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In 2018, there was only one major airshow
in Belgium, organised by the team behind the worldfamous Sanicole airshow.
It has been a successful tradition that when the Belgian Air Force hosts
their bi-annual event at KB airbase there will be no Sanicole airshow
that year, but instead they put the Sanicole team at work for the ‘Belgian
Air Force days’. Since Sanicole is also the place the Aviation PhotoCrew
can call ‘home’, you know what to expect from us!
Our flight operations originated again from the nearby Zwartberg airfield,
with thé most ideal location as it is situated in the middle of
the photo join up area. Opening the long list of photo join ups, the Thunder
Tigers from 31 Sqn, this is by far the best 4 ship of F-16’s –
with underwing fueltanks – that present us with a fantastic performance….each
year again! |
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The airshow attracted a large variety of both
military and civilian participants, a fantastic mix that is also the winning
formula for the Sanicole airshows. The photo join-ups brought the photographers
quite a number of new aircraft: a ‘new’ Spitfire on the Belgian
register, along with the T-28, a very classic SV-4 in original BAF colours
and equally bright the Extra 330 with plenty of smoke and dynamic manoeuvres!
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Also in the military line up we had the chance
to enjoy some aircraft and helicopters that had been on the wishlist for
a long time. Finally we got to see the Slovakian Mig-29, the Danish Baby
Blue team and the German Tornado proving he could hold on to us at 160 kts…fully
fuelled! |
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Lots of helicopter action as well with a last
time our Belgian Sea king, and the even older Alouette III. We got impressive
join-ups from the Dutch Chinook, Danish Merlin and especially the Portuguese
Merlin was one of the many highlights. It was the first time this helicopter
took part in an international airshow. The Polish Air Force sent us the
Mi-17 and our own Belgian A-109 brought a huge smile on the photographers
faces by performing an amazing flare waterfall. |
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More unusual aircraft in our photoflight program came from
the German Coastguard with the Do-228, the Jordanian C-130 and French Air
Force Xingu. Of course we had a lot of fighterjet action waiting for us
as well. Typhoons, F-16’s, F-18’s, and a special prize for the
friends of the Rafale demo team giving us some perfect ‘knife edge’
poses and the unique formation flight with the Patrouille de France. |
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The next Belgian Air Force days will be held at Florennes
airbase in 2020. We will fly the Skyvan photoship again in a great green
scenery the area has to offer. Always welcome to join us! |
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