The biggest air show in Africa came to us via Africa Air Defence Show. The year 2012 was meant to be a year of the skies. Being a biannual event, the AAD always attracts the best in aerospace within and outside South Africa.
Although I'm really big on aerospace (so I think), I must confess that this was my first AAD air show. Being at the event I was quite ashamed that I hadn't attended more often when I had the chance. Anyway, when I was working at ATE, this show was always is Cape Town and most of us got the feeling that it was more of a business transaction than a day of entertainment. I'm so glad the latter is true.
Going there both on a Saturday with Phenyo and Sunday with my wife Lerato, it was a day to be remembered. We were close to 50000 people spread out across the sizzling hot Waterkloof Air base and yet to couldn't help feel this buzz of excitement from the little babinos in prams to the pensioners murmuring about the WWII days.
For me the best part of the show was the creation of a war scenario using Rooivalk helicopters, armoured troops, firing armoured tanks and explosives in the ground. Although the noise was overwhelming, it gave everyone who attended the righteous fear of the possibility of war knocking at your doorstep. I know personally it made me deepen my respect for men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting the borders of their respective nations with pride and honour.
So here's a few pictures of the day...
For more, visit my web album or the link below...
https://picasaweb.google.com/106596776529480224072/AAD2012?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Although I'm really big on aerospace (so I think), I must confess that this was my first AAD air show. Being at the event I was quite ashamed that I hadn't attended more often when I had the chance. Anyway, when I was working at ATE, this show was always is Cape Town and most of us got the feeling that it was more of a business transaction than a day of entertainment. I'm so glad the latter is true.
Going there both on a Saturday with Phenyo and Sunday with my wife Lerato, it was a day to be remembered. We were close to 50000 people spread out across the sizzling hot Waterkloof Air base and yet to couldn't help feel this buzz of excitement from the little babinos in prams to the pensioners murmuring about the WWII days.
For me the best part of the show was the creation of a war scenario using Rooivalk helicopters, armoured troops, firing armoured tanks and explosives in the ground. Although the noise was overwhelming, it gave everyone who attended the righteous fear of the possibility of war knocking at your doorstep. I know personally it made me deepen my respect for men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting the borders of their respective nations with pride and honour.
So here's a few pictures of the day...
For more, visit my web album or the link below...
https://picasaweb.google.com/106596776529480224072/AAD2012?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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