Preserved at one of the gates of Kandahar, normally not accessible for deployed military. But while sitting on the open ramp of a Chinook, returning from Uruzgan, much can be pictured at such non accessible places.

FMS serial 98-0114 was delivered to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) on 28 July 2000. Initially to Fort Hood (TX), then moved to 301sq at Gilze Rijen. It is here seen worn and torn while operating out of Tarin Kowt, Urzugan, assigned to the 1st NLD Air Task Force ISAF, Afghanistan.

Once a Soviet AF An-12PP with ogival tail cone, delivered as such in 1970. Modified to freighter and moved as a An-12BK to the Ukraine AF in 1993 (as red 71). It became civil RA-11301 with Antey on 26 Jun'96, TASCO on 16 Oct'98, President Airlines on 9 Oct'99. Sold as LZ-ITD with Inter Trans Air on 11 May'00, returned as XU-355 with President Airlines on 19 Sep'00. Seen as 4R-AIA on 19 Mar'02 in the UAE. It became EX-042 with Click Airways on 8 Jul'06. The company reregistered the freighter to EY-403 in 2007. It was sold to Asia Airways on 23 Dec'08. Last seen in poor state at Sharjah Nov'23.

Departing together with some Rafales to a war zone. Equipped large fule tanks to extend the range, as well as a laser designator in support of the Rafales. The 2000D also carries some guided bombs underneath the wings.

This Mi-24P was new built and was rolled out on 24 Apr'85. It was delivered to the V-VS and then to Ukraine. To Sri Lanka as SAH-4416 on 9 Oct'01 and assigned to No.09 Attack Helicopter Squadron "Instantly, Surprise". The HIND was reserialled to SAH-636 by Mar'12. The Mi-24P made its last flight on 17 Nov'09, made a last ground run on 14 Jul'14 and was withdrawn from use with only 2002:43 logged flight hours. Possibly it will be made airworthy again in the future. But the attack role of the type is not necessary anymore in the current SLAF doctrine. Pictured during a superb 4Aviation tour.

This Mi-24P was new built and was rolled out on 28 May 1986. It was delivered to the V-VS and Ukraine. As one of six to Sri Lanka as SAH-4411 on 16 Jan'01 and assigned to No.09 Attack Helicopter Squadron "Instantly, Surprise". The HIND was reserialled to SAH-633 by Mar'12. The Mi-24P made its last flight on 17 Nov'09, made a last ground run on 21 Mar'13 and was withdrawn from use with only 1692:54 logged flight hours. Possibly it will be made airworthy again in the future. But the attack role of the type is not necessary anymore in the current SLAF doctrine. Pictured during a 4Aviation tour.

This Mi-35P was new built (line number 04-09) and was rolled out on 29 Jun'98. It was delivered as SAH-4404 to Sri Lanka on 17 Jul'98 and assigned to No.09 Attack Helicopter Squadron "Instantly, Surprise". The HIND was reserialled to SAH-623 by Mar'12. The attack helicopter made its last flight on 23 May 2014, made a last ground run on 28 May'14 and was withdrawn from use with only 1481:14 logged flight hours. Possibly it will be made airworthy again in the future. But the attack role of the type is not necessary anymore in the current SLAF doctrine. Pictured during a 4Aviation tour

This new built Mi-35V was rolled out on 24 Jun'98. It was delivered as SAH-4402 to Sri Lanka on 16 Jul'98 and assigned to No.09 Attack Helicopter Squadron "Instantly, Surprise". The HIND was reserialled to SAH-621 by Mar'12. The attack helicopter made its last flight on 30 Jan'14, made a last ground run on 5 Feb'14 and was withdrawn from use with only 1190:15 logged flight hours. Possibly it will be made airworthy again in the future. But the attack role of the type is not necessary anymore in the current SLAF doctrine. Pictured during an excellent 4Aviation tour to the base.

Operated by 3 Maritime Squadron from SLAF base China Bay. The unit is expected two new additions soon, one surplus Royal Australian Air Force Beech 350i and a brand-new Beechcraft -Textron 360ER. This Beech 200 will become a trainer from that moment. During a fine 4Aviation tour to the base, the sole Beech of the SLAF made a demonstration flight for us.

During an excellent visit by 4Aviation to this base we were allowed to enter the maintenance hangar too. This K-8 Karakorum, operated by 1st Flying Training Wing of the Sri Lanka Air Force, was seen. It was non-ops at the time of the picture and was awaiting some spare parts, including ejection seats. The aircraft was part of an order of six K-8s when it was delivered to the SLAF in 2001. Initially serialled as SJT-1803 with 14sq at Colombo, moved to China Bay in 2011, reserialled to SJT-746 by mid-2012.

During an excellent visit by 4Aviation to this base we were allowed to enter the maintenance hangar too. This weathered K-8 Karakorum, operated by 1st Flying Training Wing of the Sri Lanka Air Force, was seen. It was non-ops at the time of the picture and was awaiting some spare parts, including ejection seats. It is a second-hand and former People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF, Chinese Air Force) jet when it was delivered to the SLAF as SJT-1807 in 2009. The K-8 was delivered in an order of two K-8s. It was reserialled to SJT-1612 by mid-2012.

During an excellent visit by 4Aviation to this base we were allowed to enter the maintenance hangar too. This weathered K-8 Karakorum, operated by 1st Flying Training Wing of the Sri Lanka Air Force, was seen. It was non-ops at the time of the picture and was awaiting some spare parts. This Karakorum was delivered to the SLAF as SJT-1802 in 2001, initally served 14sq at Colombo, moved to China Bay in 2011 and reserialled to SJT-744 by mid-2012.

During an excellent visit of 4Aviation tours to China Bay, this PT-6A was found in the maintenance hangar of the base. This basic training was delivered to the Sri Lanka Air Force as SBT-1607 in 2001. It was damaged on 22 October 2007 in a Tamil Tigers attack at Anuradhapura air base, but luckily repaired. It was reserialled to SBT-189 by March 2012.

An excellent visit by 4Aviation to this base yielded this fine K-8 Karakorum operated by 1st Flying Training Wing of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Sadly, this SJT-748 crashed on 21 March 2025 near Wariyapola during a training flight after it encountered an emergency. Both pilots ejected from the aircraft. The K-8 was on a mission out of Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport.

FMS serial 72-1468, delivered to Sri Lanka. Became as SBT-1205 and reserialled to SBT-154 in early 2012. The basic trainer is assigned to the 1 Flying Training Wing at China Bay. The wing is operating the K-8, PT-6A (CJ-6A), and Ce150. During an excellent visit of 4Aviation to China Bay, many opportunities were created to picture the local aircraft.

Dusty Sea Kings of 846sq return to their parking spots at KAndahar. They were deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, supporting the Operation Herrick within the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Former Boeing test registration N37019, was delivered to the RAF as a HC1 in early 1981 (with construction number MA005). It was modified to HC2 ( with construction number M7004) by late 1993. Converted to HC4 by Vector Aerospace Ltd at Fleetlands in 2014 and saw again a modification to HC6A by Boeing at Boscombe Down during 2018. Check that cockpit section and the top of one of the blades, the workhorese shows very heavy wear and tear due to the tough mission in the difficult Afghan weather and dust environment.