What are your favourite display aircraft and why? I love anything classic jet but especially like watching Hunters and Meteors. I could watch them flying low and fast and in tight turns all day. I also think Spits and P51’s are good when doing the same thing but other prop jobs like the Hurricane, Bearcat, Thunderbolt etc I could happily sleep through, they just dont fire the imagination. I also like things like the Chipmunk and Pup, not because they can put on a good display but because they have character and you could imagine yourself one day flying them within a realistic buget should you land a good job or win some money. What do other people like?
By: Growler - 25th May 2004 at 05:24
On the subject of impressive displays in big transport aircraft, the Swedes used to show off the Hercules with some style. I seem to remember the IAT authorites asking them to tone down the display a little as it was too daring in parts. What remained was still a bit of a stormer.
By: srpatterson - 25th May 2004 at 05:12
I remember being stunned when the Concorde came to Oshkosh for the first time (1979?). Being on the flight line and watching her do touch and goes, and then a full stop was something I will never forget.
Of course, the Vulcan would have been magic. Wish I had seen that (let alone 4 of them). The B-1 is the only thing I can think of that might come close.
By: turbo_NZ - 25th May 2004 at 02:36
For me it was the La-9 at this year’s Warbirds Over Wanaka.
Like, wow !!,…what speed, poise and a distinctive powerful sound !!
It was so graceful, easily equalling a Spit for beauty in the sky (if not surpassing…).
🙂
By: Tigercatno1fan - 24th May 2004 at 20:03
Far to hard a question to answer but will do my best, I have always liked the Skyraider displays, how somthing that big can do a display like that amazes me , But a recent fav was the South African 747 at Duxford last year seriously took my breath away
By: Stieglitz - 24th May 2004 at 16:22
Just a thought, but wouldn’t it be lovely to see a nice Kestrel powered trio at Old Warden some day. For example a Hawker Hind with a Hawker Fury and a Hawker Nimrod. With the current restoration projects in the UK it could be possible. Just the sound and sight of those 3 machines together could be stunning!
Let me dream for a while now…………………………………………….. Thanks for that! 😉
J.V.
By: Auster Fan - 24th May 2004 at 11:49
Has to be the Spitfrire XIV with either Mr Gray or Mr Bonhomme at the helm. Power and grace comined with brute force – magic! Mind you, mention of halcyon days at Coltishall in the 60s brought teras to the eye as well……..
… and God my typing is cr*p – sorry guys!
By: Auster Fan - 24th May 2004 at 11:47
Has to be the Spitfrire XIV with either Mr Gray or Mr Bonhomme at the helm. Power and grace comined with brute force – magic! Mind you, mention of halcyon days at Coltishall in the 60s brought teras to the eye as well……..
By: asp - 24th May 2004 at 11:27
Agree with Pegasus – I saw the G-222 display during a sales tour in 1979 to the Indian Air Force at Safdarjang airport (which is the flying club airport not the main airport in New Delhi). My school was under the pattern at that airport. Due to my old man being an IAF pilot I had seen lots of flying displays – but this one took the cake. Despite threats of expulsion – none of us left the playground till the display was complete.
Loops, rolls, stall turns all at incredibly low altitudes – with such a big aircraft made a huge impression. Those Romans are crazy* !!!!
* from Asterix.
By: dj51d - 20th May 2004 at 05:03
Easy, Sea Fury with the Centaurus, of which WH587 is the only one on this side of the pond. The CAF’s P-51C is a close second
By: Yak 11 Fan - 20th May 2004 at 00:07
Not right now old boy it’s dark out, maybe Sunday though.
By: Snapper - 20th May 2004 at 00:04
Janie taking off at Hardwick.
By: RobAnt - 19th May 2004 at 23:42
Simply could never forget a 4 ship Vulcan QRA scramble demonstration & subsequent display at Finningley in 1973. 16 Olympus engines pushing all that metal vertical! What a glorious groan!
Never to be seen again
Oh yes it is – well not 4 of them, but XH558 will fly again.
By: stringbag - 19th May 2004 at 23:41
Mustang? 😉
By: Yak 11 Fan - 19th May 2004 at 23:39
Can you guess what mine is?
By: 334_Pegasus - 19th May 2004 at 23:04
The G222 display (amazing what they can do with a transportaircraft!) is my favorite followed by the Mirage 4, Lanc and Mossie ( 🙁 )
By: TempestNut - 19th May 2004 at 22:55
Spit XIV, Seafury, Bearcat, Corsair and soon I hope the Tempest. And of course all the other warbirds and the Vulcan
By: duxfordhawk - 19th May 2004 at 22:43
I would have said Mossie and P38 but these are sadly just memories now
By: mike currill - 19th May 2004 at 22:40
Lightnings at Coltishall performing what to my young eyes seemed like vertical climbs after take-off
Your eyes weren’t deciving you by much I can assure youas the climb angle was as near vertical as makes no difference and very exciting to a young cadet
By: BigredMD-11 - 19th May 2004 at 21:47
The F-86 & the MiG 15, saw these to Korean Era birds fly a few years ago at an Airshow at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside CA, the USAF Thunderbirds were there as well.
By: station357 - 19th May 2004 at 21:14
Props: Black 6, Spit XIV, Mossie
Jets: Lightning, Starfighter, Vulcan
Regards,
Paul
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May 18, 2004 at 8:54 pm