Remarks: The-then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Hong Kong in 2011 brought some exotic aircraft that we rarely see here. They sent 1 Il-76, 1 Il-62 & 2 Il-96s that resulted in some of the best movements ever at Chek Lap Kok Airport. This Il-76 is approaching 25L carrying the president’s cars & other related cargo for his visit.
Remarks: MH072/73 was upgraded from the A330 to the A380 from 05/01/2013 onwards. This scheme, which at the moment is only on the A380s as part of their corporate rebranding, looks rather dull, plain and with too much white. Not even the mega size of the A380 can salvage it. I was reasonably happy with how this turned out as the haze was quite thick that afternoon.
Remarks: One of the best movements in 2011 was this Euro Atlantic 767. It was operating a charter from Darwin & it later departed for Yangon after a few days stay in Hong Kong.
Remarks: SU212 on final for 07L from Moscow. Their 777-300ERs look great in this scheme but unfortunately the cloudy weather doesn't show it. Aeroflot briefly replaced the A330s with the 777 on the daily Moscow service to Hong Kong but it seems they've gone back to the A330s. This was the first 77W for Aeroflot delivered on 02/02/2013.
Remarks: Sadly all the 737-400s have been phased out & I was very happy to have photographed most if not all of them on my Bangkok trip. HS-TDE was previously with Thai Airways.
Remarks: Here is a snapshot of a few things that we do not see anymore in the industry, namely Deta’s DC-10s (stored/scrapped), the Continental Airlines brand & the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines parked at HAECO in the background.
Remarks: Reduced to being a billboard facing the road...not even a flying billboard. Sad really. Years after the bankruptcy of MK Airlines, this 747 along with a sister-ship have been parked here at Kemble. For years due to the court liquidation process the ownership of these planes was not clear and now their scrapping has been delayed due to the existence of asbestos and other nasty chemicals requiring specialist handling. Eventually though these former queens of the sky will be scrapped and unfortunately because they have been sitting uncared for in the humid conditions, most of their parts are worthless as spares.
