FD Aircraft 17

Okay, a break from Eastern today

JASDF Mitsubishi F-4EJ Phantom II Kai, Phantom Forever
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Safair Boeing 737-244/Adv(F) the only 737-200 with Winglets
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This last one is for my high school friend Cole, who is a first officer for Atlas, and regularly flies these two ladies:
Atlas Air Boeing 767-300/ER
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- Dan

Work List:
Eastern Air Lines Fleet History
Around the world challenge
US Attack Aircraft History

Delta Boeing 717-200
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- Ukraineball

Tupolev SB 2 in Finnish service

A successful Soviet bomber of the early War years, impressed into Finnish service.

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Included in all the captured Soviet equipment after the Winter War, were several Tupolev SB 2 aircraft that had landed or been forced down in Finnish territory.
The Tupolev's were overhauled at Valtion Lentokonetehdas State Aircraft Factory, and 8 aircraft were returned to the Ilmavoimat for service from August 1940. Initially the aircraft were serialised as VP- and left in a bare metal finish. They were deployed in the maritime patrol and bombing role.
In late August the aircraft were painted in an initial green upper surface camouflage scheme, in November being changed to a green and black scheme.
With the start of the Continuation War, the Finnish Air Force adopted the German-style yellow theatre bands.
Of the initial 8 aircraft, only 1 had the flat style radiators for the SB 2M-100 model.
Like most Finnish aircraft, the SB 2M's were able to be fitted with skis for winter operations, and also often received a white-wash winter camouflage.
In September 1941 the code letters of the SB's were changed from VP- to SB- without changing the serial numbers. From May 1942 the camouflage scheme was changed to a German-inspired splinter pattern with a blue undersurface.
Additional SB's were captured and sold by the Germans, and these aircraft also entered service. At this time the SB's were also overhauled and captured Soviet dorsal turrets were installed, along with an additional navigators nose hatch and Finnish radio mast. Some aircraft also received a ventral gunner's position.
One aircraft was also modified as a trainer, using a captured Soviet trainer's nose section.
As the tide of war changed, Finland ceased here conflict with the Soviets, and fought the Lapland War against the Germans. At this time the yellow theatre bands were removed and the white of the roundels replaced by a lower visibility grey.
Finally after the War the Fins were forced to remove the swastika from their roundel and it was replaced by concentric blue and white bands. The SB's were all withdrawn from service in 1945.

Iran - Agusta-Bell AB206
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Worklist:
- Victorian Navy - LINK
- ROC/Taiwan - 中華民國空軍 / 陸軍航特部 / 海軍航空兵 - LINK
- RHKAAF / HKGFS - 皇家香港輔助空軍 / 政府飛行服務隊
- Gunbucket - LINK

天滅中共全黨死清光!

Australia - Beechcraft Super King Air 350
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Nakajima - Army Type 91 Fighter:

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Thailand - Bell 206B JetRanger
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Now to wait for the other Bell 206s. (which I assume would be A LOT with the American examples...)

Shipbucket

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