Hello chaps and chapettes,
The last big air show that I attended was the final Great Warbirds at West Malling back in 1991. Other than watching my local Newtownards show from afar until its demise, I decided then to concentrate on museums rather than air shows.
But I really miss seeing and hearing aircraft, of any vintage, displaying.
Are there any UK shows, little or large, that one would recommend for an enthusiast? The pushy, unrowdy crowds, blathering commentators and noisy background “entertainment” put me off air shows for nearly 20 years, but surely there are some shows or events that just focus on aircraft.
Shuttleworth? An aerobatics event? A balloon festival? I’d like to make the effort to attend some form of UK aviation event this year so any and all suggestions are welcome. Or should I cast my net wider afield to Europe?
Thank you.
Andrew
By: TwinOtter23 - 31st July 2009 at 08:30
TwinOtter23: I haven’t visited Newark since they were running the “Sponsor a Brick” campaign”! But one of the museum staff gave me a lift back to the train station one evening. Beat that, Cosford!
All the bricks are now displayed in the walls of the entrance hall to Hangar 2; the scheme is still running on a low key basis but it might be coming back with more vigour very soon!! 😉
Just to whet your appetite a bit more; since Hangar 2 was built the following major airframes have arrived – Sea Harrier, Jetstream, Bulldog and Viggen; major rebuilds on previously stored airframes include the Gnat and Chipmunk both now displayed in Hangar 2; plus major repaints on the Buccaneer, MiG-23, Sea Vixen and Varsity.
Full aircraft list here!
Sadly the public transport is poor but the ‘occasional personal taxi service’ is something often commented on! 🙂
Plus if it’s wet!
By: Cherry Ripe - 31st July 2009 at 05:43
Thanks for all the suggestions! Looks like Old Warden is popular. I had looked through their upcoming events calendar but it is frustratingly sparse about the nature of the shows.
Some other good ideas mentioned; in particular I had overlooked fly-ins. I once attended the Air-Britain event at North Weald which was an “interesting” experience; some unique aircraft, a nice camping atmosphere but I was nearly trampled to death by spotters any time a rare “spot” arrived! I think I spent more time hiding in the radio enthusiasts’ marquee than on the flight line 🙂
I’ll speak with The Chief and get a travel warrant issued; though she’ll probably want to come too!
TwinOtter23: I haven’t visited Newark since they were running the “Sponsor a Brick” campaign”! But one of the museum staff gave me a lift back to the train station one evening. Beat that, Cosford!
By: Moggy C - 31st July 2009 at 00:05
My absolute top favourites are the Old Warden / Shuttleworth Sunset Displays
They are like a super 1920’s garden party with added aircraft.
Moggy
By: Balliol - 30th July 2009 at 23:26
There’s a charity fly-in & fun day at Yeatsall Farm,Abbots Bromley,Staffordshire on Aug 31st which also includes classic cars,military vehicles,WWII re-enactors,some live 40’s music and beer & burgers.(Hope it stops raining by then!)
By: forester - 30th July 2009 at 17:34
Bournemouth 20-23 August.
You can watch it without blathering commentators.
You can find a quiet place on the beach or cliff tops away from pushy crowds.
It’s never rowdy.
You can go for a swim at the same time.
IT’S FREE.
By: Arabella-Cox - 30th July 2009 at 16:40
i went to shoreham for the first time last year and would recommend it ,it has a good selection of aircraft and atmosphere not as crowded as some shows altho’ i did go on the sunday and the weather wasnt great
By: merlin70 - 30th July 2009 at 14:16
– maybe they should get Kate Humble?
mmm Kate Humble would be a good choice especially if she were having one of her naturist moments whilst sat atop the control tower…
By: GrahamSimons - 30th July 2009 at 14:12
Old Warden without doubt. The setting is just perfect and for someone that hasn’t been to an airshow for 20 years you should find the close proximity of everything as well as the mix of Rotaries, biplanes and modern things such as the Avro 19 and Lysander. A Saturday evening show is predominantly a/c from the ‘Collection’ awash in evening sunlight or a Sunday show will provide for a few visiting a/c as well.
Did I say awash in evening sunlight? maybe just awash; this is England after all.
I’ll be at Shuttleworth this weekend as usual – Did Victor Meldrew have a target on his back? *grins* (see other threads). But seriously there is always something special about Old Warden – as long as they dont have that AWFUL Jeremy Spake on the mic – maybe they should get Kate Humble?
By: farnboroughrob - 30th July 2009 at 12:50
Most of the big events this year have gone but Silverstone is hosting the World Aerobatic Championships in August with a small show on the Saturday, its open to the public Friday too which is when I will be going.
Look at….
http://http://www.silverstone.co.uk/php/rm_worldAerobatic.html
By: TwinOtter23 - 30th July 2009 at 12:31
:diablo: Don’t give up on museums! 😉
By: merlin70 - 30th July 2009 at 11:36
OW – no question.
Old Warden without doubt. The setting is just perfect and for someone that hasn’t been to an airshow for 20 years you should find the close proximity of everything as well as the mix of Rotaries, biplanes and modern things such as the Avro 19 and Lysander. A Saturday evening show is predominantly a/c from the ‘Collection’ awash in evening sunlight or a Sunday show will provide for a few visiting a/c as well.
Did I say awash in evening sunlight? maybe just awash; this is England after all.
By: Arabella-Cox - 30th July 2009 at 11:32
Flying Legends at Duxford – held in mid July every year – a fantastic ‘bang for your buck’ by any (well, most) standards…
By: trumper - 30th July 2009 at 11:20
🙂 I can thoroughly recommend Old Warden ,i just hope that they don’t go too far down the commentator route like they have done at Duxford.
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July 30, 2009 at 10:45 am