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Durban Air Show - breaking the sound barrier

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:12 am
by AlanM
Those of you going to the Virginia Airshow in Durbs this weekend are in for a real treat.

On Saturday, Lt Col Glen Warden is going to take a Mirage 111 CZ 30km out to sea, and at 30,000 ft, will open the taps and take the aircraft through Mach 1, to break the Sound Barrier.

The double boom will be heard as far away as Richards Bay and Van Reenen’s Pass if the wind is right.

The last time this happened in Durban was 45 years ago, when 3 Mirages came out from France for the airshow. They were doing a high speed low flypast when they “accidentally” broke the sound barrier, breaking windows all over Durban in the process.

This time it is being done with full C.A.A. approval.

This Mirage 111 CZ is the only one in the world still flying, and belongs to the Airforce Museum

Re: Durban Air Show - breaking the sound barrier

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:02 pm
by Stephan van Tonder
I'll be there both days... going to fetch my piper that I'm winning.

Re: Durban Air Show - breaking the sound barrier

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:37 pm
by kloot piloot
They did it last year at AAD in Cape Town !

What a beautifull sound ! vhpy

Re: Durban Air Show - breaking the sound barrier

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 6:53 pm
by Tumbleweed
I'll be there both days... going to fetch my piper that I'm winning.
Sorry Stephan, it's already done. You can sit in it though, just don't smoke or drool. :)

Re: Durban Air Show - breaking the sound barrier

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:17 am
by DavePike
Surely you're not all referring to MY Piper ? :lol:

Re: Durban Air Show - breaking the sound barrier

Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 7:33 am
by DavePike
Hey Barry,

I think St. Francis is well overdue a visit from me, so keep that authority to land handy for ZU-DUI :)
This time I think a longer visit is in order, I missed all the fun leaving so early last year.

Are we seeing you at Virginia this year ?