Would you agree?
Rob
By: Mike J - 2nd March 2013 at 16:14
La Ferté-Alais.
Last time I went was 2002, but if it’s still that good it belongs in the top 10.
–
It’s still pretty good Andrew, but they cut it back from an all-day show to afternoon only a few years ago. Good enough for me to be making the trip again in May though. 🙂
By: Baldeagle - 2nd March 2013 at 16:05
La Ferté-Alais.
Last time I went was 2002, but if it’s still that good it belongs in the top 10.
–
By: Propstrike - 2nd March 2013 at 14:55
Oh dear, looks as though RIAT may be badly affected this year.
The economic woes in the USA have today prompted a total, comprehensive and world-wide ban on American particiation in any flying display, fly-by ,funeral, basically anything/everything 🙁
Including the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels- total shutdown for the season 🙁
More here.
By: Propstrike - 2nd March 2013 at 14:23
Some of the best airshows I have seen have been some of the smallest…..
Conversely, some of the largest, like Farnborough have become the most unsatisfactory, trading on a 40 year old reputation which is LONG gone, a corporate shop window for a an industry relentlessly shrinking.
However, if love long queues, long walks, and huge prices are your thing, get down to Farnborough and revel in the heady atmosphere of missiles, drones, avionics, fibre-glass biz-jets and the odd Airbus.
The only visit to the place which I have enjoyed in recent years was when arriving in a BE-2. It beats the queues, and frankly I am at a loss to know why everyone doesn’t do the same.
By: daveg4otu - 2nd March 2013 at 12:54
Some of the best airshows I have seen have been some of the smallest…..
Some that come to mind – a display at Seething back about 1973 or so.
A display/Open House at Robins GA in 1991 …
and early (1950s) Lee-on-Solent open days
By: pagen01 - 2nd March 2013 at 12:52
Also, the single Tutor display that I’ve witnessed has been very good, I’m not a particular fan of the type, but the display shows off what the right pilot can do with the aircraft.
By: MattCooke - 2nd March 2013 at 12:22
I can see it doesn’t interest you, so much so that you’ve yet to notice that it was retired well over a decade ago! 🙂
Ok well this is embarrassing, when I typed Bulldog I meant Tutor…. and was even picturing the Tutor in my head as I typed out Bulldog…
OOPS.
Brain fails at the age of 21, it’s gonna be all down hill from here I can tell haha
By: Ian Hunt - 1st March 2013 at 07:50
Personal favourite would be the Shuttleworth evening airshows. If you get a calm, warm, Summer evening. So civilised. Gorgeous. : )
And while I’ve never been there (nor likely to go, sadly), the NZ shows sound amazing. Well done and great respect to everyone involved with those. (ps You wouldn’t have a spare Mossie for us up here would you?) 😉
Ian
By: happymeal - 1st March 2013 at 06:55
Would you agree?
Rob
No. Not at all. Flying legends not being in the list says it all… and whoever wrote this has never been in the south half of the planet it seem… there is at least one airshow in New Zealand that should be in that list – IMHO.
By: Robbo - 1st March 2013 at 03:52
I think I’ve fathomed it out. If we rebrand Legends to “International World Flying Legends”, Old Warden to “Shuttleworld Series Airshow” and Masterton to “New Zealand Galaxy Airshow” then they’ll all make the shortlist?
By: Chad Veich - 1st March 2013 at 02:40
I’m one of those ego stroking Yanks and I was not even aware that there was a “Florida International Airshow” or a “Great Tennessee Airshow”! Not sure what the criteria was nor who did the deciding but I’m guessing they were probably not from within the airshow/aviation community.
By: Stan Smith - 1st March 2013 at 02:04
The Antipodes don”t do too badly. After all the crowds and most of the aircraft had left after Sundays display at Masterton this year, we had all the TVAL aircraft, Corsair, P40, L39 Albatross, 5 Harvards, Dragon, Mossie, Fox Moth, Anson 1. Oh! and a spitfire.
You won’t find that little lot together in any of your fancypants airshows ANYWHERE else in the world let alone as the rats and mice left over AFTER the show.
(Takes off skite coat, pulls on old cardigan and shuffles off stage left)
Sorry guys, couldn’t resist the dig.I agree with Topgun above. What is one man’s pleasure is another man’s poison . Just be thankful that we have Owners, Engineers, Pilots and Support Teams with the ability to make these shows happen.
By: Mike J - 28th February 2013 at 22:05
(I’m still not sure why they bother displaying the bulldog its display is so uninteresting)
I can see it doesn’t interest you, so much so that you’ve yet to notice that it was retired well over a decade ago! 🙂
By: MattCooke - 28th February 2013 at 21:30
I’m amazed Legends wasn’t on the list , I’ve only had the privilege of going once, but the 25 fighter fly past, 2 B 17’s together and aircraft like the JU 52 were some of the best things I’ve ever seen at an airshow EVER, I get so SO bored of seeing the RAF displays over and over and over again….. the hawk, tucano & bulldog displays i find participially dull… (I’m still not sure why they bother displaying the bulldog its display is so uninteresting) I miss Denny Dobson (sp?) in his Extra 300, I was always amazed at how he threw that plane around the sky
I’m still bitter that the one year I went to RIAT it was flooded off… ¬.¬
Hoping to get to Legends this year if funds allow
By: Duggy - 28th February 2013 at 20:44
Just look at World Series Baseball. Does any other country actually have a team?
Ever been to Toronto ??(Blue Jays), I would also include Hamilton in the top 10.
Best ever airshow was a one off waiting at Dover and Black 6 flew over now that was a sight worth seeing.
By: hampden98 - 28th February 2013 at 20:36
No.
No list of the ten best airshows would exclude Flying Legends and Shuttleworth, but the US does tend to get a little parochial about branding things “World” when it really means US.
Just look at World Series Baseball. Does any other country actually have a team?
By: Robbo - 28th February 2013 at 20:31
Would you agree?
Rob
No.
No list of the ten best airshows would exclude Flying Legends and Shuttleworth, but the US does tend to get a little parochial about branding things “World” when it really means US.
By: Mike J - 28th February 2013 at 19:41
Yank ego stroking. Note how most are U.S. shows.
And what of the suggestions made on this thread since? Apart from agreement with Oshkosh and Reno from the original list, not a single one from outside southern England. :rolleyes:
By: hampden98 - 28th February 2013 at 19:24
What criteria are they basing their decision on for `best`?
It’s a very emotive thing.
My choices would be;
Fairford. I’m talking about the 80’s-90’s. Especially one year. Perhaps you remember it. Had all (well, a lot) of the worlds display teams in attendance. Red Arrows, French, Italian, Spanish, Mexican and more. Temps were 90+ and queues for the bogs epic!
Reno Air Race 1998. Not for the display but for the Pits. Amazing array of souped up warbirds.
Duxford Flying Legends. The one were there was 5 (?) B25’s!
Shuttleworth Military Display. I doubt you will find a finer array of old and modern aircraft anywhere!
Great Warbirds, West Malling. Would have been about 2 years before it closed. Amazing collection of Vampires and Venoms plus great weather and a nice Vulcan display.
Biggin Hill. Best airshow for all round entertainment and during the 80’s, 90’s blessed with very good weather. Who can forget Ray Hannah’s closing Spitfire display.
North Weald Fighter Meet. Cold, informal but full of nice aircraft and fun pyros.
By: topgun regect - 28th February 2013 at 18:15
. I still can’t see by what criteria they should be included in the top 10 worldwide airshows.
As I said my suggestions were my personal opinion from personal experience. I Know this wont be to everyones taste. Clearly it isn’t yours. If we are judging this list on certain criteria, do you have a list of the criteria that the original list was judged on
As I said these kinds of lists are one mans/groups opinion and are not to everyone’s taste. Everyone has their own ‘Top Ten’ which may or may not agree with someone else’s as already been proven with the suggestion, although no specific show mention, of the lack of shows ‘Down Under’
Martin
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February 28, 2013 at 8:44 am