The flying display started with a Piper J3 Tiger followed by SAR demonstration from the Italian Air Force / 21 Gruppo with two AB 212 ICO. At the end of the display, one of the crew members could be seen with his tiger masking waving to the crowds below them. Smaller aircraft from the aero club followed, such as the Diamond DA 42, Mudry Cap 10, then the Patrouille MD Flamant (one 311 and one 312 Flamant). Three different versions (311, 312 and 315) were built of this aircraft with a total number of 325 between 1947 and 1950.

In the grey skies over Cambrai, the Morane Saulnier D-3801(interesting aircraft built by the Swiss under license of the MS406) was the next with a nice sounding Hispano-Suiza 12Y-31 engine. The first flight of the Morane was in 1935. This was followed by two Mirage 2000. The Breitling Wingwalkers who usually fly with up to five Boeing Stearman, at Cambrai only flew with two Boeings. The performance was dazzling, despite flying with only two aircraft.

One of the highlight of the event was the “Défilé des Tigres”, a formation of different kinds of aircraft participating in the NTM-2011, all painted in Tiger scheme. Another formation consisted with one Mirage 2000 in front of the Patrouille de France. The Tiger formation flew two fly-by passes, unfortunately, at the same time the sky changed to dark grey, limiting the possibilities for any good photos. A historical flight from the beginning of the Tiger-Meet consisting of two aircraft flew by: North American F- 86 A “Sabre” in tiger scheme, and a Swiss license built De Havilland Vampire. Both aircrafts were in pristine condition. The Austrian Air Force presented also the wonderful tiger painted Saab 105OE in a solo display. Additional aircraft from the early jet age era, a Fouga Magister flew by showed the aircraft’s maneuverability in a wonderful display.

A bit of pyrotechnics lit up the dark skies, with sirens whaling a simulated bomb attack by a Messerschmitt Me 208 (which really is a Nord 1101 Noralpha) to be chased away by two T-6. It was not a really historically re-enactment, but most attendees did not cared.

The French Security Civil with their Eurocopter-Kawasaki EC-145 also performed a SAR-Mission. Slightly more impressive demo was by the Czech helicopter Mil Mi-35, with it is distinctive rotor and turbine acoustical assault on the ears. This is the newer version of the Mil Mi-24 Hind. The Czech crew and their huge attack helicopter impressed the visitors of the show. The Mil Mi- 35 is always a welcomed guest at any air show. After the Armée del Air formation Cartouche Doreé, who were flying the Socata TB30 Epsilon in a very tight three ship formation, the Swiss F-18 “Hornet” display dazzled all. This had to be the best F-18 display I’ve seen to date. I’m looking forward to see Captain Ralph “Deasy” Knittel, from the Fliegerstaffel 17, at the Airpower 2011 in Austria. Congratulations for the best display of the event! The “smoking glory” of the Slovak Air Force Mig-29 did magically beautiful black exhaust clouds in the skies over Cambrai-Niergnies.