After my arrival at Marseille-Marignane I picked up the rental car and joined up with Wijgert again. We first visited several spots around the airfield, to read as much as possible. The spot near the highway, we called it 'the Rock' is probably the best spot to read and photograph the helicopters at the Eurocopter Factory. From here I managed to photograph some very exotic helicopters, like the Omani AF NH90s and the Super Puma of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. The shots are not of high quality, but I didn't want you guys to miss these.

Besides the Eurocopter Factory this civil airfield also houses the majority of the fixed wing aircraft of the Sécurité Civile fleet. These rare birds are mainly used for fire fighting, and  are rarely seen in our neighborhood.

On Thursday the 10th, Wijgert and I visited the Marseille Harbor to see the USS Harry S. Truman which arrived here a few days before. From various places we were able to read all the aircraft parked at the upper deck. And we even took some quick shots.

Musee de l'Aviation, Saint Victoret

Close to the airfield of Marseille-Marignane a small museum can be found in the village of Saint Victoret. This museum is daily open between 9 and 12 in the morning. Besides a former Sécurité Civile aircraft preserved outside it also has a nice collection inside an old sports hall. Some of the highlights of the museum are the Gazelle of the Cameroon AF, and the Robin which used to fly with the French test unit CEV.