Going Amphibian In Search Of Lesser-Spotted Pennsylvanian Frogfoots

Readers of my recent Ares blog posts may recall a visit to Delaware to unearth a pair of ex-Cezchoslovakian Air Force Su-25 Frogfoots. The owner had told me that the original shipment included six aircraft, and there were four more examples, whereabouts unknown. A quick call to a man who knows about such things, and it turns out there had been a sighting in a hangar at Reading, PA back in 2012, but nothing since.

As it happened, Reading Airport was having an air show last weekend, so despite the impending stormy weather, it seemed a good opportunity to visit and maybe get airside to check out some possible hiding places. By mid-afternoon, unrelenting torrential rain had caused all hopes of a flying display to be abandoned, but the event was still 'on', so airside access was available. It quickly transpired that the four Sukhois were now stored out in the open, looking very sorry for themselves.

photo: the four wingless/tail-less ex-Czech Su-25s at Reading in monsoon conditions

Only a couple of aircraft had made it into the static display, of which just one was military, a former Ukrainian AF Let39 Albatros.

Also located at Reading Airport is the Mid Atlantic Aviation Museum, the larger exhibits of which are kept outside. A selection of photos do little to convey how wet it was during my visit!

photo:a former USCG HH-52.

photo:a former US Navy P-2 Neptune.

photo: a former US Navy UH-34 Choctaw, which has seen better days.

All photos by Nigel Howarth.