu demonstration of its powers but did not force me to delete the image

SX_AF_01521_F4_R_LGKL_20191107_1S by Ralph Lunt Photography, on Flickr

Kalamata was not the only base I visited on this trip and I will post the results of the other visits in a separate thread.

Hope these were of interest.

Cheers,
Ralph

[chrisward123]

Fantastic shots thanks for posting

[Blackbird]

Great set - love the Buckeyes!

Andy

[hedgerowops1]

Very nice