Zwartkop Airshow 2011
Date: 21 May 2011
Article and photos by Stefaan Bouwer
Zwartkop airforce base near Pretoria was a hive of activity on Saturday 21 May, for it was the setting for the eagerly awaited SAAF Museum airshow styled From Canvas to Jets.
The Highveld weather treated South Africa to an excellent airshow at Zwartkop Air Force Base. The usual jam packed program, which started at 09h00 and ended after sunset, was enthralling for the roughly 60 000 people who attended.
As usual it started with a cavalcade and a helicopter salute that greeted the Chief of the Air Force, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano. That was followed by a mass radial fly past with a Dakota and a formation of Harvards that consisted of the SAAF Museum's Harvards, SAA Harvards, as well as the Harvard Club aircraft. All these Harvards eventually gave a display later during the day as well. A single display was performed by Lt Col Glen Warden in the Siyandiza Harvard.We also saw a rare display by the SAA Harvards. The Harvards also performed their usual Tora Tora attack sequence which I am sure is a highlight for the pilots being able to throw the airplanes around the sky.
Various other propeller aircraft displayed, ranging from Geoff Earle's Flying Tiger as probably the oldest of the lot. Gen Des Barker displayed the SAAF Museum's Bosbok and the Kudu flown by Lt Col Steve Odendaal gave a display later during the day. The highlight of the propeller displays was undoubtedly P-51D ‘Mustang Sally' belonging to Menno Parsons. It flew midday and later at sunset which of course changed the light settings and the effect of the display totally.
There were many helicopter displays ranging from the Alouette II to the Augusta A109 and the Rooivalk attack helicopter. All the displays started with formation sequences, going on to single slots where everybody showed off their aircraft. This ranged from the colourful Alouette II, the Alouette III and the Puma belonging to the SAAF Museum. Oryx's gave displays with the Augusta A109 later in the afternoon.
The jet part of the show comprised all the usual aircraft except the Gripen which was unfortunately grounded due to technical problems and the Mirage III that is currently being serviced. Starting off with probably the oldest jet flying in South Africa i.e. the Vampire T55 which belongs to the Museum and an Impala Mk I flown by Mike Weingartz. Amazing how this aircraft still impresses many of the old timers even from overseas.
Fast jets comprised of Hawk 272 in Flag colours which gave an early show during the day and then again after sunset. A Cheetah D appeared to the delight of everybody in the crowd. It gave a beautiful display followed by the Aerosud Mirage F1 AZ. This Mirage gave a display during midday and then one after sunset showing off its ‘Vlamgat' to the crowds.
The highlight for many in the crowds must have been the mini war combining almost all the types flown during the day with an Army armour contingent consisting of the Rooikat, Ratels and an Olifant MkI pounding a poor T-72 tank into dust. It was wonderful to see this display so characterized by the noise, the dirt and the smoke that many of the old timers will be familiar with who served up North. The Rooivalk impressed by showing off its close support role, having just completed the anti-armour trials with the Makopo Missile successfully.
No war can survive without its transport aircraft. Our fixed wing and chopper section were busy as bees prior, during and after the Mini War, dropping the troops, supplying them with provisions and pulling them out afterwards again. Really an excellent show for those who attended. Those who did not, this Mini War you will never see anywhere else in the world so close to the crowds and Lt Col Dixon, the orchestrator of the ground proceedings and coordinating all the bangs, must be congratulated for his effort. He is well known for his simulations during the AAD Shows.
The Silver Falcons with their new team members also performed their new display twice during the day.
SAA partook in a joint flying display with the SAAF Silver Falcons. A Boeing 737-800 flown by Pierre Gouws and Nigel Hopkins did a number of formation flypasts, ending up with an impressive single sequence before performing a touch and go, spiraling to altitude.
By all accounts, it was one of the best SAAF airshows held in the last ten years. Another wonderful day that everybody could spend with their family and friends, courtesy of the SAAF.
