Santiago de Chile - 8th international air and space exhibition 1994

         20 to 27 March 1994

By Len Brand, Santiago
Meintjieskop Courier Volume 111/1994

Once again it was my privilege to attend FIDAE, South America's premier aviation event This exhibition takes place every two years and is organized by the Chilean Air Force. Some 36 countries participated this year and the flight line was graced by several of the world's most advanced fighter aircraft. South Africa was represented by Arnnscor and Denel and the South African Air Force's Harvard Acrobatic Team.

There can be little doubt that this year's exhibition belonged to the Russians. Their contribution included a MIG 29 Fulcrum, a Sukhoi 30, resplendent in desert camouflage warpaint and a Sukhoi 27 two-seater. Futher down the flight line an Antonov 124, the world's largest transport aircraft, towered above the surrounding C130s and VC10s. Even the IIIushin version of the 747 parked right next to the Antonov, was dwarfed by the sheer bulk of the 124.

It was during airshow time, however, that the Russians showed their true mettle. The MIG 29 pilot, a stocky, balding guy answering to the name of Alexander (what else?) gave a breathtaking display of airshow flying. Never flying straight and level for more than a few seconds, he demonstrated the aircraft's outstanding maneuverability, power and speed to the full. His experience in airshow flying was evident from the way in which he managed to contain his routine within a relatively small box directly in front of the crowd. He never disappeared from sight.

The Sukhoi usually followed immediately afterwards. Also very maneuverable, its main attribute seemed to be its incredibly powerful engines. Its vertical manoeuvres, which included a beautifully executed tail slide, had to be seen to be believed. Its piece de resistance, however, was the so-called "Cobra-strike". Flying straight and level very slowly and at a very high angle of attack, the aircraft suddenly reared up to a vertical position before leaping forward violently in an almost lifelike imitation of a cobra striking. In doing so it actually moved forward quite a distance and did not merely fall back to a horizontal position.

                                                               

Mig 29 pilot Alexander (left) fraternizing with the members of the SAAF Harvard Aerobatic Team. SA Ambassador Len Brand features third from the right.

The South African Air Force Harvard Aerobatic Team endeared themselves to the crowd with their slow and graceful routine. Their ability to fly really close formation and still execute loops and wing overs without moving an inch, drew gasps and shouts of admiration from the crowd. The CO, Commandant Glen Warden, speaking impeccable Spanish, did a splendid job on the public address system. After their final display, the Chief of the Chilean Air Force, General of the Air Ramon Vega, was the first to rush up to congratulate them on their sterling performance. The next was Alexander, the MIG pilot, who after several bouts of vigorous handshaking, insisted on being photographed with the team. 

Before I was allowed to don flying gear, I was required to sign a form indemnifying the SAAF and the South African Government against any claims or responsibility in the event of any accident resulting in my death, injury or any other form of damage to myself. This took me back into the dim past when as a schoolboy, 1 used to cycle to Swartkops AFB, hoping to hitch a lift in a Dak or Harvard due to be flight tested. 

1 was of course also required to produce an indemnity form duly signed by one of my parents. This form was known amongst us schoolboys as one's "death certificate". Getting the form signed was relatively easy. The difficult part was acquiring the amount of two and sixpence (half a crown) which the SAAF demanded in order to affix the prescribed revenue stamp for that amount to one's "death certificate". 

Two and six was a lot of money for a schoolboy in those days. 1 was much relieved when Cmdt Warden informed me that the revenue stamp had been dispensed with. However, 1 still had to render my "death certificate". (I was never lucky enough to "draw" a Harvard during those school day outings. I did, however, have the good fortune to fly with the legendary Tinky Jones, testing inter alia a DC3 Ambulance aircraft).

After the exhibition was over, all six our beautiful Harvards were sold by public auction. They were snapped up by American buyers, three going to New York and three to Denver, Colorado. Might see them at Oshkosh one day - who knows. I had thought that my days for building and flying low wing fighter aircraft were definitely over.

However I catch myself from time to time these days studying the advertisements for the Midwest version of the T-6 in the aeromodelling magazines with more than casual interest!