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View Full Version : Trip to Malaysia and Vietnam


Ipso Facto
21st April 2016, 16:36
Just back from a fortnight in Malaysia and Vietnam, courtesy of KLM (B.777-200 and 300) and Air Asia (Airbus A320).

Some photos have been published in the Gallery, but I couldn't get near other interesting aircraft, such as two of the original three B.747-200 freighters allegedly abandoned at Kuala Lumpur airport (KUL). An Interesting story about them can be found by using this link: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-12-08/malaysia-hunting-mystery-owner-who-abandoned-three-boeing-747-its-airport

The old American H.A.S. (Hardened Aircraft Shelters) on the far side of Da Nang airport are still much in evidence. Whilst taxiing in an A320, I did catch some interesting glimpses of various models of Migs literally stuffed inside some of the HAS, Mil Mi-6 helicopters stored in individual shelters and a glorious example of a Mil Mi-4 helicopter, clearly no longer in use but looking fairly intact. A pair of sky-blue coloured Mig 21s posed as interceptors on a ramp, but I think that they were just for show.

Vietnam Airlines were in evidence at Da Nang airport (DAD) with an Airbus A330 and what looked like A321s. I also saw three of their ATR72-500s on the ramp. Other than our Air Asia A320, the only other 'foreigner' I saw was the ubiquitous B.737 of Singapore Airlines.

DAD doesn't have much of an international airline presence and taking unauthorized photographs can land you in trouble! :eek:

Chris G6 UXU
21st April 2016, 16:45
A cracking set of shots and info from your travels IF and many thanks for sharing them with us, all the best.

Ipso Facto
21st April 2016, 17:37
Just to mention that my total air miles/flight time came to over 15,000 and roughly 32 hours respectively. Add on the hours spent hanging around airports and it was a fairly grueling experience!

On a practical note, anyone thinking of traveling to Kuala Lumpur should be aware that Kuala Lumpur International Airport is situated 55km (34 miles) south of the city, and using a taxi or limousine service to/from a city hotel can involve a "white knuckle" ride as driving standards are relatively poor.