Looks Like I Got A Heck Of An Airshow Coming

[upnorth]

Hey all:

The Czech International Air Fest is coming on the 8th and 9th of September (I'll be there on the 9th) and I just took a look at the latest info for what they're lining up:

http://www.airshow.cz/87-EN-CIAF-07-Invite...-countries.html

There hasn't been Flankers there since 2004 and I really hope they can get that TU-22 in, it would look great sharing the tarmac with the B-1.

[Captain Canada]

Wow ! Another F-16-fest !



Seriously, it does look good ! I'd kill to see a Tu-22. What a beast ! It would also be sweet to see the Greek T-6A, the old beast looks to good in camo ! I have my doubts as to wether the Snowbirds would make it, tho. It's be neat to see a CDN F-18, tho...break up all those single fins on the flightline !

Have fun, eh ?

 

[B777LR]

Never mind the fighters and bombers, its the C-17 demo you should look forwards to  

[nev]

Damn, that's a better line-up than Waddington!

Saudi Hawks too, those boys have a gorgeous colour scheme  

[lancer]

What Nev said. Superb line up of aircraft. I remember seeing a TU*22m3 at Farnborough some years back when one was displayed. It was BIG, NOISEY and (TO MY MIND ANYWAY) gorgeous - EXACTLY what a military jet should be.

Would love to go to the show, would be a hell of a time. I could combine  the airshow with a modelling trip and also time to sample some fine Czech beers and to spy out these alledges Czech lovlies that we are often told about but never shown....        

[upnorth]

Well, that was something of a let down.

Pretty run of the mill show in the end, most of what was on that list didn't show up. The only two aerobatics teams there were a group of Soko G2 Galebs from Yugoslavia and the Breitling team, and both performances were a bit dull.

Judging by what a Slovak air force soloist later in the day did wit han L-39, the Breitling team is barely touching what that little critter can do.

The C-17 display was pretty wild stuff for a transport and the Belgian air force put on probably the best Viper demo I've ever seen, beat the hell out of Viper East who did the demo last year.

For the number of RAF Tornados there (4 GR.4s and 2 F.3s) you'd think we could have gotten a flight demo from them. Nope.

A bright spot was the Luftwaffe F-4, I haven't seen an active Phantom for several years, its good to know some folks will still bring them out.

The Polish brought one of their new Vipers. While still grey, its good to see they didn't opt for the plain old Hill paint job so many others have and the Poles put high vis markings on them.

We even had a pair of Mirage F.1s show up. I'm always surprised to see those when they show up, I keep thinking the French will retire them any day now and a Rafale might come in their place. Gotta like a plane thats older than its pilots.

I'll have pics up shortly.