OV-10B Bronco Demo Team



After a busy weekend at the Waddington airshow, we left home again for the Koksijde airshow two days later. Departing from Wevelgem, Tony flew the Bronco to the English Channel for a formation flight with Air Atlantique Classic Flight’s Gloster Meteor NF.11, flown by Dan Griffith. Off course we took this opportunity to take some nice photographs from this unique formation. Some of the results from the photoshoot will be published in the new book "Aviation Photography!", made by the Aviation PhotoCrew. After the photoflight, both classic aircraft headed to Koksijde for the show.

Meteor pilot Dan Griffith had been involved in the initial testing of our OV-10B Bronco in 2007, before it was accepted on the UK register with a full Permit-to-Fly issued. Dan had coincidently renewed his Bronco rating only last week at Manston and he is now our second Bronco demo pilot. We are very honoured that Dan has kindly accepted to join the Bronco Demo Team!

After refuelling, the Bronco was towed to its position in the static area by the local cross servicing. As Koksijde is famous for the great hospitality and the unique atmosphere, we visited the arrival party which was organised in the Squadron building.

On Wednesday, the show started at 13h and lasted till 22h. We had a nice place in the static area and the merchandise stand was erected next to the Bronco. As this show is close to our home, a lot of friends came to say hello. Our friends of the Victors formation team visited the Bronco with their Mascot ‘Beer’ and some pictures were taken for their new calendar.


The flying program of the airshow was filled with highlights. The main attraction were the USAF Thunderbirds, the Red Arrows and Patrouille de France. But next to these items, there was a lot more to see on the ground and in the air. Theme for this years airshow was the 65th anniversary of the Belgian Air Force, and the local 40th Squadron also had some anniversaries, 35 years Sea King and 40 years Alouette III. On Wednesday the show was closed by the Belgian F-16 demo, who flew an awesome sunset display complete with smoke and flares.


The second show day, on Thursday, was a normal daytime show and attracted again a large amount of visitors to the coastal base. As a lot of the Bronco Demo Team crew members were present, it was time to take some group pictures in full outfit. Weather predictions were bad, but it stayed dry the whole day, till the last show item, the Thunderbirds. During their display the sky above Koksijde broke open, resulting in heavy rain showers. After packing the stand, we had a great lunch in the bases mess and we paid a short visit to the airshow party afterwards.


On Friday afternoon we drove back to Koksijde air base to fly the Bronco back to Wevelgem. After handing over a present to the airshow organisers, the aircraft was prepared and flown back home, which concluded another great airshow. By this way we would like to thank everyone of the airshow organisation for the great hospitality, and all the visitors who came to say hello. Next airshow on the agenda will be the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford, where we will be in the static display as well.