line no. 78-06

Posing nicely for the group of aviation enthusiasts. The friendly ground crew even removed the stairs for us in order to get 'clean' photos.

Both Antonov's were flown in especially for us, both empty from Pyongyang. After our arrival on the Tu-134, we spent atleast an hour on the apron, photographing all 3 aircraft and taking a group photo with the Tupolev. There were a lot of An-2 trainers present at the airport, but we were not to photograph any of them, just like any other military installations/people.

Patiently undergoing the photoshoot on the apron at Sondok. The group arrived on a Tu-134 (P-813) and we would depart to Pyongyang again in 2 AN-24's, after spending the afternoon in the nearby city of Hamhung.

The only aircraft on the apron at Sondok. For now at least, as there are 2 AN-24's on the way here. We would fly back to Pyongyang on the Antonovs after spending the afternoon in Hamhung, visiting another monument, eating lunch and visiting a fertilizer factory.

Taking a few quick pictures before making room for the next guy. I expected to see a classic cockpit with lots of gauges and traditional Russian cockpit colors, but what I didn't expect to find here was a laptop and a GPS! Not bad...

The front office of our pocket rocket from Pyongyang to Sondok and return, finished in typical Soviet flightdeck turquoise

This was the last Tu-134B built, delivered to Air Koryo's forerunner Chosonminhang almost 30 years ago but still looking fine today. It was good to fly on a 134 again, a fast disappearing possibility in other parts of the world

This 1966 veteran is still doing good service in North Korea and is one of three or four of the type active with Air Koryo. Great fun to fly on but I'd forgotten how noisy they can be inside. Just love that snarling pitch change sound those Ivchenko turboprops make on taxi

Soon after what has to be one of the most awesome flights I've ever made. There was even in-flight service, if you count a young lady handing out copies of the Pyongyang Times!