Paphos Aviation Relics
Dassault Flamant
The third aircraft is an ex French Air Force, Dassault Flamant, registration F-AZEN. This is a light utility aircraft equipped to carry cargo, and/or up to 10 passengers. This was also apparently acquired by the same collector.
The forum thread had this to say about who owns them:
There is an ongoing court case regarding them. The legal owner has not paid parking fees for them for many years. There is also a third Shackleton on the south side of the airport with the wings detached, an ex AEW trainer aircraft.
The owner of the aircraft was (I believe) Phoenix Aviation, a defunct flight school.
The Second Shackleton
They weren't always situated here either. They used to be on the other side of the airport but were moved with the help of the local RAF base when they expanded the airport a few years ago.
As to their condition, it isn't good. A final snippet from the forum thread:
From what I've researched on the web, Geoff, a team of UK Shackleton restoration experts went out to PFO to examine these two babies, before they were moved to their current location. Their idea was to follow the South Africans and get at least one restored and flying again..
They found them both in a very poor and corroded state, sadly. Even sadder, the owner upped the ante and wanted silly money to sell them, something like £500,000 per plane. The team came back to the UK disappointed and empty handed. The two Shackletons are now parked there, slowly rotting. Such a terrible shame...
On a side-note, I think Paphos Al would be delighted to know that I am still using him as a source of information several years after his sad demise!
How To See Them
There are two ways you can view the planes. The first, by foot, is a nice mile-long walk from the eastern tip of Geroskipou Beach.
Turn Right Here
To find it in the car, take the B6 from Paphos and head to the airport. When you get to the village of Acheleia, look for a sign on the right pointing to a water treatment plant. There is a church on the left too, so it is relatively easy to spot.
Follow This Route
Keep on the road. You will go past a small church on the left, which has some murals in it, though you should bring a torch if you want to see them properly. Follow the road and turn right. This will take you past the water treatment plant. You will know you are there because it stinks a bit. The end of the airport is just to your left. Park somewhere safe without blocking the road, and take a short walk to have a look. Bear in mind though, that if it has been raining it is likely to be muddy, so wear appropriate footwear.
Apparently there were plans to have some picnic tables here next to the planes at one point. I guess the smell from the sewerage works put paid to that idea.
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