2013-09-07

Université d'été de la Défense : 2013-09

We took a trip to Pau, France our first week of class to see the llth Université d'été de la Défense. The actual demonstration was a couple days later but we were able to see a practice. There was a dynamic demonstration and a static show. The shows were good, but they only took about 2-3 hours - the traveling was about 12+ hours. But, it was a great demo and the traveling gave us a change to meet other people. The weather was my kind of weather but we probably didn't need the rain. I was very thankful I had an umbrella.

I thought these turned out well - the actual and the big screen! The screen was really clear and the camera people did some great work. Left, is a C-160 Transall and on the right, a Puma.
 
Here are some shots at the end of the program.
I thought the lineup of heavy equipment and catching two helicopters was cool.

I tried to take a couple "artistic" shots of the AMX's barrel.

There were static displays of both Army and Air Force equipment. The thing on the left is a SOUVIM 2. The picture isn't very good, but it was also in the dynamic demonstration and it looked like it would be fun to drive. Its mission is another story - it's an anti-IED vehicle. On the right is a close up of the machine gun hanging out of a Caracal.

Finally, I don't think I've seen a Tiger up close. If I had, it was maybe only once before. It's a nice helicopter and I'm sure it'd be fun to fly. The nose doesn't look very fierce, but it's still a nice aircraft.
Despite the long travel and the rain, it was a good trip!

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