Mińsk Mazowiecki 2008-08-30
Mińsk Mazowiecki, 23rd Air Base.
On August 30, 2008, an aviation festival was held at the airport in Mińsk Mazowiecki to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the establishment of Polish Aviation. Early in the morning, the weather looked perfect for an aviation event. We arrived at the airport of the 23rd Tactical Air Base relatively early, at 8:00. Here everything was already prepared. We had the opportunity to see the landing of the last and largest exhibit, the Antonov An-26 transport aircraft from the 13th Transport Squadron in Balice. The festival was one of the events celebrating the 90th anniversary of the establishment of Polish Aviation. The event was prepared on a grand scale, and considering that it was exclusively Polish and not international, it commands greater respect. The event was a typical family event, because all aircraft had a white and red checkered pattern. Enemies of this type of shows said that "there was nothing to watch". And that’s where they were wrong. It was simply impossible to be bored at this festival. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. You have to be proud to be Polish.
There were also important personalities of current and former military aviation. Generals, officers and veterans, local and self-government authorities, local residents and visitors, transport and naval pilots, combat aircraft and helicopter pilots, former pilots and those who will be pilots in the future. And ordinary eaters (of which I am one), but with a "propeller" attitude and it was no problem for them to cover 400 kilometers.
There were various trade stands, catering, inflatable slides for children and even car dealers. There was a military band and an honorary company. There were short and concise speeches and awards.
In addition to flying equipment, the army demonstrated ground support vehicles and fire trucks. Combat vehicles used by our soldiers on missions were also presented. Including "Boar", with modern technical solutions, including a guillotine for cutting the ropes that enemies stretch between the trees to behead the shooter in the upper turret.
But let’s move on to what we are most interested in, i.e. airplanes and helicopters. As many as 15 types of aircraft were demonstrated at the static exhibition, and another 17 in the air. There was something to look at.
On the stator.
On the central apron we were able to see, photograph or film the following machines;
Lockheed Martin F-16 C Jastrząb Block 52 + nb/no. 4061. Last copy delivered by 3/6. ELT in Krzesiny on December 12, 2007, where the full suspended armament, including the optoelectronic container, was demonstrated.
Mikoyan and Guriewicz MiG-29 nb 115, which was presented at home, because from the very beginning it belongs to the 1st ELT (previously the 1st Fighter Aviation Regiment). The plane has been in Polish service since 1989. Some festival participants were lucky and had the opportunity to sit in its cabin for a few seconds, under the watchful eye of an officer, because the ejection seat is armed.
Sukhoi Su-22 nb 4605, the plane was in a typical camouflage with a tiger painted on the left side – the emblem of the 8th PLM-B in Piła, where it was operated almost all the time. The plane was used in Poland since 1985, and after 20 years it was written off as an aircraft. Currently, it is a so-called shell, i.e. it has no engine, weapons or avionics, and will probably be displayed as an exhibit in Mińsk Mazowiecki.
MiG-21 MF nb 9114 is an aircraft of a bygone era. He was in Polish service from 1974 and ended his active service in Krzesiny. Airplanes of this type last flew in service in 2003.
MiG-21 UM nb 9233 is a training and combat version, a two-seat version of the MiG-21. It has been in service since 1980.
PZL TS-11 Iskra nb 2001 is a plane that was presented at home. Built in 1987, as the first copy of a 20-production series. He is active and belongs to the 1st ELT. The plane has a characteristic painted front part of the fuselage.
PZL-130 TC-I nb 051. One of the last serial copies. The plane was owned by a flight school and was based in Radom.
PZL An-2 nb 4220. An aircraft slowly becoming a thing of the past, which for many decades was the basis of transport and landing aviation, both in military and civil aviation.
PZL M-28 Bryza nb 0207 transport version, used in Mińsk Mazowiecki. It was a representative of the already large number of versions built in Poland based on the An-28 design.
Mi-14 PŁ nb 1001 of Naval Aviation, which may be rebuilt into a rescue version.
PZL Mi-2 nb 8219 is a multi-role helicopter that is the workhorse of helicopters in Poland.
PZL SW-4 nb 6607, a new, successful multi-role helicopter of the Polish Aviation.
Mi-24 nb 728 in dark green camouflage. This copy was presented in June 2008, at the Małopolska Picnic in Czyżyny.
Mi-8 nb 660 owned by the 36th Aviation Regiment at Okęcie and used to transport VIPs. When the Holy Father John Paul II came to Poland, such a helicopter was used to transport Him.
An-26 nb 1403 from the 13th Transport Aviation Squadron in Balice. Airplanes of this type are already reaching the end of their service life. There was no CASA-295 in Mińsk Mazowiecki, as they are currently constantly in use by the Polish Armed Forces abroad. And soon Lockheed C-130 Hercules planes with checkerboards will appear in Polish skies.
In air.
CSS-13 registration SP-YZN no. 42037 which is a Polish variant of the Soviet Po-2. The plane belongs to the Polish Eagles Foundation and is demonstrated at almost all aviation events.
PZL W-3 Sokół nb 0511 of the Polish Naval Aviation was used to demonstrate rescue techniques.
The Orlik aerobatic team presented itself on 7 machines and, as usual, showed an excellent flight. This year, the Orlik band celebrates its 10th anniversary. We congratulate them.
Two Lockheed Martin F-16 C Block 52 + Jastrząb appeared over the airport. For the first time, Polish public pilots showed some of the capabilities of these planes. These were no longer simple flights, but dynamic climbing figures and fast flights at low altitude. Without unnecessary bravado. Ready to fight. Keep it up.
Two MiG-29s from Malbork demonstrated air combat. As usual, perfect and spectacular. They know all the corners because they have flown at home and previously in Lithuania. A landing, rarely publicly demonstrated, using drogue parachutes. The characteristic sound of trousers being torn when they are released. This needs to be heard.
White and Red Sparks in a formation of 4 machines. An equally spectacular beautiful show. Unrecorded formations. As usual. Both Orlik and Biało-Czerwone Iskry used tracers, but the strong wind quickly dispersed the trace they left behind.
We congratulate the hosts for a perfect event and thank them for the emotions they provided.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman