By Dean Wingrin
The South African Air Force (SAAF) delivered an unexpected treat to Cape Town's aviation enthusiasts with a stealthy air display at AFB Ysterplaat, during the South African 4x4 & Outdoor Show (Western Cape), held on the weekend of 19 and 20 October 2024.
While the event is known for showcasing 4x4 experiences, outdoor gear, the latest in camping equipment and food stalls, the real thrill for many attendees—including myself—was the mid-day air display that stole the show.
Despite battling the notorious Cape Town southeasterly wind that Saturday morning, my focus wasn’t on the off-road equipment. I was there for the air display and what an exhilarating display it turned out to be. Though it wasn’t an official airshow (which would require additional authorisations), the SAAF packed all the excitement into a tight, mid-day two-hour showcase, giving fans a thrilling experience.
The display kicked off with the traditional cavalcade of emergency vehicles, their sirens echoing across the grounds. As they paraded, the crowd hurriedly moved from the indoor and outdoor exhibition areas to the flight line, ready for the action. The first aircraft to take to the skies was the Silver Falcons Synchro Pair in their PC-7 Mk IIs, signalling the start of the air display.
While the Silver Falcons overflew large parts of the Cape Peninsula, Lt Col Scott Logie, call sign "Prowler," launched in his Hawk Mk 120 to begin a mesmerising solo performance. Two Hawks from 85 Combat Flying School had journeyed from AFB Makhado to AFB Langebaanweg a week before participating in Exercise IBSAMAR VIII, the multinational maritime exercise between the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa that had just concluded in Simon’s Town. Fortunately, one of the Hawks made an appearance at the show, delivering a precise and tight display that wowed the crowd and was a joy to photograph.
Following this, Maj Kabelo Maleka and Maj Ronald Maroole, flying as the Silver Falcons Synchro Pair, returned for a polished aerobatic performance. While many enthusiasts might have wished for the full five-ship formation that we’ve seen in the past, the precision and grace of their aerial ballet, battling the winds aloft, were still a delight to watch.
The helicopter displays were up next. A standout was the Super Lynx maritime helicopter of the locally based 22 Squadron, flown by Lt Col Kyle Jonker with Lt Col Marius Havenga as his Tactical Coordinator (Tacco). Perhaps “up” may not be the best description for this maritime workhorse, designed for low-altitude operations off ships in extreme weather conditions. As such, it does not fly very high and the fully castored undercarriage legs are toed out, allowing the aircraft to rotate into the wind while the deck-lock harpoon remains engaged. This was dramatically demonstrated as the helicopter started its display by taxiing in front of the crowd and rotating 360 degrees about a single point before showing its agility in the air.
Following the Super Lynx demonstration was the BK-117 of 15 Squadron’s "Charlie" Flight, based at Air Force Station Port Elizabeth, the social-media arch-rival of 22 Squadron. Major Corrie Oberholzer (call sign Serrano) needs no introduction as he is known for his exceptional skills and mastery in throwing the agile BK117 around the sky. As always, Oberholzer’s flying, accompanied by his Flight Engineer, was a masterclass in helicopter manoeuvring, providing a perfect complement to the Super Lynx display. Both coastal helicopter squadrons put on fantastic displays, showing off the unique capabilities of each helicopter.
Adding to the helicopter lineup was the Netcare 911 Bell 407 air ambulance, which conducted a simulated medical rescue. Watching the patient be stabilised by paramedics and then loaded into the air ambulance underscored the vital role these helicopters play in real-world emergencies.
As if Cape Town hadn’t been treated enough with the Hawk display, the arrival of two Gripen dual-seaters of 2 Squadron from AFB Makhado late on Friday afternoon was the crowning moment. Flown by Lt Col Eddie Seeco, call sign "Cipher," the Gripen roared into the sky, dazzling the crowd with its power and speed. The dense sea-level air made for a spectacular performance, with the jet’s thundering take-off and swift aerobatics drawing cheers from the audience. After landing, Lt Col Seeco stopped the aircraft in front of the crowd line, hopped out and gave an interview with airshow announcer Brian Emmanis from Capital Sounds, providing attendees with an up-close view of the mighty Gripen.
To close out the air display, Lt Col Logie treated the crowd to a bonus Hawk display, an unexpected and much-appreciated finale to an already thrilling afternoon.
Sunday’s show followed a similar pattern, with the air display scheduled in a slightly different timeslot. Despite AFB Ysterplaat being a small airbase, the intimate setup worked in favour of the audience. The close proximity of the aircraft to the crowd line allowed for an immersive experience, and the relatively modest turnout made for a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere.
The SAAF and AFB Ysterplaat deserve high praise for delivering a tight, robust air display. What could have easily been a low-key event featuring only a few local aircraft turned into a memorable spectacle, with the Hawk, Gripen and BK117 making surprise appearances. Even the SAAF Museum contributed, showcasing its extensive collection of aircraft outside the hangars, adding to the excitement.
The air display component of the South African 4x4 and Outdoor Show was not widely publicised, but in the end, Cape Town motor and aviation enthusiasts alike left the Show with far more than they expected—a thrilling, action-packed air display to remember.
