The 21st of september was the last day of a very interesting week that saw loads of action related to the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden and a nice Spottersday at Kleine Brogel on the friday. A long day that deserves an extensive post.
We started early morning with a drive to Ginkelse Heide, the 1 Para dropzone used during Market Garden. With about 100 000 spectators expected and only limited parking space available we chose an early arrival. During sunrise we were able to catch the jeeps that entered the heath, the groundfog delivered the right atmosphere
Ginkelse Heide 202409210161500bw by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409210231500bw by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrNext up was a long wait, which we used to find the best spot for photographing the mass drop. The heath wasn't as accessible as it used to be, but I think we did a pretty decent job.
traditionally the first action of the day is a drop with a C-47
Ginkelse Heide 202409210391500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrAfter that again a long wait untill the mass drop commenced. I've seen quite a few nice airframes in all those years and this year didn't dissapoint either.
This CA ANG HC-130J is a nice one imho.
Ginkelse Heide 202409210861500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409210731500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrLiked this Montana one as well
Ginkelse Heide 202409211021500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrThere is so much happening in the sky during that mass drop, that photography really becomes a matter of making choices. From super tele to wide angle and all that's in between.
Ginkelse Heide 202409210721500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409210701500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrThe first stick from the RAF A.400 used parachutes that represented poppies. Those red chutes looked really dramatic. Unfortunately I was wealding the wrong camera and didn't make the most of it. Anyway, here are a few..
Ginkelse Heide 202409210611500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409210851500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrThe Romanians attending again this year.
Ginkelse Heide 202409211111500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrLoads of action in the sky.
Ginkelse Heide 202409210471500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409210461500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409210671500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409211011500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409210631500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409210831500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrWhen the drop is done, the aircraft usually come by for a low-pass. Able to catch a couple of moon crossers.
Ginkelse Heide 202409211281500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409210841500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409211291500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409211321500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Ginkelse Heide 202409211301500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrWe didn't stay for the airborne memorial. Something that is always very impressive and this year still saw the attendance of one veteran. It might well have been the very last time a veteran attended. We decided to dash to Eindhoven though to catch the departure for the 2nd drop.
Vlb Eindhoven 202409210011500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vlb Eindhoven 202409210061500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vlb Eindhoven 202409210031500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vlb Eindhoven 202409210091500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vlb Eindhoven 202409210141500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vlb Eindhoven 202409210211500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vlb Eindhoven 202409210251500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrNext up was the Sanicole sunset airshow at Hechtel-Eksel in Belgium
This nice Swedish Hkp.15 was the star of the static
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409211061500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrBut we came for the action in the sky offcourse. The airshow at Hechtel-Eksel is always a bit difficult as you are facing the sun. But the line up was very good this year
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210731500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210791500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrThe light obviously becomes better as the evening progresses, but as the show was quite late in september this year, the sun didn't really manage to get 'behind' the runway
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210541500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210491500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrBoth a B-17 and a Lancaster participated. Only the B-17 did a top-side pass though
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409211171500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrThe USAF F-16 demo wasn't all that spectacular..
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210601500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210651500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210041500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrThe Swedish Hkp.16 demo was aggressive with loads of flares. We were in the perfect spot for the start-up and departure.
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210011500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409211271500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409211331500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409211321500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409211361500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrDuring the Patrouille Suisse demo the light gradually faded.
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210841500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210981500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210081500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210151500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrLast of the military demo's was the aggressive Danish F-16. Afterburners and flares really poppig out after sundown
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210291500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210271500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on Flickr
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210221500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrThe evening ussually ends with GA-aircraft with all kinds of fireworks. We didn't quite make it to the end as we wanted to leave before the crowds.
Vliegveld Hechtel 202409210391500 by Bart van den Bogaert, on FlickrA long but very enjoyable day.
