Operated at this time by the Colombian civil aviation authority, this former USN R4D-6 was acquired from the FAA (N69). She remained in Colombia, flying commercially with Interandes and ADES until crashing as recently as 2007 (see my shot as HK-1149 with Interandes)

AeroNorte changed to Lineas Aereas Suramericanas in 1986 but the name was revived in 1991, when this C-118 was acquired. Originally Bu No. 131611 delivered to the USN in 1953 and to MASDC at Davis Monthan in 6.77. Stored at Bucaramanga in Colombia from 12.99, became N680AF in 2004 but still there

Quite a collection of piston power. After much research with a Colombian expert, the identity of this C-47 is now known (2021), as are several of the previously unknown FAC Daks. FAC677A turns out to be the former N91379, which was delivered to Colombia circa 1981. I was lucky enough to be able to tour the COTAM ramp allowing for close up shots of that rare DC-7 (FAC923) which was originally BOAC's G-AOIA, although the weather didn't play ball.

In 11.75 Avianca bought this 727 from Pan Am, her owner as N326PA since new in 5.66. Seen here in nice evening light, she was destroyed by a terrorist bomb on 27.11.89 (set by the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar) while climbing through FL130 after departure from Bogotá for Cali with the loss of all on board

A 1966 DC-9 which was previously PH-DNE, PJ-DNA, N54648, XA-GOK and when leased to Aeropesca Colombia in 11.82, N2896W.The Colombian registration was obtained when that airline became Intercontinental in 6.83 and is seen here in their later colours. Leased by SATENA in 5.93 (FAC1142) and returned in 12.94, being wfu a little later and finally broken up at BOG in 8.04

Ten years on from my first shot of this ex-FAA C-47, here she is operating for Interandes. Sold to ADES in 1996 and later Aerovanguardia. Crashed 31.7.07 en route from San José del Guaviare to Villavicencio when one engine failed, forcing crew to carry out an emergency landing in a rice field, but repaired and now flying again with Sadelca

A threatening sky provides an impressive backdrop to a 727 which has spent nearly all of its working life based in Colombia. Starting out as N2471 with Continental in 7.67, she joined Avianca in 10.71 (leased to SAM 10.81) and was sold in 1.94 to Lineas Aereas Suramericanas, flew as a freighter for many years but was for sale in 2013

Delivered by GPA in 3.92 and transferred to SAM Colombia 7.05. Last noted as stored by AstroAir International as RPC-8708 in 2012

SAM Colombia operated nine 146s in the mid/late 90s, this one being four months old at the time. Sold to Malmö Aviation in 9.99 and current as SE-DSR with Braathens Regional Airlines

It can take much patience to get full sun in BOG. This fine machine started life as CV-340 N73151 with United in 1954, then going on to Lake Central and turboprop conversion. Derelict at Panama City in 2011

Among the many interesting airframes displayed by the Fuerza Aerea Colombiana outside their CATAM base at El Dorado is this rare Junkers W34. Although large numbers were built from 1926 as a development of the W33, only three survive world-wide, the other two in Sweden and Canada; 12 were once operated by the FAC, serving in the Colombia-Peru War of 1932-33

Aerosucre operated a fleet DC-6s and a couple of ex-BAF Heralds, later adding Caravelles before moving on to the current mix of Boeing 727 and 737 freighters. This Caravelle, originally Iberia's EC-BIF, is seen here in its ex-Aerolloyd colours and is one of a number that went on to perform often nefarious duties down in Colombia in their twilight years. Indeed she went on to Transapel and a drug smuggling career with Aerogolfo, being seized by the Mexicans in 1994 and landing up with the Mexican AF as 10507 (stored at Santa Lucia AB but now b/u).

This Viscount started life with Capital Airlines as N7440 in 9.56 and was wfu from 1.69. Aeropesca bought her in 6.74 and painted her in this eyecatching Aloha-style livery. Overstressed in flight on 31.3.91 and wfu at Medellin. Survives in a park there as a flight simulator!

Ex LN-RCB of SAS and seen taxiing out at her new base, this 767 was acquired by Avianca four months prior to the photo. Has since been in two new liveries and stored at MIA from 6.11

Rarely photographed in these colours, this Twin Otter was previously C-GNTD and N222BS and went to Arkia as 4X-AHZ in 4.89. Returned to the US in 5.97 as N533SW and operated for a period in the Virgin Islands on floats. Since 6.11 C-FAKB with Kenn Borek Air