Cosford Disgrace

It seems that Cosford is a victim of its own sucess in many ways and the fact that there are not that many RAF shows about nowadays.

A true but sad reflection and with road travel being so popular there is bound to be gridlock. At Leuchars show last September I missed much of the show stuck in traffic trying to get through Cupar to get to Leuchars and then queueing to get in. Then it took until 8:45pm to get out of the airfield and with further hold ups getting through nearby Cupar I wasn’t home till around midnight and I vowed I’d never take a car to an airshow again.

So on Sunday morning I drove to Coventry Airport and flew from there to Cosford in Air Atlantique’s Dakota G-AMPY/KK116.

We took off from Cosford at 5:50pm, landed at Coventry Airport at 6:12pm, I set off from there in my car at 6:20pm and with no traffic jams I was back home here in the south of Scotland at 10:25pm.

James, I would guess that most of the midlands based non enthusiast public would not attend another airshow this year anyway,if only because they didn’t know where the venues were. Maybe organisers should look at advertising their shows a bit more widely,there again it leaves abit more space for us that do know:rolleyes:

Hi Alan,
My point stands – while the UK may no longer have the 250+ ‘shows’ per annum in the late eighties heyday, there’s still more available if you want to go; sure you’ll need to do a bit of research, rather than staring slack-jawed at your chosen advertising media, but that’s always been the case with aviation. Again, if you can’t be bothered to check, you aren’t that serious about ‘needing’ to see a particular type. And frankly, sadly, if the audience had been told the Dak was the Lancaster 95% would have gone home knowing they’d seen the Lanc. :rolleyes: Most of us (around the globe) have about one show a year to go to. If what we want doesn’t turn up, or the weather’s off, that’s it until next year; hence my lack of interest in the complaints. If getting to Coningsby’s a bit difficult, try Canberra or Perth for our (static) examples – and the same applies to the Canadians and so on.

Regards,

Having been caught out twice, out of the four or five times I’ve attended the Cosford airshow, I made a conscious decision to get there early.

Arrived at the standard gate at about 7:30 FROM PLYMOUTH completely unhindered. There were plenty of police – the A41 had been widened into two lanes from J3/M54 to the right turn and one line from the turn to the M54 junction.

I left at about 5:30pm – just got in my car and drove out in less than 10-15 mins (from the disabled car park to the same RAF Cosford main gate exit).

It really is about experience. If you don’t arrive early enough, you will get sent round The Wrekin (or so it seems), and three years ago (I think) I got caught just as they blocked off of the J3 exit at 9am. It then took until 12:15pm or so to get from there to parking up. That was clearly unacceptable to me – and I let them know about it.

The next year I tried catching the train from Wolverhampton High Level (actually low level was closed donkey’s years ago). Big Big Big mistake – a lorry had damaged a bridge and all trains were cancelled. Eventually got there via taxi, before about 10:30 and had to return by taxi too.

So this year I drove again – much cheaper than the train (achieved 47mpg) – got there early and left at what I would call a reasonable time – saw the finale aerobatics team and left straight after, leaving the airfield within 15 minutes – traffic was free flowing once on the A41.

The BBMF put on a reasonable display by their extremely high standards – but the beautifully turned out Dakota was worked hard during the day – making several arrivals and departures – carrying the parachute team on at least one (possibly two) occasion(s). It would have been great to see the Dakota when it actually let the team out of the aircraft – but in the absence of a massive video screen – the only way most people would have seen that is if the weather had been clear enough.

More vintage Jets would have been my preference (but not my expectation) – but I’ll undoubtedly fulfill that desire this weekend coming at Kemble.

My advice is never approach the airfield from the M54 if you expect to get there after 9am. Other routes seem much better at being able to cope.

At least you have a flying Lanc.A flying B17,more Spitfires than what you could poke a stick with,Hurricanes,Me109,s,etc,etc…We have some nice toys here but nowhere the amount of heavy metal seen in the Northern Hemisphere.

I couldn’t agree more. In the Netherlands we have, compared to Britain, only a few “heavy metal” warbirds. But we are happy with it. And compared to most country’s in the world we are rich. This doesn’t mean that I regret that the BBMF and the Red Arrows won’t visit the “Open dagen” of the Royal Netherlands Air Force this weekend. But there will be a next time.

You guys are lucky.

At least you have a flying Lanc.A flying B17,more Spitfires than what you could poke a stick with,Hurricanes,Me109,s,etc,etc…We have some nice toys here but nowhere the amount of heavy metal seen in the Northern Hemisphere.

Quite frankly, as far as I’m concerned the Dakota is part of the magnificent BBMF flight full stop.
I have rarely, if ever seen it fly with the Spit and Hurri, most of us must have seen the combination with the Lanc so many times.
I am never dissapointed to see the BBMF Dak, it’s a lovely a/c and it was an enjoyable experience to get up close to it at DX last month, using it as the drop plane for the Falcons was an added bonus.
If the Lanc was booked in to honour vets, well thats what it’s for isn’t it, good for all concerned, I wouldn’t complain if they turned up with the black Chippies, they are part of the BBMF too aren’t they, in fact I think they should do that on occasion, it could be a bit of fun, after all, it’s not just the BBMF that fly warbirds at airshows, is it, unlike in my early days when thats all you got.

‘Twas a good show…as a family of 4, we only got there at about 10:30 (much later than I would have done in my sprogless days) and was actually not disappointed with where we got to park. I was at Fairford in ’97 as was previously mentioned… it took us 4 hours just to get off that field back then, so the 1.5 hours it took us at Cosford was pleasantly enlightening 🙂

I personally loved the Dak… and the pyrotechnics in the RAF role thingy was just great! (shut the kids up from whingeing a treat) :diablo:
Congrats to all the organisers, and all the poor sods who had to clean up afterwards. 😮

For those complaining about the entry/exit for the Cosford airshow. If it really means that much to you may I suggest you turn your aviation enthusiasm into the Air Training Corps. Our squadron were in the gates and parked next to 633 VGS. For those not in the know, it’s the portacabins and temporary hanger on the right from where you went in.

Unfortunately our sprogs (having had to do such exciting duties as litter picking etc…strange considering the number of regs on base!) were tired so I missed the Royal Air Forces “display.”

The weather had a massive issue on things yet I took great joy in watching the likes of the Spitfire and Hurricane (ok the Lanc wasn’t there, but the only person I knew disappointed was one of my cadets who loves the aeroplane!), the Sea Fury was a great joy to behold and what the 3 forces can do with their helicopters is simply stunning.

The show was there to be enjoyed, and enjoy I bloody did. A large number of my cadets enjoyed it as well. Unfortunately due to a few tired souls we had to do the right thing for our squadron and pull out early. A disappointment in my mind but as staff things had to be done.

Ok so I look like I had it easy just driving through the gates in a minibus with an RAF 1250 holder, however last year I drove myself due to work commitments and went on the said detour around Shropshire that took somewhat a long time. The answer however was to crain my neck at the sounds of any aircraft engine and to listen to a decent bit of radio and keep smiling :D.

I noticed queues on the way out, so what did I do? I went for one pint, another overpriced burger and watched departing aircraft. After all my eyes are glued to the sky, I was there to enjoy myself in 2006 and enjoy I bloody did!

I think we need to steady-on a bit here, FMS has a valid point about the BBMF’s participation not being fully described.The ‘trademark’ BBMF are the Lanc, Spit & Hurri and most if not all organisers do go to the trouble of listing which individual BBMF aircraft are participating, especially if the Lanc is not going to be there. It’s a case of how the participants were advertised rather than being about a ‘poor show from the BBMF’ etc as some have suggested. The bottom line is that clearer advertising by the Cosford organisers would’ve saved alot of bother.

FMS, do put a sock in it. You didn’t do your homework and the disappointment you keep bleating about is all of your own making. The words you’re looking for are quite simple:

“Sorry I made a complete @rse of myself bleating about the Lancaster when it was off doing something far more important than titilating me at an airshow.”

How rude. And how much it shows your lack of understanding of people who are not ardent aviation enthusiasts.

FMS.

“Perhaps the Spit/Hurri flight should not be advertised as the BBMF, rather it should be “the Spitfire and Hurricane from the BBMF, the Dakota from the BBMF” or some such description that would be more representative.”

Isn’t that just semantics? Perhaps the Sitfire and Hurricane pairing SHOULD be advertised as the BBMF as they are the only aircraft types within the Flight which could be said to be representative of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

The point remains that you are quibbling over not seeing the Lancaster and thereby devaluing the contribution of the BBMF at Cosford despite their attendance in difficult conditions. The website for Cosford did not state which of the BBMF’s aircraft would be appearing, or are you now going to express disappointment that ALL of the Flight’s aircraft were not there?

You saw a Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota. Be happy. Think how happy you’ll be when you DO get to see the Lancaster? The joyous anticipation….. And you know where to look to check now. Just type BBMF into google for google is your friend.

Regards,

kev35

I hope that the Veterans who saw the lanc had a great day. They deserve it for their efforts and the horrors they have endured on our behalf. However if the BBMF is under too much demand with obviously just the one Lancaster to go round. If there is a clash of requirements someone makes a decision which venues to support. And that can lead to disappointments. Perhaps the Spit/Hurri flight should not be advertised as the BBMF, rather it should be “the Spitfire and Hurricane from the BBMF, the Dakota from the BBMF” or some such description that would be more representative. For the majority BBMF is synonymnous with the S H L trio. I Didn’t appear to be on the forum at the right time to catch the news that the Lanc wasn’t going to be there and am more a general public airshow visitor like many others so wouldn’t expect or know to to go digging for this kind of info having seen an itinery on the web site.

Well, that’s different then. You’ll hear no further grizzling from me. (And I wasn’t even there!)

Which is exactly the point I was trying to make, however clumsily, here….

“I would be interested to know whether any of the Lancaster’s other commitments were related to Veteran’ and Veterans organisations. If so, what better use of the Lancaster than ensuring that our dwindling band of heroes have a final opportunity to see a Lancaster in the air?”

Regards,

kev35

…the Lanc was displaying for veterans…

Well, that’s different then. You’ll hear no further grizzling from me. (And I wasn’t even there!)

I am sorry to bring this up but what part of the BBMF display was not up to your expectations!!!!!!!! You got a solo Hurricane display, a Spitfire display, the Falcons drop from the Dakota and a display plus it landed on again to pick us up. Now, I don’t normally get annoyed BUT, the Lanc was displaying for veterans who lost many of their comrades fighting so that you could have your air displays in this country. THEY are the top priority as far as I’m concerned. Without them, where would we be?

As has already been mentioned on this forum about a month ago, the Lanc was NOT attending Cosford and yes, it is a shame, but as I said yesterday it cannot do everything. She only flies 100 hours per year.

I was happy with the BBMF Spit and Hurricane display, particularly when the both came round the corner together showing their tops. Shame about the light at the time. The Hurricane take off looked a bit dodgy to me for a few seconds.

Martin

Has anyone who had problems getting in to Cosford contacted West Mercia Cotstabulary to complain/ ask for an explanation re the traffic arrangements ? Also Arriva trains ? Local papers as well they always like a complaining story…….

It seems that Cosford is a victim of its own sucess in many ways and the fact that there are not that many RAF shows about nowadays.

James, I would guess that most of the midlands based non enthusiast public would not attend another airshow this year anyway,if only because they didn’t know where the venues were. Maybe organisers should look at advertising their shows a bit more widely,there again it leaves abit more space for us that do know:rolleyes:

Regards, Alan.
Ps If you don’t fancy the queues there is always the Classic flight excursions to Cosford every year. Other events available.:)
www.classicflight.com

As a very small part of the huge team that staged the events and displays at RAF Cosford this year I can honestly say that I enjoyed the day more than I have in previous years. Not due to the flying display (which was never going to be fantastic based on the really quite awful visibility and low cloudbase) but due to the response from members of the public. I everyone I spoke to seemed to be having a fantastic day out although admittedly this was before anyone had tried to go home!

Rich

Hi

I arrived at the show at about 7.10am and inside the airfield close to the pay points which opened up at 7.30am

At that time the signs tell you to turn off the M54 and drive down the main road then filter right in to the main gate. There is no problem with traffic or causing congestion by turning right at that time. You are simply following the airshow signs.

They have a habit of moving the signs around and routing air show traffic in different directions when it starts to get busy later on.

Martin

Indeed I do count myself lucky to see the planes but it is a perfectly valid expectation to see an adequate flying display from the BBMF. Last year I saw the BBMF twice and both dispays were great. I felt let down at Cosford despite the conditions.

As for the Lanc being elsewhere this was an RAF show and should have had top priority.

I am sorry to bring this up but what part of the BBMF display was not up to your expectations!!!!!!!! You got a solo Hurricane display, a Spitfire display, the Falcons drop from the Dakota and a display plus it landed on again to pick us up. Now, I don’t normally get annoyed BUT, the Lanc was displaying for veterans who lost many of their comrades fighting so that you could have your air displays in this country. THEY are the top priority as far as I’m concerned. Without them, where would we be?

As has already been mentioned on this forum about a month ago, the Lanc was NOT attending Cosford and yes, it is a shame, but as I said yesterday it cannot do everything. She only flies 100 hours per year.

FMS.

Again, I fail to understand your reasoning. The BBMF consists of several Spitfires, two Hurricanes, Lancaster, Dakota and a couple of Chipmunks. As you rightly say, it was nowhere stated that the Lancaster would be an attendee. And in fact it seems that it was only due to the professionalism of the BBMF in poor conditions that they were represented at all.

If anyone is to blame for the non-appearance of the Lancaster it is the powers that be. Difficult to see how the Lancaster could have been included given its other commitments on the day though isn’t it? JDK is right. You got to see, by all accounts, a variety of aircraft displaying. Are you trying to say, by a twisted use of your ‘seller – customer’ relationship, that the non appearance of the Lancaster, an aircraft that was never scheduled to be there, means that you believe that the aircraft that did take part were somehow devalued? What was the admission price? Do you seriously believe that the appearance of the Lancaster would have constituted the whole value of your admission price? Would that then indicate that the other displays were of little or no value? Unbelievable.

Fluffy.

I would be interested to know whether any of the Lancaster’s other commitments were related to Veteran’ and Veterans organisations. If so, what better use of the Lancaster than ensuring that our dwindling band of heroes have a final opportunity to see a Lancaster in the air?

Pete Truman.

A friend and I once did a similar trick to you. We managed to ‘lose’ a bright red Fiat Strada at Mildenhall. It took us an hour and a half to find the damned thing.

Regards,

kev35