AIR International – June 2018

http://www.airinternational.com | 83

Akzo-Nobel and used on other F-16s or Belgian
Air Force military aircraft. Only the falcon on
the tail was applied with different paint - this is
water based paint. For the tail, six masks were
used on each side. The design was drawn up
using InDesign, so the team had scalable vector
drawings to work from. Painting the tail took a
little over one day (12 masks in all).
In all, it took about seven weeks from the
time the aircraft was rolled into the paint shop
hangar until ready, and in recognition of their
outstanding work, Bob and his paint team are
namechecked inside the nose wheel landing
gear door.

Displays
This year’s flat display routine used in poor
weather is based largely on last year’s, but
the high sequence is a completely new
presentation. Vador conceived the sequence
to keep the aircraft as close to the crowd line
as permitted for much of the display. Planning
began in the simulator to get the flow and
rhythm of the display right. After approval
by the safety board, it was flown for real at
5,000 feet (1,524m), with practice altitudes
decreasing in stages to 500 feet (152m). The
display was authorised at the altitude in April.
Vador’s routine demonstrates the
capabilities of the F-16 and uses plenty of
vertical and loaded rolling manoeuvres to
generate vortices from the aircraft. These
combined with smoke and, where allowed,

flares will combine to present a spectacular

and entertaining display. It lasts around

nine minutes from take-off to landing and

is as physically intense for the pilot as it is

spectacular for the audience. Each year,

the routine will change. This presents an

additional challenge to the pilot as he needs

to incorporate different manoeuvres safely to

keep the display fresh for spectators.

Inspiration

As a child, Vador gained inspiration for

aircraft and flying from watching aircraft

fly near his home, Vador hopes his displays

and engagement with the public will

inspire today’s children to apply to become

tomorrow’s pilots. The display team showcase

the energy, professionalism and dedication

of the Belgian Air Force both in the air and on

the ground.

The aircraft is supported by a team of 13

ground crew, some of whom will travel to

each display location with the aircraft. Behind

the scenes there are several people at the

Belgian Air Force HQ who support the display

on the PR and communications side. Led by

Lieutenant Colonel Jo Heylens and Captain

Kurt Verwilligen, the team looks after media

engagement. Bart Rosselle is the team’s

photographer both on the ground and in the

air. Nicolas Deboeck is a civilian consultant for

the team and delivers the graphic design for

the team’s publications. AI

On jacks in the paint shop at Florennes, two of

the paint team apply masking to the aft fuselage

underside. Belgian Air Force

Interesting shot of the top side painted with black

paint showing the first strips of masking tape applied

for the grey and white stripes. Belgian Air Force