Air shows of the Russian Air Force in East Germany

The Russians organised a number of air shows, roughly of the type that we know in the West. The list below shows the air shows I know of. I've listed the aircraft that could be seen, plus some additional details. Details of some shows are missing because of a lack of reports or visiting spotters.

Werneuchen 1 May 1991

This open house was almost unknown to spotters, and most likely only two attended. It was a small scale open house, with only a few aircraft on display. Children were given a ride in Mi 2 helicopters. At least one Mi 24 did some flying too.

At that point of time, very little was known about units and (for example) the construction numbers of the aircraft. To keep the report in style, information obtained later is in italics.

Finow 18 August 1991

In 1991, the first large-scale open house of the Russian air force was held at Finow. Most aircraft types were on display. There were no flying displays. 70,000 visitors were reported

The open house was quite a special occasion, since the days preceding this airshow saw the famous coup-attempt in Russia. On the day of the show, things were still in progress in Moscow. If the coup attempt of the communist hardliners had succeeded, to whole situation in East Germany could have changed drastically. Nevertheless, the air show took place in a very relaxed atmosphere.

Finow south side shelter area from a Mi 8. Photo by Berry Kluytmans	More Finow shelters. Photo by Berry Kluytmans
Great aerial view. Photo by Berry Kluytmans	One last view of the shelter area. Photo by Berry Kluytmans
Hey! These windows can be opened! The photographer photographed. Photo by Stefan Goossens

Altenburg 23 February 1992

A small scale open house was held at Altenburg. MiG 29 simulator rides were $5. The show also included a 'Kick the MiG' drag race between a MiG 29 and a race car. This site has some background information on the 'Kick the MiG' events.

Parking ticket as used at the show. Scan by Brian Fishpaugh

The entrance ticket for the show. It could also be from the Finow show. Scan by Brian Fishpaugh

Finow 10 May 1992

Finow housed for the second year the 'official' Russian Air Force open house. Apart from the static display there was a limited amount of demonstration flying by a MiG 29 and a Mi 24. Two Mi 8's took people for a ride. The airfield was already in the process of being evacuated. Big fuel tanks had been dug up, lots of stuff was packed in crates, and it was awaiting transportation home. One year and one day later the MiG 29's left for home.

Damgarten 25/26 July 1992

This air show was organised by the East German equivalent of the Hell's Angels. Their job was the organisation and the security, while the Russians provided the aircraft and were paid a very modest sum (some 10.000 DM we were told). A funny thing was that many Dutch spotters got a free helicopter (Mi 8) ride by just showing their student's public transportation card.

static display:
SSSR-09329	An 22	Aeroflot/VTA
15920/49 (ye/re)	Su 17M-4	20FBR,RusAF
10521/09 (re/wh)	Su 25	368FBR,RusAF
0515320/10 (wh)	Su 24MR	11RR,RusAF
01052/80 (wh/bl)	MiG 29UB	733FR,RusAF	(cn 80003001052)
1010102/597 (wh)	Su 27UB (?)	....
05561/09 (wh/bl)	MiG 29 F-C	733FR,RusAF
61307/05 (ye/re)	MiG 27D	19FBR,RusAF
75502/60 (wh)	MiG 23UB	733FR,RusAF	(cn 59075502)
19511/35 (re/wh)	Mi 24P	Parchim?,RusAF	(cn 3532434319511)
0603V/82 (re)	Mi 6 Hook-A	33CHTR,RusAF
93354/43 (re/wh)	Mi 8MT	Parchim?,RusAF
9301/10 (re)	An 26	226 of 16TR,RusAF
flying:
*05 (re/wh)	Mi 24V	Parchim?,RusAF	display
27 (wh/bl)	MiG 29 F-C	733FR,RusAF	display
4746/32 (ye)	Mi 8TB	..,RusAF	para dropping
5965/35 (ye)	Mi 8S	..,RusAF	joy rides
4259/41 (ye)	Mi 8T	..,RusAF	joy rides

How about this for a podium? But a Su 25 should be capable of taking this abuse. Photo by Berry Kluytmans

A mobile control tower. Photo by Berry Kluytmans

Grossenhain 15/16 August 1992

Details of this air show have faded a little, but it was another commercial show, with few aircraft of the home unit. You could pay to make a small trip in a Mi 8. The show report below is by Theo van den Boomen:

Templin 12 March 1994

Less then four weeks before the Templin-based Su 17M-4 Fitters were withdrawn, a small scale open house was held. There were only very few units left, so the static display was very limited. A few transport aircraft from Russia were on display, and the main ramp housed quite a few Su 17's. Unfortunately the latter was not open for the public. An attempt by a large number of spotters to overwhelme the 'defence' of the ramp resulted in a Russian pulling his pistol and holding it against the head of the leader of the pack. This definitely stopped the rest. The leader was not scared easily however and shouted 'Foto! Foto! ('Photo! Photo!') to record this incident. I didn't see this request being fulfilled, but if so, the photo surely would have been added to the rich collection of weird and funny photos collected by Soesterberg spotters.

Wittstock 19 March 1994

Just before returning to Russia, Wittstock held an open house on Saterday 19 March. All remaining twenty-five MiG 29's stood on the flightline, ready for the departure. On 7 April they first flew to Damgarten (some 100 kilometers north), and from there on they flew to Sernograd on 11 April. The MiG 23UB's had departed earlier; at least two of them on board of Il 76's. During the open house the weather was stormy, and (if there was to be any) all flying was cancelled. The report and picturs shown below were made by Theo van den Boomen:

No Russian open day without a parade! The strong winds made it tough for the guy with the flag though, and many participants had to go looking for their hats afterwards. Photo by Theo van den Boomen	A map of the airfield. If the yellow dots are shelters, there are no less than 70! Photo by Theo van den Boomen
A sign showing points of the MiG 29 that constitute fire risks. Photo by Theo van den Boomen	A sign showing the engine test procedure. On the vertical axis the engine thrust is plotted, the horizontal axis shows the different steps to be executed, and their duration. Photo by Theo van den Boomen
A real Russian air force Lada. Photo by Theo van den Boomen