Salthill and Newtonards shows 23 and 24-06-2007

Hi

Back this morning from a one week holiday from Ireland after visiting some relatives and two air shows.

Newtownards was overcast with some showery rain and drier interludes. Despite this, most of the aircraft due to display were at the airfield or nearby at Aldergrove airport.

A few no shows were the RAF Falcons who had no plane to parachute from. The Irish Air Corps PC9 did not make it which is not surprising since the weather inland was a lot worse. We were also minus one Bird Dog.

There were two Harriers in the static that arrived from Aldergrove in the morning. They departed at the end of the show. Also static was a Merlin helicopter.

In the run up to the show a Spitfire was lost from the programme but was replaced at short notice by the Welsh Spit. The Sea Fury went tech during its display and departed early to Aldergrove

Despite the weather the flying was good so my praise for the pilots and organisers.

Salthill was a grander affair in terms of participation. Salthill marked the first European display by the USAF Thunderbirds team in many years. From what I could remember the presentation of the team does not appear to have changed much. The display is not like the Red Arrows. Normally the Reds would be at this show but were committed elsewhere. Their replacement was taken by the Blades who preformed an excellent display.

A surprise showing were several passes by two A10 Thunderbolts. The show also provided one of the few showings of Irish Air Corps equipment but again no PC9.

As some of you are already aware, a door panel fell away from Merlin helicopter as it started to turn shortly after take off. There were three injuries on the shore but thankfully no deaths. The emergency services were very quick.

The weather 50/50 showery or bright and sunny.

As far as the show in general, I thought it was good and I look forward to going to it again next year.

First the Newtownards pics

Now some Salthill pics. The stacked Thunderbirds pic is a blow up.