Remarks: Now part of the Portuguese Air Force history, the Aviocar and the 401st Squadron "Cientistas" were retired on the 6th of December 2011 after 37 years of service and more than 170.000 flying hours in missions of photo reconnaissance, search and rescue, inter-island transport, electronic warfare, education and training of Navigators, pluri engine training, tactical transport and support for Airborne Troops (including troops launch), medical evacuation, VIP transport and land resource survey.
Remarks: Starting engines for departure into a Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) with three hoisting operations... with a Navy ship, the Cape Espichel cliffs and in high sea!
Remarks: Flying a 3 ship formation of Chipmunks from the Air Force Academy over the Sintra Mountain with most of it's landmarks in the background. Left of the frame it's the Pena National Palace, top left it's the Seteais Palace, below the second DHC-1 it's the Castle of the Moors and on top of the 1335's right wing is the Quinta da Regaleira. The best photo I could get for an air-to-air photoshoot about the 60th anniversary of the DCH-1 in the PoAF, a plane that my father also flew while he was serving.
Remarks: The perfect end for an awesome Spotters Day at Real Thaw 12 Exercise... this Orion is seen here entering the runway for departure to Beja AB after a short sunset visit to Monte Real at the end of the afternoon missions!
