Loyal subjects cheer ageing fleet of aircraft in first ever North Korean air show
KIM Jong-un’s loyal subjects have posed for the cameras at North Korea’s first ever air show this weekend, cheering an ageing fleet or Soviet-era jets as they were put through their paces.
North Korea holds first ever public air show
Devoted subjects were filmed waving as the military and civilian aircraft took part in a choreographed fly past.
The Wonsan International Friendship Air Festival is humbly described on its own official website as a “unique, magnificent and ground-breaking event”.
It says foreign tourists would be welcomed “as honoured guests” with aerobatic flying displays, skydiving opportunities and pleasure flights on board some of the world’s oldest commercial jets still in operation with flag carrier Air Koryo - all arranged “for your delectation and delight”.
The festival was scheduled before North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test on September 9, sparking anger around the world.
Despite the sinister actions of North Korea’s despotic leader, the organisers of the festival said it was being held “in the name of peace and friendship through aviation”.
The grand finale of the two-day festival will feature a mass dance in Wonsan’s central square and a firework display across the harbour.
The two-day Wonsan International Friendship Air Festival was held at the refurbished Kalma Airport
The festival was already scheduled before North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test
The air force fleet is largely comprised of antiquated Chinese built copies of Mig jets
The show kicked off with an aerial display by a US Hughes MD-500 military helicopter
Around 200 aviation enthusiasts made the journey to Wonsan, a port city and naval base located in Kangwŏn Province in the east of the country.
The show began with a display by a US Hughes MD-500 military helicopter, which was bought in the 1980s.
This was followed by an acrobatic display by the Soviet built Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum - the most advanced aircraft in the North Korean air force.
Ashley Walker, a British pilot based in Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, told AFP: “To get this close to such old planes in a country like North Korea is very special.
“You won't find working planes like these anywhere in the world.”