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A short
photographic overview of some personal highlights of the
highly succesful KOKSIJDE AIRSHOW 2006 by Jos
Schoofs and Daniel Brackx
A fine pilot in a fine aircraft: Michaël
“Mickey” Artiges is seen here taking off for his first large public solo
display of the F-16 in Belgium. And he perfomed very well…
The latest Belgian Air Component display team
is the Fouga Pair. It is composed of Lieutenant-General Jean-Paul “Pedro”
Buyse and solo display pilot Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Rorive, flying a pair
of Fouga CM.170 Magisters. The team made its first public appearance at
the Koksyde Air Show on July 1st and displayed again on July 2nd at
Koksijde and Cambrai. The unique show is immensely appreciated, as
numerous requests for participation in air shows in Belgium and abroad
continue to be submitted with No. 1 Wing ever since.
The very
docile Agusta A.109BA can become a highly manoeuvrable combat helicopter
as demonstrated by Belgian Heli Wing’s H-23.
The Belgian Air Component, formerly known as
the Belgian Air Force, celebrates is 60th anniversary this year. A number
of vintage aircraft evoked memories of days gone by, such as this Douglas
DakotaA F-AZTE (c/n 9172) of France DC3, disguised for the occasion as
K-24 CW-X in an early Belgian Air Force colour scheme. The aircraft
carries the logo of 60 Years Belgian Air Force on the portside of its
nose.
In the category of "Those magnificent men in
their flying machines": Eric Vormezeele in his Noorduyn built North
American AT-16ND Harvard IIB OO-DAF (c/n 14A-1494). Ten years ago, the
aircraft was painted in the type’s standard Belgian Air Force colour
scheme to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the
post-war Belgian Air Force on August 13th 1946. That 50th anniversary is
also the explanation for the serial number H-50.
Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical
Flight Supermarine Spitfire LF.Mk IXc, MK732 (PH-OUQ) representing the
earliest equipment of the 60year "young" Belgian Air Force
A large selection of military fast jets filled
the Coxyde sky with the sound of freedom during the entire air show
weekend. Spanish Air Force Avions Marcel Dassault Mirage F.1M
C.14-36/14-18 of Albacete’s Ala 14 was displayed in a traditional, but
very impressive way. The unit will convert to the Typhoon from 2008
onwards.
Another, more contemporary member of the
Dassault family presented at the Koksijde Air Show was Mirage 2000C
17/5-OZ of Escadron de Chasse 02.005 “Ile de France”. It is based at
Orange airbase in France.
The Schweizer Luftwaffe became a regular guest
at the Belgian coast in the past few years. This year, it was present with
a pair of McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornets and seven Northrop F-5E Tiger
II aircraft of the Patrouille Suisse.
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet J-5020 was
presented to the Belgian public in a solo display.
The Czech Air Force was one of the first
Eastern European air forces that really started to integrate into NATO.
The Aero L-159A ALCA (Advanced Light Combat Aircraft) is now fully
integrated and NATO compatible as is proven by its participation in the
flying programme of NATO’s Tactical Leadership Programme. 6050 belongs to
the 21st Tactical Airbase at Cáslav.
All black Dutch KLu Pilatus PC-7 L-02
during its very professional display which was reminiscent of a Second
World War fighter.
Being a helicopter base, Koksijde always
attracts a large number of rotary wing aircraft, like this Culdrose based
Royal Navy EH.101 Merlin HM.1 ZH846/CU-587 of No. 82 Squadron.
Beautifully restored Canadian
Vickers Canso PBY-5A Catalina G-PBYA takes of for its spirited
demonstration
Shape of things to come....
NHIndustries NH.90 which is to replace a.o. the Seaking in the Search &
Rescue role at Koksijde. Text and pictures
by Jos
Schoofs & Daniel Brackx
(July 2006) |
