Afterburner.nl - Cognac Air Show 2004

70 years French Air Force

In 2004 the French Air Force celebrates its 70th anniversary. To make this special for the public, this feature is the main theme during several French air shows this year. One of them was the Cognac Air Show in the southwest of France on 16 May 2004.

Cognac Air Base (Base Aérienne 709) is home to the French TB30 fleet. Future French fighter pilots start their training in the TB30 before going to Salon de Provence to continue the training in the Embrear 312 Tucano. When they succeed here, they move to Tours to step into the Alpha Jet E for their first experience with jet engines. If they graduate here, they will go for conversion to the Rafale or any of the Mirage types.

The Participation list looked very promising with the appearance of some 70 TB.30 Epsilons on display! In the 80's the French acquired 159 of these aircraft but since the reduced need for pilots, many of them are in storage at Chateaudun. Currently a little less than 100 Epsilons are in service with the Ecole de Pilotage de l'Armée de l'Air (EPAA) 315.
Furthermore the organization intended to show at least one aircraft of every type in active air force service. In addition to this, many friendly countries gave an 'act de presence' as well.

As we arrived at the base on Saturday 15 May, we noticed that the promises came true. On the northerly runway a flight line was established loaded with aircraft. Among them at the far end some 1000 square meters packed with 66 TB30s! Halfway the flight line four Epsilons of the 'Cartouche Dorée' display team. Which makes 70. An additional 2 could be found on the static elsewhere.

The organization took care of a special event for press and spotters on the Saturday before the air show. They gave them the opportunity to take pictures of the rehearsals positioned in between both runways. Among others, displays of the Super Etendard, Mirage IV and S-2 Tracker (Securite Civile) could be viewed from a very special place.

After this, the group was given the chance to visit all the hangers and take pictures of the aircraft in front of them. This led to see even more Epsilons! When we were finished here, we were brought to the flight line. In the late afternoon the sun was shining excellent on the parked aircraft so we managed to get some more excellent shots. We were not allowed to go al the way to the end of the flight line where the Moroccan CN235 was parked. At 18.00 sharp we had to leave the base.

However, the group was invited to enter the base on the show day way before the gates open to the public. Another good opportunity to catch it all under a bright sun. The covers of the 66 TB30s had been removed, so even more films were spend on these machines. Around 10 o' clock, when the public tried to enter the base, we left for the Dax airshow.

Interesting non French Air Force aircraft: 2 FN Super Etendards, 2 Singapore Air Force Super Skyhawks and the Moroccan Cap232 team 'March Verte' with their CN235 as support.

From this place we would like to thank the organization for taking care of an excellent event, especially for the photographers. All space was given for taking the pictures they wanted to. A big thank you to you!!