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Text: |
Urs Schnyder |
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Urs Schnyder & Michael E. Fader |
For us from Wings-Aviation this was the first Airshow that we could attend after the Covid interuptions. Even though "Le temps des Hélices" took place in 2021, there were travel restrictions in place that prevented us from attending.
After three years without any airshows we couldn’t wait.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Blériot XI, F-AZPG (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Morane-Saulnier Type H F-AZMS (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Caudron G3, F-AZMB (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Sophwith 1 1/2 Strutter F-AZNM (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Fokker D VIIF F-AZLM (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Fokker D VIIF F-AZLM (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Royal Aircraft Factory BE-2f F-AZZN (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Royal Aircraft Factory BE-2f F-AZZN (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Royal Aircraft Factory BE-2f F-AZZN (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Polikarpov Po-2 F-AZDB (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Caudron C.270 F-AZVO (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Stinson SR-10 Reliant F-GPJS (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Morane Saulnier MS-60 Moth G-AANV (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Morane Saulnier MS-317 F-BCNL (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIX PR (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIX PR (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Sipermarine Spitfire Mk V G-LFVB (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Pilatus P-2 F-AZCE (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Nord 1101 Nordalpha F-GMCY (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Douglas AD-4N Skyraider F-AZHK (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The organisers had again the
full support of the Aeronavale and the Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace as
it is now named. There were also some unique formations never seen
before of which more later.
It was therefore especially sad that the weather was not up to the task
and spoiled the event by frequent downpours. As a consequence most of
the pictures come in different tones of greys which however show the
effectiveness of modern camouflage.
Before the start of the airshow there were demonstrations of radio
controlled scale models of different fighters. Unlike in previous years
the airshow was opened by a solitary Piper J3.
Piper PA-11-65 F-BFFP (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Piper J3 F-PJBS (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Piper PA-11-65 F-BFFP (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Tetras CS 63ACX (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
The Beginning of Aviation
The
pioneers could profit from the sun that was still shining at the time
they took to the air. The Deperdussin was prevented from flying on
Saturday by problems and too strong wind on Sunday which only permitted
taxiing.
However, the magnificient Men and Woman in the Bleriot, Morane and the
Caudron took to the air to demonstrate their flying machines.
Blériot XI, F-AZPG (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Blériot XI, F-AZPG (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Blériot XI, F-AZPG (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Blériot XI, F-AZPG (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Blériot XI, F-AZPG (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Morane-Saulnier Type H F-AZMS (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Morane-Saulnier Type H F-AZMS (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Blériot XI and Morane-Saulnier Type H (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Blériot XI and Morane-Saulnier Type H (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Blériot XI, F-AZPG (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Caudron G3, F-AZMB (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Caudron G3, F-AZMB (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Caudron G3, F-AZMB (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Caudron G3, F-AZMB (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
The Pilot ofv the Caudron G3, F-AZMB (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Deperdussin Type T, F-PDEP (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Verdun 1917
Verdun was perhaps the battle with the highest casualties of the whole war. Combat was however not restricted to the ground, as the Air Forces of both sides tried to gain control of the airspace above the battlefield. In this case Fokker Triplanes and SE5a tried to gain an advantage over their adversaries.
Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker F-AZVD (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 and Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5, F-AZCN& F-AZCY (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 and Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 and Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker ( (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 and Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 and Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Spad XIII F-AZFP (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spad XIII F-AZFP (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spad XIII F-AZFP (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spad XIII F-AZFP (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spad XIII F-AZFP (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
The Thirties
The thirties were a time of rapid advancement in aviation, especially in the civilian sector. All metal aircraft like the Spartan or Lockheed Electra were on a par with current military fighter planes and in some cases were even superior to these. Companies like Stinson started to produce aerodynamically clean and beautiful aircraft for the private market.
Stinson SR-10 Reliant F-GPJS (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Stinson SR-10 Reliant F-GPJS (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Stinson SR-10 Reliant F-GPJS (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spartan Executive N47W (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spartan Executive N47W (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spartan Executive N47W (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spartan Executive N47W (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Lockheed 12 Electra Junior F-AZLL (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Lockheed 12 Electra Junior F-AZLL (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Lockheed 12 Electra Junior F-AZLL (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Lockheed 12 Electra Junior F-AZLL (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Lockheed 12 Electra Junior F-AZLL (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace
The Armée de l’Air offered a program of contrasting impressions. From their most likely biggest aircraft, the Tanker version of the Airbus A330 MRTT trailing a Rafale, to their most likely smallest, the Extra 330 of the Equipe de Voltige de l’Armée de l’Air. The solo display of the Rafale provided the speed and noise that is associated with fast jet displays. The Patrouille de France only appeared on Friday for the rehearsal but not on the weekend, as their leader was taken ill.
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Wingwalker
The couple Emiliano and Danielle del Buono provided an interesting display. Danielle didn’t just do the usual routine on the top wing. She climbed down to the lower wing and was lying on the spacer bar between the flying wires. Sitting on the upper wings leading edge is not without risk either, being quite close to the propeller. Thankfully there was no rain during the display as that would have been quite painful for the exposed Danielle.
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Trainers
The primary trainers RYAN PT-22 and the Boeing-Stearman PT-17 Kaydet were probably the biggest pilot makers before and during the war.
RYAN PT-22 N46502 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
RYAN PT-22 N46502 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
RYAN PT-22 N46502 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
RYAN PT-22 N46502 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Boeing Stearmans Modell 75 N43SV (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Boeing Stearmans Modell 75 F-HIZI (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Boeing Stearmans Modell 75 N43SV (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Boeing Stearmans Modell 75F-AZCK (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Boeing Stearmans Modell 75 N43SV (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Boeing Stearmans Modell 75 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Boeing Stearmans Modell 75 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Boeing Stearmans Modell 75 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Transport
When you see the CriCri on the ground, you doubt that it will be able to fly properly, let alone together with bigger aircraft. This is however exactly what they did, flying in formation with the Douglas C-47B Skytrain at its wingtips. The Flamant doensn’t need much introduction, being the first type that Dassault designed and built after the war.
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Yaks
This year there was only a single Yak-3 to represent Stalins Falcons and the history of the Normandie Niemen unit. The Yako aerobatic team flew their program with two Yakovlev Yak-52 and a single Yakovlev Yak-18T.
Yakovlev Yak-3 UA F-AZLY (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Yakovlev Yak-3 UA F-AZLY (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Yakovlev Yak-18T F-HFSB (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Yakovlev Yak-52 F-WRUI (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Yakovlev Yak-52 F-WRUX (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Yako aerobatic team (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Yako aerobatic team (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Yako aerobatic team (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Reenactors
These seem to have increased compared with previous years. This year there were not only the motorcyclists parading but also people from different time periods, from the First World War to the Vietnam War. Interestingly and appropriately, there were not just pilots represented but also ordinary soldiers and nurses. This is an interesting part, as it shows how clothing and indeed society changes.
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)