Military Jets Photography: May 2015

2011 07 08 Departures Koksijde Airshow

On Friday I went again to Koksijde to attend the spottersday that was organised to catch the departures. Unfortunately the tower didn't wanted to cooperate as all helicopters were directed away from the spotters.

An-30 Ukrainian Air Force 80yl

C-130E Polish Air Force 1501

AS550C2 Danish Air Force P-339

NF-5A-2000 Turkish Air Force Turkish Stars

SF-260M+ Belgian Air Force Red Devils

A109BA Belgian Army H07

Mi-8MTV Polish Navy 5528

C-160D Turkish Air Force 69-033

C-130H Belgian Air Force CH-10

SF-260M Belgian Air Force ST-30

F-16AM Netherlands Air Force J-015

F-16BM Belgian Air Force FB-18

TS-11-bis DF Polish Air Force Team Iskra

F-16BM Belgian Air Force FB-22

Merlin HM1 Royal Navy ZH832

Tornado GR4 Royal Air Force ZD711/079

C-17A USAF 00-0185

2011 07 06 Koksijde airshow

Undoubtedly one of the main shows on the European airshow calendar was the Belgian air force's show at Koksijde (Coxyde), home to its SAR Seakings of 40 squadron. The show celebrated the 65th anniversary of the Belgian air force, 50 years of Search and Rescue, 35 years of Seaking and 40 years of service of the Alouette III.
To deconflict with the airshows of Waddington, Zeltweg, Luxeuil and Yeovilton, Koksijde International Airshow was held in the middle of the week, from 2pm on Wednesday 6 July and from 10am on Thursday 7 July.
Probably the most impressive aircraft in the static park was an Estonian air force Antonov 2, though there were quite a few other interesting planes on the ground, including a nice corner dedicated to the search and rescue anniversary, featuring a Dutch NH-90, a type which will also replace Belgium's aging Seakings.
Flying commenced shortly after the gates opened on each day so one would expect a full day's flying, hardly surprising when looking at the long list of confirmed participants, due to the timing in the middle of the week which meant Koksijde did not have to compete with other shows to attract display items.
Team Iskry and Baby Blue only displayed on Thursday, while the Turkish Stars, RAF Tornado and the Victors were only allowed to perform on Wednesday.
The anniversary part of the show was divided into several parts: trainers, transport and fighters. One of the most surprising displays was the Czech W-3 helicopter, being thrown around quite energetically. Main attraction for most were probably the Saudi Hawks on their first European tour and the USAF Thunderbirds, though they had to cut short their display on Thursday due to heavy rainfall, the rest of the show enjoying mild if sometimes cloudy weather.

Lancaster B1 Battle of Britian Memorial Flight PA474

C-130H Belgian Air Force CH-12
DC-3 Privatly owned N49AG

A330-300 Belgian Air Force CS-TMT
F-16AM Belgian Air Force FA-104

Alpha Jet E French Air Force F-TUED/E107

Fouga Magister CM.170R Privatly owned F-GPCJ

Hunter F6A Dutch Hawker Hunter Foundation G-KAXF

Meteor NF.11 Classic Aircraft Trust G-LOSM

F-16C USAF Thunderbirds

NF-5A-2000 Turkish Air Force Turkish Stars
NF-5B-2000 Turkish Air Force Turkish Stars

NF-5A-2000 Turkish Air Force Turkish Stars

NF-5B-2000 Turkish Air Force Turkish Stars

NF-5A-2000 Turkish Air Force Turkish Stars

NF-5B-2000 Turkish Air Force Turkish Stars

NF-5A-2000 Turkish Air Force Turkish Stars

F/A-18C Swiss Air Force J-5017

Alpha Jet E French Air Force Patrouille de France

F-16AM Belgian Air Force FA-110

2011 07 05 Arrivals and rehearsels Koksijde Airshow

On Tuesday July 5 I went to Koksijde to witness the arrivals and rehearsels for the Koksijde Airshow. The Belgian Air Force moved the date to a midweek show instead of the normal weekend days. The reason for this was to get a maximum foreign participation and they surely succeeded in this.

Highlights on this day were the Turkish Stars and the USAF Thunderbirds.