Ciampino Airport

[scudpilot]

Hi All,
Just got back from a great weekend in Rome, flew back from Ciampino, which would appear to be also a militiary airport.
There were a number of Italian Air Force aircraft, which reminded me of Catalinas (although I doubt they were) anyone shed any light on what they were. Looked like coastal patrol aircraft.

[MAN777]

If they were yellow, they would be the Canadair CL415 water bombers, a number of which are based there.

[scudpilot]

yep.. that was them... remember thinking when I first saw them when I landed, they looked like water bomber...
Cheers

[the_fish@blueyonder.]

I was lucky enough to see some of thse water bombers do some water collecting on Lake Albano when I was in Rome in summer 2005. I think there must have been alot of forest fires at that time of year, they were swooping down for at least an hour every day.

Ciampino is one of the worst airports I've ever been to though.:ugh:

[scudpilot]

Fish, I Agree on that score, my partner is diabetic and was feeling particular poorly. We were sitting in the departure lounge, with no a/c (heaven knows what it is like when Italy is hot!) and had to go outside the terminal to get some respite.
Flight was just on 2 hours late departing, no announcements, and for a lot of the time there was not even any staff!
All in all a pretty poor show, although we cannot fault Ryanair, (Unless you talk about their choice of airport / handling agent!)

[K.Whyjelly]

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u194/kwhyjelly/DSC02088-1.jpghttp://www.pprune.org/forums/%3Ca%20href=%22http://photobucket.com%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22h ttp://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u194/kwhyjelly/DSC02088-1.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22Photo%20Sharing%20and%20V ideo%20Hosting%20at%20Photobucket%22%3E%3C/a%3EThis will be the very machine at the very airport

[K.Whyjelly]

http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u194/kwhyjelly/?action=view&current=MOV02090.flv

First attempt with a video so hope it works and is not complete pants. Same aircraft and airport as above but with lights and bells and whistles and movement!!!!