AIR POWER
ZELTWEG
AUSTRIA
24Th-25Th June 2005
Born in 1997 with the name of Flight Day, the event now known to all fans as Airpower has become the most awaited event in Europe in recent years and perhaps according to the second event in the presence of aircraft and audiences after Air Faiford Tattoo. Unlike the English event, Airpower takes place every two years and after the great public success of 2003, the 2005 event did not betray the expectations of the organizers.Over 250,000 visitors were present on 24 and 25 June at the Zeltewg air base, enthusiasts, who arrived from all corners of Europe to admire the approximately 230 aircraft from 20 countries. Three main themes of the 2005 event; the third stage of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, a race won by Mike Mangold on the Zivko Edge 540, the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the German army, and the withdrawal of the Draken.
Eurofighter Typhoon EF2000(T) Germany - Air Force
For the numerous photographers who came to Austria, it is certainly the most important event of the event. The last chance to see the old air warrior in flight. The 24 specimens of Saab J35ÖE “Draken” were purchased second hand by the Swedish Air Force in 1986. Until its replacement with the Eurofigther F-2000 Typhoon in 2007, the Draken remained for 20 years the only supersonic jet aircraft used by the Fliegerdivision.
Saab J35Oe MkII Draken, 1. Staffel, 35-1408 Fliegerregiment 2 Austria Air Force
The most awaited moment by all fans, the passage of the 6 Draken for the last farewell, 2 steps in formation to remember the great commitment made in the almost 20 years of activity with over um million hours of activity. Waiting for the arrival of the new Eurofigther F-2000 (delivery expected in 2007) the passage of the Northrop F-5E Tiger II. The aircraft leased by the Swiss Air Force will replace the old Draken pending the arrival of the EFA. Six acrobatic patrols present at the event; the Frecce Tricolori from Italy, the Red Arrows from Great Britain, the Patrouille de France, the Patrouille Suisse, the Patrulla Aguila from Spain and Team 60 from Sweden. The flight schedule saw an incredible number of aircraft perform, from older aircraft such as a Boeing Stearman and a Bücker Jungmann – both from 1934 – to the most modern fighters. Among the fighters on display the General Dynamics F-16A Block 20MLU “Demo Team” of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the BAe Harrier II GR7 of the Royal Air Force, the dated but always fascinating Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29B “Fulcrum” of the Hungarian Air Force the McDonnell Douglas F / A-18C “Hornet” of the Swiss Air Force, the Dassault Mirage 2000C of the Armèè de l’Air, the Eurofigther F-2000 (T) of the German Air Force and the General Dynamics F-16 ° Block 20MLU of the Air Force Belgian.
Saab J35Oe MkII Draken, 1. Staffel, 35-1408 Fliegerregiment 2 Austria Air Force "1.000.000 flight hours "
Important the presence of helicopters both in flight and in static. In flight an Agusta Bell 212 – and an SA-316B Alouette III – of the Austrian Air Force, and a Eurocopter AS532UL Cougar of the Swiss Air Force. The star of the event was the Saab J35ÖE Draken who performed in red livery to remember the first appearance of the name Ostarrichi, was the 996D.C. the year of birth of the Austrian nation. The farewell to the Draken was celebrated with some passages on the 6-aircraft runway in the classic gray livery with large orange numbers.
GALLERY
