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Athens Flying Week: Participants
The week leading up to Athens Flying Week once again offered a unique opportunity for the Aviation PhotoCrew to capture some of the most dynamic and diverse aircraft participating in the event. Flying in the vicinity of Tanagra Air Base, the team had front‐row access to an impressive lineup of military, governmental, and civilian aircraft as they prepared for Greece’ s biggest aviation celebration. The pre‐show air‐to‐air photoshoots have become a tradition in their own right, giving aviation enthusiasts around the world a rare behind‐the‐scenes look at the aircraft that will soon perform over the skies of Tanagra.
This year’ s flights featured remarkable variety. From the commercial elegance of an Aegean Airlines A320 NEO to the precision of the Hellenic Army’ s UH-1H, OH‐58D Kiowa Warriors, and multiple AH‐64A Apache helicopters, the rotorcraft presence alone made for dramatic imagery. These agile aircraft, often seen only in operational settings, offered spectacular formations against the Greek landscape.
The fixed‐wing lineup was equally impressive. The Austrian Air Force joined with two Pilatus PC‐7 trainers, flying in tight formation perfect for photography. Italy contributed the sleek Leonardo HH139, while the Hellenic Fire Fighting Service provided two MBB BK117, aircraft known for their vital role during Greece’ s summer wildfire season. A rich mix of training, transport, and frontline combat aircraft added further depth to the flights. These included the Hellenic Air Force T‐6 Texan II, T‐41, P2002‐JF, T‐6 Harvard, and the modern M‐346 Master. Larger assets such as the C‐130B Hercules and the Embraer 145 flew gracefully alongside cutting‐edge fighters like the HAF Mirage 2000, Rafale, the German Air Force Eurofighter, and the ever‐popular F‐4 Phantom II.
Civilian and aerobatic aviation were also represented, with the Dutch Rush Su‐26M and Luca Bertossio’ s Swift S‐1 glider adding artistic flair to the skies. The presence of the restored Hellenic Air Force Spitfire and a private Pipistrel rounded out a week rich in aviation heritage, capability, and beauty. These flights set the stage for the excitement of Athens Flying Week, and the resulting images celebrate the skill, teamwork, and passion shared by all participants.
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