The saturday morning was bright and sunny, and after handing over Sonu to the loving care of her grandparents and atte, Bimba and I started off towards the Yelahanka Airforce Station, a good 40 odd Km from Hanumanthnagar.
Parking for our pass was just after kogilu cross on the outskirts of Yelahanka town, in a large though dusty area earmarked for this purpose. We were wondering how to get to the AFS, given that it was still a good 3-4 km from here, when we noticed the steady stream of BMTC 'Vajra' Volvo busses ferrying people to the the base. The process was swift and orderly, and soon we alighted inside the airbase.
The show area was a good kilometers walk away though. First up were some huge airconditioned exhibit halls and the '5 star' restaurant area managed by ITC. The main show area was a revelation. apart from the exhibit halls where the best and the biggest names in the aerospace industry were displaying their wares, some of the worlds most famous flying machines were parked. There were aircraft from the USAF, The UAE airforce, the Luftwaffe, The Italian airforce, the South African etc.
Soon, the airshow began. 1st up was the LCA Tejas that took off and displayed some awesome manouvers. This was followed by the F 16 and the F/A 18 Super Hornet, whose pilot graciously waved to the cheering audience on landing after displaying some really breathtaking flips, rolls and flypasts. the Hercules C-130 displayed some 'gentle manouvers next, and was followd by the IAF Su 30MKI
that wowed the audience.
The highlight of the show , however, was the stupendous show put up by the IAF Suryakirans, followed by the Sarang, the Dhruv (India's ALH) team.
In all, a very satisfying day.
Pawan
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