N2501 Noratlas | The Blog by Javier

Last Sunday, we attended the “1st meeting aerien” (air show) in Francazal, an initiative launched by the association Des Etoiles et des Ailes. The event, in my opinion, was a success measured by the aircraft it gathered and the audience that came to it, despite some logistics issues that need to be improved for a future edition.

More than 50 aircraft were gathered in Francazal, a small airport South of Toulouse. Most of them took part in the dynamic display, not only in the static one. As we came with the baby, we only spent about 2 hours. Nevertheless, we had time to see the following highlights:

The 11th brigade of parachuters jumping from a N2501 Noratlas.
The Noratlas itself flying (this model was announced as the only Nord Aviation Noratlas in flying condition in the world today).
A Japanese Mitsubishi A6M (Zero) and a North American T-6 Texan chasing each other, memories of WWII.
A North American P-51 Mustang flying, for many aficionados one of the most beautiful airplanes.
A former Air France DC-3 flying, once a common view, not so nowadays. (a joke a local told me in relation to current AF pilots’ strike: “this might be the only Air France taking off today”, a DC-3 in 2014 ;-)).
The “Patrouille de France” from l’Armee de l’Air in action, made up of Alpha Jets.
The “Breitling Jet Team” in action, made up of L-39 Albatros.