|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
    |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
The NATO Days in the Czech Republic is one of the bigger airshows each year on the European calendar. They had to wait a long time to welcome the Skyvan photoship for the aerial photomiossions, as often the event clashed with one of the other big airshows in the schedule, but this year we could finally make it happen. Everyone was super excited to fly here, as the NATO Days have an incredible reputation and often attract fantastic participants. It was no different this year. It’s only two days of flying, but those are very intense and start early and end in the sunset. We called it the ‘little RIAT’ and that’s exactly what we got! |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
| On Thursday morning the action started right away with the home team, not one, not two, but 3 Czech Gripen joined the Skyvan for an awesome set of formation flying. There was that exciting and nervous atmosphere inside the cabin, as the photographers had probably all their fingers crossed and high hopes that THE big star of the airshow would also make it. We never promise or guarantee a specific aircraft type, as there are so many reasons why a join-up does not happen in the end, so we kept our cool - but tack sharp on time… from Italy - the iconic Harriers came into view! Epic, epic, epic – and that is one hell of a loud jet up close – with this second photo join-up the project was already the success everyone had dreamed of. We used every single minute the Harriers could give us, as it can always be the last time. The two-seater is one of only 2 trainer jets flying in Europe. | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| More jet action followed with the Czech ALCA, and despite the menacing clouds our German friends made it as well. In pairs this time, as we got the opportunity to catch two A400M together, followed by another great 2-ship when the Eurofighter joined one of them. In pairs yes, as also the German Tiger helicopter came with two to pose behind, below and beside the Skyvan. And again, German NH90 action… twice, good times for all! | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Another highly expected two-ship was the French Rafale. Over the years we’ve had dozens of times the privilege to welcome this incredible jet, but this presentation was thé best we have ever seen them. Not only the stunning livery, but the incredible manoeuvres flown and solo presentations, combined with ideal weather AND a fantastic scenery, produced a ton of superb images. | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| After refueling we got airborne again to welcome another German surprise, the H135 helicopter and sweet to see that it was a bright red example. To end this first day we had another highlight in store with the A330 MRTT giving us 30 minutes… over the clouds… in the sunset. What an incredible presentation it was, the photos speak for themselves. This is why we love to fly the photomissions all over the world! |  |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Friday and the weather forecast looks just perfect, that is if the morning fog would clear. It did just in time to welcome the iconic Czech Sokol helicopter. Helicopters all around us, as the next 3 join-ups where also coming from the Czech Air Force. With the Mi-171 we always have a hit with photographers – everybody loves the old stuff – but this time we were also eager to see the brand new assets Venom and Viper. Those are definitely some badass looking machines! | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Another highlight in the project was the privilege to welcome the Turkish Stars, who took up their six NF-5 jets just for our photoshoot. What a sight is was, this was the best presentation of the team we ever got, and it included flybys as a 6-ship, 4-ship and even the two solos giving us the cross break behind the Skyvan… awesome. | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| More Jets for us, as also the Slovak Air Force participated in the NATO Days with the well-known L-39. Also the Lithuanian Air Force is always happy to join the Skyvan, and they brought the Let 410 and Dauphin to the airshow. The dropship for the RAF Falcons was a very welcome surprise for the photographers, as it was a civilian Do228. From Austria we got to catch the S-70 Blackhawk, followed by the action of the L-39NG, designed and built in the Czech Republic. |  |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Our longtime friend and Czech citizen Jakub Vanek arranged a very sweet surprise for everyone, as 4 Zlins joined us for some formation poses and solo photos. That’s was a very welcome sight and certainly very colorful! | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Our last flight was scheduled in the sunset and featured two transports, the Czech Casa 295 in absolutely stunning light, followed by our final join-up in even better light… our first opportunity to welcome a German C-130J one of the newer Hercules aircraft flying in Europe. We could have not asked for a better presentation to conclude our first photomissions for the NATO Days. The airshow is FREE for the public and was once again a smashing success. We can’t wait to see what 2026 will bring us. | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
©
Copyright 2008-2026 - Aviation PhotoCrew | info@aviation-photocrew.com