During the first week of July 1997, a coup d'etat erupted in Cambodia between the armies of the two (yes, two) prime ministers who were trying to topple each other. Fighting broke out across Phnom Penh on 4 June. Some of the heavy fightings took place at Pochentong International Airport. Over the next few days, the airport was subject to gunfire and shelling resulting in the suspension of regular services. It was not until 8 June that the airport was secured and rescue flights to airlift foreigners out of Phnom Penh commenced. One of the most memorable images I saw of the conflict was a @flypal @boeing 737-300 parked in front of the bullet-riddled control tower. The shaky footage — shot from across the control tower — showed people making a mad dash across the ramp and into the aircraft. I was barely 8 years old then, so I don't remember what was said about the footage. It's not clear to me whether it was indeed an evacuation flight or if it was a regular PAL flight that got stranded in the crossfire. One thing's for sure: for our fellow countrymen escaping hell, seeing our flag's familiar colors on the tail brings a sense of relief and safety. Philippine Airlines Boeing 737-332 RP-C4007 Aviation200 1/200 #philippineairlines #PAL #boeing #Boeing737 #Aviation200 #FILDAC #FilipinoDiecastAircraftCollectors #aviation #avgeek #igaviation #instagramaviation #hobby #diecast #modelairplane https://www.instagram.com/p/CitrAcJvTUc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
