Google Earth: Kabul Airport Boneyard

[Rob Mears]

Can anyone identify the aircraft types in this boneyard? As with most of the Google Earth stuff, the image could be two years old or more. I haven't heard any reports of warbird material there, but you never know.

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[bluethunder28]

Not sure what they are but if you follow the road east you can see bomb strikes along the road. Same thing all around the northern part of the airport. If you continue following the road, you'll find a military airport with a "grave yard".

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q ... 5&t=h&om=0

[global111]

I would say a Mig-15/17 just above the "I" of Image??

[Brad]

Kabul had mostly wrecked russian airliners. There used to be alot more of them in the boneyard photo Rob posted. The vast majority of that stuff on the field was torn up long before we bombed the place. That being said, there were a couple of L-39s and various helicopters that were left undamaged and saved for the future Afghani Air Force. There was also an IL-28 that wasn't too bad off. You should be able to see it in the link to the complete air field. Some of the other helicopters had the crap blown out of them. There was one or two migs that were destroyed there also. I didn't wade out in the minefields to look at them. The place was littered with Russian Armor. There on the eastern end of the taxiway where the An-124 is sitting is where I saw the two little kids get killed by mines when they were playing soccer.








The other field north of Kabul is Bagram AB. One or two blown up L-39s, Lots of migs, from 17s on up to 21s and 23s. The vast majority were blown up, one or two survived fairly intact. I almost got myself killed by a pipe bomb when looking them over for potential souveniers. Lots of stuff is still there. Once again, the fear of landmines kept me from looking around much. I've carried way more wounded people out of that airfield than I ever want to remember.

[systemofadown1162]

Brad whay all the mines?

[B-29 Super Fort]

Brad thanks for the photos.

[RMAllnutt]

Not sure what they are but if you follow the road east you can see bomb strikes along the road. Same thing all around the northern part of the airport. If you continue following the road, you'll find a military airport with a "grave yard".

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q ... 5&t=h&om=0

If you look along the main runway, you'll see a couple of blackhawks actually in the air, which is pretty cool. There are a lot of chinooks on the flightline too.

Cheers,
Richard

[Randy Haskin]

Brad whay all the mines?

From years of war with the Soviet Union. I think I remember being briefed that Afghanistan has the highest concentration of unlocated land mines anywhere in the world.

[mrhenniger]

Thanks for the pics brad, but...

The vast majority were blown up, one or two survived fairly intact. I almost got myself killed by a pipe bomb when looking them over for potential souveniers.

...as much as I like to see pictures of aircraft from the interesting places, don't do anything silly to get them. I would like to be able to shake your hand at an airshow again sometime. Perhaps a long lens for your camera would be more appropriate! (seriously)

Mike

[systemofadown1162]

Brad whay all the mines?

From years of war with the Soviet Union. I think I remember being briefed that Afghanistan has the highest concentration of unlocated land mines anywhere in the world.

I was thinking it was the bone yard in New Mexico. For some reason Kabul didnt register in my brain.

[Rob Mears]

Dang Brad, I couldn't have asked for a better response! A most excellent and very comprehensive overview. You're definitely lucky to be able to trapse around the world the way you do. This isn't the first time you've answered an inquiry about a foreign destination in this fashion. Thanks!

[Warbirdnerd]

FYI-
The June 06 Air Classics is reporting that two Italian Ro.37's (pre war biplane) were recently discovered in scrapyard outside Kabul...

[airnutz]

FYI-
The June 06 Air Classics is reporting that two Italian Ro.37's (pre war biplane) were recently discovered in scrapyard outside Kabul...

A thread with photos and link to the Italian website regarding the Ro.37
which was a pre-war design that served in the Spanish Civil War and well
into WWII.
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showth ... ight=RO+37

A nice website of the Meridionali with color plates and history..
http://worldatwar.net/chandelle/v4/v4n1-2/ro37.html

[RickH]

Airnutz, what are you doing on the computer? Don't you know that Warbirds and jets are flying in your backyard today ?

[airnutz]

Airnutz, what are you doing on the computer? Don't you know that Warbirds and jets are flying in your backyard today ?

I could say the same for you Rick! No I didn't go...not feeling too Sierra
Hotel today. Was working downshore wiring-up a dock Friday and
had the BIG thrill of seeing a Mohawk fly low overhead at a brisk pace
from the east over the bay, heading...I presumed..to Scholes. 'Twas a
treat!