We proudly present you a book that every Hellenic Air Force history enthousiast should have in his/her bookcase. It is a book published recently by the Hellenic Air Force Air History Service and presents the route of Hellenic Aerobatic Teams from 1954 up to 1968.

The book counts 208 pages, is softcovered and as already written has been published by the Hellenic Air Force Air History Service. Responsible for the authorship and reserach was the the retired Air Vice-Marshal Vardis Papadakis. What is described inside the book is exactly what its title describes that is the history of Hellenic Aerobatic Teams from 1954 to 1968 and was written to celebrate the 60 years of Hellenic Air Force jets in service (1952-2012).

All chapters are based on testifications of pilots who participated actually in such Aerobatic Teams like the following:

• Acroteam - 4 Aces (Kare ton Asson) flying with F-84G Thunderjet
• Acroteam flying with F-86E Sabre
• Hellenic Flame flying with F-86E Sabre
• New Hellenic Flame flying with F-5A Freedom fighter

 

For every single Team you shall find countless and valuable information on the constitution, the action, the leaders, the maneuvers, the demonstrations and other interesting details on the training of the pilots. Except the fine text the book is full of rare photographs either on ground or on air some of them firstly published now.

 

The book  Hellenic Aerobatic Teams from 1954 up to 1968 is published by the Hellenic Air Force Air History Museum a service which was established at 1950 as a department of Branch A of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, under the title "Section of Military Reports". The mission of the Air History Service is:

 

• The concentration of historical material, concerning fields of Air Force Activity,
• The writing of the History of the HAF historical monographies and studies, as well as providing of historical data to official agents and civilians
• The concentration and micro - photography of the Air Force Archives.

 

 

A fine example of the services provided by the Hellenic Air Force Air History Museum is the priceless four-volume book for the Hellenic Air Force history :

 

• “History of the Hellenic Air Force”, Vol. I, 1908-1918 : The Hellenic Air Force from the appearance of the first pilots until the end of the 1 st World War.Τhe first flight by Em. Argyropoulos with a Nieuport, the first flight of a military airplane by 1st Lieutenant D. Kamperos, the death of Al. Karamanlakis (first death of a Greek pilot) and the creation of the Army Air Company are the most important events, considering the first steps of the Air Force.After that the Air Force participated in the Balkan Wars (in 1913 the first military mission of naval cooperation worldwide was accomplished by 1st Lieutenant M. Moutousis and Ensign A. Moraitinis) and the 1st World War, with the establishment of the first fighter squadrons, Bomber and Reconnaissance Squadrons and the execution of air combats, night air raids, anti submarine searches and attacks on various aims.
• “History of the Hellenic Air Force”, Vol. II, 1919-1929 :  The Expedition in Asia Minor and the first years of the period between the two Wars.The Air Force participated in the Asia Minor campaign with four Squadrons of Army Cooperation and one of Naval Cooperation. Reconnaissance, air photography, machine-gunning, bombarding and air-combats constitute its multiple action.During the peaceful period that followed after the end of the Asia Minor expedition the Air Force was reorganized and modernized with new types of English and French aircraft.In 1928 an important accomplishment was achieved, considering the potential of the Air Force at that time, the Tour of the Mediterranean by the Breguet 19 “HELLAS” with 1st Lieutenant E. Papadakos as pilot and colonel Ch. Adamidis as observer.
• “History of the Hellenic Air Force”, Vol. III, 1930-1941 :  The period between the two Wars, from the establishment of the Air Force Ministry to the beginning of the 2nd World War and the Hellenic – Italian conflict in Albania.The Air Force Ministry was established in 1930, the Air Force Academy in 1931 and the Hellenic Air Force General Staff in 1934, while new types of aircraft were received, according to the modernization plan.At the beginning of the Hellenic-Italian War the Air Force managed to hold back the action of the powerful Italian Air Force, with the incomparable self-sacrifice of its crews.It managed also to gather information for the enemy movements, to destroy important enemy re-supply lines and to protect friendly troops.The spotting from the air of the Italian Division “Julia” and the accomplishment of 1st Lieutenant Marinos Mitralexis, who rammed an Italian airplane with his propeller, after consuming his ammunition, are two of the most important achievements of the Hellenic Air Force at this period.
• “History of the Hellenic Air Force”, Vol. IV, 1941-1944 : The contribution of the Hellenic Air Force in the operations during the German invasion, the escape to Crete and Egypt, as well as the recreation and action in the Middle East and Italy.During the German invasion the Greek pilots performed their duties sufficiently, but the encounter with the Luftwaffe was unequal. The few airplanes that managed to escape to the Middle East constituted the basis for the re-establishment of the HAF.Three Hellenic Squadrons were created, which participated in convoy escorting, anti-submarine search, aggressive patrolling, reconnaissance, attacks and interceptions.In the summer of 1943 two of the Hellenic Squadrons participated in the air raids against Crete.From May to November 1944 the action of the Hellenic Air Force was continued in Italy with bombing, reconnaissance and patrolling missions.When the German occupation forces departed Greece, the Hellenic Squadron repatriated and a new era for the Hellenic Air Force began.

 

The presentation is dedicated to the recently decesead, retired Air Commodore Emmanouel Papadimitropoulos.

At last but not least our sincere thanks goes directly to the commander of the Hellenic Air Force Air History Museum, Wing Commander Nikolaos Sofianos for the book donation and more over for his exceptional contribution and valuable help for the preparation of the current article.