IL-78MKI MIDAS & INDIAN FLANKERS

   COURAGEOUS CRUSADERS & ILYUSHIN-78  
Published this Mega-Article
October 2007 edition
Kees Otten, Wim Das & Koos Heemskerk - Thanks Maria for your efforts !
a Dutch Aviation Support article in the Greek leading aviation magazine
Midas is leaving RIAT at Fairford UK
Flankers and Midas in a sunny shot at Fairford
The article explains about this flying gas-station...
It's a very tight team, pilots, mechanics, groundcrew, all higly motivated !
... and the seamless cooperation with the Flankers
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  

   
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 !
   
On it's way to a new refuel mission                         Backseater can look over the first man
 
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
   
Inside the nose (L) of flying gasstation IL-78MKI and the upper Cockpit (R)
 
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,... 
   
.... and the Flankers had their juice provided by the French Boeing C-135 FR tankers.
 
Learning from eachothers experiences and mistakes, to grow together ! 
 
Indian crew, disciplined to their tasks, just as we know it of the USA Blue Angels ! 
 
Special thanks to Commander Shreesh Mohan of Indian Airforce !  

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Mutual interests in practicing in Europe over France and England.