Ysterplaat Air Extravaganza
Date: 3 December 2004
As the SAAF only allows one official 'airshow' per year, it was decided that Ysterplaat should host a fly-in to celebrate, amongst other things, 10 years of democracy. As all the arrangements were being arranged for one day, it was fairly easy to extend those arrangements to three days, thus the three-day Air Exravaganza was born (3 - 5 December 2004).
All the SAAF aircraft normally based at AFB Langebaanweg (Astra and the Silver Falcons) and AFB Ysterplaat (Alouette III, C-47TP Dakota, Oryx and SAAF Museum Harvards and Shackleton) participated, together with some welcome visitors from up north. The 2 Squadron Cheetah aircraft had just completed their weapons camp at Langebaanweg, while a 28 Squadron C-130BZ Hecules and a classic C-47 Dakota of the SAAF Museum provided additional support. The South African Police Service (SAPS), also based at Ysterplaat, contributed two Bo-105s and a PC-6.
'Flaggie', the Cheetah C painted in the colours of the SA flag (with Lt Col Ettiene Potgieter displaying the aircraft for the last time) perfomed a solo display, while three other Cheetah aircraft thrilled the crowd with their 2v1 air-air combat enactment. The Hercules provided some tremendous photo opportunities with it's short-field demonstation and low-speed qualities, while the C-47TP was not content to sit back either and provided a spirited display. Four Oryx helicopters and the special forces showed their fast-roping and hoisting abilities, but the show stopper was the act put on by the SAPS, with various cars chasing a cash-in-transit vehicle. With two Bo-105s buzzing overhead, the commentator (Brian Emmanis) kept the crowds on their feet as the police vehicles physically rammed the 'hijackers', with some of the vehicles even rolling. With the action going on, fire trucks rush to put out the grass fires caused by flares, while the ambulance raced on to ensure that the drivers of the 'crash' vehicles were not harmed. Talk about a realistic scenario, now we know what the police do with their vehicles a day before they are due to be scrapped!
But what makes a Cape airshow something special that can not be found anywhere else in the world? It is the only place where you can see flying examples of the Shackleton, Buccaneer, Hunter, Lightning and more! All these aircraft were flown impressively and the crowds were not dissapointed. whether it was the growling of four mighty Griffon engines or the thunderous rour of the jets. Other civilian participants included the Sasol Flying Tigers with their extremelly tight formation flying, the three-ship Yak 52 aerobatic team and an extremely agile Yak 55. The Kamov Ka-32 of Titan Helicopters dropped water from it's Bambi bucket.
Not to be outdone, the local airlines also came to the party, with overflights by a Kulula.com Boeing 737, a Nationwide Boeing 737 and an SAA Boeing 747 and an Airbus A340.
Various SAAF displays inside the hangers provided a glimps of the vast maintanance and support structures that keep the aircraft in the air. These included maintenance, engineering, life support, armaments, instruments, clothing and more. An entire hanger was dedicated to the SAAF Museum, together with numerous vintage military vehicles. Other hangers were occupied by civilian flying schools, helicopter and charter operators, various vehicle and boat companies, craft and flea market type stalls.
Although Friday 3 December turned out to be a hot summers day with clear blue skies and just a hint of a gentle breeze (perfect for flying), the number of visitors was disapointing. Friday was a work day, the schools had just closed and Capetonions are not used to an airshow on a Friday. Despite this, the flying did not disappoint. Saturday dawned cloudy, but the high cloud did not interfere with the flying and the temperature was still very hot. Sunday, which was billed as a 'non-jet' flypast and departure day, was a dissapointment. Although the static exhibits were open to inspection, very little flying occured, with those aircraft that did depart making a very welcome 'low and slow' flypast.
With no major incidents (one powered paraglider had his prop splinter while flying on Saturday morning) and the small number of SAAF aircraft attending, the airshow was enjoyed by all and despite attracting fewer public visitors than expected, the Air Extravanganza must be considered a success. Thank you AFB Ysterplaat.
I'd also like to thank Brian Emmanis for keeping silent during the Shackleton and Hunter displays. Brian, it IS appreciated ;-)
