Radom 2015, Poland
The weather was changeable but mostly cloudy over the weekend. This did not prevent the organisers from putting on a superb show. Each day the programme would begin at 9am with the local flying clubs taking to the air to show off their formation and low speed handling skills. The displays were the prelude to the main show which would commence at 12.30pm.
The flypast was followed by a various helicopter and fast-jet displays. The rarest helicopter display was by the Spanish Air Force team Patrulla ASPA flying their EC120B Colibri. They performed a series of tight manoeuvres and cross-overs keeping the display interesting.
The highlight of the show was a rare display by the Romanian Air Force flying the Mig-21 Fishbed. Nearing retirement this was possibly one of the last opportunities to see the Fishbed in action. Although the turning circle of the Mig-21 is not comparable to that of the modern fighters the pilot provided several low passes whilst igniting it's lengthy afterburner, entertaining the crowd to great effect.
Other notable displays were performed by Team Zeus flying the F-16 from the Hellenic Air Force; The Patrouille de Suisse flying their F-5 Tiger II's; a Slovakian Mig-29 and of course the Polish Air Force's own Su-22 Fitter pair and solo Mig-29.
The main part of the flying display programme was opened with an incredible mass flypast from the Polish Air Force. Team Iskry were the first wave flying their TS-11 Iskras. In quick pursuit were formations of SW-4s; MI-2s; MI-17s; Hinds; PZL-130s; M-28s; M-346s; C-295s; C-130 Hercules; Su-22s; Mig-29s and F-16s. Team Orlik concluded the flypast.
If this and previous years are to go by Radom is one European airshow to keep an eagle-eye on in the future, simply for its diverse range of participants, relaxed atmosphere and interesting weather.
Poland's largest airshow is held every other year in the small town of Radom. During the weekend of 22-23 August the town was turned into an aviation community attracting over 200 aircraft from 22 countries and a notable 180,000 enthusiasts.