Ooops and Sukhoi

KUALA LUMPUR: The Bernama story below is self-explainatory. Malaysian Defence, however, maintains its earlier story. I stand to be corrected though.

As Malaysian Defence remains in Shah Alam instead of Dataran, it is difficult to say who is wrong or right in this instance. Bernama could be correct as the Sukhois could have flown down from Gong Kedak and back for the Merdeka flypast instead of flying down to Subang like the others jets.

Anyhow, the number of Hawks, Mig-29 and Hornets taking part in the parade in the Bernama story is wrong. Each formation of Hawks, Mig-29 and Hornets only have four planes instead of five. And only the Hornets since Saturday have flown four planes during the rehearsals (clearly showing its reliability compared to the rest of the RMAF fast jet fleet)

Today (Wednesday) all three formations had four planes each, the optimum for the parade. As far as I am concerned its the Hornets that are doing the aerobatics over Dataran for merdeka.

Will the Sukhois show up? There is still a chance but we will have to wait for Merdeka.

Bernama.com
Malaysian National News Agency

Sukhoi Aircraft, An Attraction At 50th Merdeka Parade
General
August 28, 2007 22:43 PM
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (bernama) — The capabilities of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) jet fighter, the Sukhoi SU-30MKM, will be demonstrated to the public during the 50th Merdeka Day parade on Aug 31.

The two jet fighters, which is the latest acquisition by RMAF, captivated participants and spectators at today’s rehearsal for the Merdeka Day parade when it flew in the air space above Dataran Merdeka for the fly-past.

The Sukhoi are among 18 aircraft, costing RM3.42 billion, bought by the government in 2003, to enhance the country’s air defence capabilities.

The two jet fighters were handed over to the RMAF on May 24 while the remaining 16 will be delivered in stages by middle of 2008.

Besides the Sukhoi, RMAF will also show off the prowess of its other jet fighters during the fly-past, comprising five MiG 29N, five F/A 18 D and five Hawks as well as other aircraft, which include two C130H carriers, two CN235, a Nuri copter, five Aloutte helicopters, two Agusta copters and three Cessna aircraft.

There will also be three Fennec helicopters and three Super Lynx helicopters from the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Mi70 helicopter from the Fire and Rescue Department and two Dauphin helicopters from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM).

The coordinating chairman of the celebration, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said this year’s parade would be special with the participation of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) cavalry unit, demonstration by its tracker dog unit and air formation by RMAF.

Dr Rais, who is also Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister said the two-hour Merdeka parade, to start at 8am, is expected to attract more than 200,000 spectators.

On the donation of the Jalur Gemilang for the celebration by the private sector, he said checks would be made to ensure the flags met the standard requirements.

He said most of the national flags used for the celebration were contributed by the private sector.

— BERNAMA

See the video taken today at Subang Airport of the planes taking part in the Merdeka flypast. The first one is CN235, second Hercules and third the Hornets. The videos are not the highest quality since I used my handphone, Nokia N73, to take it as the DV camera went technical on me.