100 Years of Hyères
Two days on the Côte d’Azur photographing the best the Aéronautique Navale has to offer? Go on then!
2025 marked the centenary of the Base d’Aéronautique Navale d’Hyères Le Palyvestre, which proved a fantastic excuse for an airshow. Unsurprisingly, French military assets supported the event in force. The Aéronavale provided almost one of every type in its inventory, whether for the flying or static display. Solo displays from the Atlantique II and Falcon 10MER were the fixed‑wing highlights of a strong line-up, absolutely eclipsing the Rafale pairs demo which lacked the usual punch demonstrated at shows in previous years. The based Panthers deserve a huge shout-out for delivering a surprising show highlight, with a precise three‑ship routine that would give any official display team a run for its money on the European circuit.
Typically, two of the rarest French Navy flying assets failed to make the show — the E‑2 Hawkeye was unserviceable on departure from Lann‑Bihoué, while the Condors Acier Cap 10 team were sadly weathered‑in at Lanvéoc.
Civilian support was strong, and the organisers clearly worked hard to ensure the history of the Aéronavale was well represented. Cocardes Marine were out in force with their Alizé, Paris, Zephyr, MS.733, Alouette III and Alouette II, all performing solo displays as well as participating in a flypast with contemporary Aéronavale aircraft. The MD312 Flamant from Ailes Anciennes de Corbas put on a wonderfully photogenic routine featuring several topside passes, much to the delight of the assembled spotters.
The world’s only flying Noratlas made a welcome appearance, its two SNECMA‑manufactured Bristol Hercules 738 engines sounding particularly glorious as the aircraft taxied in and out for its solo display. While it’s always worth making the effort to see these classic aircraft while they’re still flying, the Noratlas is worth the trip for its distinctive engine note alone. As if that wasn’t enough, yet another classic highlight came from the Musée Européen de l’Aviation de Chasse de Montélimar with their beautiful S‑2 Turbo Firecat. The aircraft, F‑AYKM, became the second S‑2 warbird in France following its first flight with the museum in September 2024, with Hyères 2025 being one of its first public airshow appearances.
It’s not clear when the next event at Hyères will be — the previous two shows were in 2014 and 2010 — but should the base open its doors again, it would certainly be a show worth considering.
