Meeting Aérien International de la Somme d'Albert 2021
- Kris Christiaens
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
After the 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new edition of the Meeting aérien international d'Albert took place on August 22, 2021 at the Albert-Picardie Airport. This airport is located 4 km (2 mi) southeast of Albert in the Picardy (Picardie) region of northern France. The Meeting aérien international d'Albert (also known as Meeting aérien international de la Somme-Hauts-de-France) became one of the largest air shows in northern France in recent years with numerous civil and military participants from France and beyond. Despite the predicted bad weather conditions, the weather during the airshow turned out to be very good, making this event more than a success.
Despite the COVID-19 measures still in force, the organization of this airshow managed to get some impressive participants from the French Air Force such as the Airbus A400M Tactical Demo, the Patrouille Requin Mike with their two Rafale fighter jets and the famous Patrouille de France. In addition, a large military delegation from the Belgian Air Force was also present during this airshow with their Red Devils formation team, the A109 helicopter display team and the F-16 ‘Dark Falcon’ solo display.
Fans of vintage biplanes and warbirds also had a great time during this airshow as various replica aircraft from the First World War or warbirds from the Pacific War were on display. Some of the most beautiful and impressive warbirds were the Nieuport 28 biplane fighter, the Vought F4U Corsair Carrier-based fighter-bomber, the Boeing-Stearman biplane and a Fokker Dr.I triplane. Another beautiful old aircraft that gave a demonstration during this airshow was the Dassault MD 315 Flamant light twin-engined transport airplane built shortly after the Second World War for the French Air Force. Because the Albert-Picardie Airport is located in the region of the Battle of the Somme, the demonstration of aircraft of the First World War had a special significance.
In addition to the military participants and old aircraft, various civilian formation teams could also be admired during this airshow, such as the Belgian Victors with their four Piper PA-28 aircraft, the French Yako Team with their Yak 52 and Yak 18T aircraft and the French Patrouille Sparflex with their Albatros L39 jets. During the airshow, an old Antonov An-2 also brought paratroopers from the French Air Force up to a few kilometers height, after which they gave a beautiful demonstration.
Just like the edition in 2019, a beautiful sunset show was also organized during this edition on Saturday 21 August. During this sunset show, a limited group of photographers could enjoy the flying skills and demonstrations at the airport of the Airbus A400M Tactical Demo, the L'équipe de Voltige with their Extra 300 aircraft and the A109 helicopter and F-16 ‘Dark Falcon’ solo displays of the Belgian Air Force. Both the A109 helicopter and the F-16 ‘Dark Falcon’ of the Belgian Air Force used flares during their demonstrations at sunset, which resulted in spectacular scenes. At the end of the sunset show, the audience could enjoy the beautiful demonstration of the French Patrouille Carnet de Vol and accompanying fireworks.
Text & photos: Kris Christiaens
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