Inconceivable nearly forty-five years ago! I had set out on the most exciting of journeys, travelling across China, Mongolia and Russia by road, train, boat and plane. It had taken years of wanting before I found and had permission to the right of passage and set out on this unknown adventure.
As a passionate traveller, my love of military aviation was not the number one thought for my photography, based on what would happen if I were caught trying to take aviation photographs.
On occasion, though, I had to take the risk and try very discretely.
Sadly for me, photography from behind the grazed and scratched perspex window of old IL-14s and the odd IL-18 is understandably tricky at the best of times. The thought of being seen taking these photographs was inconclusive to the best results, but I tried, as did the Monsoon conditions!
Entering service in October 1952, the PLAAF IL-28s (NATO code name Beagle) were all converted to Harbin H-5. A total of 424 aircraft passed through the Harbin aircraft works.
Here, 3194 is seen taxiing and captured at the former Guilin airport and airbase in the early evening sunlight.
Taking another flight sometime later into Wuhan, interestingly, the IL-14 had to make a refuelling stop at Nanching. A few passengers and I had to disembark during the process. Alighting from the aircraft, I was reminded how quickly one could be caught out; fully armed Red guards were patroling amongst the newly arrived and parked aircraft. (Seen above).
All the IL-14s I had seen and flown on were in the 600 serial range, meaning that they were operated by the Civil Aviation Administration. This said, all of the aircrews were fully armed Red Army pilots who would board the aircraft after the few passengers were seated and then continue to lock themselves into the cockpit behind a steel door. I imagine the cabin crew worked for the CAA.
Walking back out to the refuelled aircraft, I managed to steal a photograph of C-47B Dakota's 5021 and 5011. These aircraft were obviously still airworthy, although delivered to Chiang Kai Shek's Nationalist Chinese Forces during World War 2.
These airframes are Lisunov LI-2's license-built in the USSR; behind them are AN-24s and foreground Nanchang Y-5.
Further away, another three LI-2s, 324, 308 and 322. 41 aircraft of this type were delivered to China, where they were retired in 1986.
Lisunov LI-2's 318 and 304.
What you notice is no B- in the serials of these aircraft. This is also the case with the IL-14's. From what I have read and the fact military pilots were flying them, it probably means that they are still classified as Military. However, showing markings for the CAA, my visit coincided with the changeover period from the entire Military to the Civil Aviation Administration? Another factor is that they never flew out of China.
8398 Nanchang Y-5A.
It had not been there when we landed, so it was an excellent moment to see an operational Tupelov TU-4 (Nato code name Bull) USSR licenced built B-29s, of which 25 examples were delivered from the USSR in 1953, in the first years of operational service they were flown by highly paid pilots from the USSR conducting missions against Taiwan.
Sadly for me, in 1979, the heavy rain and scratched window versus distance, say no more!
The coolies in the foreground are not naturists? They worked in the rice paddies on the massive airfield in the monsoon rain.
It was a long taxi for our ancient IL-14, passing rows of Harbin B-5 en route to the runway.
Again, there are many more Harbin B-5s in the Monsoon conditions.
As IL-14 (688) landed at Yichang, I was greeted by no less than 12 IL-12 (NATO code name Coach) lined up on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
35041 IL-12 (Coach) is reminiscent of the RAF Hastings.
IL-12 (Coach) 35240 is obviously a slightly different model.
IL-12 (Coach) 35241 is again a little different in its model.
IL-12 (coach) 35340 is the star of the 12 aircraft lineup, with its revised nose cone.
It was extraordinary that there was a brick-making business out on the airfield. IL-12 (Coach) 35147 seen beyond.
The modern-day airbase houses IL-76. Is the brick business still there?
The modern-day airbase houses IL-76. Is the brick business still there?
IL-14 668.
Monsoon madness, rain, rain and more rain. At Chungking, a Nanchang Y-5A is being towed off the flight line.
IL-14 668 lands at Chungking; out on the airfield, a cow munches on the grass while a local with an umbrella takes a shortcut across the airport; it is common practice.
My onward transport from Chungking to the city of Shanghai.
IL-14 614 Chinese Civil Administration.
AN-24 B-468 Chinese Civil Administration.
IL-14 634 seems like an old friend.
What luxury a IL-18! One of my all-time favourite aircraft.
Xian and its Warriors beckoned.
Tridents on the ramp at Shanghai Old Airport.
Nanchang Y-5A 8261 arrived on the flight line, along with locals passing across the old airfield at Xian.
Nanchang Y-5A, 8261.
That was it. Then I was off to Bejing to see a Wall and Forbidden City and catch a train to Datong, where they built 20+ Pacific class steam engines every month by hand? Finally, crossing the border into the Gobi Desert and Outer Mongolia...
Happy memories, indeed!
