Plane spotters!

[HAB911]

This Ukrainian, Russian built, Antonov AN 124 spent the night in Tampa last week, picking up some under wraps cargo and flying to some undisclosed location out west. Flightradar24 stopped over the Rockies. This is a big boy comparable to the C5 Galaxy. It was a treat to see.
The first photo is on approach to TIA at 5nm, the second, it's departure the next morning at 4nm

[LogDog75]

1. It's Russian

From the movie 2012.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRuCuWMD72S2iBbXaPo_68_fQ9PUFYhrkzwCA&s

[HAB911]

6. LOL, is not potato

is Ukraine

[tazcat]

2. What's in Tampa? Why going west? Not UK gov?

[rubbersole]

3. McDill AFB.

Lots of military brass.

[HAB911]

7. they may carry civilian cargo, idk

[mitch96]

4. Aw man....I would have loved to have seen that plane. I'm only about 14 miles from TPA...

If it's ruzzian why is it painted in the colors of the Ukrainian flag?
m

[ShazzieB]

8. The op describes it as a "Ukrainian, Russian built, Antonov AN 124."

So I guess it does belongs to Ukraine. Would be interesting to know the story behind it.

[HAB911]

11. I think Ukraine got them like they got the Soviet nukes

which they should have kept, but we talked them into giving those up

[mitch96]

12. "we talked them into giving those up" and then did not hold up our end of the bargain to protect Ukraine..uff

[HAB911]

15. yes indeed

I don't know why anyone trusts us. Unfortunately our form of government is subject to doing a 180 on all our commitments at any given time. Sad situation

[HAB911]

9. Russian built for Aeroflot Soviet Airlines 1987

Now Antonov Airlines since 1993

"Be brave like Mykolaiv" titles applied Sep 2022

TMI:
Antonov’s aircraft will carry the following inscriptions:

- ВЕ BRAVE LIKE BUCHA (the An-124-100 aircraft with the tail number UR82029);

- BE BRAVE LIKE IRPIN (the An-124-100 aircraft with the tail number UR82073);

- BE BRAVE LIKE KHARKIV (the An-124-100M aircraft with the tail number UR82027);

- BE BRAVE LIKE MYKOLAIV (the An-124-100M aircraft with the tail number UR82007);

- BE BRAVE LIKE OKHTYRKA (the An-124-100M aircraft with the tail number UR82008);

- BE BRAVE LIKE KHERSON (the An-124-100-150 aircraft with the tail number UR82072);

- BE BRAVE LIKE MARIUPOL (the An-124-100M-150 aircraft with the tail number UR82009);

- BE BRAVE LIKE CHERNIHIV (the An-28 aircraft with the tail number UR-NTE);

- BE BRAVE LIKE VOLNOVAKHA (the An-158 aircraft with the tail number UR-EXJ);

- BE BRAVE LIKE HOSTOMEL (the An-178 aircraft with the tail number UR-EXP).

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Great shots, my dear HAB911!

Lucky you, having all these wonderful opportunities to shoot the planes.

[HAB911]

10. Thanks peggy

It is made easier by Tampa International maintaining a FB page dedicated to plane spotters. Most airports hate photographers and run them off, but TIA embraces them. I sometimes get a heads up from someone on that page that something interesting is coming or going.

Plane spotters are a cult, like train spotters. Planes are just another subject for me like hawks or eagles. Generally all I have to do is step outside even though approaching and departing they are 4-5 nautical miles away, 1200mm grabs some acceptable shots if the light cooperates.

[Mousetoescamper]

13. A beautiful plane and fine photos!

I'm guessing that proximity, air quality and time of day affected the photographic clarity of the approach vs the departure. I understood from reading your intro that it was a Ukrainian plane--with the distinctive blue and gold--and built in Russia. Reading is fundamental.

[HAB911]

14. thanks!

yes that first photo was blaring afternoon sun, lots of atmospheric interference, even heat distortion. The second was 9:15 in the morning, not so harsh, much cooler, and of course 1 mile closer. LOL, yep.