Aircraft - Soviet built

A hasty shot of Iran registered Ilyushin IL76 EP-PCB of Pars Air, taken through the window of the aircraft whilst taxying out at about 0730 in the heat haze of a Dubai morning. Sat15Sep07

Kyrgystan registered Technoavia GM-17 Viper EX-052 and EX-053 at Geneva. Sun29Mar09

LY-ABA, Tupolev Tu-134A of Lithuanian carrier Leituva at Amsterdam Schiphol. Mon10Jul95. Scanned

The Russian version of the Boeing B727. St Petersburg based Pulkovo Airlines Tupolev Tu154M RA-85785 at Heathrow. The airline later merged in 2006 and became known as Rossiya. Sat13May00. Scanned

Rossiya Tupolev Tu-154M RA-85834 at Frankfurt. This aircraft was formerly with Pulkovo Airlines before merger, as in the previous photo, and the similarity in the colour scheme is apparent. Sun17Aug08

The Ilyushin IL-86. The first Soviet built wide body aircraft, and their first attempt at the Airbus - or Aerobus - concept. Introduced in 1980, just 106 examples were built, of which only a handful remain, with the Soviet Air Force. RA-86094 of Pulkovo Aviation approaches the stand at Heathrow. Sat28May98. Scanned

Considered as one of the worlds safest airliners, the Ilyushin IL-86 suffered only one accident involving fatalities. But the 1960 technology engines and European noise regulations helped in its demise. Aeroflot RA-86124 is seen here at Frankfurt. Sat17Aug96. Scanned

The Antonov An-124. The worlds second largest cargo aircraft. This example is RA-82078 of Ulyanovsk based Volga-Dnepr Airlines, seen here at Stansted. Sat12Aug97. Scanned

Czech built LET410 UR-67439 taxies in at Headcorn. Over 1100 of these were built, of which about half remain. The aircraft of choice for skydiving clubs. Sun14Jul02. Scanned