Final Visit of Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124 UR-82007 at Rockhampton to Transport Final Pair of RSAF Boeing CH-47SD Chinook Helicopters

On Thursday 17 November, the Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124 UR-82007 returned to Rockhampton Airport for the final time to transport the final pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47SD Chinook helicopters home following their participation in the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2016.

Local plane spotter Scott H was on hand to capture these extraordinary images as the massive Ukrainian aircraft was on finals for Rocky's Runway 15.  It flew in direct from Johor Bahru Senai International Airport (Malaysia) as ADB200F.

After Customs formalities were completed, the ground engineers were again joined by local ground crew and the Antonov commenced loading with its front landing gear being raised and the aircraft placed into its unique 'kneeling' position to allow the loading of its cargo.  On this flight, the final two of the four RSAF Boeing CH-47SD Chinook helicopters - identified as '88193' and '88195' - and their engines and some support equipment were then loaded to be transported home.

As with its previous return flight to Singapore, UR-82007 departed Rocky in the wee small hours of Friday 18 November, flying direct to Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore as ADB2400 - again bypassing the 'usual' tech stop in Darwin!

Sincere thanks to Scott H and the other local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos as the Antonov visited Rockhampton.

Photos taken by Scott Harris, Ricky Ramone and Pete Gospel  ©