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