Ah thanks looks my feelings were right. The event coincides with the Falkland remembrance and Queen Elizabeth's birthday, that's the reason why we're not having the Reds this year. No problem. It looks it means also a 'no' on the Tornado, Hawk, Nimrow, SeaKing, Blue Eagles, and the others we saw. The Merlin Team cancelled their 2007 season completely. But the article tells us a British Chinook will come.... well I guess it's good as our Chinooks are probably tied up in trainng, maintenace and deployment.
Yes, over the years the organizers have tried to pull in more and more teams. And it works, the show brings in more public every year. I'd rather see a fighter solo than some display team flying underpowered trainers.
Blue Impuls? LOL. Put them on your list sure, but why? what do we have to do with Japan? almost nothing. They'll have to go on a European tour to make it interesting, will be a lot of effort to get these trainers to the other side of the world. And why? Japanese air force is still pretty much a self-defense force. Pls, don't bother trying. 
You might as well try with the Russian teams then, at least they can get their planes here without too much trouble!
Team 60, will like I said in my last post, our AF just has to show more interest in the SwAF. I feel this relationship has turned cold. Just my observation/feeling.
I suppose, I just have to be happy there are at least these:
- Turkish Stars
- RNLAF F-16 Solo
- RNLAF air power demo
- Belgian F-16 Solo
- Swiss F/A-18 Solo
Hopefully, some more proper jets will turn up, USAF displays? F-15/F-16/A-10. I have to hope for France to see some different types. Otherwise, maybe another Hornet from Spain, and that's it really. Danish/Norwegian/Italian/Portguese/German fighters might be static. Also hoping for CzAF Gripen solo.
And by the way, I think the Germans owe us to bring a P-3C to the show!
And NH Industries, hello? Bring a NH90, we're buying that, but we haven't seen it yet.
PS: Last year a one-off? I think you might think that because of the Blue Angels. other than that I don't see why future shows can't be of the same quality. Do you need a US display team to have a great show? However, I'd just be happy if 2007 can come close to 2005, never mind 2006. I guess we were spoiled a bit last year. hehe.
Hello Niels,
Could not resist to reply on this post
The RAF has indeed cancelled everything due to the earlier stated Falkland remembrance and Queen Elizabeth's birthday.
Hope that at least the Chinook will come over for a display, always nice to see this one perform.
In my opinion are the "display teams flying underpowered trainers" highly underappreciated by a lot of people that I speak
and read on other Forums. No offence Niels, just my opinion
Most of the teams are flying wing tip to wing tip with no more space than 3 to 2 meters, and in the meantime perform some
invirted push-overs and dives. Take for example the Red Arrows, they have a test and rehearsel shedule that starts in October
and ends in March. Instead of the Solo aircraft, that can trow his aircraft to all sides of the airfield and starts the rehearsels in
February and is finished in March. Please don't misunderstand this, some solo display display teams are every year a must
see, and are among my highlights, like for example our own RNLAF F-16 Solo Display team, it rocks you everytime of your feet.
On the other hand is the RNLAF PC-7 Solo display not my own highlight of an airshow.
In my opinion are teams like for example Blue Impulse and Team 60 invited as a advertising for these open door days, and to
atract more people to the Open door days, that maybe are going to fly the RNLAF F-16/Chinook/Cougar......etc in the future. And
are not coming over because they can get something out of it, or have good relations with the RNLAF. It is just pure promotion
for the RNLAF. Same like last year with the Blue Angels, just pure promotion for the RNLAF. The Dutch Navy is not one of the
biggest around.....hell, we do not even have a aircraft carrier. So the US Navy Blue Angels where present pure for Dutch promotion.
And for the RNLAF to have more interest in other airforces, you need to have more interfaces with that airforce. The SwAF has not
really anything to share with the RNLAF, training is completely different due to different aircraft types in use. Think that it would make
more sense to have a exercise before or after such a event, that can attract more participants. A very good example are the days at
Kleine Brogel, the Belgium airforce has not or minimum contact with the Greek, Czech Republic, Portugal, Turkey, etc, etc airforce.
But aircrafts that are confirmed for these days are already an F-4E (AUP), L.159, F-16A and F-16C/D's. But it is also a very fine line
that the RNLAF have to walk, these open door days are just for promotion purposes and not really for photographers and spotters.
I think the list that you have made, is indeed the core that we are getting to see at Volkel. Hopefully we see indeed a P-3C Orion from
our German friends
All the other aircrafts from other airforces will only go static, not as interesting to see them flying.
P.S
Last year was in my opinion a one-off, not only due to the Blue Angels. You do not need to have a US display team to have a great show.
I like almost every display team flying out there, with of course my own personal favourites. But due to the largets amount of solo display
and display teams that they had gathered. There where 9 Display Teams (The RIAT would have been proud with such a list) and 7 official
solo display teams. This is on the record the largest amount of display teams that have participated above Dutch soil, only the 2003
airshow comes close.
Regards, Ramon.
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