The vision of former Turkish president, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, highlighted by his remarks when visiting the Eskisehir Air Regiment in 1936, that "the future is in the skies" (try telling that to the current UK government!), was certainly demonstrated to the full both on the ground and in the air at Cigli earlier this month.
Visitors hoping to see all aspects of the Turkish Air Force were not disappointed as every type was represented in the static park with basic trainers through to frontline fast jets and rotary and transport aircraft alongside two new types currently on procurement.
Dominating the static was one such type, the Airbus A400M. Marked with its civil test registration of EC-404; once parked in the static park it was soon adorned with Turkish Air Force roundels to remind everyone that the TuAF is due to take delivery of ten examples.
Plans at the moment indicate that 221 Filo, currently operating the C-160D Transall at Kayseri Air Base, will receive the third example off of the Airbus production line and this will be the first A400M to enter operational service.
Of interest to many was the second 'new' type - the Boeing 737-700 Wedgetail AEW&C. Devoid of military registration and still carrying its civil serial N360BJ, none of the four examples ordered in 2002 are yet 'owned' by the TuAF, with delivery dates still yet to be confirmed.
By far the newest airframe on show in the static area was Block 50+ F-16CM serial 07015, the first of 30 new build airframes being assembled by (Turkish Aerospace Industries) TAI at Ankara. This airframe first flew on 13th May and had only six flying hours 'on the clock'. Fitted with conformal 3000 lbs fuel tanks, AN/APG68(v)9 Radar and Link16 capable, it arrived carrying both the Litening III Targetting / Recce Pod and the Sniper ATP. Once established in the static park it was quickly fitted with the new Tubitak-Sage designed and developed Stand Off Missile (SOM).
When not hosting an international air show, Cigli Air Base, East and West, yes there are two airfields just over a mile apart, is home to several different types of aircraft that are used in the flight training role. These range from basic instruction through to more advanced training. As a result, several of these types could be found on display, and these included the venerable T-37 "Tweet" on what was probably its last public appearance in service with the Turkish Air Force before it is withdrawn from service in 2012.
Four examples of the Tweet's replacement, the Korean Aerospace Industries KT-1T, were on display around the base. Under a contract signed in July 2007 for 40 aircraft, this all new airframe is being assembled and delivered from the TAI factory at Ankara at the rate of two per month.
Distributed around the airfield in varying locations, some outside Hardened Aircraft Shelters, were examples of other TuAF training types. These included some of the based all white T-38As of 121 Filo and a recently refurbished F-5B-2000 from 133 Filo in its two tone grey paint scheme. Another example on display of an updated airframe was a T-38M, the first of 55 T-38As designated to receive an avionics update by TAI.
The static park also included some rotary types which are rarely seen outside of the country. On show were an AH-1P Cobra, AS.532AL Cougar, a UH-1H Huey, a Coastguard Bell 412 and a Turkish Navy S-70B Seahawk from Topel Naval Air Station.
Also in the static was a good mix of transport types including four Antonov An-26; one each from Slovak Republic, Romania, Hungary and a rather rare example from Serbia. Other types on display included an Algerian C-130 and a C-27 from Bulgaria.
These complemented the Turkish Air Force transport types on show; the Casa 235, C-160, C-130, and a KC-135R. Other highlights included a PC-9 and MiG-29 from the Bulgarian Air Force, a pair of German Eurofighters, two Jordanian F-16s, a single Saab JAS-39 Gripen from Hungary and the UK's contribution to the static, a Tornado GR.4, still sporting markings from the now disbanded 14 Squadron.
It is worth noting that the showground was very well laid out with very good facilities and clear signage, this being true of the show in general as administration of the arrival and departure "Spotters' Days" was easy and efficient. With ample parking and unrestricted access along the length of the airfield and taxiways, along with retail and catering outlets, the organisers and their advisers are to be applauded.
An eight hour flying display took place in cloudless blue skies on both Saturday and Sunday and, naturally, the many enthusiasts who had gathered at Cigli were hugely interested in the Turkish Air Force inventory flypast. Rather surprisingly the flypast was only scheduled for Saturday's show but it didn't disappoint, however, and gave everybody the chance to see several types rarely seen at airshow these days.
Highlight for many was the trio of F-4E Phantoms from Eskisehir but the spectacular 31 aircraft flypast began with three AS.532 Cougars each flying the 100 years anniversary flag below the Turkish national flag. These were followed by three examples each of T-41D (Cessna 172), SF260, T-37, KT-1T and T-38. Transport types were then represented by single examples of Casa 235, C-160 and C-130 and a KC-135R. Following these were the fast jets comprising three F-16s of 192 Filo from Balikesir, the three F-4E-2020s of 132/111 Filo and ending with three Northrop F-5A-2000 from 133 Filo at Konya.
Huge crowds gathered on both of the public days with official figures of 105,000 on Saturday and 140,000 on Sunday, with as many as another 20,000 watching from outside of the base, making the show a great success with the organisers estimating a total of 100,000 prior to the event.
A passionate and enthusiastic crowd was thrilled by displays from seven international teams and gracing the skies over Cigli were The Red Arrows, Patrouille de France, Freece Tricolori, The Thunderbirds, Patrulla Aguila, Team Iskry and, from Croatia, Krila Oluje (Wings of Storm).
While every team proudly displayed to the public in recognition of the Turkish Air Force 100th anniversary, each in their own unique style, it has to be said that the enthusiasm of the various nations' commentators was most entertaining. Couple that with a great sound system playing upbeat soundtracks and it made for a fantastic atmosphere with the biggest cheers of the day without a doubt reserved for the home team, The Turkish Stars.
I understand that this sort of presentation is not to the taste of all aviation purists, however, in this modern era where presentation and promotion to a younger audience is such a vital part of good PR and military recruitment, this was an example that many display organisers can learn from. Selling an 'airshow and aviation experience', I believe, is a vital part of ensuring the airshow industry goes from strength to strength.
Several solo F-16s displayed from the air forces of Belgium, the Netherlands and Pakistan, but the Solo Turk F-16 stole the honours, dynamically flown by Major Murat KELES from 141 Filo. UK enthusiasts can look forward to his display at RIAT in July.
Among the other fast jet aircraft to perform at Cigli were two differing examples of next generation fighters. Generating much interest from enthusiasts and military chiefs alike was the JF-17 "Thunder" of the Pakistan Air Force. Three examples were present at the show coming from the first JF-17 Sqn No.26 Sqn, "Black Spiders".
The stand out fast jet demo for me though was from the Italian Air Force's Typhoon; a top class flying display demonstrating a superb combination of power and manoeuvrability.
To summarise then, the celebrations to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Turkish Air Force were a huge success. A well organised airshow, with not only quality and quantity, but flown under cloudless blue skies and with free entry.
The perfect airshow? Well, as near as!
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