Another good example of the attractive camouflage schemes worn by Moroccan military aircraft, so much nicer to see than the currently ubiquitous grey or olive drab. Italy supplied Morocco with 12 of these licence-built heavylifters, six in 1979 and six in 1982, of which nine are said now to be in operation with the Rabat-Salé based Escadre Hélicoptère

From Escadre de Transport 3 at Rabat-Salé and opened up to show a palletised medevac module with some impressive-looking life support equipment

Part of the Rabat-Salé based helicopter force, this Agusta-Bell is configured for crop and bug spraying, but not used in anti-cannabis cultivation work according to the pilot

Out on the operational flightline, with Islander CN-TWR (qv) alongside. Traditionally, Moroccan military transports have often carried civil-style registrations but with a CNA- prefix. They are now quite mixed and an example of more conventional presentation was the CN.235 displayed in static at Aeroexpo, CN-AME. Seven were delivered by CASA in 1990

One of 24 Alpha Jets delivered from France in the Eighties which gradually took over from the Fouga Magister fleet, this example is unusual in that it is modified as a rain-maker, named "Al Ghait" accordingly. Weather radar is fitted in the nose with seeding dispensers at the rear

Morocco originally had F-5A/B/RF-5s from the US plus some supplied by the Shah of Iran. One was used to attack a RAM 727 carrying the King in a failed coup in 1972; many others were shot down by Polisario guerrillas. 20 of the newer Tiger IIs arrived from 1980 thanks to Saudi aid, with 10 or so from the US later. The survivors have been upgraded adding HUD, MFD/WDNS, RWR, ECM and new air-to-air/air-to-ground weaponry. They are based at Meknes with the Escadre de Chasse "Tigre"

Seven out of 12 Magisters in external storage at Menara AB, having been supplanted by Alpha Jets in the advanced trainer role some years ago. The other six here are 218, 215, 176, 123, 227 and 226, followed by SA330L CN-ARY. About 21 were received in the late sixties, refurbished in France but mainly from WGAF stocks (157 was ex AA+248). Some of the others are preserved on poles at various bases around the country

The Moroccan locust is a particularly virulent pest and the huge swarms periodically cause devastation to crops across the region. Here we have a Hercules demonstrating the spraying technique employed as one of the measures to combat this menace, using a special rig in the cargo bay

From the Escadron de Chasse "Atlas" at Sidi Slimane, this is one of 27 remaining Moroccan Mirages undergoing major update work under the French Astrac programme, involving avionics, airframe, engine and weaponry upgrades. Commencing in 2010, two per month were due to be completed, bringing these 30-year old aircraft right up to date. This is in addition to the 24 Block 50/52 F-16C/Ds received after a June 2008 order

A view of CNA-OC as she pulls away after her MAFFS drop during the short flying show at AeroExpo. Based at Kénitra AB, a former US Navy station on the coast north-east of Casablanca, the Moroccan AF took delivery of a total of 19 C-130Hs from 1974 onwards, ending with two tankers in 1981. The MAFFS (Modular Airborne FireFighting System) units were acquired in 2002

Much more interesting to me than the Marche Verte aerobatic team it was supporting.

From the Escadre Hélico at Rabat-Salé and displayed in the medevac role. Of an original fleet numbering 34, 25 are said to be undergoing upgrade in Romania, which builds its own licenced version of the Puma (the IAR 330)

Not too many places you can get to see a sight like this. One of the two Moroccan tanker Hercules hooked up to a pair of F-5F two-seaters (91942 & 91943) from Meknes

A major target for me after Google Earth checks; tantalisingly within view of the show area but off limits (determination paid off). Morocco received 18 Flying Boxcars from the US in the 1960s, some being ex-RCAF C-119Gs. This '862' is from its former USAF serial, 53-7862. Colours a bit suspect (note white-wall tyres!) but well done to the Moroccans for preserving her. Most in their service had USAF-style silver/white top colours. One other survives at Kenitra, possibly a third elsewhere.