Portugal 2022
A small 4Aviation group went to Portugal at the end of June/early July 2022 for a visit to the spotters day for Real Thaw 2022 at Beja and the air show for the 70th anniversary of the Portuguese Air Force at the same base.
Five men gathered at Schiphol-Plaza on Wednesday 29 June earlier than usual. After a short introduction, the group left after checking in via the now infamous tents to the security-check. After a flight of almost three hours we landed in Lisbon in sunny conditions. The three international travelers were already waiting for the Dutchmen there. After renting a van we left in a southeasterly direction to the town of Moura. This would be our home base for the next five nights. A pleasant stay with good food and drink nearby.
After a short night we left (on Thursday 30 June) for Beja at six in the morning. The spotters day for the military exercise Real Thaw was scheduled there. After a somewhat slow check-in procedure, we were on the platform around nine o’clock, where the first aircraft were already starting up. In 25 minutes we had the opportunity to photograph the American SP F-16s, the Spanish EF-2000s and the French Rafales. At that time, several Epsilons stationed at Beja were already bashing the circuit and we saw a Brazilian KC-390 land in the distance. We photographed the departure of the morning wave from a hill halfway down the runway. The nearest runway was used for taxiing aircraft. This runway was used as a runway only once. Two Portuguese P-3s went up as a duo, using the main runway as well as the parallel/taxiway.
Lunch took place on the west side of the base, close to the runway. Here we were close to the many operations. Before the afternoon wave went out, we were already pleased with participants for the Open Day, commemorating 70 years of the Portuguese Air Force. The Moroccan Marche Verte, for example, arrived with its CAP-10s for the Open Day. Nice was their supporting Hercules.
The afternoon wave had just started when it was abruptly cut short as the second Portuguese F-16 aborted its take-off and had to use the cable. The left landing gear burned out. Before the emergency respons teams arrived at the end of the runway, the pilot was already safely out of his aircraft. When the runway was cleared for operations again after almost two hours, it appeared that the exercise was resumed. However, the eighteen taxiing aircraft turned out to be doing a sort of Elephant Walk for, we think, the more than 80 spotters present. A grateful gesture! Finally, the nine previously departed aircraft arrived, plus a few more participants from the show.
Because we had already photographed more than 95% of the participants, it was decided to start the program on Friday 1 July in Spain. Due to the time difference, the group had to leave early again. Arriving at Talavera la Real, the first two F-5s left, quickly followed by a CL-415. It didn’t take long for the Tigers to return. Unprepared and with backlight, they were gratefully captured on camera. Also, two MQ-9 Reapers were active. After 2.5 hours the MP was fed up with us and we were kindly asked to leave the approach.
For us the sign to drive back to Portugal. Due to the time difference we had plenty of time to arrive at Beja on time. With the sun at our backs, we saw a full Real Thaw mission return in the afternoon.
Saturday, 2 July, was a high mileage day with zero active military aircraft. A visit was made to the museum of the Portuguese Air Force in Sintra, northwest of Lisbon. After that, a few W&Rs in Lisbon and the surrounding area were photographed. After a two-hour drive back we were able to have dinner on time and go to bed early.
The Open Day was scheduled for Sunday (3 July). The Portuguese communicated via social media that a QR code (not medical) was mandatory for the parking spaces on base. We couldn’t manage this and the response from the social media team didn’t help either. We chose to park at the spot where we parked in the approach on Friday. It meant a walk of more than four kilometers before we were at the static. As a result, we did pass the active flight line (where the photographers were treated very relaxed).
The static show included a Chipmunk and many aircraft based at Beja. Supplemented by a dozen participants from Real Thaw. The air show included a paratrooper drop from a C-130, a demo of a P-3, a base attack of two F-16s and a Koala and Merlin. In the afternoon, when everyone was back in the parking lot where they could watch the show in the shade and with enough water and sun in their backs, we were delighted with several international demonstrations. The highlight in that regard were the passes of the KC-390.
Monday 4 July was already the last day of the tour. An leasurely check out from the hotel and head towards Lisbon. A visit was made to the museum at Alverca and in the city a G-91 and an Alpha Jet could be photographed while refueling the rental car. We said goodbye to the international trio and, with some delay, the five landed back at Schiphol late in the evening.
