Turkmen IL76 in Vatry

On April 15, 2018, Châlons-Vatry Airport (LFOK), also identified as XCR, welcomed the Ilyushin Il-76TD registered EZ-F427 from Turkmenistan Airlines, a rare occasion in Europe for this type of aircraft.

Turkmenistan Airlines has only two Il-76TDs in service, making each European stopover particularly remarkable.The Il-76TD is a civil transport version derived from the Il-76MD military model, designed to transport heavy cargo over long distances, particularly to poorly equipped areas.It is renowned for its robustness, its ability to take off from unpaved runways, and its ease of maintenance in extreme conditions.





History of the EZ-F427

The Il-76TD, registered EZ-F427 was built in 1991 (serial number: 1033418620). Previously served with a Russian airline, then was acquired by Turkmenistan Airlines.It makes very few appearances in Europe, hence the interest of enthusiasts during its visit to Vatry in 2018. It has also been photographed on other occasions in Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan, and the Emirates. It displays a sober, military green and white livery with the Turkmenistan Airlines insignia, often also used for discreet or government operations.

Conclusion

The April 15, 2018 stopover of IL-76TD EZ-F427 at Vatry was a remarkable achievement for the spotters and demonstrates the importance of hubs like LFOK in the European aviation supply chain. This rare visit captured the attention, highlighting the incredible diversity of aircraft that a regional cargo airport can accommodate.


© Clément WLD, the pictures and the content of this website are not free of rights.