SU-22 30 YEARS CELEBRATION POLAND           

 

Dutch Aviation MEDIA

30 Years in service of Polish Airforce, the Sukhoi-22 at Swidwin. 

PILOOT EN VLIEGTUIG : SUKHOI-22 BEER VAN EEN BOMBER ! 
The story of an old but durable and strong airplane

THE CELEBRATION AT SWIDWIN AIRBASE POLAND
Place and date: June 28th at Swidwin Airbase Poland.
Officials were invited, people from the military, civil officials, factory etcetera
And quite official it was, with a lot of ceremonial and music
Impressing ceremonies for the SU-22 Fitter 30 years celebration.
In spite of the weather it was a well visited day, this special occasion
Honour for the Polish Flag
Next to the high ranked persons there were also groups in old uniforms of earlier days.
Off course: Music Maestro !

LOOKING AT THE DOL
Speaking in terms of plane-generation the SU-22 (Nato nickname ‘Fitter’) is not the most sophisticated and most modern plane there is.
... and, does this look like an airfield ?
No ! It isn't. Its just a piece of parkingplace in the woods (Chociwell) where the SU-22 planes are parked for their DOL exercise
A heavy day for all pilots, they will be landing between trees this time !
The plane sure is one of the most strong airplanes of the former Soviet sattelites.
After destroying an airfield the machine possibly had to be able to land anyway on or near the destructed airfield or on narrow roads 
To achieve that the SU-22 Fitter is equipped with an extreme strong undercarriage...
This landing on heavy grounds or just a simple road was practiced for many years in the DOL exercises..
DOL, means Drogowy Odcinek Lotniskowy or 'highway strip landing' which can be even a narrow sandy road.
Do read about it in the article on the bottom of this page.

OTHER IMAGES OF THE FITTER
Off course as in other countries the Fitter was painted as well in nice 'war-colors.'(Tiger colors)
The SU-22 shows its nine hardpoints.
The plane was delivered in the SU-22M-4K version to ‘Polski Wojska Lotnicze’ or Polish Airforce. .
Fitter in front of the Swidwin control tower.
A view in the analog cockpit.
However today in most air forces the type is phased out, but Poland is following a different vision on this.
Earlier in time we were able to make pictures by extreme good weather.
The Fitter is a reliable plane and it will remain in service at least till 2018. Even there are plans to upgrade the type after 2018.
As most planes in their advancing years the plane was continuously developed to a level as being the most powerful Warsaw pact Fighter-Bomber.
About 18.000 people visited the Open Day at Swidwin Airbase in Poland to see this giant nearby and to see it fly.
To give you as visitor of this website even more showimpressions, we'll show you some more SU-22 Fitter images of the celebration day.
SU-22 impression
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SU-22 impression.
SU-22 impression.

GUESTS AND FOREIGN VISITOR
Some visitors from the country came to show themselves as well ro the public, as this Mig-29 Fulcrum.
The Fulcrum is a parade-horse of the Polish Airforce as well.
View at the platform during the show.
Refuelling and checking after every flight.
The Fulcrum is a very strong jet as well.
... Though... pilots state that an experienced SU-22 pilot can be too heavy for a beginning Fulcrum pilot who will loose the fight !
Detail of refuelling the Fulcrum.
So far then.
PZL W-3 Sokol helicopter in view.
Its a medium light transport helicopter.
The helicopter can also act as anti-tank, installing mines, and other air-to-ground attacks.
Almost last but not least a welcome guest and treat for the eye: an American Blackhawk helicopter 
The Bryza is a light weight transport helicopter.
So far this impression of the SU-22 celebrationday. Thanks for being with us !
That's all folks !
                           Click the green button for the article in Englishi
                           Klik hier voor het artikel in het Nederlands    i
                                ii i  Have a look at 'various magazines'i
   
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