Just looking over a selection of old photographs from the 70’s 80’s and 90’s their were many warbird only airshows such as the classic fighter meet and The great warbirds air display.
But now we only have one,that being Flying Legends.
I feel that we should have at least 2 on the airshow calender.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
8674planes
By: Wyvernfan - 1st July 2012 at 20:40
Top left… Sunday 19th August.
Rob
By: Orion - 1st July 2012 at 20:13
Come to Sywell in August 😉
😀
The website doesn’t actually say when the show is on!
Regards
By: Robert Whitton - 1st July 2012 at 19:25
I would just be happy with some airshows with some aircraft flying and some on the ground to see.
Nice to choose what types you wish to see.:)
By: WJ244 - 1st July 2012 at 18:45
My warbird (first registered in 1944) only likes airshows featuring aircraft with pointy noses and flames out the back whereas I prefer my aeroplanes with a big fan on the front.
I think that the public generally prefer mixed shows and it would be very hard for another warbird show to compete with Legends.
By: Mark V - 29th June 2012 at 20:06
This is where the term shows its self up as being purely a subjective one.
Please re-read, I was explaining how the term is generally perceived in the country that invented it (United States), not my ‘interpretation’ of it, it includes all former military aircraft, transports, trainers, the lot (I would refer you to EAA Warbirds of America and their rules of inclusion for awards, Oshkosh participation etc.)… 🙂
By: pagen01 - 29th June 2012 at 17:48
The term is generally taken to mean any aircraft type that was previously used in (any kind of) military service – (at least this is the common definition in the country that coined the phrase). So yes, a Chipmunk is as much a ‘warbird’ as a Mustang in that respect.
This is where the term shows its self up as being purely a subjective one.
I take ‘warbirds’ (and I loathe the term as a dreadfully populist, and slightly American, one) to mean fighter aircraft that have actually served in war or types easily idntified as such, ie Spitfires, P-40s, P-51s etc. Example the BBMF Lancaster being termed a warbird just seems wrong.
I certainly wouldn’t class a Chipmunk or most other post-war RAF types as a warbird, though I guess some will lump Meteors, Canberras, Harriers in that pigeon hole.
I don’t see any need for more warbird shows at all, kind of miss the days when there seemed to be more post-war combat types flying, or even the old ‘heavies’ shows that used to be at Coventry. Even the big service mixed shows seem to be in decline.
By: Wyvernfan - 29th June 2012 at 17:19
Personally i would have to say no. There is after all already Legends which as someone has hit on is a ‘special’ weekend of piston warbirds. But that is predominantly WW2 orientated in its selection of airshow acts, with no jets being allowed in the programme.
So for me one of the best airshows i’ve attended with a good variety was Kemble around 2 or 3 years ago. Classic piston (Spitfire, Hurricane) classic jets (Sea Vixen, Venom, JP’s, Vulcan etc), modern jets (Typhoon, Hawk), airshow ‘circus’ acts (Breitling Stearmans), and a couple of very impressive large scale model aircraft during the interlude. Couple this with quite an impressive static line up of VC-10, Canberra, Hunters, Meteor, AN-2 etc which meant there was pretty much something for everyone. AND everything was capable of operating from the airfield too, giving the crowd abit more intimacy with the participating aircraft and crews.
But, as i said, just my opinion 🙂
Rob
By: David Burke - 29th June 2012 at 11:54
Mark- Interest started at six !! I still recall the Red Arrows with Gnats and the Rothmans team !
By: Mark V - 29th June 2012 at 09:38
What do you mean exactly by the term “Warbirds”?
Are they any military aircraft?
Are they only military aircraft that have seen combat service?
Are they only military aircraft that have only seen , for instance , WW2 service?
Are they only military aircraft that are super wizzbangs with a pointy nose and flames out the back?
Or are you prepared to accept that a Piper L4 or an Auster Mk 3 are just as much a “Warbird” as a Mustang or a Hurricane or even a Venom???
The term is generally taken to mean any aircraft type that was previously used in (any kind of) military service – (at least this is the common definition in the country that coined the phrase). So yes, a Chipmunk is as much a ‘warbird’ as a Mustang in that respect.
By: duxfordhawk - 29th June 2012 at 09:05
I would not want another Flying Legends as that would take away the specialness that Legends has. However I would like to see a jet version of Legends taking us through the jet age from early jets right through to the modern age.
Hold this show at Bruntingthorpe and then the taxing Buccaneers, Victors and Lightnings can be involved and see if the Viggen and Draken from Sweden could join the party.
OK back to the real world, Much like hampden98, I just wish we still had the variety shows that Biggin Hill and North Weald gave us, Shoreham is the nearest to these shows now and has a very family feel about it , but sadly it can not get jet fighters on the ground or have jet display teams so its not exactly the same.
I think the way forward maybe some more flyin’s like North Weald has done recently, with some great aircraft where the public can get up close and really see how great these machines are.
By: Smith - 29th June 2012 at 08:54
It’s you.
Yup
By: Mark12 - 29th June 2012 at 08:05
I don’t recall any warbird only displays in the 1970’s -going later to the Great Warbirds at West Malling the 1987 display had the likes of the Red Arrows -Vulcan amongst others. The Fighter Meet at North Weald had Phantoms and other modern types in the line up -it seems ‘warbird’ is a very generic term when it comes to air displays!
“I was first registered in July 70” 🙂
Mark
By: Seafuryfan - 29th June 2012 at 07:13
It’s you.
By: Stan Smith - 29th June 2012 at 06:40
What do you mean exactly by the term “Warbirds”?
Are they any military aircraft?
Are they only military aircraft that have seen combat service?
Are they only military aircraft that have only seen , for instance , WW2 service?
Are they only military aircraft that are super wizzbangs with a pointy nose and flames out the back?
Or are you prepared to accept that a Piper L4 or an Auster Mk 3 are just as much a “Warbird” as a Mustang or a Hurricane or even a Venom???
By: j_jza80 - 28th June 2012 at 22:17
perhaps up north ? must be plenty of old RAF bases doing nothing, Scampton would be nice, at least the Reds would save a packet on fuel !
Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington. The displays used to be fantastic, I fondly remember walking home fom one (maybe in 1994?) and the Mosquito constantly passing overhead at high speed.
By: The Blue Max - 28th June 2012 at 22:10
No, definitely not.
We need better mixed shows. Duxford has cornered the Warbird market. But I miss Biggin Hill and North Weald for all round entertainment, Mildenhall for Heavy metal. Its that mix of warbird, classic jet, modern and aerobatic displays, with para’s, choppers I miss. With interesting stalls for a wander around.
The problem with Warbird only shows is that there are not that many warbirds to go around.
Also Duxford isn’t really a relaxed stroll more aplonk down and watch display. I like being able to browse when something not to my taste is on.
We need variety.The F16 at Duxford Jubilee show, outstanding.
BTW why no North Weald warbirdy fly in this year. Rather liked the one last year in all it’s smoky warbirdiness.
Come to Sywell in August 😉
😀
By: woodbridge10 - 28th June 2012 at 22:04
perhaps up north ? must be plenty of old RAF bases doing nothing, Scampton would be nice, at least the Reds would save a packet on fuel !
By: hampden98 - 28th June 2012 at 21:30
No, definitely not.
We need better mixed shows. Duxford has cornered the Warbird market. But I miss Biggin Hill and North Weald for all round entertainment, Mildenhall for Heavy metal. Its that mix of warbird, classic jet, modern and aerobatic displays, with para’s, choppers I miss. With interesting stalls for a wander around.
The problem with Warbird only shows is that there are not that many warbirds to go around.
Also Duxford isn’t really a relaxed stroll more aplonk down and watch display. I like being able to browse when something not to my taste is on.
We need variety.
The F16 at Duxford Jubilee show, outstanding.
BTW why no North Weald warbirdy fly in this year. Rather liked the one last year in all it’s smoky warbirdiness.
By: The Blue Max - 28th June 2012 at 21:16
I depends what you mean by Warbirds only:confused: None of the shows you have listed are or have ever been Warbirds ONLY! The Fighter Meet and Great Warbird had other elements such as Dh Moth Club Diamond Nine Tiger Moths, Brendan O Brian with his truck top landing and the then Crunchie Wing Walkers. Even Legends has elements such as the now Breitling Wing Walkers, DH Rapied and Dragon and DC3’s. This year at Legends would you call the Arc a Warbird??? If you want a Warbird only show try organising one yourself, you will find that you need a little more to attract the general public and enthusiasts alike to make it pay!
By: David Burke - 28th June 2012 at 19:56
I don’t recall any warbird only displays in the 1970’s -going later to the Great Warbirds at West Malling the 1987 display had the likes of the Red Arrows -Vulcan amongst others. The Fighter Meet at North Weald had Phantoms and other modern types in the line up -it seems ‘warbird’ is a very generic term when it comes to air displays!
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June 28, 2012 at 6:20 pm