Graz Airshow '98 was organized between 28. and 30. August this summer. The event took place on the Flughafen
Graz (Graz Airport) near the town Graz in Southern Austria, near the border with Slovenia. Airshow itself promised
a lot but unfortunately some things spoiled the show itself.

This is the list of the aircrafts that were scheduled to participate on the venue:
Great Britain: 1 Tornado F.3, 1 Tornado GR1, 2 Jaguar

Germany: 3 PAH BO105M, 1 CH-53, 1 Tornado IDS, 2 F-4F Phantom, 1 MiG-29, 1 Atlantic

Ireland: 2 Fouga Magister

Sweden: 2 AJ-37 Viggen, 4 Team 60, 1 C-130, 1 Saab J29

Hungary: 1 MiG-21, 1 MiG-29

USA: 1 KC-135, 1 AH-64, 1 UH-60, 1 F-16, 1 F-18, 1 F-15, 1 F-14, 1 C-130, 1 C-17

Austria: 7 Draken, 2 AL III, 3 Pilatus PC-7, 1 Draken, 1 Saab 105, 1 AL III, 1 Pilatus PC-7

Czech Republic: Mi-24 Hind

Portugal: 2 A-7 Corsair (Wings of Portugal)

Spain: 2 EF-18 (Patrulla Agrila Team)

Iran: 1 Boeing 747, 2 F-14, 2 F7, 2 F-4D, 2 T-33

Ukraine: 1 Tu-22, 4 Ukrainian Falcons

Russia: 4 Su-27 (Russian Knights)

Other: 1 Grippen, 1 Fiesler Storch, 1 BK 117, 1 Vampire DH115, 1 Boeing B-17, 1 CAP 232, 1 Lockheed
Constellation C-131, 1 Zlin 143, 1 Zlin 242, 1 Zlin 137T, 1 Hunter, 1 Diamond DA40, 1 Embraer 145, 1 Bell 412,
Eurofighter 2000, 1 Lockheed Electra, 1 Focker 27, 1 Jak 52, 1 Ju 52, 1 Pitts, 1 P-51D Mustang, 1 Bf 109, 1 Pilatus
PC-9, 1 Jak 11, 1 Su-30, 1 Su-35, 1 MiG-29, 1 MiG-AT, 1 MiG-31, 1 Il-76, 1 Pilatus PC-12

Unfortunately a lot of these planes and helis weren't there including a complete absence of Ireland, Hungary, Czech
Republic, Portugal, Spain, Iran and Ukraine, while USA participated only with Tomcat and Hornet and Russia with
only one Su-27 instead of Russian Knights aerobatics team. There were also Grippen, B-17, Bell 412, Eurofighter,
Ju-52, Pitts, Mustang, Bf 109, PC-9, Su-30, Su-35, MiG-AT, MiG-31, Il-76 and PC-12 missing from the show. If I
remain with the flaws of this event I must say that the flying program was several times stopped due to the landings
and take-offs of the airliners (airport was active during the show!!). We've seen quite a lot of aircrafts in a flying
program but not many jet fighters I must say. F-14B was scheduled to fly but as it was said the flight was canceled
because of the technical problems.

Now the better part. Static display was great although the rope was too close to the aircrafts and it was hard to take
good pictures. There were some great sport cars (Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches,...) between the fighters and
even one of the most expensive cars - the Jaguar XJ-220.  Sweden's C-130 back door was open and people could
see inside of that giant. Also interesting planes were German Atlantique and the last flying 'Connie' C-131. There
were 5 Tornados (2 IDS, 2 GR1, 1 F.3) 2 Jaguars, MiG-29,... Children were able to climb on one of the Austrian
Drakens. I'm sure that most of the people were admiring the F-14B of the skull and cross-bones squadron VF-103
Jolly Rogers which was surrounded by bright red Ferraris. There were several stars in flying display. French
Patrick Paris winner of the Breitling World Cup in aerobatics performed breath-taking aerobatics.  German CH-53
showed us how useful this helicopter can be as a fire-fighter. There were some interesting formations of oldtimers
but one of the most interesting events happened near the end of the show. A race between the Ferrari F40 (driven
by Karl Wendlinger - ex formula 1 driver) and Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker (piloted by Anatoly Kvochur - famous Sukhoi
test pilot) on a 750m long track. Ferrari started with 50m advantage but at approximately 350m Su-27 took of with
about 50m in front of the Ferrari. Kvochur then showed us his excellent breath-taking flying display including the
cobras, tail-slides, high-g turns and other aerobatics.

After all the Graz airshow was a nice summer day to spent at. Despite the many flaws that I've mentioned the show
was quite good (However, how many times a year can you see F-14 in Europe???). I think that Celje Airshow in
Slovenia was a lot better than this one in the flying display. Celje has 1km long grass strip, still 30.000 people
attended and it was a show no one will ever forget. A start with Italian Tornado IDS fly-by at 900km/h and 6 minute
of its performance and a journey through the beginnings of the Slovenian aviation in 1909 to the recent picture in
world aviation. Flybys of a DC-9-30 and Bombardier RJ-200 Regional Jet, an aerobatic display of Slovenian AF
PC-9, Italian transporter G-222!!! and Patrick Paris, a helicopter med-evac simulation where Hungarian Hind and
Italian Mangusta covered operation and high speed RNLAF F-16s and German Tornado IDSs performances with
final slow fly-by of 2 Tornados and 2 F-16 are a rare attractions in the world!

Click on a thumbnails to see the full-size pictures: