An overshoot of a Taiwanese trainer. The serials of the Taiwanese F-5s can be found on the intake, while the code is painted on the tail. Both are connected for life.

Seen during its landing at Goma from a bar in the city of Goma. Drinking a local Simbabel beer and spotting aircraft...

During a rare base visit at Taitung, this rolling and very clean F-5E was seen.

Beautiful painted Tomcat of Fighter squadron (VF) 213 Black Lions on the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in the Persian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

the 46th Tactical Fighter squadron acts as the adversary unit within the Taiwanese air force. Some of their aircraft are very colourful (see my other pictures), but some of them are extremely boring grey. But the tail markings will do it ! The fin serial is barely visible.

The cat launch... you have to see it (and feel it)! Especially from deck level near one of the four steam catapults of an American super carrier. The steam pressure builds up and pushes an average aircraft in just two seconds from 0 mph to some 150 mph (240 km/u) in 310 feet (94 m) with up to 3.5g's (recalculating this acceleration compared to an average car, that would be something as an acceleration from 0 mph to 60 mph (100km/u) in 0,8 sec!

This Turbo Dakota flew over the city of Goma in Eastern Congo, the aircraft belongs to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and is used for airdropping, medical supplies, passenger and medical team transports as well as reuniting people over long distances with their families.

From outside the field, Taitung has a marvelous spot to photograph aircraft movements. Normally, the Taiwanese government accepts aviation photography, as long there is no base-infrastructure photographed.

Double Nuts S-3B Viking manoeuvering to the cat of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in the Persian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This 1966 An-12B flew with many different companies, but it started its career with the Soviet Air Force. It was commercially sold to AFL/Privolzhsk in the late 1990s, and then companies as Aeroflot, Avial, Southern AirGroupe, Eurasia Airlines, Pochta Rossii and Aeriantur-M (as shown on this picture) followed. In October 2007, the An-12 suffered a ground incident at Kisangani (DRC) damaging an engine and the starboard main undercarriage. The owners rebuilt the aircraft but it unfortunately crashed with Aerolift as S9-SVN at Luxer (Egypt) on 20 February 2009. Thanks Soviet Transports database!

An exclusive picture of a Mi-35 Hind of the Force Aérienne Congolaise at Goma International Airport. The attack helicopters of the FAC are rarely seen and it is believed that a dozen or so were delivered, Mi-24s, Mi-24Vs and this sole Mi-35.

The squadron commanders aircraft on the cat of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The ship was sailing in the Persian Gulf and operations continued 24/7 with multiple launches and recoveries during the day. This baby Hornet was launched during first light.

There are Tomcats and there are beautiful Tomcats. A classic picture of a towed Tomcat over the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). The aircraft was on its way to the the rear of the flight deck where it was positioned for an upcoming morning launch. Many Tomcats were scrapped at AMARG to prevent spare parts feeding to Iran. Luckily, this beauty was relieved from that fate. Since September 2006, 164342 is preserved at the Wings over Miami Museum at Kendall (FL).

C-2A about to touch down at the USS Theordore Roosevelt (CVN-71), closely observed by three F-14Ds. The Carrier On-board Delivery aircraft is a true work horse and flies all day long between the carrier and shore bases to supply the floating city rotating personnel, food, spare parts, post, journalists (like me), general cargo, and so on. Unfortunately, in due time, these beautiful prop planes will be replaced by CMV-22B Osprey tiltrotors.

An old Eagle in a test environment operating out of historic Edwards AFB.

Ex USAF 53-548. Owned by Wayne Jones' Global Aeronautical Foundation, acquired from the Pima Air Museum in 1995. Sold to the Yanks Air Museum in Jan 2006, and restored to flying condition and flown from Camarillo, CA to Chino, CA 14-Jan-2012 on delivery to the museum.

A 5th generation prototype... This F-22A model 1, rolled out at Dobbins on 10 February 1998 and made its first flight at 29 June 1998. The Raptor, serial 91-4002, was ferried to Edwards AFB for the flight test programme with the 411th Flight Test Squadron on 26 August 1998. The picture was made at Edwards air show in October 1999. The Raptor - only a couple of months old and in full swing in its test environment - was at that moment parked next to that other magic plane.

Just arrived for its new mission over Afghanistan, this Russian UN Humanitarian Air Services Mi-8 Hip was bought by an An-124 transport aircraft to the Asian country. The tail boom was still in its fuselage, so maintenance had a job to do.

An United Nations Humanitarian Air Services Mi-8 at the platform of Kabul The UN tried to support the Afghan humanitarian tragedy, the Afghan government as well as all military fighting for peace in the country as much as possible. This Russian Hip gave the whole transport capabilities.