Port Elizabeth Air Show 2010
Date: 30 October 2010
Article and photos by Greg Pullin
The annual Port Elizabeth air show was held on Saturday 30 October 2010. Unfortunately, the weather did not co-operate and it was overcast and windy, with low cloud and rain in the late afternoon. This did result in changes to the program and cancellations of some of the displays, but it certainly did not deter the crowds that arrived, all 20 000 of them, making it one of the most successful air shows held in Port Elizabeth. This just goes to show that air shows are becoming more popular with the South African public, especially if there are not a lot of them in the area.
It was ironic that the Friday weather was sunny and perfect and much better for photography of the aircraft practicing for their displays. I drove to PE from Cape Town for the air show and unfortunately, due to business commitments, missed the Friday practice day, including the formation flypast of the arrival of the Sea Fury, P51 Mustang, and T-28 Trojan, which was not repeated on the Saturday. C'est la vie!
Participating aircraft and Flying Displays
The stars of the show were undoubtedly the civilian owned ex-warbirds, the P-51 Mustang and Sea Fury (this was their public debut), the T-28 Trojan and the T-6 Harvard. There is a certain mystique about ex-military high performance aircraft that sets the adrenalin going and excites even the most seasoned air show enthusiast. Real aeroplanes have sticks and are taildraggers (ok, the Trojan has a nose wheel, but we can't all be perfect).
The Hawker Sea Fury "Bad Attitude" is an ex-Reno racer and is in Canadian Air Force markings with number 117 on the fuselage. It is owned and flow by Stu Davidson, a well known enthusiast and collector. The North American P-51 Mustang 411661 "Mustang Sally" is US registered as N72FT. Owned by Menno Parsons, it was expertly displayed by American display pilot George Perez, who is one of the most experienced Mustang display pilots in the world.
The North American T-28 Trojan 51-3647 is US registered as NX28FE and is a trainer and light attack aircraft which was seen as a replacement for the T-6 by the USAF. It was displayed by Patrick Davidson. The North American T-6 Harvard ZU-AZX in US Navy colours is ex-SAAF 7073 and was also flown by Patrick Davidson.
Boeing Stearman ZU-BED (with its wing-walking mechanism still attached) did a gritty performance with Stu Davidson at the controls. One wonders if a new wing-walking act is in future plans?
Ex-military civilian jets also excite and there were two: L-39 Albatros ZU-ROL and L-39 Albatros ZU-JET. Valery Sobolev, a leading Russian aerobatic pilot, displayed Menno Parsons' L-39 ZU-ROL with exciting low level slide-slips and knife edge manoeuvres.
Two Bell Textron 407 helicopters ZS-RLB and ZS-RHJ flown by Buzz Bezuidenhout and Menno Parsons danced around each other in the sky in an aerial duel: quite a beautiful display. Both had the name of the SA band "Just Jinjer" on the fuselage.
Patrick Davidson, who is the current South African aerobatics champion, gave a polished aerobatics display in the Extra 300 ZS-CPC, which is in SA flag colours. One can imagine the concentration and exact flying needed to make the display look so flowing and slick.
The South African Air Force provided a major part of the air show with participation by various aircraft. Two BK 117 helicopters 380 and 382 performed a more aggressive aerial duel and did individual displays. Cessna Caravan 3004 showed what a light transport aircraft could do. C-47TP Dakota 6867 was not to be outdone and did several flypasts, one with a feathered propeller. The SAAF Golden Eagles Parachute Team is always a favourite and they landed right in front of the crowd. Parachutists are often looked at with awe, with many spectators wishing that they could also float down so gracefully to the ground.
The only SAAF jet that participated was the TFDC-based Hawk Mk-120 LIFT no 267 was flown by Lt. Col. Jannie Scott. It looked almost sinister against the dark grey clouds which were appearing and made enough noise to please everyone. It was great to see it taxi past with the canopy open, giving a clearer view of the cockpit.
Oryx 1239 fitted with floatation gear, demonstrated the use of the Bambi bucket and also lifted a shipping container off a military truck. It was a good example of precision flying with the strong winds that were buffeting it.
The Silver Falcons team 70 performed their last official performance as a team (their 50th); as certain team members are leaving for other SAAF duties as their current tour expires. All aerobatic teams have regular replacement of team members at different times to retain expertise and continuity. Team 70 comprised of Major Scott Ternent, Major Nico Frylinck, Capt. Buti Tsebe, Capt. Gerhard Lourens and Capt. Roy Sproul and flew in Astras 2023 (No 1); 2020 (No 2); 2018 (no 3); 2017 (No 4) and 2027 (No 5). The two aircraft through the box manoeuvre is as exciting as ever, and a real challenge for photographers to capture the exact moment.
The Goodyear Eagles Aerobatic Team in their Pitts Specials, flown by Glen Warden in ZS-MZX; Neil Trollip in ZS-MZN, Ian Billing in ZS-MZY put on their exciting display with formation stall turns and the switchblade cross-over manoeuvre. Dennis Spence provided the commentary for the sequence.
The Tracker Skydiving Team parachutists; Gerrit Lambert, Ricci Bucceri and Graham Field, were dropped out of Goodyear Eagles Pitts for a triple inverted jump at the top of an inverted loop. Those with good eyes and / or binoculars could clearly see them dropping out of the aircraft.
Set piece action sequences are now regular parts of air shows and South African Police Services Reaction Unit's anti- hijacking demonstration / display sequence certainly did not disappoint: cars, screaming tyres, hijackers, flares, police dogs, smoke, gunfire, noise, dust and all action. SAPS helicopters Bo-105 ZS-RBA and Eurocopter Squirrel ZS-RDH added to the excitement of the event with tight flying and support. This seemed even more realistic on an active civilian airport, with airliner movements just before and after the sequence.
The Whisper motor glider displayed by Russell Phillips gave an almost eerie silent performance, far apart from the noisy jets. Gliders are graceful and to some, are the ultimate flight.
As Port Elizabeth is an active airport; civil airliners were landing and taking off and taxiing right in front of the crowd line. This added a further dimension to the air show and is a bonus! It was a pity about the high fence next to the taxiway which challenged photographers in the crowd. Some of the airliners and business jets which landed and took off were: British Airways Boeing B737-200 ZS-NNG and ZS-OTH; Congo Express ZS-NMI which is a Canadair Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Regional Jet CRJ-200ER, as well as an all white example ZS-NBA, SA Express ZS-NML, ZS-NMN and ZS-NMH; SAA Boeing 737-800 ZS-SJR; Kulula "zippy plane" Boeing B737-400 ZS-OAG; 1time DC 9 ZS-OPX (with "Silver Bullet" on the nose) which did a low flypast and SAA Airbus A319 ZS-SFF. Biz jet Gulfstream III ZS-JGC flew in as well.
The Air Quarius Fokker F28 ZS-JES (with the name Jessica on the nose), flown by Captain Anthony Braum and First Officer performed a stunning display with several low level passes. It is wonderful to see large aircraft displayed at an air show.
To me, the highlight of the air show was the: Silver Falcons / P-51 Mustang formation which closed the show. It is great that such unusual formations are organised: thanks to those responsible.
Static Aircraft
The most imposing aircraft on display was the South African Airways B 737-200 ZS-SID cargo aircraft which was open to the public and was full of curious spectators who probably had their first opportunity to look at the cockpit and the emptiness of a cargo aircraft's hold. The stairs to the aircraft door were clogged with spectators who found it a convenient location to watch the air show.
One of the more interesting civilian aircraft on static display was the (still) futuristic looking Fish Eagle ZU-BNH, which is a modified Cozy Mk.IV, itself a side by side two-seat development of the Burt Rutan designed Long-EZ. It is powered by a modified V8 car engine.
The SAAF Museum Port Elizabeth aircraft on display were the Bosbok 920 and Harvard 7289. SAAF Pilatus Astra 2010 was on static display in the familiar red and white scheme. It seems almost strange to see these aircraft in theis scheme, now that we are used to the newer Silver Falcons colour scheme. Yakolev Yak-52 ZU-CXK in Russian Air Force markings and the name "Skytrace" on the fuselage was on static display but did not fly.
There was a large display of radio control aircraft by one of the hangers, but these did not fly either. There were also some SAAF aircraft paintings by Jimmy Styan on display. Aviation art and this is also growing in popularity with collectors and it was great to see this at an air show.
Superb Organisation
Dr. Crystal Watson and her air show committee did a great job. Fred Bebbibgton was the air show safety director and the co-ordinator was Kevin Woolacott. Brian Emmenis and his Capital Sounds team provided the commentary. The Port Elizabeth Air Traffic Controllers are to be congratulated for accommodating the air show in between the normal commercial airliners and business flying.
The media were well looked after and had a spot where there was only a low fence in front, next to the refuelling area where the warbirds parked.
All the proceeds of the air show went to charity, namely the MTR Smit Children's Home as well as other local charities involving children.
My thanks to all.
And, yes, it was worth the 1 500 km drive from Cape Town and back to see the Mustang and Sea Fury fly.
