A week later, this was our transport back to Beijing. Never an easy type to pick up as a ride, it was interesting to make comparisons with contemporary western types. Seemed spacious, comfortable and superficially at least, not far off Airbus standards of quality. One of two in the fleet (the other is the short -300 variant), originally intended for Red Wings but delivered to Air Koryo in 3.10 after engine test-bed work

You can get some impression of how well maintained Air Koryo's ageing fleet appear to be in this shot after landing back at the capital

A very special opportunity indeed to be among the first few foreigners allowed on board this painstakingly restored veteran. A search for a c/n didn't yield a result on this occasion so the aircraft's build identity remained a mystery till 2013

Last known to have been operational about 20 years previously and now immaculately preserved in commemoration of her role as The Great Leader's aircraft in the 1950s. Had to be THE find of 2012. Unfortunately soon after removed from the airport and installed in a purpose-built indoor display where no photography is allowed

The monster is put to bed back at base after carrying two dozen rather pleased enthusiasts - most went out to Sondok on the IL-76 and back on an An-24 which followed. What a day out - jet and prop perfection. I've made probably a hundred or more flights on Russian equipment but this was something else

Tu-154s P-552 and P-561 with IL-62s P-885 and P-886P. The intended use for the latter Ilyushin, which was ferried from Havana in July 2012 in basic Cubana colours, was unclear at the time (ex CU-T1280 c/n 3749648). It was later broken up for spares but in 2015 the nose was seen attached to a training building