Mirage III CZ 800

For most the highlight of the day was the ever popular Mirage III CZ no 800 as a unique aircraft being the only remaining flying example in the world. Fitted with two supersonic tanks the initial high speed flypast stunned the crowd. 800 is displayed by Glen Warden and due to efforts by his dedicated team and members of SAAF HQ is an instant favourite whenever the aircraft appear at an airshow. There are even a loyal following that travel throughout South Africa to see the aircraft display. Yet at Rand the enthusiast were treated to perhaps the best display ever.

The Snakes Microlight team with Jay Hyde as leader attended with seven micolights with one acting as a spare, the team used six microlights for their routines. No mean feat the team has changed public opinion on the credibility of micolights for airshow routines. A feature of their routine at Rand was the use of some incredible air burst pyrotechnics.

Air burst pyrotechnics

  SAAF Participation

Following 2006, the SAAF again appeared at Rand during 2007 in full capacity. The Golden Eagles parachute team with a complement of five used the Cessna 208 Caravan from 41 Sqdn as their jumping base. Upon landing, under the leadership of Johnny Beukes they formed up for the salute.

SAAF Golden Eagles

A109 LUH no 4014

A109 LUH no 4014, which was first seen at the Maputu Airshow earlier in the year, was displayed by Willem du Toit from 17 Sqdn. An Oryx also attended for the usual water drop routine but no extended routine. The ever popular Silver Falcons deployed all the way from Langebaan in the Western Cape with a lone TP-Dak from 35 Sqdn as their support aircraft. Currently team no 65 under the leadership of Maj Alex van Oostveen, with Capt Guy du Sautoy (pronounced “du Souta”) as No2, Capt Alex McPhail as No3 and Capt Scott Ternent as No4 and the solo display pilot. Both the No2 and No3 are new to the team. Despite their relatively flat show the crowd enjoyed every second with Alex McPhail keeping his Astra nose high for an extended part of the landing sequence. Further the ground support crew nowadays performs a ground routine in sequence while the crew board their Astras and during the pre-flight checks and power-up routine.

Silver Falcons Team 65	At Rand with the static park in close proximity, this is the ideal show to view the ground crew in action. A big disappointment was the absence of a Cheetah following the immaculate routine during 2006, but SAAF operational requirements takes preference.
	Nose high extended landing routine