EL-AKM ¦ SHJ 04.1996 - a photo on Flickriver

EL-AKM ¦ SHJ 04.1996

            Antonov AN-8 (c/n 1Z3420)
Air Cess
Sharjah-International (SHJ/OMSJ)
April 1996

The AN-8 was built as a military transporter, first flying in early 1956, and with some 150 units - mostly for the Soviet Air Force - built in Kiev and Tashkent. The twin-engined AN-8 was eventually developed into the four-engined AN-10, and the successful AN-12. When the AN-8 was struck off charge with the Soviet Air Force in the 1970s, many ex military machines were transferred to Aeroflot for freighter use, and a few were exported abroad, mainly to Africa and the Middle East.

Like this particular example, which was built in 1961 for the Soviet Air Force and later flew for Soviet aerospace company MRP NPO "Leninets", and also in Angola before being acquired by Air Cess in 1995. Becoming EL-AKM, it was registered to Air Cess in Liberia, but the airline's base effectively was Sharjah, and partially also Ostend in Belgium.

EL-AKM was seen basking in the sun at Sharjah, shortly after receiving the full colours of Air Cess. The airline was founded by Viktor Bout, the notorious arms dealer, was active from 1995 to 2001, and often linked to illicit arms shipments, particularly in conflict zones under UN embargoes.

Even though the CofA and support for the AN-8 were withdrawn by Antonov in 2004, some examples remained in operation until around 2010. EL-AKM was sold to Air Pass in 1998, and was last noted in storage at Kigali, Rwanda, in 2000. It's fate, however, is unknown.

(from my collection - credit due to photographer)
   

Taken in: United Arab Emirates / Sharjah / Mowaileh Camp (show map)

Taken on: April 1, 1996

Tags:

EL-AKM

Antonov

Air Cess

SHJ

OMSJ

1996 « less

Sets appears in: • Sharjah-International (SHJ/OMSJ) • Antonov AN-8 more » • Air Cess • Taken from Colour Slides • Photos 1996 • Props • Airliners • Soviet Era Aircraft « less

Groups appears in: • Aircraft • World airlines more » • Aircraft Spotting • Airplanes • Plane Spotting • Flugzeuge / Airplanes • Aviation photography • Aircraft images • Pre Digital Aviation • AIRCRAFT-RESOURCE • !! Aviacion 100% !! • AIRCRAFT PHOTOGRAPHY • Aviation Worldwide • SPOTTER'S AIRPLANE'S WORLD • ALL AVIATION PHOTOS • Aviation Pictures of the world • Planes Planes Planes! • Prop Planes • A-V-I-A-T-I-O-N • PLANE GEEKS! • "A" is for Aviation • International Aviation Photography • Aircraft Addiction • A V I A T I O N ✈ • The Aviation Group (No 30/60 limit) • Planespotting Group • Spotter • Planespotter (No 30/60 limit) • Plane-Spotting • #1 The Aviation reference group • SpottingLog - Aviation Photography • Flickr Photo Album Unlimited & Instant Posting • 5 Million Aircraft Photos • Planes - Just Planes « less

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