The only Hungarian airshow the author attended before the retirement of the MiG-21 was the one at Kecskemét in 1998, marking the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian Air Force and the 150th anniversary of the Hungarian Army. Despite bad weather, visitors were offered an attractive flying programme in which the Hungarian MiG-21s were of course represented several times.
In 1998 the Hungarian Air Force was still completely equipped with Eastern equipment: from the Mi-2 that led the opening parade ...
... through MiG-21, MiG-29 and L-39 ...
... to the An-26 transport aircraft, the picture was the one familiar in the region (and of course hoped for by the author).
MiG-21 solo display.
In retrospect it seems ...
... as if the weather was particularly bad every time the MiG-21 appeared. ...
... It probably really was, as the MiG-21UM, too, circles in a grey sky ...
... and taxies over a wet runway.
L-39s, which Hungary had received from NVA stocks, flew in formation.
A Hungarian MiG-29 received a special colour scheme for the 60th anniversary of the Air Force.
The foreign guests included the Viggen from Sweden, ...
... the Turkish Stars with an incredibly annoying commentator ...
... and the Draken from Austria.
Obviously the sun also shone briefly, ...
... as the photos of this F-16 on the flightline show.
At the edge of the airfield it could already be seen ...
... what fate awaited the Hungarian MiG-21s ...
... shortly.
Many of the L-39s from NVA stocks ...
... were at that time still waiting for their (then very short) revival.
