Most under-rated airshow in your opinion?

Little Gransden was a real gem last year,lovely venue and the weather and sky made for a great background.

I’m admittedly biased, but like JDK above, I’d already had Oshkosh built up as being this massive, incredible thing… and when I attended it was one of those rare times in life when something delivered more than the hype.

I have always liked the airshows at Ghyvelde in France. In the late nineties, they had 3 or 4 big annual airshows (the last one in 2001). But due to lack of public support (which resulted in financial problems), the event was resized during the last years into a small fly-inn. I find this a bit sad since they attracted great warbirds over the years such as Spitfires, Mustangs, T6/Harvards, Caudron, …

At the last eddition, the also had the fouga Magister, Antonov 2, Nieuport 17 and Junkers WWI repro’s, …

I felt a bit sad to see this show collaps.

J.V.

*Royal International Air Tattoo Antarctica.

You guys don’t get round enough

Yeah. I’ve only been to shows on three continents. RIATA* anyone?

Like the responses. I’d agree with Janie that Oshkosh was one of the few things I’ve been to with high expectation, AND still been blown away. Keep the thoughts coming. Historic or old shows welcome too.

Redhill in the 80s was good, Croydon (yes, I know) put on two shows which would have been great if not for the weather, and BWBs comment on Legends practice points up what used to be great in the eighties/early ninties with the trio of Classic Fighter, Fighter Meet (North Weald) and Great Warbirds – all stunning, much more ‘fun’ than any of the Legends shows in my opinion. Not that I’d exchange them, but the scene was younger, fresher and well, more fun. (Not like me at all of course.)

Cheers!

Hooray, it’s catching on…..where are the new posters Neil? :diablo:

Albert Ross
apparantly the posters are on their way….better hurry up though,only 7 weeks to go!!!!!!!

A few more from Branscombe: –

Woodchurch show is in Kent.

You guys don’t get round enough 😉

Of course it’s impossible to make a subjective valuation on something you didn’t attend, but down here, Branscombe was a little cracker last year: –

Southport. Except for the traffic wardens.. 😡 And is everyone talking about Woodchurch on the Wirral (I doubt)???

Badminton Air Day

If anyone ever went to the Badminton Air Days during the ’80s, that was a fantastic annual event organised by just three enthusiasts. The aircraft landed right in front of you and one year they had a flypast by a Handley Page Herald and a Trident (just a slight detour en-route to Bristol Airport!), also a demo by a Hunter from Boscombe Down (on a Sunday!) and the biggest coup must have been the Chilean Air Force “Halcones” Aerobatic Team with their Pitts Specials, that they ‘persuaded’ to come over one week early before they went to IAT Farford!! Incredible variety and show all on a grass airfield!

I must live between two navigation beacons because we get a decent display over our house every year. Why leave home?

Last year we had 4 F-15’s (Are they Historic yet?) circle very low for about 10 mins and a few years back a Spitfire did some impressive acrobatics over our house.
BOBMF appear every year.

I haven’t been to an Airshow for a number of years but the smaller ones appeal to me.
Being a commuter I prefer to stay away from crowds at weekends. Chailey is not that far might give it a try if I can get a day pass.

I haven’t been to Breighton for the show. Would any one who has been describe it as “underrated?”. Or are those in the know just keeping quiet so as to not let it get too big? I’m guessing.

I think Oshkosh is underrated in the U.K.. I have never read a write up in a magazine which truly describes how utterly awsome the whole event is. It’s huge – but still underrated here.

Royal International Abingdon Tattoo…I presume that’s the one you mean,Janie?????? 😉

Hooray, it’s catching on…..where are the new posters Neil? :diablo:

I’m going to go with the flow on this and say Abingdon but GVFWE comes a good second. OK not strictly an ‘airshow’ but I do usually get to fly in (as a passenger mind) 🙂 which does make it more interesting.

I know it is relatively well known (at least amongst this fraternity), but the general public may not be so aware, but the evening displays at Shuttleworth are something else (from one who discovered them last year!). Sorry to be so boring. Must try and get to Chailey this year with AF Junior, although the distance from home might mean an overnight stop. When is it?

I’m afraid that I am going to be a sheep and say Chailey and Woodchurch from last year as well, which where great and only a week apart as well – the wife was NOT amused 😉

Redhill

No, I hear the locals have objected to RIAT.

I assume you mean Really Interesting Aeroplanes at Turweston?

😀 😀 ….nice one Steve,hadn’t thought of that one

For instance, Chaily(sp?) seems to have been a stunner last year by those who were there.

And by some who weren’t, too.
I certainly intend to repeat the experience this year. And hopefully Mark12 will leave Bucks the day before.