Argo.
The American Embassy Crisis (in Iran) of 79.
Embassy is Invaded and several diplomats flee. This is the story
of one man who gets them out.

This is simply the best film I have seen for several years.
Fast paced dialog. Interesting characters. Tension. Humor. Real edge of your seat stuff.
Go and see it. It deserves it’s 96% Rotten Tomatoes rating.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/argo_2012/

Maybe the question should be “do we think modern warfare” or “world war” is obsolete?
The wars we have been fighting over the past 30 years are relatively minor skirmishes compared to WW2.

I don’t think tanks are obsolete, far from it. Tanks play a part in combined arms tactics. They are mobile, fast, heavily armored, high tech and pack considerable punch. In fact there is even a tank that converts to a hydrofoil for waterborne operations. It’s not inconceivably they could be fitted with AA missiles. Have countermeasures, ECM devices. Cloaking or Stealth?
In modern combined arms warfare the tank would be deployed with drones, anti-tank helo’s, aircraft, troops and all the other assets required.
To say that tanks are obsolete because of air power, or drones, or soldiers with at rockets is forgetting the combined arms doctrine.
Also don’t forget that the enemy has to change tactics, and deploy assets to meet an armored threat. That means they
influence the battlefield.

Ball valves, Stop Cocks and Grease Nipples.

I can’t remember if I posted this before, but my greatest airshow memory – well, not technically an `airshow` but it was at Duxford and featured Warbirds.

During 89 when the Memphis Belle aircraft were based at Duxford. It was a very warm and sunny day. Blue skies and just some whispy cloud. As it was a weekday there were not many people at Duxford. In fact I pretty much had the museum to myself. I was just wandering along by the Hangers, getting a bit drowsy in the heat. When overhead roared a flight of P51’s, all in 8th Airforce colours (five if I remember correctly). They were in loose formation, fast and low. They came in over the hangers. Then broke into the pattern for landing.
I had to pinch myself. It really felt like I had been transported back in time.
It wasn’t staged like an airshow and felt `real` somehow. I guess that was how it would have been in 44, coming back from escort missions. A few aircraft at a time.

If I had to pick an airshow moment it was the Mosquito at Biggin Hill during the last year it flew. That was a real `power` display.

Extinct is difficult. It’s surprising how many airframes still exist.
If I had to pick one aircraft it would be the Stirling, or possibly the BV222.

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.