Newly-delivered Peruvian Air Force Antonov An-32B 322 is one of four examples delivered in January 1996. The significance of the ‘Mobetek’ titles on the forward fuselage is unknown.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Антонов Ан-32 - РоссияRussia - 1977

The ultimate advertising hoarding! Air France Concorde F-BTSD in striking Pepsi colour scheme at Gatwick following its unveiling on April 2, 1996. Repainted amidst much secrecy, the aircraft arrived at Gatwick under cover of darkness after a short flight from Orly on March 31 and was hidden in a hangar until the world’s press were invited to see it on April 2 as part of Pepsi’s ‘Project Blue’, the £330 million launch of a new electric blue colour scheme for its cans of cola. In what was probably the biggest and most expensive press conference ever held, reportedly costing £8 million, including £125,000 for the Concorde respray, supermodels Claudia Schiffer and Cindy Crawford plus tennis star Andre Agassi, who all feature in new Pepsi commercials, were present to promote the product and 400 journalists were flown in from around the world. It is reported that the aircraft will remain in the scheme for only around ten days and will be restricted to lower speeds than usual to prevent the paint peeling off at the high temperatures encountered at supersonic speeds. On completion of a number of publicity flights around Europe and the Middle East, a further £125,000 will be paid by Pepsi to repaint the aircraft back into standard Air France colours.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: SNIAC, BAC Concorde - InternationalInternational - 1969

One of the first six of 24 F/A-18A Hornets to arrive in Spain following acquisition from surplus USN stocks, C.15-77/'21-08’ (formerly 162446 with VFA-127 and one of three acquisitions which still retain a sand-brown camouflage) of Ala 21/211 Escuadron is seen after local modification during an early sortie on March 25, 1996 from Zaragoza. The aircraft are temporarily based there for pilot conversion training with 153 Escuadron, the new Hornet OCU.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet - СШАUSA - 1978

The Sri Lankan Air Force took delivery of three IAI Kfirs, two C2s and a lone TC2 in January 1996 to equip the recently formed 10 Squadron at Katunayake. Seen there on March 23 is the TC2, CF 710, with one of the C2s just visible behind.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: IAI Kfir - ИзраильIsrael - 1974

Sole BAe/Saab ‘aircraft’ contribution was this new mock-up of the JAS 39 Gripen, in a curious dark blue scheme, with AMRAAM underwing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: SAAB Gripen / JAS-39A/C - ШвецияSweden - 1988

Wearing a new two-tone blue-grey camouflage scheme which replaces the earlier desert scheme, IRIAF F-14A Tomcat 3-6022 is displayed with three AGM-65 Mavericks on the trolley in front of it and an AIM-54 Phoenix to the right.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F-14 Tomcat - СШАUSA - 1970

Making its worldwide airshow debut at FIDAE was the Airbus A319, represented by second prototype F-WWAS (c/n 572), whilst just visible behind is another aircraft making its first airshow appearance - the EMB-145.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Airbus A319 / ACJ - InternationalInternational - 1995Embraer ERJ-145 / ERJ-140 / ERJ-135 - БразилияBrazil - 1995

The MiG-AT advanced jet trainer prototype seen making its first five minute ‘hop’ at Zhukovsky on March 16, 1996 with MAPO pilot R Tasayev at the controls. Its first ‘official’ test flight was on March 21, lasting 35 minutes, during which it reached a speed of 215kts (400km/h) and climbed to 4,000ft (1,220m) escorted by an L-39 Albatros and MiG-29UB chase aircraft. According to MAPO Deputy General-Director Anatoliy Belosvet, ten MiG-ATs of the pre-production batch of 15 have already been completed. A second aircraft will join the flight test programme in June, while the third and fourth airframes will be used for structural load tests.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: МиГ МиГ-АТ - РоссияRussia - 1996

Tupolev Tu-144LL RA-77114 seen during the roll-out ceremony at Zhukovsky on March 17, 1996. The aircraft will be used in a joint US-Russian research programme for new-generation supersonic airliners.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Туполев Ту-144 - РоссияRussia - 1968

Looking a little weather-beaten, IRIAF CAC F-7M Airguard 3-7521 was one of the more interesting exhibits at Mehrabad in February 1996.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Chengdu J-7 / F-7 - КитайChina - 1966

IRIAF Su-24MK Fencer-D 3-6857 may well be one of the former Iraqi AF examples 'acquired' when they fled to 'safety’ in Iran during the Gulf War. The aircraft carries six practice bombs on the centre pylon and a further one on each of the outboard wing stations.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Сухой Су-24М - РоссияRussia - 1977

To celebrate Condor’s 40th anniversary, Boeing 757-230 D-ABNF has been painted in this imaginative design by American artist James Rizzi and is seen here following roll-out at Lufthansa Technik Hamburg on March 28, 1996. The scheme will be retained for four years and if it proves popular with passengers further aircraft may be repainted in other unusual colours.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing Boeing 757 - СШАUSA - 1982

A technician adjusting a video camera in the cockpit lends scale to the NASA/McDonnell Douglas X-36 28% scale prototype remotely-piloted, tailless research aircraft which will undergo a six-month flight-test programme this summer to research design for future stealthy fighters.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing X-36 - СШАUSA - 1997

Armada de Chile/HA-1 Escuadra Eurocopter AS 532SC Cougar 76 is one of six now in service operating in the ASUW, ASW and SAR roles - this example is a SAR-dedicated version with chin-mounted search radar.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Aerospatiale Super Puma / SA.332 / AS.532 Cougar - ФранцияFrance - 1978

Making its first flight from Bellingham, Washington, on February 1, 1996 was the first Helipro S-61 Shortsky, N301Y, which has now been delivered to VIH Logging Ltd. New panels in primer behind the cockpit emphasise the location of the removed fuselage section to reduce the length of the helicopter.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-61L/N - СШАUSA - 1960

Eurocopter AS 355F1 Twin Squirrel ZJ140, in full RAF/32 (TR) Squadron colours, is one of two leased from Operational Support Services Ltd (OSS) which have joined the unit at Northolt to replace Gazelle HCC.4s.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Aerospatiale Ecureul II / AS.355 / AS.555 Fennec - ФранцияFrance - 1979

A stalwart of the IRIAF for more than three decades, the F-4E still remains in service. Note the TISEO sensor for LGВ guidance on the leading edge of the port wing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F-4E / F-4F Phantom II - СШАUSA - 1965

Aggressive-looking Embraer EMB-312H Super Tucano prototype PP-ZTV, having failed to win the US JPATS contest, is now being used to finalise the specification for the Brazilian Air Force AL-X requirement. Although not fitted here, when in the static park it was displayed with an undernose FLIR turret

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Embraer EMB-314 / AT-29 Super Tucano - БразилияBrazil - 1999