First North Korean air show

[Spiny Norman]

Looked quite a short show, but with some interesting types.

https://youtu.be/VpwdxXGbv_o

[boff180]

One of our staff team is there, we have a UKAR review coming soon. Hopefully

[Spiny Norman]

One of our staff team is there, we have a UKAR review coming soon. Hopefully

Will look forward to that. Is this him? 2:30 in.

https://youtu.be/ozDRFB6LDQs

[boff180]

Nope that's not him

[CJS]

Is it Peter? They let him in once after all...

[DanH]

Looks like they were handing out free caps upon entry. Many thanks to the glorious leader.

[strangelookingalien]

I don't want to sound like a prig - but while the types on display look absolutely amazing, I would feel a bit uncomfortable paying money into what seems like such a horrific regime. Having said that, given the opportunity I would find it hard to say no.

I'm looking forward to reading the report - hopefully there will be a bit of travel journalism in addition to the airshow report as well.

[PeterR]

Is it Peter? They let him in once after all...

Nope, I went last year and couldn't justify paying all the money to go again in such a short timespan..!
P-813 / Air Koryo / Tupolev Tu-134B-3 by Peter Reoch, on Flickr

[stuart n]

Nope that's not him

A wise man has gone. Wiser men stayed in this country

[Stagger2]

The reason the air-show is short is simply because even the fittest native invited (ordered?) guests couldn't vigorously wave their arms & flags for any longer period....even with guns held at their children's heads.
The programme for this 'air-show' was always weak by comparison to a meagre event of western standards. For sure, there is a unique aspect to it, but you only see exactly what they want you & the World to see!
Forget about any cultural offerings from the 'lucky' European visitors who succumbed to the financial screwing to be there, the itinerary I saw suggested you were effectively held captive at the Hotel between organised trips within a night curfew! Anything seen HAS to be properly staged to portray Him in the 'best possible taste!'..... Happy to be proved wrong, as propaganda always works both ways?
Not my idea of fun for a couple of Mil & multiple Civvies, but then I'm fortunate not be as cynical as I once was.

[Dan O'Hagan]

One trusts the UKAR review won't gloss over the humanitarian aspect in favour of relentless jizzing over a couple of Su-25s and MiG-29s?

[st24]

One trusts the UKAR review won't gloss over the humanitarian aspect in favour of relentless jizzing over a couple of Su-25s and MiG-29s?

Indeed, like none of us "jizz" over Saudi Tornados and Typhoons, Pakistani Hercs, Indian Flankers and solo turk. All pretty grotty countries on the humanitarian front....

[Dan O'Hagan]

One trusts the UKAR review won't gloss over the humanitarian aspect in favour of relentless jizzing over a couple of Su-25s and MiG-29s?

Indeed, like none of us "jizz" over Saudi Tornados and Typhoons, Pakistani Hercs, Indian Flankers and solo turk. All pretty grotty countries on the humanitarian front....

Bit different to visiting them in their own highly-choreographed propaganda backyard though...

[Brevet Cable]

Didn't stop people going to Brazil , though , or for many journalists to studiously ignore the problems there.

[A380Heavy]

The Tu-154 at approximately 56 seconds in to the video is incredibly low with the undercarriage retracted!

[CJS]

One trusts the UKAR review won't gloss over the humanitarian aspect in favour of relentless jizzing over a couple of Su-25s and MiG-29s?

Indeed, like none of us "jizz" over Saudi Tornados and Typhoons, Pakistani Hercs, Indian Flankers and solo turk. All pretty grotty countries on the humanitarian front....

Bit different to visiting them in their own highly-choreographed propaganda backyard though...

You could add the good ol, U S of A to that list and say the same about a US show too.

[boff180]

This is UKAR not the UN

Sam is out there as part of a commercially organised trip, the first time he has used this company, he isn't going/would be stupid to write anything that may jeopardise his relationship with them.

I'm sure the company behind the trip would be appreciative of one of their customers using the trip as an opportunity to criticise the host nation. As would future nations that may consider working with this company.

[CJS]

I'll bet Ban Ki Moon is on here right now

[farnboroughrob]

Surprised to see the Hughes 500 there,assumed to be locally built copies? A bit freaky to see photographers on step ladders photographing the crowd and now the aircraft! Thing is you can see a bettter selection in Russia,and a whole lot safer. Its just a 'willy waving exercise' to say you have seen NK Migs etc.

[boff180]

Surprised to see the Hughes 500 there,assumed to be locally built copies?

From Wiki:

North Korea
In 1985, North Korea circumvented U.S. export controls to indirectly buy eighty-seven U.S. manufactured civilian versions of the Hughes MD 500 before the U.S. government stopped further deliveries. Reports indicate that at least sixty of the helicopters delivered were modified as gunships. Because South Korea licenses and produces the MD 500 for use in its armed forces, the modified helicopters were useful in North Korea's covert or deceptive operations.[5]
The aircraft were finally unveiled by the North Koreans and seen by the West during the Victory Parade held on 27 July 2013 in Pyongyang on the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War. Images and analysis show that they have been modified to carry Soviet AT-3 Sagger anti-tank wire-guided missiles.[6]

[capercaillie]

The Tu-154 at approximately 56 seconds in to the video is incredibly low with the undercarriage retracted!

Its undercarriage is still down as its just taking off?

[TKK 140]

This is UKAR not the UN

Sam is out there as part of a commercially organised trip, the first time he has used this company, he isn't going/would be stupid to write anything that may jeopardise his relationship with them.

I'm sure the company behind the trip would be appreciative of one of their customers using the trip as an opportunity to criticise the host nation. As would future nations that may consider working with this company.

Generally, reserving comments till he is back would be wise. No pun intended.

[A380Heavy]

The Tu-154 at approximately 56 seconds in to the video is incredibly low with the undercarriage retracted!

Its undercarriage is still down as its just taking off?

It must be because of the speed because I have just freeze framed the video and I still can't make out the pretty substantial triple bogies of the main undercarriage on the Tu-154 or see any undercarriage doors closing either.

[MicrolightDriver]

The Tu-154 at approximately 56 seconds in to the video is incredibly low with the undercarriage retracted!

Its undercarriage is still down as its just taking off?

It must be because of the speed because I have just freeze framed the video and I still can't make out the pretty substantial triple bogies of the main undercarriage on the Tu-154 or see any undercarriage doors closing either.

Agree it's something in speed vs the quality / resolution of the video once it's on Youtube. The aircraft is rotating on take off and main undercarriage seems blurred but visible as it appears and passes the lens of the photographer in the foreground ( 55 point something seconds ). Later in the sequence ( 56 seconds! ) the gear doesn't seem to be visible anymore, but it can't possibly have retracted in that split-second.

[Aviamil]

Hi all,

I can confirm all went fairly well,Sam had a great time......He will miss it for sure!

At times access was a bit controlled but we have all got some great shots, unique shots and I can certainly say we are fed some rubbish about the country too from our own media.

So, great weather, great hosts, good beer.

Tired but safe to say we all enjoyed it

Cheers
Marc