NATO Day 2018 Ostrava, Czech Republic

[upnorth]

Hello all,

This past weekend saw me in Ostrava for the 2018 edition of the annual NATO Days show.

The weather was quite changeable and photography was a challenge.

That said, here's a taste of what was on hand:

Starting with the "home team":

The Czech air force Airbus A319 and a pair of Saab Gripens were part of the show opening flypast:


This Let L-410FG Turbolet went up early to take aerial pictures of the event:


OK-UTI is a two seat MiG-15 that currently flies on the Czech civil register:


The Enstrom 480 is still a very new type in Czech service, the first having been taken on in spring of 2018:


A few shots of a German navy Westland Lynx and its nose art:





Also courtesy of the German navy was this Westland Sea King:


The German army brought this EC-135:


The slovakian contingent included a MiG-29 Fulcrum, UH-60 Blackhawk and a Fokker 100:





As with most modern airshows, the F-16 is a staple of both static and dynamic aspects. This year, Vipers were brought in from Denmark, Poland, Belgium, Netherlands and USA. Here are Vipers of the latter three respectively:




A Saab Gripen in from Hungary:


The first, and possibly last, appearance of a Norwegian Dassault DA-20 Falcon at NATO Days. The type is slated for retirement for Norwegian service in the near future:


One of two AH-64 Apache helicopters in the statics:


A Pilatus PC-9 from Slovenia:


An Austrian Pilatus PC-7 with a cargo pod full of patches and other goodies:


One of two Aero L-39 Albatros trainers brought in from Lithuania:


A Belgian air force C-130 Hercules with special markings to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the 15th Air Transport Wing:


An early participant in the flying program was this OV-10 Bronco which dropped 200,000 poppies over the crowd in respect for veterans:


The Finnish air force F-18 Hornet shooting off a few flares:


The Swedish Air Force Historic Flight's Saab 32 Lansen comes in to land:


The Croatian air force Krila Oluje (Wings of the Storm) were one of two aerobatic teams to perform at this year's show:

[PR19_Kit]

The Swedish Air Force Historic Flight's Saab 32 Lansen comes in to land:

Droooooool, a Lansen actually flying! 

Great set of pics there, thanks for posting. It looks to have been a really good event.

[upnorth]

Yes, when I see how people in other countries (especially in America and the UK) bemoan how their once great airshows are either no more or shadows of their former selves, I realise how lucky we are to have something like NATO Days.

[PR19_Kit]

We have both the knee-jerk reactions of the CAA to any incident they care to recall, and the incredible level of 'austerity' which our current Government has imposed upon us to blame for much of that in the UK I'm afraid. 

[Old Wombat]

 

[zenrat]

Great pics.  Thanks for sharing.

I think I need add a Lansen to my RAAF build list.
I can't imagine the CAA allowing anything, even poppies, to be dropped over a crowd.

[Dizzyfugu]

Is/was that an L-39 in (incomplete) Czech RAF squadron markings?

[Hobbes]

That looks like a great show, and well done on the pictures 

[upnorth]

Is/was that an L-39 in (incomplete) Czech RAF squadron markings?

That's an L-159 ALCA that is painted up to mimic a Spitfire flown by a Czech pilot during WWII. It seems the only time that the white part of the markings goes on is when it's slated to do a dynamic show. I'm not sure if that's so it can be low vis when not displaying or if it's something to do with the RAF roundel and regulations regarding its use.

Here's a picture I took of it at a show in 2017 with the markings in complete form:

[perttime]

There's some videos on Youtube.
Nordic Flypast (and landings):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5J0kNCIeWM

[Dizzyfugu]

Ah, cool, thank you. The L-39 is IMHO really pretty. 

[NARSES2]

Some great photos and some great artwork on the aircraft  Thank you

I can't imagine the CAA allowing anything, even poppies, to be dropped over a crowd.

True, but mainly because there would be a tribe of solicitors waiting to pounce and claim their client was injured by one 

[Nick]

Some great photos and some great artwork on the aircraft  Thank you

I can't imagine the CAA allowing anything, even poppies, to be dropped over a crowd.

True, but mainly because there would be a tribe of solicitors waiting to pounce and claim their client was injured by one 

You'd be wrong on that one...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgqksI8WMuk

[NARSES2]

As soon as I typed it I remembered that and a couple of other occasions 

Cheers Nick