My most recent foray into a new area for collecting has been Russian aviation. I managed to find a new small space for a Russian only shelf and started to investigate the happenings of the industry over there.
As is well known the Soviet breakup and liberalisation led to a wealth of new startup airlines often born out of the old Aeroflot directorates. Many of these were rather poorly run outfits, which didn't improve safety records, however throughout the 90s and early 2000s there was a boon for spotters with classic Russian Tupolevs and Ilyushins appearing in a wide range of colourful schemes.
Aeroflot obviously remained a major player but focused primarily on international routes in the 90s. Other airlines like Transaero, Vnukovo, Pulkovo, Sibair, Kras Air, Dalavia, Perm Airlines, Atlant Soyuz, Domodedovo filled the void.
By the early 2000s consolidation was occurring with S7 (ex-Sibir) and Kras Air's AirUnion grouping being the two major independent players alongside Aeroflot. The 2006 financial crisis killed of AirUnion and several other players but even today there is still a diverse range of major carriers most notably:
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Aeroflot & Allies by rstretton, on Flickr
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Sibair / S7 & AirUnion by rstretton, on Flickr
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Independents by rstretton, on Flickr
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Independents by rstretton, on Flickr
In my collection I'm really only interested in Russian types and thanks to Waffle's recent Phoenix sale in only a few months this shelf is already near bursting! On the backboard I've tried to represent as many of the new airlines as possible plus my Soviet error Aeroflots.
Airlines in attendance are: Aeroflot, Aeroflot Don, Transaero, Domodedovo Airlines, Rossiya, Atlant Soyuz, Yakutia Airlines and Volga Dnepr.
Here's the current shelf:
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Russian Airliners January 2014 by rstretton, on Flickr
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Russian Airliners January 2014 by rstretton, on Flickr
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Russian Airliners January 2014 by rstretton, on Flickr
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Russian Airliners January 2014 by rstretton, on Flickr
I've just picked up the East Line IL-76 and look forward to getting several of the existing JC Wings IL-86s. In the future I'd appreciate seeing some more diverse and interesting airlines - shame that Gemini are the only ones with the IL-62 / IL-86 moulds and Phoenix don't release many TU-154s.
As is well known the Soviet breakup and liberalisation led to a wealth of new startup airlines often born out of the old Aeroflot directorates. Many of these were rather poorly run outfits, which didn't improve safety records, however throughout the 90s and early 2000s there was a boon for spotters with classic Russian Tupolevs and Ilyushins appearing in a wide range of colourful schemes.
Aeroflot obviously remained a major player but focused primarily on international routes in the 90s. Other airlines like Transaero, Vnukovo, Pulkovo, Sibair, Kras Air, Dalavia, Perm Airlines, Atlant Soyuz, Domodedovo filled the void.
By the early 2000s consolidation was occurring with S7 (ex-Sibir) and Kras Air's AirUnion grouping being the two major independent players alongside Aeroflot. The 2006 financial crisis killed of AirUnion and several other players but even today there is still a diverse range of major carriers most notably:
- Aeroflot
- Rossiya
- S7
- UT Air
- Ural Airlines
- Transaero
- Yakutia
Aeroflot & Allies by rstretton, on Flickr
Sibair / S7 & AirUnion by rstretton, on Flickr
Independents by rstretton, on Flickr
Independents by rstretton, on Flickr
In my collection I'm really only interested in Russian types and thanks to Waffle's recent Phoenix sale in only a few months this shelf is already near bursting! On the backboard I've tried to represent as many of the new airlines as possible plus my Soviet error Aeroflots.
Airlines in attendance are: Aeroflot, Aeroflot Don, Transaero, Domodedovo Airlines, Rossiya, Atlant Soyuz, Yakutia Airlines and Volga Dnepr.
Here's the current shelf:
Russian Airliners January 2014 by rstretton, on Flickr
Russian Airliners January 2014 by rstretton, on Flickr
Russian Airliners January 2014 by rstretton, on Flickr
Russian Airliners January 2014 by rstretton, on Flickr
I've just picked up the East Line IL-76 and look forward to getting several of the existing JC Wings IL-86s. In the future I'd appreciate seeing some more diverse and interesting airlines - shame that Gemini are the only ones with the IL-62 / IL-86 moulds and Phoenix don't release many TU-154s.