Aero Show 2015 - Last day, last show pulls Sunday crowds

The early birds were the wisest ones. Seasoned Bengalureans reached Yela hanka Air Force Station as early as 7.30am on Sunday though the first flying display was at 9.30am equipped with cameras, caps, stylish parasols, water bottles, the works... They weren't going to pass up last day, last show, even for a gripping World Cup match.
In fact, it looked like the India-South Africa tie held little attraction for namma city folk.The crowds began to swell, and KIA Road turned into a stretch of barely-moving metal, as high-per formance machines streaked through the skies, dazzling visitors, while amateur shutterbugs feasted on the show from the tarmac and other vantage points.
There was a sea of humanity on the ground.
Organizers reported a record of over 1 lakh foot falls on the last day of the five day event. And there were more: like those who struggled with broken flip flops while try ing to scale the compound wall to catch the ac tion, and others perched on towing vehicles, high walls and rooftops along Ballari Road, right up to neighbouring villages.
Yet, there was an air of caution: Birds from Indian and foreign contingents didn't play to the gallery with their complete range of aerobatics, following Thursday's mid-air collision between two Flying Bulls. But that didn't disappoint the visitors.
The star attraction remained the superfast jets and the wingwalkers' handstand on the Su 30 tail-slide. The big, fat C17 Globemaster also stole the show with its short takeoff, leaving the watchers dumbstruck.
Flip side to the funday
While people outside enjoyed the show for free, they also inconvenienced motorists and tried the patience of traffic cops. In the morning not all roads led easily to the venue, with people stuck for hours in the sun on dedicated lanes. And while the sun shone, vendors of cool drinks and ice cream made the proverbial hay .