Sunday full of metal birds soaring the skies

Aviation fanatics, fighter plane enthusiasts and photographers lined up early on Sunday morning at Waterkloof Air Force Base to be thrilled by breathtaking manoeuvres and aerobatics from the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2024 expo.

The second day of the expo, September 22, was measured as the only resounding success of the two-day show.

On Saturday, inclement weather prevented some of the events from taking place as the skies clouded up and the adverse weather conditions required some expert manoeuvering by pilots of 85 Combat Flying School to fly aircraft, like the Hawk that did take to the skies.

Lots of hopeful fans attended, but could not see most of the items they lined up for.
Upset that the events did not take place, they took to social media to criticise the organisers.

Most fans left at 11:00 as the rain was getting heavy.

It was however communicated on Facebook that if tickets were not used on Saturday, these could be changed on site on Sunday.

Tickets for adults cost R260.

Both days the military exhibition however did make it a memorable day for visitors and participants, leaving many with memories of special exhibits.

The show has continued to grow with each edition, the previous one being held in 2022.

On Sunday, crowds were greeted by the sky being dotted by paragliders sporting the South African flag.

Aviation fanatics later eagerly spotted the Gripen flying solo and dipping from left to right, with barrel and inverted rolls, always a highlight of any show.

The day commenced with the traditional emergency services parade, their vehicles being led by a helicopter.

Popular with the crowd was Captain Flippie Vermeulen’s Beechcraft Model 18, especially among all those nostalgic about the golden age of flying.

There was a dramatic enactment of a mini-war, showing engagement by so-called enemy forces.

The audience next to the barriers was enthralled by the exceptionally skilful acrobatics displays, especially by Jason Beamish’s performance in the Extra 300 supported by Master Power Technologies.

The exceptional skill of two members of the Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team from Langebaanweg wowed the crowd with rolls and knife edge turns.

Major Tlhafelo Ronald Moroole made sure the Clover position and the inverted barrel rolls worked out perfectly.

The stars of the day for many aviation enthusiasts were the legendary Chipmunks and Stearmans, who took to the skies in perfect formation, as well as the mini-war performance with the Rooikat and the Mamba armoured personnel carrier vehicles on the ground.

For many the unusual sight of the PLAAF Y-20, a Chinese freight plane, taking to the skies, was a show-stopping display.

For those visiting the exhibits, there was live music entertainment by the South African Air Force band.

Hangar 3 featured the exhibition pavilions of China and Brazil, as well as exhibitions by aviation companies such as Beretta and Norinco.

Click here to watch a video of the Chinese plane Y-20 landing:

Click here to see paragliders bringing the flag into the show:

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