#2024年新加坡航展
#su-30

In the outdoor static display area of ​​the 2024 Singapore Air Show, a Su-30MKM "Flanker" fighter from the Royal Malaysian Air Force is particularly eye-catching, forming a sharp contrast with the uniform Western fighters. Moreover, the ground crew in front of this Malaysian fighter is also different. They are not here to promote this Su-30 fighter, they are here to do business, and they have set up stalls inside the fence of the fighter to sell various souvenirs.

A small stall next to the Su-30MKM, various souvenirs, only for sale and not for exchange
A small stall next to the Su-30MKM, various souvenirs, only for sale and not for exchange

From this angle, the red box shows the stall. Note the various large and small bags, which are all filled with souvenirs for sale. Of course, these sales activities are organized by the ground crew. The ground crew is responsible for the flight, and the pilot is just a spectator. When the editor-in-chief of this magazine first came to the fighter plane, he thought that the ground crew was interacting with the audience and giving or exchanging small gifts with the audience, so he went up to say hello and took out the small gifts he had prepared in advance, wanting to exchange souvenirs. Unexpectedly, they only sold but did not exchange.

What’s more amazing is that the ground crew also started a very rare business. As long as you are willing to pay 15 Singapore dollars, you can experience being a Su-30 pilot. Of course, you only wear simple inner clothes, and there is no outer flight suit.

This simple outfit + pilot helmet, overall, looks really decent. For many on-site audiences, it is also a good choice to experience the addiction of being a Su-30 pilot.

Compared to the long queues and two or three hours to board the F-15 and F-16 fighters, the queue in front of the Su-30MKM fighter is not long.

So, the editor-in-chief of this magazine finally had the opportunity to experience the thrill of being a Su-30 pilot.

My photo with the Su-30MKM. How about it? The feeling of being a Su-30 pilot is different! It’s a pity that I just walked on the ground. If I could enter the cockpit, it would feel even better.
My photo with the Su-30MKM. How about it? The feeling of being a Su-30 pilot is different! It’s a pity that I just walked on the ground. If I could enter the cockpit, it would feel even better.
Close-up of the Su-30MKM cockpit, a typical two-seat heavy fighter. Note the forward-looking infrared search system shown in the red circle. This is a French product. The Su-30MKM is equipped with a large number of Western equipment and has the most complex pedigree. A
Close-up of the Su-30MKM cockpit, a typical two-seat heavy fighter. Note the forward-looking infrared search system shown in the red circle. This is a French product. The Su-30MKM is equipped with a large number of Western equipment and has the most complex pedigree. A
Note, the canard of the Su-30MKM, it is an improvement on the Su-30MKI exported to India, so it has canards
Note, the canard of the Su-30MKM, it is an improvement on the Su-30MKI exported to India, so it has canards
Close-up of the Su-30MKM’s onboard weapons, the wing tip is the R-73 short-range air-to-air missile, the outer underwing hanger is the R-77 medium-range air-to-air missile, the inner underwing hanger is the heavy KH-31 anti-ship/anti-radiation missile with a ramjet engine, and the laser targeting pod is probably mounted under the engine compartment
Close-up of the Su-30MKM’s onboard weapons, the wing tip is the R-73 short-range air-to-air missile, the outer underwing hanger is the R-77 medium-range air-to-air missile, the inner underwing hanger is the heavy KH-31 anti-ship/anti-radiation missile with a ramjet engine, and the laser targeting pod is probably mounted under the engine compartment
Close-up of the Su-30MKM vertical tail and engine, note that the engine nozzle is obviously drooping, proving that a vector engine is used
Close-up of the Su-30MKM vertical tail and engine, note that the engine nozzle is obviously drooping, proving that a vector engine is used
Note the bag shown in the red circle, how many souvenirs are carried here?
Note the bag shown in the red circle, how many souvenirs are carried here?

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