CASA C235 first public display in grey colour scheme with Hawk no 269 - static

 The Silver Falcons opened the flying displays for the day with their signature display. It was stunning as always with perfect positioning for viewing by the crowd. Once the Falcons had landed, Casa 235, now devoid of the parachutists, started its display. This is the first time this aircraft was displayed in public in the new toned down colour scheme. The pilots, Maj van Zyl & Capt Burnell, performed a stunning display with a sweep in from the northern side of the airfield followed by many manoeuvres showing the capabilities of this aircraft. In plan-view, the aircraft appears almost like a mini-Transall. The assault landing was heart thumping as well. Unfortunately, the display was cut a little short due the arrival of that wonderful black lady, Mirage IIICZ, 800 Black Widow.

 Flown to perfection by Lt Col Glenn Warden the display of Mirage III CZ 800, now sporting a magnificent pair of gold castles on the intakes was simply brilliant. Glenn positions the aircraft in such a way that the top side of the aircraft is displayed to the crowd on virtually every single pass. Interspersing the two classic Dassault fast jets was a Dassault Falcon 50 from 21 Sqd. This is the SAAF’s VIP transport squadron and this aircraft along with her sister ships and the BBJ are used for Presidential and Ministerial flights. Maj. Hoffman & Lt Col Fee from the squadron flew the Falcon 50 in a rare display.

 The final Dassault product on display is in the form of the Mirage F1AZ no 233 flown by Lt Col Johannes Joubert. Starting with a touch and go and then into a power display with much use of the afterburner. It has been some time since we have seen the F1 in displays so it was a treat to see the aircraft flying again. 

The Swartkop airshow was an excellent mix of current SAAF, historical SAAF and civilian display teams. The first civilian display team for the day was the Northwest Eagles flown Larry Beamish and Nigel Hopkins, they  performed a simultaneous take-off with the John Wright owned Harvard, immaculate in her original SAAF colours flown by Pierre Gouws. They went into performing a three-ship display in the aircraft before Pierre splits out to perform a solo display. Once completed, Larry and Nigel performed their normal display culminating in their now familiar signature display-ending simultaneous slow and high-speed flypast synchronised to culminate in front of the long crowd line.