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2010 Air Shows |
NATO Days, Ostrava, Czech Republic
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Location: Ostrava , of the Czech Republic
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Admission:
FREE |
Parking: For
4 € in Mosnov, with bus shuttles, 0.50 €, each way |
| Value:
Very Good |
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| The 10th
NATO-Days were held on September 18th to 19th in Ostrava, NE part
of the Czech Republic, just SW of the Polish border. You could not
beat the price: admission was free to the public, without the hassle
of security checks associated with most air shows. The air show started
about 11 clock, with a solo display from Mil-Mi 24, followed by a
group fly-by from Czech Air Force (3 x Mil-Mi 24, 3 x L-39, 6 x L-159,
3 x Saab Gripen, 1 x Antonov 26).
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The weather was perfect for the event bright and
sunny. Photography was a challenge, as the sun was always in front
of you along the flight line. The event was very good, and well
organized. The food/beverage vendors were sufficient, and one could
buy freshly roasted pork! Sanitation facilities available to the
public were scarce and need improvement.
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This was not your typical air show event;
it was more of a military display or orientation for families to
get acquainted with NATO members and their equipment both on the
air and ground. There were many different Tanks, Armoured vehicles,
and Emergency vehicles, as well as presentations from the police,
border guard, rescue service of the Czech Republic, Czech Customs
Administration, Czech and Polish counter terrorist units, etc. The
only non-NATO-Member, Austria, had one static display an Sikorsky
S-70 Blackhawk.
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Some of demonstrations were:
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- The driving characteristics of LOV, Dingo and Iveco
- Presentation of LEOPARD I from the Military History Institute
- Protection of escorted person
- Arrestment of an intruder
- Assault of mechanized brigade
- Demonstration of driving characteristics
of T-42M4CZ, Pandur II and Kajman
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The in the air schedule
was interspersed with, and/or sometimes simultaneous with, ground
demonstrations, thus the air display was limited to small flying
programs.
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The static
display was good for families and children; they could walk up
to and/or sit in many of the displayed aircraft or helicopters.
A great experience for the ‘next generation’ but again,
with crowds, it limited in our photography of static displays.
The highlight part of the display was a B-52H, with no security.
One could walk under its wings and its bomb bay doors were open.
Everyone was grateful to the USAF for this
great opportunity. |
| Aircraft and helicopters on static
display were:
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Czech Air Force: Mil-Mi
2; Mil-Mi 17, Mil-Mi 24(35), Airbus 319 CJ, Saab JAS-39C Gripen,
Yak 40K, Antonov 26 (in special paint scheme ; 10 years service
in NATO), a brand new CASA C-295M, Let L-410T Turbolet, Aero L-39ZA
Albatros.
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Polish Air Force: MiG-29GT,
Sukhoi Su-22UM-3K, CASA C-295M,
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| United States Air
Force: Boeing B-52H Stratofrotress from AFRC and two F-15's
from Leakenheath. |
| Royal Air Force: Boeing
E-3D, Vickery VC-10, Tornado GR4. |
| Romanian Air Force: Antonov
26, |
| Royal Netherlands
Air Force: Two (2) F-16 |
Hungarian Air
Force: Antonov 26, Saab JAS-39C Gripen.
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French
Air Force: Mirage 2000D, |
| NATO: Boeing E-3A
AWACS |
| Austrian Air
Force: Sikorsky S-70 Blackhawk |
| This
was the last event, outside of the UK, that you could see the Tornado
F3 from the Royal Air Force in formation with a Hawker Hurricane
Mk1. On Sunday there was a formation with Hurricane together with
the Slovak Mig 29 and the Czech Saab Gripen. After some fly-by’s,
the Gripen left the formation, and they flew together with the
Tornado F3. Very nice!!!
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| Other
solo displays from the Czech Air Force included the Aero L-39 Albatros,
Airdrop from Antonov 26, Saab JAS-39C Gripen, PZL W3A Sokol in
a rescue demo and with the Bambi Bucket, and an L-159 Alca. The
end of the day was an airdrop of specialists from the rescue parachute
service, going out from Mil Mi 171. The Czech Air Force also flew
two Mil- Mi 24, as well as, a very nice display was performed of
the intercept of an airliner with two Gripen. Hitec,
the pilot from The Royal Netherlands Air Force, roared his F-16 in
the sky over Ostrava. The Romanian Air Force flew the IAR 99, which
is really a rare aircraft, especially in a flying program. The solo
displays from the Slovak Air Force MiG-29AS and the Harrier made
the day perfect.
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| It was a great event
to attend, and we look forward to the next one.
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Review and photography by Wolfgang Jarisch for
AIRSHOWSREVIEW LLC. |
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AIRSHOWSREVIEW LLC. All
Rights Reserved. |
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