Raf Cosford Airshow this weekend

Who, the Vulcan…..or his fiancé? :diablo:

Congratulations, BlueRobin!

Well the Vulcan of course:D:D:D actually the new wife to be may have some imput to the honeymoon night 😀

Who, the Vulcan…..or his fiancé? :diablo:

Congratulations, BlueRobin!

Well the Vulcan of course:D:D:D actually the new wife to be may have some imput to the honeymoon night 😀

Have you booked her for a flypast on the Honeymoon night?

Who, the Vulcan…..or his fiancé? :diablo:

Congratulations, BlueRobin!

Of course she said “yes”. 🙂

CONGRATULATIONS,Another bit of proof of the Vulcan effect.Have you booked her for a flypast on the Honeymoon night :diablo::diablo::eek::D

But you are fun, entertaining and different.. thats good enough for me ;).

Ditto.

And well done for doing the risk analysis (a pity that others are using your research to their advantage).

I always felt annoyed that the Reds were the only ones allowed this form of entrance, especially when you consider that there are probably many pilots with more years experience (on type) than all the Reds put together.

Thanks for the positve comments from some. They are appreciated. I realise though that as a team we do not tick all of the boxes from an enthusiasts point of view – not historic, military or unusual type.

Phil

But you are fun, entertaining and different.. thats good enough for me ;).

With reference to crowd rear entrances, besides the Reds and the Aerostars, the Blades also started their display that way – have the CAA relaxed rulings about this sort of opening? I remember that at one time (even up to last year?) only the Reds were alowed this privilege

The Aerostars approached the CAA about three years ago when comments where made that if the risks associated with crowd overflight were no greater than those during standard display rules then overflight would be considered. A full risk analysis was conducted by Aersostar #2 (Gabriel Barton) after which we were granted permision fot OTCA (over the crowd arrival). The first display act to be granted this concession in the UK. I believe our risk analysis was then used by several acts to form the basis of their approvals including the Reds.

The difficulty we have as a team is that of energy management. In 07 an 08 we arrived over the crowd but at a fair height to allow for a sequence of manoeuvres. This year we have come down to 500′ but at high speed (for us) of 190 knots and almost maximum power. At that speed and power we can only climb straight to gain height and place us in the correct position for a sequence.

Thanks for the positve comments from some. They are appreciated. I realise though that as a team we do not tick all of the boxes from an enthusiasts point of view – not historic, military or unusual type.

Phil

I think the RAF are in a bit of a limbo, awaiting the JSF.

I agree that the RAF is in a bit of a limbo, but that is because we are awaiting a Defence Review!

Southern Cross, i enjoyed your slot as always do, thank you.

I only live in Heath Hayes, which is normally about 25 min from Cosford, knowing what it is like we left the house at 07.30 and got in and parked up by 08.10hrs by going to the A41 junction. While walking round i heard some one asking a marshsall at 10.00hrs how he was going to get out!!!

I have been every year since 1983 and have never seen it this busy, the que to get out started at 15.30hrs and i watched someone in a old Triumph not move for 2 hours when he started to go at 17.30hrs. We left at 20.00hrs and still took us 30 min to get off the airfield. I have no soloutions as to how to resolve the entry and exit problems other than go early and leave late, there was the same type of thread last year about the show.

As for the lack of fast jets i would say that the majority of people that went wouldnt be enthusiasts so would class Cosford as a family day out so the organisers would probably try to appeal to the highest common dominator, this isnt a criticism but i did see a man and woman enter the top hanger and the woman turned to the man and said “what are they?” “they are planes…..i think” he said.

The organisers should be thanked for putting the event on and coping with an unexpectedly high amount of vistitors. Thank you.

Of course she said “yes”. 🙂

I think the RAF are in a bit of a limbo, awaiting the JSF.

I went to Cosford to see the Vulcan; my third attempt to see it flying.

It was also my third attempt to get into Cosford in the last five years and I have to say the traffic situation has always seemed poor in comparison to other Airshow venues although this year I had no problem getting in at 09:00 because I came south down the A41. 😉 As some have said the show seemed very busy this year but in previous years I’ve been directed down all sorts of minor roads and still been queuing miles away when the display started.

Was the Vulcan displaying at 17:30 the wisest decision given the traditional traffic problems?

What was displayed I enjoyed but the show also seemed very light on RAF hardware, given that it is one of the biggest RAF airshows. No Tornado, of any description, no Harrier, no Hercules, no Merlin, and no flypast by C-17, VC-10, Tristar, Nimrod or Sentry. Virtually nonexistent static display of current RAF types.

I know the RAF is stretched at the moment but it would have been nice to see some of the newer aircraft and also some of those that won’t be around much longer.

All I can do is agree with everyone in that it was a grand show. Got in at about 8.15 so missed the queues, but didn’t even join the outward bound queue until around 8pm and took about 10minutes of crawling to get out – I didn’t join the queue earlier as I don’t believe in abusing my bus by stop/starting.

Thanks Southern Cross for correcting me, I watched your display this year as I normally give it half of my attention, I must say well done, a great display and I loved your entrance from crowd rear,

With reference to crowd rear entrances, besides the Reds and the Aerostars, the Blades also started their display that way – have the CAA relaxed rulings about this sort of opening? I remember that at one time (even up to last year?) only the Reds were alowed this privilege

Thanks Southern Cross for correcting me, I watched your display this year as I normally give it half of my attention, I must say well done, a great display and I loved your entrance from crowd rear, I am eating humble pie somewhat as I thought Cosford 09 was a compete success, The Vulcan was a sight to behold, Parky displayed Spitfire PR XIX PM631 with gusto, Anthony Hodgeson displayed his Tr IX very well (one of the best sounding Spits I’ve heard) but my display of the day was Peter Teichman in his P-40M Kittyhawk he gives the airshow public real value for money. Well done Cosford you shut me up and it shows you don’t need fast jets galore at every RAF display.:o;)

XH558 presented herself on Saturday and Sunday. Those of us visiting the museum on Saturday saw quite a number of practice displays.

Yes, if you wanted to get into the Cosford airshow there is only ever one option. Get there before 8:15am – because that’s when they usually close J3 on the M54. I got there a little earlier than that and drove straight onto the airfield without any delay whatsoever.

I’ve been caught like that before. However, I can safely say I have never ever seen it so packed. Clearly in this time of recession people are looking for attractions closer to home, and this must be one of the midlands premier events.

They were parking in the car park access roads on the station before eleven.

Fabulous show, as always at Cosford.

Serving RAF aircraft apart from those mentioned – several little red Hawk thingies, Chinook, Lancaster, DC3 Dakota, Spitfire, Hurricane.

The Black Cats van scurried past me on their way down to Yeovilton (I presume), on the M5 this afternoon.

All the displays were very good indeed. But I would have liked a slightly more spirited climb out at the end of the Vulcan’s display. The howl was there alright, as the engines were run up to full power, but it was a relatively shallow climbout so the full presence seemed muted compared to previous experiences. Hopefully they’ll build on the display as they become more comfortable.

Of course, landing on at Cosford would have been impossible, but a touch and go should have been in the realms of possibility and a chance to see those barn door elev(flaper)ons, airbrakes and the undercarriage extended would have been very welcome. Maybe they were put off by the U/C door problems they’ve had. Anyway, please have a look at this suggestion XH558 guys. It would have made a fantastic photo for those of us with limited capability cameras.

Mind you, I only managed to shots, because I’d used up ALL my camera batteries by the time she arrived. 😡 I’d also messed up my video camera, leaving it on accidentally, so the battery had run out before I even got the chance to take it out of the bag. :mad::mad:

Unfortunately, my health means that future trips to Cosford are unlikely. Even covering myself in two layers of factor 30 have left me with sunburned hands, a sore eye and my legs are going to drop off any moment. So many thanks to the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade for helping me with my eye problem. They do a stirling job and never get a mention on here, afaik. Also thanks to my sister and brother in law, who put up with me (they live in Wednesfield, less then 15 minutes to RAF Cosford).

Incidentally, Cosford’s only recognition of the disabled is a hardstanding car park, close to the crowdline and a few disabled toilets (DTs). There is no specific crowdline enclosure with a DT, unlike many other shows.

Stands would also have helped increase the number of people who could get a good view of the days flying.

I have just posted a few pictures in the airshow photographs section of this forum if anyone is interested.

Rich

Raf Cosford Airshow 2009

Hello
Does any one known why B17 Sally B and the RNHF were no shows.

..and where did you find her ?:)

I am planning to take my girlfriend to Waddington to show her what all the fuss is about when it comes to the Vulcan.

I very much dout she is going to be impressed 🙁

…….. and I just so happened to have an engagement ring squirrelled away, I popped the question on ‘558s last past. 🙂

Well, did she say “yes”? and are we all invited to the wedding :diablo:

Roger Smith.