Cloud cover: 3 oktas in the morning
3 oktas in the afternoon
Well, it's finally rolled around- the last day of LIMA, after which the MIEC will be quiet for another two years.
The weather was just intense- hardly any rain apart from a few drops on Day 2, and UV levels into unbelievable zones.
The cloud, too- was mostly kind- many days had just 2-3 oktas of cloud cover, though heavy clouds had a tendency to form over the hill line at the rear of Sites A, B and C in the afternoon. Still, there are ways around that.
The morning display was viewed from Site A. The weather was a bit more overcast than yesterday, but still very good. Light levels were awesome.
The morning display sequence was as follows:
Kris Sakti
F-18 Super Hornet
Smokey Bandits
Gripen
Team Jupiter
Typhoon
In the afternoon, the following aircraft displayed:
C-17
Smokey Bandits
Kris Sakti
Rafale
Russian Knights
Su-30MKM
I think the quality of the light on the last afternoon was just spectacular- the pictures bear this out, and the steady improvement till the final day was just as in LIMA 2011. Amazing. Makes you want to stay on Langkawi as long as you can. I think when I finally post the photo gallery for this afternoon's display, the results will be the prettiest of the 7 displays.
The Russian Knights put on an unforgettable 25-minute display, and the day ended with the RMAF Su-30MKM weaving its powerful magic. The afternoon display went on for almost two hours of sheer pleasure.
Some highlights:
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| LIMA 2013- Smokey Bandits |
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| LIMA 2013- Gripen |
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| LIMA 2013- Gripen |
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| LIMA 2013- C-17 |
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| LIMA 2013- Team Jupiter |
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| LIMA 2013- Team Jupiter |
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| LIMA 2013- Russian Knights |
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| LIMA 2013- Russian Knights |
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| LIMA 2013- Russian Knights |
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| LIMA 2013- Russian Knights |
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| LIMA 2013- Russian Knights |
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| LIMA 2013- Russian Knights |
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| LIMA 2013- Russian Knights |
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| LIMA 2013- RMAF Sukhoi-30 MKM |
The Su-30 MKM Cobra Maneuver:
There wasn't a massed flyby by massed RMAF assets, as in LIMA 2011, to close the show. Nonetheless, the power of the SU-30MKM as the final flying display participant never fails to leave a lasting impression.
I was pretty tired after the 5 days at LIMA, and turned in early. I do not think I will stand by the fence tomorrow to watch the departures- instead. I have arranged to go on a boat trip to explore the Kilim Karst Geopark Region in the NE of the island, which is the part as far away from the LIMA site as you can get. I trust the weather will hold up, after the glorious dry days over the LIMA period.
UPDATE:
Complete photo galleries have now been posted:
LIMA Airshow 2013 Site A Photo Gallery 30-3-13 1000-1115h
http://www.mediafire.com/?v30cr677i4mym
LIMA Airshow 2013 Site E Photo Gallery30-3-13 1425-1515h
http://www.mediafire.com/?icul0c6ss034l
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