Naturally, some French aircraft were given
special paint schemes for the occasion. The most extensive one being applied
to Super Etendard Modernise 23 seen top left. It consisted of mainly
aluminum with the silhouettes of the French navy´s first carrier Bearn on
the right hand side and the newest Charles de Gaulle on the left hand side.
Not to be outdone, resident Flotille 36F had one of their AS.565SA Panthers decorated in a predominantly black scheme with a panther outline in yellow superimposed. Several other aircraft, including the EMB.121AN Xingu and Atlantique 2 had been given identical fin decorations. |
The Spanish Navy's EAV-8B did not have to cover a long distance to Hyeres, as the aircraft carrier Principe de Asturias had been moored close to the beach, alongside USS Harry S. Truman and the Charles de Gaulle. One of the Spanish Harriers was displayed in flight, with the British and Italians firmly on the ground in the static park. It was fortunate that these latter two could be photographed during arrival on the Friday prior to the show.
|
The US Navy was present in force. No fewer than five Super Hornets, including a pair of F/A-18F two seaters, had made the short hop from Truman's flight deck to Hyeres. This included VFA-105 "Gunslingers"'s CAG bird seen above left. The legend on the fin reads "Tonight, we ride...". Another CAG bird from Truman was this SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter from HS-7 "Dusty Dogs", sporting the legends "Give 'em hell" on the engine nacelles as well as "Beware of dog 601" on the horizontal stabilizer. A treat for photographers and other US Navy buffs. From NAS Sigonella, Sicily came this C-2A Greyhound which most likely to celebrate 50 years of Greyhounds in US Navy service sported a colourful tail fin.
|
To return to the French, Hyeres 2010 provide
dan excellent opportunity to view light planes from the Navy which are not
regularly seen at other airshows, if ever. One was the CAP.10B which gave a
good account of itself flying aerobatics and a static bound MS.893 Rallye.
Finally, there is the Alouette III, that faithful little helicopter still
used for training purposes.
With Hyeres's airshow for 2010, the French Navy displayed enormous hospitality. During the Saturday afternoon preceding the actual event, the enthousiast community was given the chance to preview the proceedings. All in all, a weekend well spent. Merci beaucoup, Aeronavale! |
All pictures (c) Hans Rolink