La Paz-El Alto and Cochabamba

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Finally I managed another extended weekend of aviation fun, all because of the 50 years Bolivian Air Force anniversary. In stead of just going directly to Santa Cruz for the airshow I decided to make a stop in Cochabamba on the way, mainly to get a flight on the CL-66B Cosmopolitan. When I arrived La Paz the CL-66B was standing in front of the TAM terminal awaiting our flight, but half an hour before scheduled departure it was towed away an replaced to with a BAe146-200. Luckily the BAe departed without us and after a long wait the Cosmopolitan returned. Finally after a bit more than a four hour delay we were on our way. I was still happy though, I got to fly in the CL-66B, one of very few of this type.

Anyway the below were seen at La Paz while waiting for my flight to Cochabamba. Besides the two Fri Reyes Convairs and the DC-4 there is another 2 DC4/6 wfu in the area near the TAM terminal, I believe one is CP-1207, but that is assumed form a blue stripe on top of the ruder. The other one is in silver c/s and should be CP-1651. In front if the TAM terminal is another storage a with 5x C-130, 2x CV-580 and a L.188, the two unidentified C-130s should be TAM-61 and TAM-63 as TAM-68 is stored next to the FAB C-130 hangar. Stored infront of the TAM hangar is 2x Fk27 and 2x CV-580. A number of civilian arrivals and departures seen as well, but these cannot be identified from the TAM terminal.

La Paz - El Alto (10/oct/2007 07:00-12:00)
CP-1433 T-29D (CV-240) Fri Reyes (wfu)
CP-1434 T-29D (CV-240) Fri Reyes (wfu)
CP-1376 C-130H Transportes Aereos Bolivianos
CP-2187 C-130A Transportes Aereos Bolivianos (wfu)
OB-R-463 DC-4 (C-54) Fawcett (wfu)
FAB-043 B1900 Bolivian Air Force
FAB-71 CV-580 Transporte Aereo Militar (stored)
FAB-72 CV-580 Transporte Aereo Militar (stored)
FAB-74 CL-66B(CV-580) Bolivian Air Force/ Transporte Aereo Militar
FAB-93 Fokker 27 camo c/s (stored)
FAB-100 BAe.146-200 Bolivian Air Force/ Transporte Aereo Militar
TAM-01 C-47B Transporte Aereo Militar (fake serial, was actually TAM-16) (preserved on pole)
TAM-01 L.188 Transporte Aereo Militar
(TAM-64) C-130A (camo c/s, TAM serial faded away, 1636 noted on nose) (wfu)
TAM-65 C-130A (camo c/s, TAM serial almost faded away) (wfu)
TAM-68 C-130B (camo c/s) (stored)
TAM-70 CV-580 Transporte Aereo Militar (wfu)
TAM-74 CV-580 Transporte Aereo Militar (wfu)
TAM-95 Fokker 27 camo c/s (stored)


Enjoyed my first flight on a Cosmopolitan (and my first flight with TAM) despite cloud cover made it out for the otherwise very scenic flight over the mountains. After arrival I meet up with local aviation enthusiast Jonathan Olguin and he showed me around. The airport has a terrace with a good view on the platform but a fine masked fence makes it impossible to photograph with a SLR. Cochabamba is/was also the main base for Lloyd Aereo Boliviano (LAB) and after its collapse in spring this year most of the fleet is now stored around the LAB maintenance facility.

Cochabamba (10/oct/2007 13:00-20:00)
CP-607 C-47A (DC-3) untitled (stored)
CP-861 B721 new LAB c/s (stored without engines)
CP-973 C-46D Lineas Aereas Canedo
(CP-1070) B721 new LAB c/s (preserved at LAB headquarters without registration)
CP-1128 C-49G (DC-3) untitled (stored with Lineas Aereas Canedo)
CP-1223 B721 old LAB c/s (stored without engines)
CP-1276 B722w new LAB c/s (stored without engines)
CP-1366 B722w old LAB c/s (stored without engines)
CP-1376 C-130H Transportes Aereos Bolivianos
CP-1419 C-47B (DC-3) untitled (wfu)
(CP-2013) Fk27 basic TAM c/s (stored without registration)
CP-2422 B722 Aerosur
CP-2324 B722 new LAB c/s (stored without engines)
CP-2380 Pa-23
CP-2421 C-117D (DC-3S) Lineas Aereas Canedo
CP-2455 B722 new LAB c/s (stored without engines)
CP-2464 B722 new LAB c/s (stored without engines)
FAB-74 CL-66B (CV-580) Bolivian Air Force/ Transporte Aereo Militar
FAB-100 BAe.146-200 Bolivian Air Force/ Transporte Aereo Militar
(N907PG) B722 Allegro Airlines c/s (stored without registration)
PT-MRG Fk100 TAM(Brazil)
(unmarked) B-25 Bolivian Air Force c/s (preserved on pole near the airport)

Before I had to fly on to Santa Cruz it was time for a City visit for a lunch and more importantly to put another Convair in the book.

(CP-1356) T-29B (CV-240) (used by ‘Fundation Simon I. Patino’ as class room for kids)

After lunch it was back to the airport to catch my flight to Santa Cruz. Again flying with TAM but this time on a BAe 146-200 and on time. Flight was a bit dumpy as we were flying over several thunderstorms, but what a sight. On arrival to Santa Cruz - Viru Viru only a few bits were seen (as it was dark). Globe Jet Tristar and LAB B727 were still stored on the platform.

Santa Cruz - Viru Viru (10/oct/2007 21:00)
EC-KIM A332 Air Comet

Off to the hotel for a good nights sleep before spending the next three days at Santa Cruz - El Trompillo in connection with the 50 years Bolivian Air Force anniversary.

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