AAD 2008 Ysterplaat AFB

[ZS-VAN]

AAD is upon us once again and myself and ZS-Mike when along to the trade day today to have a look at what was on offer. Happily we also saw some validation flights so have an idea of what to come at the airshow tomorrow.

The were a pair of Lightnings flying this morning, the two I sighted a couple of days ago. That was the most exciting things going. Unhappily I wasn't lugging my EOS50E around. Old school and I didn't have any options of getting a digital. Nice just being able to watch.

Saw the Mirage III and new Hawk 120, Super Lynx 300, Rooivalk, Super Hind and as we were leaving the Gripen. On the freeway we were overflown by a Hunter, Buccaneer and Lightning. From what we were able to learn the were due to make their run at 15h00, we left at about 17h00.

Lots of international businesses displaying their wares. Everything from aviation both civil and military, naval, and land based systems. Most interesting to me were 20mm assault weapons, one a compact semi auto with 6 round capacity and the other a bolt action capable of hitting accurately out to a 1000m. So, instead of deploying a 40mm grenade launcher you use these as direct fire weapons with the same effect, neat.

Anyway, I'm bushed and will see that sufficient pics are taken to keep you all happy. Fortunately ZS-Mike always lugs his cameras around and downloaded a few pics and resized them for you all. After the show we'll clean things up and post some decent pics. ;)

[ZS-VAN]

Here's a few more.

[CFBC]

Superb, truely superb, those Lightnings ZS... PLEASE post some more pics!

Well :cool

[sniperUK]

Lovely shots of the Lightnings..............but just what is that blue stuff in the background:unsure: :LOL: :LOL:

[ZS-VAN]

Lovely shots of the Lightnings..............but just what is that blue stuff in the background:unsure: :LOL: :LOL:

Sniper, the field is a quagmire. There's just been a break in the rain. They had roller compactors trying to get the ground firm for the airshow later today. They tried mixing in bales of hay. I can't say it worked. :(

[sniperUK]

Sniper, the field is a quagmire. There's just been a break in the rain. They had roller compactors trying to get the ground firm for the airshow later today. They tried mixing in bales of hay. I can't say it worked. :(

Sounds just like here this year ,I think that someone has cursed all the shows for 2008.

[ZS-VAN]

Superb, truely superb, those Lightnings ZS... PLEASE post some more pics!

Well :cool


Just a note, these were taken by ZS-Mike. ;)

[Craig]

Yes, we have the Vulcan, but WOW!!! :cool

[ZS-VAN]

Here's a link to the expo. http://www.aadexpo.co.za/index.html

[ZS-MIKE]

Hi all

Here are some more pics I took at AAD 2008. Hope you enjoy. I have resized then but if anyone want a good resolution pic, drop me a private message and we can make a plan. Sorry I am taking so long to post but I struggle to log on and when I am logged it's not for long as I lose the login.

[ZS-MIKE]

Some more Lightning pics (taken me 10 minutes to post 5 pics)

[ZS-MIKE]

And even some more Lightnings

[ZS-MIKE]

The mighty Buccaneer

[ZS-MIKE]

Buc and Hunter

[ZS-MIKE]

Hunter and the Grippen pulloing a tight turn

[ZS-MIKE]

Some more Grippen

[ZS-MIKE]

Grippen

[ZS-VAN]

Great stuff mate, glad to see that you did manage to post. :cool

[ZS-MIKE]

South Africa's own Rooivalk sharing the airspace with the Russian Mi 24 owned by ATE in South Africa. If you've seen the movie Blood Diamond you would have seen the Mi 24 make an appearance.

[ZS-MIKE]

Great stuff mate, glad to see that you did manage to post. :cool

And it's taken me an hour to put up these 5 posts :(

[andygray1]

And it's taken me an hour to put up these 5 posts :(

Very much appreciated !:)

[chris1966m]

WONDERFUL :cool :cool :cool

thanks for sharing :)

[ZS-VAN]

Some pics for Agent X20. This a private jet. Apparently the owner has out grown this one and has ordered an A380. This has been tough, had to go through over a 1000 of ZS-Mike's pics.

[Red 2]

To both ZS's......much appreciated!:cool: :cool: :cool:

[ZS-VAN]

SAA/Star Alliance in the company of the newly painted SAAF Silver Falcons flying the Pilatus PC7MkII.

[ZS-VAN]

These should prove very interesting. A father daughter combo flying the 737-200 and 737-300. They do own and fly their own aircraft in formation but this is not an everyday sight. The break is particularly cool. ;)

[ZS-VAN]

A pic or two for Sniper too.

[ZS-VAN]

Note the blue and white Puma is an upgraded machine owned by Thunder City but the others are SAAF Oryxs. The red and white Oryx is used in Antartica.

[ZS-VAN]

A few more choppers. The Super Lynx 300 is recently acquired. The Agusta A109 is also relatively new here and has replaced the Alloutte III. Check out the sniper on the Squirrel. ;)

[ZS-VAN]

For the armour junkies something with a bit of South African flavour. The G6 SP Gun, Rooikat and Olifant MkII. First time I see the Olifant MkII, an upgraded Centurion.

[von hitchofen]

love those Lightnings ZSMike...reminds me what the sky was like over my house when i was a kid! :D

[Arno 01]

Very nice, love the 737 routine:D

[scott]

Lightnings Yeah

:D :D
I would love to see them flying around

[Agent X20]

Thanks ZS.... yep that 737 pair look lovely....

[Red 2]

Thanks ZS.... yep that 737 pair look lovely....

Must agree that the 737 pair is something special. Only wish I could have seen it for real as it would surely have been one of the airshow highlights!

Now, just add a smoke generator to each exhaust....:D :LOL:

[ZS-VAN]

Here's a Harvard or three. Notice the colours on the SAAF Museum example.

[Dutchie]

Missed this thread for a few days.
How exciting to see Lightnings fly:cool :cool :cool
thanks for the pictures:)

[Hunter Mk58]

ZS-Mike,

Trurly super photo's To see the Buccaneer where it belongs, where as we in the UK can only hope that Hawker Hunter Aviation Bucc takes to the air one day.

[ZS-MIKE]

The hawk painted in South African flag colours.

[ZS-MIKE]

More Hawk

[ZS-MIKE]

C47 Turbo Prop - South Africa's upgraded dakota. The particaular aircraft took part in the Berlin Airlift.

[ZS-MIKE]

The aerobatic display team of the South African Air Force flying the Pilatus PC7 Mk II Astra. This weekend asw the aircraft unveiled in their new scheme which I think is much better than the boring red and white paint job they had previously.
www.silverfalcons.co.za

[ZS-MIKE]

Good ol' Bob Mugabe sent representatives of his air force - K8

[ZS-MIKE]

Hungarian pilot Zoltan Perez thrilled us with some superb flying in the Extra 300.

[ZS-MIKE]

Some various shots: USAF Hercules; Russian L39; Helicopter flypast featuring the Orynx, Rooivalk, Augusta A109, BK 117; South African Police Task Force coming in by helicopter; SAAF Hercules touchdown; Boeing flypast over SAAF Hercules

[CFBC]

Great pics there ZS Mike. Thanks for sharing them.

I suggest you get one of those in the 2008 Shot of the Day competition thread ;) :)