Surprise visit AN-30 @ Geilenkirchen

[Reaper02]

Last Wednesday, Aug. the 10th, I drove to Geilenkirchen in Germany to catch a returning KC-135R from refueling an AWACS. Unfortunately the mission was shorter than expected and I missed the tanker by 10, 15 minutes. I was pretty disappointed when suddendly this Romanian Air Force AN-30 dropped out of the sky, apparently flying Open Skies missions out of Cologne for several days. Saw it three weeks ago at the RIAT in Fairford and was pretty gutted back than I wasn't able to photograph it in a decent way (don't do static with all the rubish and people around and during departures I was at the wrong end). After landing the 'Clank' stayed for lunch and 1,5 later it backtracked the runway 09 for departure. With temps over 30 C I was afraid it would make a 180 on the runway and maintain out of reach due to heatwaves but due to an appraoching Norwegian Falcon 20 the Antonov had to vacate the runway again prior departure. Because of this I could make some great shots from this rare plane making its 270 right in front of me with an enthusiastic waving crew:

1.

2.

Hope you'll like 'em!

Regards, Edwin
www.final-approach.nl

[Stratocruiser]

Like them?
Absolutely love them!
Thanks for sharing your super pics of this rare old bird

[paddyboy]

Hi Edwin

Cracking shots there of a proper rarity

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[slogen51]

That is pretty cool

Very good

[Reaper02]

Thanks gents, glad you liked 'em!

Regards, Edwin
www.final-approach.nl

[R.McFadyen]

Excellent capture and shots

[BJK]

Managed to photograph it at RIAT on both arrival and departure. Didn't get a shot as good as no.1.