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Howdee, aviation pervs!
Yes, yes... I know. You thought I'd finally run out of photos to inflict upon the unsuspecting public. Sadly for you, my hard drives have other ideas.
So, grab a coffee, tea, beer, or whatever keeps you awake through my ramblings, because I'm back with yet another collection of aviation photos from my second home, the Philippines.
Over the years I've managed to accumulate a rather unhealthy number of aircraft photographs. At the time I convinced myself I was "carefully documenting aviation history." Looking back, it appears I was simply wandering around airports with a camera, getting sunburnt, and wondering why my wallet kept getting lighter.
Either way, the result is thousands upon thousands of photos that now have to be shown to somebody. Unfortunately, that somebody is you.
The images come from all over the place, from the familiar runways of Sydney to the wonderfully chaotic surroundings of Manila, and even the surprisingly aviation-friendly little Masbate City. It turns out that wherever there's an aeroplane making lots of noise, there's a reasonably good chance I was lurking nearby with a camera in hand.
Back in those days, photographing aircraft in the Philippines was generally an enjoyable pastime, although it wasn't entirely free of entertainment. Aviation security managed to beat the Philippine National Railways by several years in the race to become Olympic-level jobsworths, complete with oversized egos, inflated senses of self-importance, and the unwavering belief that a middle-aged bloke with a camera was somehow the greatest threat to national security.
Apparently people with ill intent were expected to arrive wearing comfortable walking shoes, carrying expensive camera gear, patiently waiting hours in the tropical heat just to photograph an Airbus taxiing past. A flawless security strategy if ever there was one.
Thankfully, common sense occasionally prevailed, and despite the odd security guard auditioning for the role of Supreme Commander of Terminal Footpath Number Three, we still managed to come home with plenty of photographs.
Looking back now, those days were actually a lot of fun. The airports were more relaxed, spotting locations were easier to access, and you could often spend hours chatting with fellow enthusiasts, airport workers and curious locals, all wondering why anyone would voluntarily stand in 35-degree heat waiting for the same aircraft they'd already photographed six times.
As rail enthusiasts know all too well, the golden days rarely last forever. Fences get taller, security gets grumpier, rules become increasingly ridiculous, and before long someone decides that photography is obviously responsible for all the world's problems.
Thankfully, they were wrong.
Otherwise, this collection wouldn't exist... and neither would your current suffering as I continue emptying the contents of my photographic archive onto the internet.
You're welcome.
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9M-MLG - Malaysia Airlines - 737-8FZ9(WL).
Now operational with Firefly.
Photo: Brad Peadon
RP-C8601 - Philippine Airlines - 319-112.
Delivered to Brussels Airlines in 2014, but currently stored..
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
HZ-AIW - Saudi Arabian - 747-400.
Lasted for 20.8 years, but broken up in the USA (2019).
Photos: Brad Peadon
RP-C3336 - Philippine Airlines - 330-300.
Broken up in Manila (2014).
Partially preserved (tail fin) on a plinth outside the entrance to the Philippine Airlines training building.
I would appreciate help with finding the address to be able to go see it.
Photo: Brad Peadon
RP-C1099 - Philippine Army
Built: as a Short C-23A Sherpa, modified to Short 330-200 (2000)
First flew with the USAF 41.9 years ago, going through numerous owners including the 'Semirara Mining and Power Corporation', before coming to the Philippine Army in 2022.
Going off the date she was still owned by the mining company at the time.
Photo: Brad Peadon
RP-C8168 - Philippine Airlines - 747-400.
Lasted for 19.3 years, originally starting with Canadian Airlines, it came to PAL in 2003.
Alas this beautiful thing is now scrapped.
Photo: Brad Peadon
RP--C3016 - AirPhil Express
Bombardier DHC-8-300 Dash 8 Q300
Currently stored.
Photo: Brad Peadon
HZ-ALY - Saudi Arabian - 747-400.
Lasted for 18.2 years, broken up in the UK (2017).
Photo: Brad Peadon
RP-C8607 - Philippine Airlines - 320-200.
Lasted with PAL till 2013, then passed through a couple of owners, till today where she is active with Allegiant Air (USA).
Photo: Brad Peadon
RP-C3431 - Philippine Airlines - 340-300.
Flew with PAL all of her 16.5 years of life, then broken up at Clark in 2014 after withdraswal the year prior.
Photo: Brad Peadon
RP-C8614 - Philippine Airlines - 320-200.
Still operational with Philippine Airlines.
Photo: Brad Peadon
RP-C3261 - Cebu Pacific - 320-200.
Operational with Allegiant Air (USA).
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
RP-C3344 - Philippine Airlines - 330-300.
Our flight to Manila.
Now operating with US-Bangla Airlines (Bangladesh).
Photos: Brad Peadon
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Off To Masbate City.
Two Firsts & A Last.
Well, this trip managed to tick off a couple of firsts... and, as it turned out, a last.
Up until this point I'd always refused to travel on anything that didn't have a pair of large jet engines hanging reassuringly under the wings. Propellers? No thanks. I've always maintained there's a reason jet engines were invented, and I'm sticking to that story!
Unfortunately, when you're heading to Masbate, the airline industry has a habit of laughing at your personal preferences. Cebu Pacific basically leaves you with two choices: board one of these alarmingly small flying lawnmowers or don't go to Masbate at all. Since I'd already paid for the trip, I reluctantly climbed aboard and hoped the laws of physics remained in effect for another day.
I've been to Masbate Island numerous times over the years, as regular readers will have seen, but this was my first visit by air. Much to my surprise, the flight was actually quite pleasant. In fact, it was infinitely less terrifying than the boat trip from Balud across to Panay Island. That voyage still ranks somewhere between "character building" and "near-death experience." To this day I have absolutely no idea how we made it across without ending up as fish food.
So that's the two firsts. Now for the last.
Thanks to the latest transport planning thought bubble, propeller aircraft have since disappeared from Manila Airport, so unless I've missed something, that little adventure won't be happening again. These days your choices are either an uninspiring trek north to Clark Airport, or fly by jet to Cebu before connecting with the once-a-day service to Masbate.
I've never actually visited Cebu, so perhaps that's not entirely bad news. It might finally give me an excuse to have a look around... at least once.
Failing that, I suppose there's always the ferry again.
...On second thoughts, perhaps Clark isn't such a bad idea after all.
Breathed a huge sigh of relief upon seeing land :-)
Masbate Island
Photo: Brad Peadon
Phew, we touch earth again at Masbate Airport.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below
Now the huge rush to disembark.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
Everyone happily gets out on the tarmac, making thier way to the small terminal, getting photos without the usual officious security guards having a barney.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and six below.
Lets go for a small look around the little airport terminal that is Masbate City.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Masbate City Airport is a small regional airport that perfectly matches the relaxed pace of life on the island. Don't expect sprawling terminals, endless moving walkways, endless scammers, or a shopping precinct designed to empty your wallet before you've even boarded. This is aviation in its simplest form, where passengers are only a short stroll from the aircraft and everything happens at a far more civilised pace. It's the sort of airport that reminds you of how many country airports around Australia used to operate before security queues, billion-dollar terminals and overpriced coffee became compulsory parts of the flying experience.
The airport itself is treated to only two flights a day, both in the morning, with one being from Clark (at this time Manila still) and Cebu.
The airport serves as Masbate's vital air link with the rest of the Philippines, connecting the island with major centres and providing an essential alternative to the often lengthy ferry journeys. For visitors, it's the quickest way to reach an island better known for its cattle ranches, rodeo festival (which we will be covering at a later date), beaches, sensationally cheap grog (alcohol for the non-Aussie readers), and friendly locals than for mass tourism. As someone who had spent years arriving by sea, finally touching down on the runway instead of bouncing around the ocean in a ferry that appeared determined to audition for a disaster movie was a very welcome change. While it may never feature on anyone's list of the world's great airports, Masbate City Airport does exactly what it needs to do—and sometimes, what other guff do you require than to get the heck out.
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Nhing & Tins
Anyone else who left me alone to do my thing.
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Semi-Retired Foamer!
We publish a huge amount of stuff on the internet. Follow us to be kept update on it.
Interested in the non-rail transportation of the Philippines.
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