The best known are the Quicksilver training exercises which saw the first use of the RPK tanks on the Mirage IIIs of 2 Sqdn. As the RPK tanks were an external  fuel tank with integrated bomb dispenser - live ordnance were dropped against ground targets at the nearby Schmitdtrift training facility during May 1978. The Mirages of 2 Sqdn were regular visitors to Kimberley for training exercises especially the RZs and R2Zs of the recce flight. On 27 October 1977, a Mirage R2Z no 854 was lost near Kimberley shortly after take-off with the pilot surviving the incident.

2 Sqdn - Recce flight. A Mirage III RZ no 838 as part of a training camp at Kimberley

 During one of the last training camps the new air superiority colour scheme which featured toned down grey shades with a reverse “diamond” pattern were evaluated against the original buff colour scheme.  Impalas used as part of SADF co-operation exercises were a common sight at the airport. In later years the Boeing 707s were regular visitors and used Kimberley for approach and go-around training. With the end of the Border War conflict, military aircraft only visits Kimberley on the odd occasion as part of long range navigation exercises. The advent of regional airliners entering service with the major carriers saw the last Boeing domestic flight to Kimberley in 1994. Today only regional propliners and the smaller regional jetliners service the domestic route to Kimberley. 

Airshow:

For the parachute jumpers this year’s Kimberley airshow was a highlight as a fair number of jumps were performed by not only the Golden Eagles Parachute team but by a fair number of regular skydivers with show jump ratings. The Golden Eagles opened the day and upon landing handed over the opening speech in the form of a scroll to Col Harry Treurnicht who delivered the opening address. Throughout the day a Cessna 208 from 41 Sqdn was used as the delivery platform for the parachutists.

Receiving the opening speech from the Golden Eagles