July 25th, 1973. Cazaux

[Keflavik69]

Today 50 years ago I attended the open door day at the interesting air base of Cazaux in the south of France. Originally the day was planned for Sunday the 22nd of July but torrential rains the evening and night before made the air base decide to postpone it to Wednesday the 25th. Luckily I had planned to stay in the area for some days so the delay was not dramatic for me. This in contrast with a friend of mine I had picked up at the railwaystation of Bordeaux the 21st and who I brought back to that station on the 22nd. Afterwards we luckily could laugh about it.
The base housed two squadrons of Mystere 4A's, a detachment with Mirage 4A's of the Strategic Forces, a squadron with helicopters and the always interesting aircraft of the CEV, the French equivalent of QinetiQ. In addition it was used for training camp for the various fighter squadrons to do shooting over the ranges, hence the presence of a group of 11 Crusaders.

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Line-up of Myst.4A's fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Myst.4A 245/8-NB fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Myst.4A 91/8-NR fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Alouette 2 222/222-DY fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Broussard 91/8-OZ fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Canberra 779/AN fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. F-8E(FN) 5 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. F-8E(FN) 10 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Flamant 147/8-OK fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. H-34 SA-154/68-DI fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Jaguar A-1 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Magister 348/8-OJ fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Mirage 3E 495/118-AK fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Mirage 4A 18/AQ fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Mirage 4A 24/AW fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Mirage F1 04 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Noraltas 108/118-ID fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. T-33A 53106/8-OH fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. Vautour 2B 620/92-AM fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cazaux 25 July 1973. F-104G 23-65 ESt.61 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

I hope these images were of interest to you
Regards,
Arnold

[Petepilot]

Arnold.....incredible images from 50 years ago, quite stunning. Must be close to every type operated by the FAF at the time, but you saved the best type 'til last - that F104 pic is gorgeous.
As always, many thanks for sharing

[Gordsmith]

Arnold,yet again you surpass all our best efforts with variety and your skilled photography. Great to see these from so long ago.
Best regards, Gordon.

[Mustang531]

Thanks Arnold, once again you've come up with some absolute gems and taken fifty years ago today, don't some of us wish for a time machine. It's hard to pick a favourite, but nice to see the Canberra. The only French one I've seen is the one belonging to the Paris Air Museum, that's probably still decaying in the storage area at Le Bourget. The Crusader was always a highlight at shows in the UK, seeing them at Greenham Common and Yeovilton for instance. It's the variety of types that I enjoy seeing and thank you for taking the time to put these up for us to enjoy.

[paddyboy]

Hi Arnold

Another awesome set there

Every one a gem

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[david14]

Great post, excellent variety. thanks for posting

[KeBul]

Superb set,

Brilliant, thanks for sharing Arnold, really enjoyed these.

Kev

[TimFoo]

Another stunning selection, thank you!!!

[DanBeeden]

Well I've learned something here as I never even knew that France operated the Canberra! And that F-104 with the dayglo looks pretty special too. Excellent shots.

[Stratocruiser]

Absolutely fabulous .... I really really really enjoyed viewing this fabulous post.
Many thanks Arnold, a real treat indeed

[SW Sky Blue]

Brilliant

[Vulcanone]

Excellent shots

Did you see any of the other French test bed Canberra fleet?

T

[Keflavik69]

Thank you all very much for all these nice comments.
Vulcanone, I saw 4 in total. Apart from this one 784/AK at Bretigny September 22nd 1974; 316/AT at Cazaux 29th of June 1975 and 763/AM at Le Bourget on the 11th of June 1977. I reckon AM is the one of the museum. When I decide to continue my “Today 50 years ago”, you’ll have to be patient one and two years.
Kind regards, Arnold

[MR TERRY GREEN]

speechless.WONDERFUL POST.

[Reach4060]

Fantastic post - great selection
Thanks for sharing

[Knife 04]

Brilliant Arnold - thanks for sharing!

[Vulcanone]

Thanks Arnold.

Look forward to them

[matt e]

great set

[daggerfan]

Another wonderful selection, Arnold. Every one a winner, but the Mirage IV pics stand out for me. I always thought the aircraft looked better in the original silver scheme.

Regards, Terry.

[Ridge Runner]

Proper aeroplanes, Arnold!!!!! A very nice set

Martin