Nemzetközi Repülőnap és Haditechnikai Bemutató Kecskemét (Hungary) 2021

The author's sixth visit to Kecskemét after 1998, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010 differed considerably from the previous ones. First of all, it was a family outing, in which the experiences and interests of perhaps the next generation of aviation enthusiasts were more important than perfect photos or documenting every single aircraft. Above all, in the middle of the unrestrained corona madness in Germany, the trip led to a country where none of this could be felt, where tens of thousands of people could enjoy their lives and have fun without restriction, packed closely together. For this a heartfelt "Thank you, Hungary!".

Because the starting point of the trip to Kecskemét was a holiday in Hungary, this report begins with a … — Because the starting point of the trip to Kecskemét was a holiday in Hungary, this report begins with a picture of a sunny and astonishingly deserted Lake Balaton.

Experience shows that photo opportunities at Kecskemét are rather limited due to the layout. That is why the … — Experience shows that photo opportunities at Kecskemét are rather limited due to the layout. That is why the author was already on site for the rehearsal the day before, where, however, the weather was only mediocre, so the Krila Oluje – not very impressive anyway with only four aircraft – hardly came into their own.

The Embraer KC-390 gave a respectable display, courting further customers in Europe after last year's order … — The Embraer KC-390 gave a respectable display, courting further customers in Europe after last year's order by Hungary.

Of the two Eurofighter displays from Great Britain and Italy, the former was clearly the more spectacular – … — Of the two Eurofighter displays from Great Britain and Italy, the former was clearly the more spectacular – above all thanks to massive use of afterburner.

The new L-39NG came to the show from the Czech Republic accompanied by two L-159 ALCA – probably in the hope … — The new L-39NG came to the show from the Czech Republic accompanied by two L-159 ALCA – probably in the hope of interest from the Hungarian Air Force, which had previously flown the classic L-39.

During the rehearsal of the Turkish Stars with their attractively painted F-5s, the sun occasionally peeked … — During the rehearsal of the Turkish Stars with their attractively painted F-5s, the sun occasionally peeked through the clouds.

During the rehearsal of the Turkish Stars with their attractively painted F-5s, the sun occasionally peeked through the clouds.

The day before also offered the opportunity to get one or two transport aircraft in front of the lens that … — The day before also offered the opportunity to get one or two transport aircraft in front of the lens that were not included in the actual flying programme. The Serbian An-26 accompanied the Lasta that had come from Batajnica and flew back in the late afternoon, while the Italian C-27J remained on site and was merely towed to another parking position here.

The day before also offered the opportunity to get one or two transport aircraft in front of the lens that were not included in the actual flying programme. The Serbian An-26 accompanied the Lasta that had come from Batajnica and flew back in the late afternoon, while the Italian C-27J remained on site and was merely towed to another parking position here.

When the clouds finally disappeared in the evening and a low sun bathed the landscape in the most beautiful … — When the clouds finally disappeared in the evening and a low sun bathed the landscape in the most beautiful evening light, for quite a while it looked as if the rehearsal programme would end at exactly that moment. Nevertheless, most photographers did not leave yet – in the hope of still being able to take a few pictures under perfect conditions. This hope was fulfilled – and how. After a good half hour of silence, the lighting of an afterburner was suddenly heard and a Romanian MiG-21 LanceR shot into the blue sky. Even though the subsequent display was flown very high and mostly far away, the experience was a very special one given the scenery. And that alone made the trip to Kecskemét worthwhile!

When the clouds finally disappeared in the evening and a low sun bathed the landscape in the most beautiful evening light, for quite a while it looked as if the rehearsal programme would end at exactly that moment. Nevertheless, most photographers did not leave yet – in the hope of still being able to take a few pictures under perfect conditions. This hope was fulfilled – and how. After a good half hour of silence, the lighting of an afterburner was suddenly heard and a Romanian MiG-21 LanceR shot into the blue sky. Even though the subsequent display was flown very high and mostly far away, the experience was a very special one given the scenery. And that alone made the trip to Kecskemét worthwhile!

After the MiG-21, the Czech W-3A Sokol also used the great weather for its rehearsal.

At some point the cows grazing on the airfield had had enough of the noise and the crowds and drove away the … — At some point the cows grazing on the airfield had had enough of the noise and the crowds and drove away the photographers who had invaded their realm.

As the event was not only an airshow but also a show of the land forces' capabilities, there were not only … — As the event was not only an airshow but also a show of the land forces' capabilities, there were not only great tank demonstrations but also the opportunity to ride in a PTS-M amphibious vehicle.

The author almost missed the MiG-21 display on Saturday. Because of the crowds of visitors and the – compared … — The author almost missed the MiG-21 display on Saturday. Because of the crowds of visitors and the – compared with previous years – not optimal traffic management, the journey from the city centre took a good two hours. Daniel MOTANU Moise's display did not match what Gheorghe GICA Stancu had performed for years. Nevertheless, it was nice to see a flying MiG-21 on two days. Because of a packed family programme, the author never even made it to the second aircraft in the static display.

The author almost missed the MiG-21 display on Saturday. Because of the crowds of visitors and the – compared with previous years – not optimal traffic management, the journey from the city centre took a good two hours. Daniel MOTANU Moise's display did not match what Gheorghe GICA Stancu had performed for years. Nevertheless, it was nice to see a flying MiG-21 on two days. Because of a packed family programme, the author never even made it to the second aircraft in the static display.

The author also experienced most of the hosts' great displays from the crowd and thus from a great distance. … — The author also experienced most of the hosts' great displays from the crowd and thus from a great distance. While the Mi-24s hardly stood out at all against the grey sky, ...

... at least the Mi-17s, which among other things dropped parachutists, could be seen better (and a little … — ... at least the Mi-17s, which among other things dropped parachutists, could be seen better (and a little closer).

The Saudi Hawks pleased with changing smoke colours but did not really stand out against the grey sky.

The author 's secret favourite in the flying programme was the Saab 37 Viggen, which he saw in action again … — The author's secret favourite in the flying programme was the Saab 37 Viggen, which he saw in action again for the first time in 20 years. Unfortunately, its spectacular short landing followed by a turn using thrust reversal and take-off in the opposite direction was completely missed by the cameras, so that most spectators, including the author, did not see any of it.