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ARCHIVED - Air Force display accidentally paints republican flag on National Day in Spain
A glitch in the coloured smoke led to a purple plume rather than red as Spain celebrated its national holiday
The military parade held on October 12 to celebrate National Day in Spain was a special occasion this year as it represents yet another step toward the new normal as the country leaves the fifth wave of the coronavirus pandemic behind.
The aerobatics performed by the Air Force’s Eagle Patrol is undoubtedly one of the most-anticipated moments of the occasion each year, but it is safe to say that Tuesday’s display didn’t exactly go off without a hitch.
As the seven aircraft flew in unison, plumes of coloured smoke representing the Spanish flag blew out behind them. The problems arose when the mixture in the tank of one of the planes caused it to emit a purple contrail rather than red, something which many amused social media users claimed made it look more like a Republican flag.
The Air Force claims that the unfortunate mistake, which was caught on live TV, occurred simply due to the colours in the tank not mixing quickly enough and have insisted that it was all about the “optical effect”.
The October 12 parade has experienced its fair share of mishaps, as another mix-up with the paint in 2020 caused the plumes of smoke to display an extra yellow stream rather than red, creating a decidedly misshapen Spanish flag. In 2019, during the symbolic parachute jump which opens the event, the jumper actually became hooked on a lamppost and had to be freed on his descent.
There was even more drama at the parade this year, as President of the Government, Pedro Sanchez, was subjected to jeers and boos from the crowd from the minute he arrived, with many even calling for his resignation.
#patrullaaguila :colores republicanos surcan el cielo en el desfile militar .
— Natxo Saenz (@natxo_saenz) October 12, 2021
Se ha quedado un bonito día. pic.twitter.com/MtGTvVTq64
Image: @PabloIglesias on Twitter
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