On 6 & 7 July, 2011 the traditional annual International Airshow of Koksijde also marked the 65th anniversary of the Belgian Air Force. In a matter of fact in 2010, Belgian military aviation existed 100 years but this seems to have been dropped in favour of this year's 65 years celebrations.
Koksijde airbase is
staging airshows on a regular basis since 1964 and can easily be
considered as the most experienced airshow organiser in
It was no surprise to hear that on both days 35.000 people visited the show. 70.000 visitors for an airshow organised in the middle of the week is certainly no mean success. Way to go…
A pictorial impression:
Talking about vintage aviation.. the Estonian Antonov AN-2 "40" Yellow is still operational but what a beauty. The meaning of the superb ensigna is still an enigma. Luckily the pilot has put his blue parking disk after leaving his aircraft.
The huge Estonian bi-plane arriving at Koksijde airbase.
Smart and flying Stinson AT-19 Reliant (V-77) N1943S (c/n 77-463) in the static display.
The last time you could have seen two Belgian Air Force North
American T-6 Harvards must have been in
Pristine Supermarine 361 Spitfire LF9B, PH-OUQ/MK732/3W-17 (cn CBAF.IX.1732) of the Stichting Koninklijke Luchtmacht Historische Vlucht taxiing out for its display.
Danny Cabooter cautiously manoeuvring Harvard "H-210" between lots of vintage hardware.
de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide G-AJGJ looking as coming fresh from the production line.
Armstrong Whitworth (Gloster) Meteor NF.11 WM167 (G-LOSM) reviving the days that N° 10 and 11 Squadron of the 1st Wing at Beauvechain were equipped with this eye pleasing night-fighter in the fifties.
Something of a rarity, a Frenchman pretending that he's a Belgian... French owned Fouga CM-170R Magister F-GPCJ (cn 369) was temporarily painted to represent MT-3 of the Belgian Air Force
Not often seen on this side of the "pond", Beech B200 Super King Air (BB-1837) ZK456/P of the RAF's N° 45 (R) Squadron
PZL-Swidnik W-3A Sokol 0715 (CN 370715) of the Czech Air Force is one of the SAR aircraft evidently present at SAR base Koksijde.
The crew of the Polish Navy Mil Mi-8MTV-1 5528 helicopter was so nice to remove some annoying flags from their aircraft to allow a better shot.
Shape of thing to come at Koksijde, Dutch Navy NH90 NFH 175. At Koksijde the crews are counting the day (or nights) before they can lay their hands on these magnificent machines, ... 484, 483, 482....
There was a time you could only see F-16 tails in this area, now a German and Italian Typhoon are surrounding the lonely Belgian Air Force F-16BM FB-22. Italian Air Force EF-2000 Typhoon MM7292/4-12
Take a superb pilot (Mitch) - put him in a specially decorated BAF F-16AM and add some pyrotechnics.... the result: an explosive and addicting cocktail.
Small is beautiful, Saab on a background of Saudi green..
Guests since many years at the Koksijde airshow, the Saab-T-17 equipped Baby Blue team of the Royal Danish Air Force.
The Saudi Hawks
The excellent performing Saudi Hawk Team
Representing Poland, the "Team Iskry" with the TS-11 Iskra
The Turkish Stars ready for take-off at Koksijde.
The pilot of the Transall C-160 68-033 of the "Turkish Stars" hit the brakes upon arrival at Koksijde airbase. Two more Transall's of the Turkish AF arrived at Koksijde during the sow. Even the Thunderbirds were impressed.
Ladies and Gentlemen....: the Royal Air Force "Red Arrows 2011".
A get together "Red Arrows" style...
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds honoured the 65 year young Belgian Air Force with their presence.
F-16's doesn't come any cleaner than this, but beware the Thunderbirds are forming an operational unit and can change colours if called upon...
An extra tight formation, the trade mark of the T-Birds.
OK, Ok... the Thunderbirds were the highlight of this superb show, but allow us be a weeny bit chauvinistic...
Ladies and gentlemen, the "new" Red Devils, small but surely beautiful and getting better all the time.
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Last updated 16/03/12 09:55 Daniel Brackx