The Knights and Swifts aerobatic teams of the Russian Air Force staged their first overseas performance as a composite formation on opening day of the 11th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. 

Spectator photographs Russian Knights and Swifts. 

Four Su-27 front-line fighters from the Russian Knights Aerobatic Team started the performance with a rhombus-shaped formation. Established in 1991, the team is the world’s only aerobatic squadron that uses heavy fighters. The 2016 session marks the team’s fifth appearance at Airshow China, after 2000, 2006, 2012, and 2014. 

Russian Knights Aerobatic Team

Later on, four lightweight MiG-29 fighters from the Russian Swifts Aerobatic Team joined the Knights flying low-altitude hovers and high-altitude circuits. The Kubinka Diamond stunt drew a burst of exclamation.  

Russian Swifts Aerobatic Team

The Swifts were lighter and more graceful compared to the Knights. Their somersaults and petard-like light tracer performance manifested outstanding skill. 

Knights and Swifts in composite formation [Photos by Zhang Zhou / Zhuhai Daily]

After highly difficult aerial aerobatics such as Nesterov Somersault and Tulip Blossom, the performance ended with a cross-shaped formation flying high with shining light tracers.