IL-78MKI MIDAS & INDIAN FLANKERS

   COURAGEOUS CRUSADERS & ILYUSHIN-78  
  Published this Large Article
February edition 2008
a Dutch Aviation Support article in the Hungarian leading aviation magazine
The article explains about this flying gas-station...  and Fighter crews 
  
... and the seamless cooperation with the Flankers on Istres Platform
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Please do read the article of INTERCEPTION and see our impressions below
The hughe MIDAS IL/78MKI in the landing at Waddington UK
        
Crusaders Sukhoi 30MKI practiced at Waddington, here on and above the runway
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     CLICK FOR THE ARTICLE IN ENGLISH    

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Mighty Courageous Crusaders Sukhoi 30MKI - Below the Press conference
Commander Shreesh Mohan of the Indian Airforce between French Commanders during exercise 
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SU-30 MKI passes the tower of Istres, so does his opponent the French Mirage
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The pride of Indian Airforce ! On tour in Europe to meet friendly airforces and exchange experiences
Believe me, they are really huge when you stand next to these superbe machines !
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Back from a mission, and parked on the concrete of Istres Airbase
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         Like an unfeathered bird...                             Dedicated personell acts professional !
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On it's way to a new refuel mission                         Backseater can look over the first man
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On it's way to a new refuel mission                          Proud pilots of the Indian Airforce
 The also proud crew of this enormous Ilyusjin 78, for refuelling Mirages during exercises
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Inside the nose (L) of flying gasstation IL-78MKI and the upper Cockpit (R)
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The board-mechanic                                            Taxiing out for the runway
Below the inside of the IL-78, almost completely filled with Kerosine for air-air refuelling
Walking from the front to the back, this tank seems te be endless !
Midas refuelles the Flankers during flight, also practicing on the French Mirages,... 
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.... and the Flankers had their juice provided by the French Boeing C-135 FR tankers.
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Learning from eachothers experiences and mistakes, to grow together ! 
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Indian crew, disciplined to their tasks, just as we know it of the USA Blue Angels ! 
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Special thanks to Commander Shreesh Mohan of Indian Airforce !  

      CLICK FOR THE ARTICLE IN ENGLISH    

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Mutual interests in practicing in Europe over France and England.
Kees Otten, Wim Das & Koos Heemskerk