::: On the 2nd of July a 'Meeting National de l'Air' was held at France most northern airbase Cambrai-Epinoy just across the Belgian-French border. This show was in the same weekend as the Koksijde Air Show (see here) so two shows in one weekend were visited. The weather at the time of the airshow was perfect, with a blue sky and the sun in your back the whole day. The airshow could be very nicely photographed under these conditions, but the display line was very, very far away. Fortunately Cambrai is also famous for having the aircraft participating in the flying display parked at a flightline just in front of the public.

::: The display started with an AS555 helicopter performing a 'slow intercept' on an Piper Navajo and forced it to land. At first with a sign saying 'Zone Interdit' (Forbidden Area) and at (sniper) gunpoint later on. A fighter type interception was made later during the day when no less then five Mirage 2000's took. Their goal was to intercept a Alpha jet that was acting as a intruder. The French AWACS who was coordinating this intercept made a couple of flyby's. Ofcourse the Patrouille de France and Cartouche Doré where present at the show.

Continue >>