Illustrated Guide to "MD Heaven" (Helsinki-Vantaa

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Comet
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Illustrated Guide to "MD Heaven" (Helsinki-Vantaa

Post by Comet »

This is an illustrated guide to my visit to Helsinki airport (Vantaa). We had flown with Finnair (brilliant airline) between Heathrow and Helsinki for a week long holiday one September. At that time, you really had to love MD aircraft because that was nearly all you saw in Helsinki, the Finnair fleet was MD, and many carriers also flew in MD types! Finnair still operate the MD-82 to the UK, I saw one in Manchester in June 2003, but now the fleet is mixed with Boeing 757 and Airbus A320 types.

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We arrived in the early morning, there were many building works! Here are two Finnair DC9s.

The crane had looked interesting in silhouette against the early morning sky. I took some photos, and also managed to capture parked or passing aircraft.

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An ATR 42 of Finnish regional carrier Karair.

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A Finnair DC9 passing the silhouetted crane.

It was quite easy to take photos from within the terminal. The Finnair DC10 was parked a short distance away (not all aircraft were served by airbridges, many were served by bus).

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Finnair DC10.

Shortly after, an MD87 arrived and taxied right up to the window.

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Finnair MD87 OH-LMA.

The DC9 served mainly on domestic Finnish services.

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A DC9 of Finnair being prepared for another flight.

Many operators used the MD80 variants on their services to Helsinki. here is a Swissair example.

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We were to be taken by bus to our aircraft, so I managed to get several outside shots. This is MD82 OH_LMZ, which we had flown on between London Heathrow and Helsinki.

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OH-LMZ.

There we saw this MD82 with tug attached and ready to go!

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MD82 ready for the off.

We also saw the larger MD83 in Helsinki.

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Finnair MD83.

I am a TriStar fan, and can never resist them. This was not the best view, but the Delta TriStar made a change from MD80 types! Beyond there is a Finnair DC10, a Finnair MD82 (what else? :lol: ) and justa rriving is a Lufthansa Boeing 737.

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The aircraft line up.

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Ok here's another DC9, but that's not the reason I took the photo! On the runway is a Tu134 of Estonian Air, and I love Russian types.

We had a superb flight both ways on five abreast Finnair MD82s - superb aircraft!
Sabena and Sobelair - gone but never forgotten.
Louise

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AN124
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Post by AN124 »

Great Report Louise.
Looks like you can take nice pictures out of the terminal.

Best Regards,
Yvo

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Post by Comet »

Thanks for your comments Yvo. Yes, when we went to Helsinki it was very easy to take photos from the terminal (the departures area), and with many aircraft being served by buses, outside close ups were easy as well. The problem is that when we were there, building work was in progress, so I don't know if Vantaa is still as easy for viewing and photography as it was when we visited.

At least you will get more variety at the airport now than you did then!
Sabena and Sobelair - gone but never forgotten.
Louise

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Post by Comet »

Here is a link to the official Helsinki-Vantaa website, might give some idea of what viewing is like there now.

http://www.helsinki-vantaa.fi/lentoasemat/
Sabena and Sobelair - gone but never forgotten.
Louise

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Post by Avro »

Great report Louise. Thanks for sharing all those nice pics with us ;)

Chris
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Post by potkuri »

How hearthwarming to see pics from HEL, thanks Louise ! I've been spotting there in the past late -70s and at that time is was still good place to take pics. Now all has changed, but as you prove one may still get some pics through the terminal windows (you're lucky if they are clean...).
My knowledge is a bit outdated but you may find some recent info at http://koti.mbnet.fi/efhk
I'm not involved with this site so no credits, complains, pls...

Nalle

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Post by Comet »

Chris and Nalle - thanks for your comments, and I'm pleased you liked the report. I was a bit concerned that people might not like the heavy MD "bias", but that is how Helsinki was then. And they really are very fine aircraft when you fly in them.

I would love to visit Helsinki again, as Finland is a superb, beautiful country, and with visiting in autumn we didn't see it at the best time of year. I would like to visit in summer.
Sabena and Sobelair - gone but never forgotten.
Louise

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Post by Comet »

potkuri wrote: My knowledge is a bit outdated but you may find some recent info at http://koti.mbnet.fi/efhk
I'm not involved with this site so no credits, complains, pls...

Nalle
That's a very nice site Nalle, thanks for posting that link. There are some interesting airlines and aircraft types in there, more than the MDs :lol: I would love to visit HEL again, but I would be torn about who to fly in with. Do I go with SN via BRU or straight through to HEL with AY?
Sabena and Sobelair - gone but never forgotten.
Louise

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Post by potkuri »

From BRU you have also the choise of taking Blue1 (ex. Air Botnia). From Scarborough I have to say that's a bit harder to guide...
Summer is my favorit time to visit FI. Those looooog days and suprisingly warm ones also during few recent summers !

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Post by Comet »

From Scarborough I have flown to Brussels from Manchester, London City and soon Birmingham, so I am quite amenable to trying different airports. I can also reach HEL direct from Manchester, but a change in BRU to fly with SN is as appealing as a direct flight with AY.

Finland doesn't have the most daylight in September, but the sunsets are something else! We had good weather while we were there though.
Sabena and Sobelair - gone but never forgotten.
Louise

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Post by Buzz »

Very nice report, keep on posting them!!!

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Post by Comet »

Thank you LoBoTiC.
Sabena and Sobelair - gone but never forgotten.
Louise

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Post by vliegtuigfreak »

Very nice pictures Louise! I wanna go to Helsinki to!
When did you take the pics? It seems that the pics are a little old because finnair has allready a new livery.

Greetingzz
Sonny :wink:

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Post by Comet »

Sonny - the photos were taken in 1994. Finnair still has some MD80s in that same livery though, so if you are very lucky you might get chance to see one.
Sabena and Sobelair - gone but never forgotten.
Louise

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