F-104 Farewell Kleine Brogel 2005

After all the hype surrounding RIAT2004 with it being widely reported that it was to be the last time the Italian Starfighters would be seen outside of Italy and those not turning up it was with some trepidation that I set off from home for the 3hour drive to Kleine Brogel in Belgium.

The BAF at Kleine Brogel had arranged for 2x F-104S Starfighters to fly-in for a special ceremony that was to be attended by ex-BAF Starfighter Pilots and engineers on the unveiling of a restored ex-BAF F-104. This restored aircraft will be mounted on a plinth in the local area soon.

The 'Aviologists' have been well catered for by the Belgium Air Force in recent times with a fair few special events catering for the spotter and photographer. (Recce Meet2003, Trainers Meet to name but two)

On completing the registration form and paying the nominal fee of 5 euros there was an ominous sign telling us that one of the 2 aircraft due to arrive later in the day had gone 'technical' in Italy.Already knowing that one of the 2 aircraft pre-positioned at Grazzanise was the specially painted Red 999 example we could only wait and see which one would turn up if any at all.....

A mad rush ensued for good positions near the runway. Looks like a stepladder is the next purchase as all the best positions had been snapped up by users of them and all decided to take up positions right on the barrier leaving anyone without one little opportunity to get near the barrier.Then came a shock the guards proceeded to move everyone from where we had been from the start back down towards the taxi way far away from the active runway, we were informed that the active runway was being swapped to the one close to the barrier.

We were then treated to 2 F-16s lining up on the new runway only to taxi back to the old active runway and take-off from there!!!!. Now was this just a ploy to get more people around the unveiling ceremony or what ? anyway we weren't allowed back to the original spot from then on. Local F-16's had been fairly active during the long wait and then we were treated to a demo by the BAF F-16 which included 2 very fast and low passes which were awesome full reheat right above our heads and down LOW to boot,certainly got the crowds talking. Unfortunately the new position we had been moved too gave little chance of watching the full display as we were sandwiched between high trees to the front and rear, great shame as this was for me far from the normal air show demo seen before. As the demo came to an end and the aircraft taxied in the familiar whine of an F-104 could be heard, the single F-104 had made it and it was the 999 specially painted one Wahoo!!!!

Escorted by two F-16s around the circuit a series of flybys were performed before a touch and go by the F-104 produced a magnificent sound as the afterburner was lit and an almighty thump reverberated round the area. Into land next time round and then the wait for it to taxi past the gathered crowds.

The pilot bought the star of the show past the gathered enthusiasts and it was clear that he was enjoying all the attention and posed his mount with all lights blazing. After parking up and switching off he was greeted by the gathered dignitaries and presented with a cool glass of champagne. Then much to their dismay he came over to the photographers and spent along time chatting and signing autographs and prints people had bought along with them.

Shame that two F-104's didn't arrive but the Ducatu 999 aircraft more than made up for it. A sad day but one to remember.

The author wishes to thank all those involved at Kleine Brogel and the Belgium Air Force Public Affairs Department.

All photography by David J Mackey (Macks Aviation Photography)