Le Temps des Hélices: Warbirds, Jets & Aviation Magic at La Ferté-Alais 2019
Every year on Pentecost weekend, aviation enthusiasts gather just a few kilometres south of Paris for an afternoon-long flying display that celebrates flight in all its forms — from daredevil pioneers and their flying machines, to WWII warbirds, to modern jet fighters and even large airliners. At La Ferté-Alais, you can experience a century of aviation history in just a few hours.
From Propellers to Jet Power: “Le Temps des Hélices”
“Le Temps des Hélices” — “The Time of Propellers” — has been the motto of this legendary French airshow for decades. While tradition remains strong, the show has long since opened its doors to aircraft powered by much louder jet engines. The concept still works beautifully, allowing visitors to travel through more than 100 years of aviation in one single event.
The Friday before Pentecost brought the usual traffic chaos to Paris: endless queues as commuters tried to escape the city for the long weekend. Meanwhile at Cerny airfield, mechanics with oil-stained hands and organisers with worried looks were dealing with last-minute changes that threatened months of careful planning. Less than 24 hours before showtime, the grass airfield, normally crowded with aircraft, still looked alarmingly empty.
Stormy Weather and a Delayed Start
The La Ferté-Alais Airshow celebrated its 47th edition this year, once again held on Pentecost weekend. But one constant seems inevitable: unpredictable weather. Storm “Miguel” disrupted rehearsal flights and delayed the arrival of several guest aircraft. Saturday’s flying display was noticeably reduced as some participants only reached the field by Saturday evening.
D-Day Tribute with Spitfires and Dakotas
Among the late arrivals was Richard Grace’s two-seat Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX from England, sporting black and white invasion stripes to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day — a central theme this year. A formation of two Douglas C-47 Dakotas and two Spitfires paid tribute to the aircraft that carried and protected paratroopers crossing the English Channel in 1944. A well-known favourite, the P-51D Mustang “Nooky Booky IV,” was missed this year, as it was displayed in Normandy instead.
Representing the American side in a more humble role were the Piper Cubs, which served as low-level observation aircraft during the landings. Their frequent field landings earned them the nickname “Grasshoppers.”
Warbirds in the Spotlight
An impressive lineup of WWII and post-war warbirds took to the skies. A standout was the Vought F4U-5NL Corsair flown by Edmond Salis of the “Casque de Cuir” team, performing in Korean War markings. The Vietnam War era was represented by four T-28 Trojans and a Douglas A-1 Skyraider, compensating for the smaller-than-usual number of T-6 Texans in the Pearl Harbor segment.
A Very French Moment: Dassault Tribute and the Patrouille de France
Saturday’s flying began with a spectacular formation of an Air France Boeing 777 with the “Patrouille de France.” A touching highlight followed — a tribute to Serge Dassault, former head of the Dassault aviation group and long-time supporter of the airshow. A unique formation of Dassault aircraft — MD311 Flamant, Falcon 10(MER), Mirage 2000, Rafale and Falcon 8X — honoured his legacy, with a “Missing Man” salute performed by the Mirage 2000.
Modern French military demonstrations also included the Aeronavale demo, including a Breguet Atlantique and two Rafale M.
Sabre Debut: A New Jet for Frédéric Akary
Known for flying his P-51D Mustang “Moonbeam McSwine,” Frédéric Akary and his “Mistral Warbirds” brought a new aircraft this year: the F-86E Sabre. Only his second display with the jet, the routine is still evolving, but the Sabre’s raw power impressed. Due to the grass runway, the Sabre operated from nearby Melun — meaning spectators saw the jet for only around ten minutes, but its thunderous sound made a lasting impression.
Showstopper: The Only Flying Junkers Ju 52 in Europe
The undisputed star of the weekend was the AJBS Junkers Ju 52 — currently the only airworthy, three-engined example in Europe. Winter maintenance delays and engine issues nearly grounded the aircraft, but after late-night repairs and successful test runs, the beloved “Auntie Ju” took to the air.
Formations, Vintage Charm and a Teaser for Next Year
The Ju 52 flew a nostalgic display with parachute drops and formation flying alongside a Nord 1101 “Noralpha,” painted as a Messerschmitt Bf 108. A Fieseler Storch demonstrated remarkable slow-flight in the crosswind, while a newly-built Junkers F 13 joined the show for its first La Ferté appearance — flying in formation with its famous successor.
Fresh camouflage on the Ju 52’s wings and missing yellow engine cowlings revealed an ongoing restoration. The fuselage repaint is scheduled for winter — and the team teased a surprise new paint scheme for next year’s show.
La Ferté Alais Airshow 2019 – Photo Gallery
