I was only supposed to have flown on the Tuesday, I had rested on the Wednesday around Chalkida and had driven south to Athens Airport on Thursday to prepare to meet a friend later that day.
Having arrived at the Hotel at about 14:00 I had received a message from Eric (from the Aviation Photocrew) to tell me to get to Tanagra by 17:15. A quick check of the roads on Maps showed I could make my way back there in plenty of time (having taken the back roads through the mountains in the morning) and still get to meet my good friend Ioannis in Athens after.
A quick change of clothing following a very cold shower at the hotel, camera kit thrown into the hire car and I was back on base in good time to see the Skyvan depart and meet up with the arriving French Rafale’s. After about 45 minutes the Skyvan re-appeared and I was thrown a harness. Something special was about to happen.
The Skyvan was full, meaning I had to sit up front, however this was no problem at all. The target for this flight was something I had never seen fly. Into sight came two Radial Engined Canadair CL-215’s – Water bombers.
The previous night I ‘d seen the team being followed by the newer turbo-prop versions, but these were the old school fire fighting titans.
I will say that the flight was probably the bumpiest I’d ever done in the skyvan and my shins still have the scars! I managed to capture one water release and several shots of the two planes chasing after the skyvan. Epic, utterly Epic!
Having seen them fly off into the sunset , I say on the floor completely shattered, utterly exhausted from the thrill of capturing them at last. Into sight came the last bonus and one I had flown with previously, the Greek EMB-145H AWACS. I honestly didn’t have the energy and only managed to get a few shots of them, but it was superb to see them again, and in that golden last light.
Having landed I had to dash off to Athens for a fantastic meal with my good friend, but my thanks to Eric and the team. Yes Eric I owe you all Ice Cream’s, not just double scoops!
That was superb and a fitting end to my trip.
The end, you say? Well, not quite as the end of my story comes later but had already happened a couple of days before…. Wonder what it could be?