53rd edition of France's most iconic historic airshow, held on May 23–24, 2026 at Cerny airfield, marking the 80th anniversary of its founding. Over a hundred aircraft paraded across the skies of Essonne, telling a century of aviation history through themed flying displays. ✈️
The highlight of this edition: a face-off between two "Rafales" separated by 90 years of history.
On one side, the Caudron-Renault C.460 "Rafale" — the world's only airworthy replica, brought back to flight by Renault for its first public airshow appearance. Designed by Marcel Riffard at Caudron-Renault, this razor-sharp racing monoplane reached nearly 505 km/h in the 1930s. It was on an aircraft of this lineage that Hélène Boucher set her women's world speed record of 445 km/h in 1934. A rare and elegant machine, rescued from the annals of French aviation history. 🏆
On the other side, the Rafale Solo Display 2026, a Dassault Rafale in its brand-new tricolor livery designed by Régis Rocca, based at Nancy-Ochey and flown by Captain Rocky.
... Show more...53rd edition of France's most iconic historic airshow, held on May 23–24, 2026 at Cerny airfield, marking the 80th anniversary of its founding. Over a hundred aircraft paraded across the skies of Essonne, telling a century of aviation history through themed flying displays. ✈️
The highlight of this edition: a face-off between two "Rafales" separated by 90 years of history.
On one side, the Caudron-Renault C.460 "Rafale" — the world's only airworthy replica, brought back to flight by Renault for its first public airshow appearance. Designed by Marcel Riffard at Caudron-Renault, this razor-sharp racing monoplane reached nearly 505 km/h in the 1930s. It was on an aircraft of this lineage that Hélène Boucher set her women's world speed record of 445 km/h in 1934. A rare and elegant machine, rescued from the annals of French aviation history. 🏆
On the other side, the Rafale Solo Display 2026, a Dassault Rafale in its brand-new tricolor livery designed by Régis Rocca, based at Nancy-Ochey and flown by Captain Rocky. Raw power, breathtaking agility, the roar of twin engines: the combat Rafale closed the show with a bang. 🔥
Two aircraft sharing the same name, two chapters of French aeronautical excellence. 🇫🇷
Full photo collection on pixelfed.social/c/966029257140… 📸
#TimeOfPropellers #RafaleSoloDisplay #CaudronRenault #LaFerteAlaisAirshow #FrenchAviation
