In the next installment of his Colombian Adventure Paul Filmer discovers some wrecks and relics as well as some of the country’s aviation maintenance industry.
To the north-west of Bogota is Madrid Airbase, where a lot of deep maintenance and even full aircraft production takes place. We started the tour on the disused side to the north, where the standout items were a pair of DC-4s.
DC-4 © Paul Filmer – www.globalaviationresource.com
Also present were a couple of DC-3s, one almost complete, but the other was missing the cockpit and nose section.
DC-3 © Paul Filmer – www.globalaviationresource.com
A PBY6-A (designated OA10A in Colombia) was also present and has been here for many years.
PBY6-A © Paul Filmer – www.globalaviationresource.com
Other airframes included withdrawn military helicopter cabs, no longer required by the military plus various light aircraft intercepted and impounded on drug runs.
Beech 50 © Paul Filmer – www.globalaviationresource.com
Over at the main part of the airfield we were greeted by the sign of lots of maintenance taking place. First we saw a BT67 and an AT-27 being worked on outside, which was completely stripped to bare metal.
BT67 © Paul Filmer – www.globalaviationresource.com
Next we visited the UH-1 facility. Here they are transforming old UH-1H into UH-1H-II models, called Huey Twos. The airframes are stripped right down to bare components and built up again under the watchful eye of Bell Helicopters.
UH-1H-II © Paul Filmer – www.globalaviationresource.com
They are so changed from the original that they are even re-serialed in the process, basically becoming brand new helicopters.
progress of UH-1H-II © Paul Filmer – www.globalaviationresource.com
This airfield is also the home to the T-90 production line, and here we saw airframes in various stages of production, including composite construction processes.
T-90 © Paul Filmer – www.globalaviationresource.com
It was fascinating seeing different parts of the aircraft being constructed.
T-90 production © Paul Filmer – www.globalaviationresource.com
Other aircraft being worked on was a CASA 212, a CIAC Iris (UAV) and a C-130H, again down to bare metal.
CASA 212 © Paul Filmer – www.globalaviationresource.com
There are various aircraft dotted around on display which we were also able to shoot.
AT-6D © Paul Filmer – www.globalaviationresource.com
Just across the road were another group of preserved aircraft, all in very good condition, which we were given free rein to.
T-33A © Paul Filmer – www.globalaviationresource.com
A very interesting airfield indeed, which although has very little movements, is a real insight into how the Colombians are self sufficient when to comes to aircraft maintenance.
I live in Bogota and want to see these planes at the airport in Madrid. Can you tell me how you went about doing this please? Thank you.