Began life with Aeroflot's Latvian directorate in 12.81 and became YL-LAC of Latavio in 12.92. To Aeroservice 8.93, wfu 2002 and ended life 11.08 when scrapped

Manufactured 3.94 and initially used by the Soviet government in Aeroflot colours, this Tu-134 had been transferred to the Kazakh government by the time she visited LHR in 11.91. Noted at ZRH in 12.04 with Euro-Asia Air but reverted to KazTransAir with big Kazakstan titles by 9.05. Since seen twice at DXB in SAT Airlines colours and noted stored at Astana as UP-T3404 mostly white without titles in 2015

The VIP area was inaccessible but this shot was taken from a hotel bathroom! Registered CCCP-85464 in 6.82 and used by the Russian AF in Aeroflot c/s before transfer to Kazakhtan in 1992. Reportedly the personal aircraft of the Minister of Defence; note HF equipment bulge on roof. Behind is B757 P4-NSN, then the presidential aircraft

Manufactured 2.79 and transferred to Air Kazakstan 9.96 after a period with Kazair; stored in the maintenance area (out of hours) by the time of this shot

Completed 7.80 and to Air Kazakstan 3.96; remained wfu in the 'graveyard' at Almaty until at least 2007 but then b/u

Originally Tarom's YR-IRB registered in 4.73. Bought by TAA in 1998 but in store by the time of this photo and can be seen from wreckage on Google Earth to have been destroyed by fire (apparently exploded during scrapping, some time prior to 2007)

Of all my trips to Russia & the CIS, this has to be one of the very best, with superb photo opportunities of great subjects - as a huge fan of Russian types, it was perfection. Although I'd already shot this colourful 134 in Moscow, it was good to catch it with this interesting backdrop, with parts of the old and new terminals visible. Built 7.77, from Aeroflot to Komiavia 4.95 and Atyrau 12.98; seen at Atyrau airport in 2013 with registration painted out

The Kazakh alps provide a fine backdrop for some photos at Almaty. This Il-86 was completed in 11.84 and transferred from Aeroflot to Kazakstan Airlines in 1996, quickly passing on to Air Kazakstan. To East Line a matter of days after this shot and became RA-86144 in 6.02. Absorbed into Russian Sky in 5.05 but on CofA expiry early the next year, returned to Almaty for spares use and b/u 2014

Taxiing noisily past the Soviet-style old terminal building, this An-24 was built in 10.70 and transferred to Air Kazakstan in 9.96. Stored engineless from 2003

Registered with the Kazakh directorate of Aeroflot in 5.91 and transferred to Kazakstan Airlines by 8.95. Stored 2003/4 but seen at U-Tapao in 12.05 with Yuzhnaya titles; wfu at ALA with titles painted out and broken up after late 2013

Quick shot of this engineless transport - would have liked to get that camo An-26 behind too

One of very few Western types in evidence at that time, this 737 is seen in front of the striking new terminal under construction. Built 1980; formerly OO-TEO, 4X-ABM, TC-AJK and HA-LEB. UN-B3706 from 12.98 to 3.04 and then PK-YTC with Batavia, later stored