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Text & Pictures : Serge Van Heertum Drawing : Alexander Vandenbohede © sbap 2011
A prestigious airbase, sun and blue sky…this was by far the best
scenery to keep a press conference about the oncoming Koksijde airshow and to
make the official presentation of the demo teams for the 2011 season.
Koksijde airshow is already mentioned on many aeronautical blogs as “the best
European airshow of 2011”. And indeed, to highlight the 65 years of the Belgian
Air Force the authorities are busy to prepare a great event. The theme will be
of course the history of the Belgian Air Force with the participation of many
historical aircraft like Spitfire, Harvard, SV4 and other Hunter.
No less than eight demonstration teams are planned like the Red Arrows,
Patrouille de France, Thunderbirds,
Saudi Hawks, Aguila, Turkish Stars, Baby Blue Team
and of course the brand new Red Devils from the Belgian Air Force itself. But
also well known notorious solo displays from other countries are to be expected.
On Tuesday evening, a great flyby of different planes of the Belgian Air Force
is foreseen along the Belgian coast. On Wednesday, the base will open its doors
at 14:00 until 22:00 for a dusk airshow and on Thursday finally the apotheosis
of this event with the international airshow starting at 10:00 until 18:00 pm.
All needed information can be found on the web site of the Belgian Air Force, just click on the Koksijde airshow poster hereunder.
After the info about the most important airshow held by the Belgian Air Force since 1964, time came to present the demo teams 2011.
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Kolonel Bruno Havermans Koksijde Basecommander |
General Claude Van de Voorde Chief of Belgian Air Force |
Colonel Michel Colles Florennes Basecommader |
Demonstration teams 2011
| Red Devils | |
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In 1977 the Red Devils disappeared from the international airshows due to the replacement of the Fouga Magister by the new Alpha Jet. Now 34 years later and to underline the Belgian Air Force anniversary the Red Devils demo team are reborn and is flying now the Siai Marchetti SF.260. The team is the continuation and has been developed out of the previous “Hardship Red” demo team. In their magnificent red colors the team presents a fabulous ballet full of grace. See also our Marchetti pages : Red Devils 2011 |
Team
2011 Red 1 (ST04) : Cdt Alain “Papy” Collard Red 2 (ST27) : Lt Stefaan “Stef” Braem Red 3 (ST03) : Cpt Albert “Al” Baltus Red 4 (ST23) : Lt Olivier “Mel” Gilson |
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| The SF.260 in a real suitable red skin | |
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| National colours in belgian skies ! | Box formation...as profesional as a "red Devils" |
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| "Papy", "Stef", "Al" and "Mel" the new "Red Devils" | Jacques "Red" Dewaleyns parraining the new team |
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Bitburg (Germany) |
27 to 29/05/2011 |
| Agusta A109BA solo display | |
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Igor and Rutger are presenting for the second year the Agusta A109BA with maestria. During around 15 minutes they are showing the capabilities of this light helicopter in different short maneuvers. For the Belgian Air Force anniversary their helicopter (H24) is wearing special markings in low visibility and the Belgian Air Force title on the fuselage. |
Team
2011 Lt Igor Craeghs Lt Rutger Andries
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| Agusta A109 with the special demo decoration | |
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| A demonstration underlining the pilots know how ! | "Igor" and "Rutger", A109 Display team |
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Rochefort (France) |
28 & 29/05/2011 |
| Lockheed Martin F-16AM solo display | |
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Every air fan has probably already seen an airhow with the “Vortex” demonstration piloted by “Mitch” Beulen. A wonderful and powerful demonstration done by “Mitch” for his third consecutive year as F-16AM solo display pilot. This year the F16 is wearing the same paint scheme as in 2010 with addition of a Belgian Air Force text and anniversary logo. As usual a great show that will be appreciated in the different European airshows. |
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| "Vortex" F-16 and his 65 years Belgian Air Force markings | |
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| Always an impressive demo | "Mitch" Beulen, the F-16 ambassador |
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Dijon
(France) Izmir (Turkey) Saint-Dizier (France) Zeltweg (Austria) Waddington (United Kingdom) Koksijde (Belgium) Yeovilton (United Kingdom) Valencienne (France) Fairford (United Kingdom) Eastbourne (United Kingdom) Radom (Poland) Malaga (Spain) Jersey (United Kingdom) Leuchars (United Kingdom) Sanicole (Belgium) Leeuwarden (Netherlands) Barcelona (Spain) |
12/05/2011 04 & 05/06/2011 18 & 19/06/2011 01 & 02/07/2011 02 & 03/07/2011 06 & 07/07/2011 09/07/2011 14/07/2011 16 & 17/07/2011 11 to 14/08/2011 27 & 28/08/2011 04/09/2011 08/09/2011 10/09/2011 16 to 18/09/2011 16/09/2011 01 & 02/10/2011 |
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All
those beautiful machines and experienced pilots will be present at Koksijde
Airshow. If there is one aeronautical event this year to be seen, it’s certainly this one ! |
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| Click on picture to get more informations | |