Opening day of the Hydro Aviation Show
The show was opened, as usual, with a flypast of two Ka-27PS of the Federal Border Guard towing flags.
Ka-27PS of the Russian Federal Border Guard - as evidenced by the red stripe on the fuselage.
Once the helicopters had cleared, the Strizhi MiG-29's roared past firing flares....
.....while the MChS fire boat made sure that the sea was wet enough....
.....for the flotilla of small boats that paraded past.
MiG-29 of the Strizhi (Swifts) aerobatic team.
Underside view of the MiG-29.
The Strizhi solo MiG finished with a 'forward tailslide' firing flares.
The ageing Beriev Be-40/A-42 takes to the water....
....while its younger sibling, the Be-200, starts his takeoff run.
The Be-200 test machine making one of many water drops.....
A team of parachutists dropped in from an orbiting Mil-8 helicopter...
....they do make a colourful display......
....at least the local Cormorants were interested.....
Be-200 doing a water drop to impress the Cormorants.
You can see the drop doors still open.
A hard banking turn just over the show ramp.....
There weren't many other seabirds present - this Aerovolga La-8 being one of them.
Float-equipped Robinson R-44 of Ural Helicopters put on a brief show.
This Swedish registered Cessna 208 Caravan was the only 'foreign' participant.
Caravan climbing the ramp.
Not sure about this - probably a homebuilt.
On the opening day, both the Strizhi and Russkiy Vityazi (Russian Knights) put in displays - they alternated after that.
Russian Knights 4-ship Su-27 Flanker routine finale with an upward 'bomb burst' firing flares.....
....while the singleton made a few more passes.....
.....and a two-ship did a few more.....
....before finishing off with a climbout firing flares.
The crowds have dispersed, the ramp is quiet, the Be-200 test machine gets a quick inspection....
The La-8 is tied down to make sure no-one steals it.
....whilst that anonymous microlight stays in the water.
The Caravan is still employed making pleasure flights....
Meanwhile, a Mil-8 delivers the pilots of the Swifts & Russian Knights from their temporary base at Krimsk.
After the show - this is the view from the veranda of our apartment.
A quiet stroll along the promenade to watch the sunset over Gelendzhik bay.
The Beriev ramp is just about in the centre of the photo.
We settled down in a bar for a few beers.......
.....and to watch the firework display....
.....before retiring for the night.