THEMES 44th SANICOLE AIRSHOW
Memories & looking back
On 21 and 22 September, our 44th air show will be built around two major themes: the 80th anniversary of the liberation after World War II and Operation Market Garden and the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic fighter jets in our history: the F-16.
F-16 Fighting Falcon
On Saturday January 20th 1974, exactly half a century ago this year, the first test flight of the YF-16 was carried out at Edwards Air Force Base in the United States. Five years later, the first fighter was delivered for the Belgian Air Force and to this day, the F-16 Fighting Falcon is still the flagship aircraft in our country. During our show, we like to mark the 50th anniversary of the F-16 and its 45th birthday in our country.
Liberation Hechtel-Eksel
In September 1944, Hechtel-Eksel was liberated during World War II and that is something we want to commemorate this year, 80 years later. We will do this with an impressive line-up of historical aircraft that were active during that period. Operation Market Garden was an offensive also launched from our region in September 1944 to push Nazi Germany further back from the Netherlands. We will also pay special attention to this during the show.
Swiss national team blows 60 candles
In 1964, the Patrouille Suisse was founded by the Swiss Air Force, at the time on the iconic Hawker Hunter. After 30 years, the Hunter was exchanged for the Northrop F-5E Tiger II, the aircraft they still fly to this day. On several occasions in the past, the 6 Tiger II aircraft have stolen the hearts of our visitors with their exceptional precision, and we are very happy that they are coming back to Sanicole to celebrate their 60th anniversary with us this year.
