Left to right: The 6½ hour display was unusual in that it was punctuated with frequent arrival of civilian traffic for the international terminal. I certainly don't think this detracted anything from the show, Slovak (OM-) and Ukrainian airliners are not seen that often by air show regulars from the UK and Holland. It was again unusual to see an F-16, for example, taxiing past a Ukrainian airliner.
The Belgian and Dutch Air Force's F-16 solo display teams.

The Slovak Air Force (1 Stíhacia Letka from Sliac) treated us to a mock dog-fight between 2 of their MiG 29A's, complete with flares. This, although a tame representation of aerial combat, never-the-less offered tremendous photographic opportunities and excitement.

The Czech Air Force pilot in a PZL-Swidnik W-3A Sokol (Falcon) gave a really entertaining demonstration of a helicopter's extreme manoeuvrability. Manufactured in Poland the W-3A Sokol is a medium-light, twin engined, multi-purpose helicopter. It has 14 seats (including 2 pilot seats). The aircraft demonstrated was delivered to the Czech Air Force as a SAR version in 1996 and is with 233 Helicopter Squadron now based at Prerov.  A Slovak Mi-24 'Hind' also included as part of its demonstration, several releases of flares to good effect.

Further Helicopter demonstrations included a large blue and white Mil Mi-171 operated by the Slovak Police service (Letecke Útvar Ministerstva Vnútra). It appeared to have a broad range of roles, as demonstrated by a lengthy display of water bombing and the collecting of crew for rope dangling duties. The Slovak Mi-171's have upgraded flight and navigation equipment, right-hand door, ramp and hoist winch. The Mi-171 is the export version of Mi-8AMT based on the original Mil Mi-8 'Hip' developed in the early 1960's. The Mi-171 was launched by Russia at the Paris air show in 1989. The Mi-171 (and Mi-17), is easily recognised because it has the tail rotor on the starboard side, instead of the port side.

The Czech's own 'Flying Circus' came up with an entertaining display of replica WW1 aircraft. This included German dressed soldiers shooting at British and German fighters, explosions and the apparent destruction of a plane on the ground. The eventual winner of this marvellous brand of entertainment appeared to be von Richthofen in his bright red Triplane. The local crowd loved it.

The organisers clearly wanted to entertain, most of Europe's premier display teams were in attendance, one notable exception being the Red Arrows who were unavailable as they were performing at RAF Cosford that weekend. The Patrouille Suisse appeared first in their six F-5E's followed later in the day by the Patrouille de France in their Alpha Jets. Here it was an opportunity to photograph the cross over, which I am sure caused the spectators to gasp as they appeared to pass so close to each other. Shooting in digital I increased the ISO setting to 400 giving me a shutter speed of 4000^th second. At this speed the two directional movement of the two jets is just about frozen. You have to follow one jet whilst keeping your other eye open for the other to come into view, great sport!

The Freece Tricolori, formed in 1961 with F-86's, carried the day however, in their ten (nine plus solo) MB-339PAN's, which they have been flying since 1982. Unlike for the French there was never a dull moment. The Freece's tight and low turns away from the constantly changing formations always gave you something to follow. The Freece pumped out so much white smoke in the light breeze, that it hung over the airfield as an impenetrable cloud, shielding the aircraft from the photographers. Following a brief shower mid afternoon and very dark clouds the sun shone perfectly whilst the Freece completed their display. This gave me the two shots of the day, not for the subject but for the special lighting conditions. The Freece Tricolori literally translated as 'three coloured arrows' are with the 313 Gruppo, 2 Stormo as the Italian Air Forces aerobatic training squadron. They are based at Rivolto Air Force Base near Udine in north eastern Italy. The Freece have committed to 26 events for 2004, SIAD was their tenth event so far this year.

What many were waiting for was the Ukrainian Air Force SU-27 Flanker, resplendent in two tone splintered blue scheme. It dominated the flight line, with its size and elegant lines. The SU-27 is similar in size and mission to the F-15, in being a long-range air superiority fighter. It is equipped with an analog fly-by-wire control system, a pulse-Doppler radar, and can carry up to ten air-to-air missiles for a potent look-down and shoot-down capability. Taxiing past the crowd and during its display, fantastic photo opportunities were presented. It was just two years ago in the Ukraine, when one of their SU-27's clipped the ground with its left wing, as it failed to come out of a rolling dive. The resulting crash killed 66 and injured a similar number. Today spectator safety was paramount, which was reflected in the SU-27's muted manoeuvres.