Airshow Views?

You can keep your diesel burners unless it’s basically pre 1960 and any of the eggbeaters, though I did get a ride in a Robin at Old Hay two years ago which was a first for me, got to drive a tractor as well another first.

Give me anything with a fan at the front and a large bank of cylinders behind.

Modern people movers are just London buses with wings if you ask me (bland), but I would love to see a Connie flying in the UK this summer.

Jersey airshow though free has become boring, again too many diesel burners and eggbeaters. They have the obligatory P51, BBMF, the Duke of Brabant Air Force, Utterly Boring and a few others but in the main it’s modern stuff with no charisma.

Hope to loose my Legends virginity this year, I’m willing to brave the jams and crowds to do so, may even get to meet Snapper so there will be a slight down side.

As someone who has been attending airshows for over twenty years, — yes I know I must have started VERY young:) —- I have seen many very good display’s, and some pretty bad one’s too.

I have no problem with helicopters, they are an important part of the world of aviation, both military and civil, and one day I should like to attend the Weston Super Mare Heliday. It’s just to far too travel for a single show. I would have to draw the line at microlights as being worthy of inclusion at an airshow, but I do appreciate the skill required to display an unpowered glider, and I have to admit to enjoying balloon rallies, photographically they can be very rewarding.

I am happy to watch a flying display by almost any aircraft, fast jet, piston, modern, vintage, civil, military. Although I have to agree with the ‘seen one F-16, seen them all’ argument. The big problem is for the pilot to add something new. For example Su-27 is so interesting because of the tail slide and the ‘Cobra’ pitch-up , those manoeuvres are unique to the Sukiuo family and I will stop and watch every time.

So from the above you may think that I’m a happy easily pleased sort of person. WRONG.

When will airshow organisers realise that the regular visitor, ie the person who is prepared to drive 250+ miles at 5.00am on a Sunday morning requires a little bit more than just the Red Arrows and the BBMF. A good location will always bring the enthusiast back next year, as will the thought that the star exhibits will not be hidden behind the VIP enclosure and aircraft appear to play second fiddle to the ice cream van, flea market and car show.

In short the ideal airshow will give the opportunity to photograph all the aircraft with the minimum amount of obstruction and clutter, a flying display that is varied, not repetitive and runs to programme. A show that appreciates that a small number of enthusiasts really care about what is being presented to them and gives them that ‘special treat’ or at least goes to the trouble of offering that little bit extra.

DOUGHNUT

I agree about the commercial aspect with blaring flight sim rides, fairgrounds and hostility tents, they annoy me too, but presumably they help pay for it.
The last 2 or 3 Finningley shows there was hardly any flightline left.

I’m beginning to think the Sea Vixen is a figment of my imagination. I’ve been to about half a dozen shows now to see it and not seen it yet.

We’re hoping to get to Breighton this year. Been meaning to go for some time and usually remember a few days after the event.

The trouble with living in Chesterfield is travelling north or south is quick and easy. If east or west is involved it’s a real pain in the a–e.

I last attended RIAT in 98, and vowed never to do so again. Despite the wide and varied static display, the flying was obscured by too many fairgrounds and hospitality tents, and my grandmother could have done a better job of organising the traffic management, despite being dead for some years.

Large military-hosted airshows have become FAR too commercial in my opinion, which is why I now limit myself to an annual diet of two Duxford shows (including Legends of course), Gransden’s Children in Need show every September (have I plugged that before at all…? 😉 ), a couple of East Kirkby taxi runs, and possibly a couple of other small shows. I managed to attend Rougham last year, and will do so again this year, along with at least one Old Warden display (Moggy’s plugging is paying off 😉 ).

What do I want to see this year? Every pilot and aircraft return home safely. And the Sea Vixen. Everything else is a bonus. 🙂

There’s probably a bit of sour grapes involved about Waddington.
We used to really enjoy Finningley, and by coincidence, at around the same time it was replaced by Waddington, several aircraft I liked to see were no longer available.
I’m probably being unreasonable in comparing them but if I want to be grumpy, I will.
Also, I detest those flying coffee tables based on a Boeing 707 and they live there!

Only been to RIAT once, the first year it was at Cottesmore. Again, not fair, I’d done my back in and could hardly walk. We had to park a very long way from the show itself and it took me nearly an hour to walk in, painfully. I don’t remember that day with affection!

I like the comedy acts where some mad chap tries to land his plane on an old ford fiesta. Now how impressed would you be if somone did that with an F16!. Obviously eggbeaters can do that but they cheat by spinning there wings. Somthinh not quite right there me thinks.

As for myself, I like most things, but in particular Warbirds and Classic Jets. Quite like modern stuff, but I’ll echo DHFan’s comments about too many F16s (although the Dutch one is superb and the Danish guy over the past few years has been amazing; he needs to be put in a straight jacket!). I much prefer Hornets, Gripens, Su27s and Mig 29s myself.

Helicopters aren’t really my thing, except for Dennis Kenyon and the Czech Hinds. My brother had a flight in a Jetranger at Shoreham last year and loved it. Rather him than me!

Also, DHfan, never been to Waddington (will hopefully go either this year or next), but have read comments elsewhere which state that it’s the ‘second best airshow in the country after RIAT.’ Well, they certainly pulled off a coup with the Israeli F15I in 2001, didn’t they?

Add me to the anti-eggbeater gang.

Anything with one ore more LARGE piston engines.
First/second generation jets, say up to first flight 1960.
Seen one F16 you’ve seen ’em all. Far too many around.
Not bothered about aerobatics, very clever but not my thing.

To be fair, I’ve not been to Duxford for a show for years, (2 and a bit hours each way plus queues) and our nearest is Waddington.
We still go every year but I think it’s more out of habit.
It’s not a patch on what Finningley used to be.

Probably not their fault without: Vulcan, Mossie, Lightning, Shackleton, Black 6 etc.

When XH558 was grounded, the following year the highlight was “supposed” to be a B52.
They’re very good at being big and flying straight and level.

Favourites:

Breitling Fighters
BBMF
Spitfires and Hurricanes in general
Lysander
Hunter
Blenheim
Vampire
Tigercat
Canberra

Least favourites:

I’m with Moggy on the eggbeaters 🙂

I like a good mixture of aircraft – piston and jet – but I like to see jets with character such as the Hunter or the Canberra as opposed to the latest American whizzy thing that roars past so fast it takes three days for your ears to stop ringing…don’t mind aerobatic aircraft – can appreciate the work the pilot is putting in but would rather see something with more of a military flavour…

Ashley

Definitely no eggbeaters except in dedicated eggbeater shows for perverts.

Spectators at these shows ought to be forced to have a flight in Robinson as well. That should start to thin their numbers out quite quickly.

Moggy

Miniskirts.