New colours

The show was opened by a mass paradrop of skydivers from the Zambian Air Force Harbin Y-12, a role the aircraft was to fulfil on a number of occasions during the day.  The Y-12 was flown by Col George Muliokela and Lt Col John Sinyangwe, with a group of very capable loadmasters serving duty in the cabin.  This was followed by a solo display of the Yak-55 by Charles Urban.  This was one of a number of show first’s for the day, as this was the first airshow where ZU-COT was displayed in the new “Tiger” colour scheme that it now carries.

 The next display was again that of a very unique aircraft, namely the Rutan Long Eze, displayed by Dave O’ Niell.  This is an eye catching aircraft while airborne and the two “Inyatsi” buffalo emblems painted on the upper wing almost looked like eyes staring at the spectators during the display. 

Twin K-8 display by the Zimbabwean Air Force

 The following display was another show first for the IMG team, namely a formation flying display by both the attending Zimbabwe Air Force K-8 jet trainers.  The aircraft were flown by Wing Commander Masakadza, Flight Lieutenant Chaza, Flight Lieutenant Matizamhuka and Flight Lieutenant Chihovo.  The display consisted of a number of passes in different formation positions and different configurations.  This aircraft type has been flown in South Africa before, by Wing Cdr Masakadza, who has given displays with the K-8 at the 2005 Fighter Meet at AFB Makhado, AAD 2006 at AFB Ysterplaat and AAD 2008 at AFB Ysterplaat.  In discussion with him after the show, it was apparent that he enjoyed the K-8 quite a lot and rated it as a very good trainer jet aircraft.  The Wing Cdr has also flown F-7 and Mig-23 fighters in addition to the Hawk in Zimbabwean Air Force service.  One of the major advantages of the K-8 for training, in his opinion, is the fact that it only uses about 25 % of the fuel burn of a Hawk per hour, but he fully admits that the K-8 does not have the same performance as a Hawk which has more thrust than the K-8.