The SAAF Forum

Well, latest news from the List is that it seems the An-124/Il-76 flyby won't be happening.

Was there today

Only these aircraft were there ( from international airorces )


USA
-C-5A from New york ANG
-KC-135R New york ANG
-Black Hawk helicopter ANG ( not shure which model )
-F-16A Static aircraft ( a retired F-16A that fought in a number of wars )

Germany
2 C160 Transalls

Italian
C130J Hercules

Sweden
1 Single seater Grippen
1Dual seater grippen ( took off and had to land immediately, sigle seater was then taken off static display and took off a hour or so later )



New SAAF
1 Hawk Mk 120
3 A109LUH helicopter



SO no Indian jets or F-15's yet, hope they come for public days, but the other USA crew knew nothing about them

Howdy, Went to the Air show at waterkloof yesterday, Saw the Indian air force, Rooivalk and Gripens!!!!!!!!!!!!, Awesome display, yet disappointed in the overall aircraft that is on display, never the less worth while checking out., I finally got to Touch the Rooivalk!!!!!! I can die in peace now.... he he

Hi all

I've been in Pretoria since Saturday, but have only just gained access to the internet. (Well. actually yesterday )

This year's show is a lot smaller than in previous years. The SAAF presence on the ground is limited, but this may change for the open days (Friday and Saturday). However, there are still a few international visitors.

International visitors include:

USAF
C-5A Galaxy 90015 of 105 AW, NY ANG
KC-135R 600358 of 107 ARW, NY ANG
MH-60 26114
F-16A painted in the colours of 174 FW. This aircraft was retired around 1993 and has no engine and the wings have been modified for easy removal so that it can be transported to the various shows.
The USAF aircraft will not be flying during the show.

Italy
C-130J 46-47

Sweden
Gripen 134 and 311

Germany
C-160 50+34 (plus one other)

SAAF static aircraft include:
Agusta A-109 4003 and 4006
Alpha XH-1
Alouette III 120 and 55
Astra 2060
BK-117 387
Oryx 1217
Rooivalk 680
C-130 406
Cessna 185 715
Cessna Carravan 3005
Cheetah C 359
Cheetah D 847 and 862
Mirage F1AZ 227
Casa 212 8010
Hawk Mk 120 250
Harvard 7675 (Siyandiza)
Impala Mk II 1099 (has been wfu)

ATE's Mi-25 ZU-BOI is also present.

I will be missing the airshow on Friday and Saturday, so to all those planning on coming, enjoy the show.

Cheers

Dean

Hi all

I've uploaded a quick / brief report on AAD 2004, together with some photos, to the website. (More may follow later as the spools are developed )

They may be accessed at http://www.SAairforce.co.za. (look on the right hand side).

Cheers

Dean

Was any caught by the smoke blowing into the crowd after the live fire display... Did the situation get badly out of hand or was the whole thing planned. I couldn't see what was going on as I was caught in the middle of the smoke!

Hi! New here and just wanted to say that it was one of the most dissapointing AAD2004 airshows i have ever been to.I was there on a trade day,and thankfully outside the base on friday at runway 19,because the dust and wind was the worst i have ever seen in Pretoria.I did not even bother to take alot of photo's,because the sky was full of dust and getting camera equipment dirty a big no no.

I just love choppers and to see the Augusta A109 and AB 139 Flying was amaaazzziiing.The A109 was the best flying display by a helicopter for me,the Rooivalk is now history for me!I sorry but I love the A109 LUH now!

Anyway I would like to hear from u guys!

Airfire

The smoke was unplanned. Seems the wind suddenly changed direction in the middle of the Special Task Force display, blowing the smoke directly into the crowd. The wind was just bad luck this time around, it was unfortunate but then that's nature for you. At least it didn't rain.

I wasn't that disappointed by AAD2004 at all. Sure, the variety was less than previous years, but then that's reality. Any participation by foreign aircraft is done at their own cost, and there's not all that much to justify the trip down for most of them. But the flying displays on the whole were really impressive in my opinion, the guys went all out to impress the crowds. An example is the Gripen display, which is one of the best I've ever seen, and of course the A109 LUH display.

However, you cannot compare the A109 and the Rooivalk. The Rooivalk weighs something like 8 tons, while the A109 only weighs around 3 tons, so it's not surprising it's more agile. What's remarkable about the Rooivalk is the level of agility it has for a helicopter of that size and weight.

I went on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and I'm actually happy to have gone in on both the public days, if only because I feel by paying the R40 I'm supporting the SAAF and helping them keep this awesome show going. I mean I felt it was really put together well, and they seemed to have planned for almost everything, except what could not be planned for (the wind), so I was more than willing to pay for it.

Cheers,

Darren