I think it’s difficult to come up with a universal “fix” (if that’s what people agree is needed) for UK airshows across the board. So much will depend on the physical layout of the airfield, and/or the resources of the display authorities (display fees at their disposal, revenue from commercial outlets and human resources such as stewards & other volunteers etc.). With a big area like Biggin, maybe it would be possible to extend the parade “circuit” for military vehicles in a loop behind the flight-line, rather than straight up-and-down along it, thus enabling the public to see more of the action (rather than just those encamped along the front). This would depend on effective cordoning/marshalling and crowd control, with one or two manned pedestrian crossings at key points. I think mixing historic ground vehicles and aircraft does work well (eg at Shuttleworth and Biggin). Also, more “enclosures” amongst the public area for re-enactors, which would encourage members of the public to talk to those putting on the exhibit – rather than peer at them over the crowd-line barrier. This is something done well at the War and Peace Show at Paddock Wood. More aircraft on static display parked within the public area, so you can walk-round them, talk to the pilots (rather than take your pictures from just one angle, or pay £15 for the “added privilege” of getting close to what you’ve already paid to see…
…More themed displays, certainly. With more 1930’s “silver winged” biplanes coming onto the scene, I would love to see a recreated Hendon-type display (Shuttleworth, are you listening?) – but not just aircraft; vehicles, clothes/fashion, cookery, music of the period. You could do the same for the 40’s, the 50’s, any decade you like. maybe that would be something for the whole family?

Self and family went to Shoreham for the first time last year, and came away thinking what a great venue and show it was. Not as big (or crowded) as the Late Biggin Hill Show, but similar in terms of content, with a good range of warbirds, civil types plus gliders and one or two novelty acts. Plus classic vehicles and the usual family rides away from the crowdline. We took the train down from East Croydon, and a courtesy bus got us as close to the entrance as possible (access over a footbridge over the river). So no traffic queues – but even if we had used the car I don’t think there were any problems as far as i could see. I miss Biggin which was just 20 mins away (or 1 and a half hours, depending on traffic..) but Shoreham is certainly worth a visit, and you even get some sea air mixed in with the avgas. I’m aiming to go back this year.

On the point (above) re the current UK Aerospace Industry, I think we should factor in successful businesses such as Astrium (featured on “How to build…a satellite” on TV last week). Based in Stevenage and Portsmouth, they are apparently very much the cutting-edge of satellite technology (and are set to benefit from increased Govt R&D funding for satellite mapping, according to today’s BBC website news reports). And yet until last week and a chance conversation with an employee I had not heared of them!

I have to say I agree about the BOB tower – the concept is slightly bonkers IMHO, and if they really want to make the RAFM a landmark, then they should continue to focus on the excellence of the presentation of the amazing numbers of artefects in their care, the excellence of their staff, and overall facilities – that should make the museum a sufficient landmark without commiting resources to extravagant building projects at a time of generally scarce resources.

On the plus side, when I visited with my son in April this year I did like the Milestones of Flight hall. I know you can be picky about why certain exhibits are there and others are not, and the reasoning behind the concept, but it does give a bit of a wow factor to start a visit off with. I’m open-minded on the Halifax issue – the current presentation does create an immediate impression about the fate of that particular aircraft (and its subsequent recovery) in a way that a pristine restoration/recreation couldn’t do [thoughts of the “Mary Rose” at Portsmouth].

I thought I picked up the distant sound of Merlins from my garden away in Selsdon on Sunday afternoon. From the duration, it sounded more than just a single pass; was it a proper display?
Kenley seems to have an active and enterprising air display committee, judging from last year’s excellent event (but even they couldn’t command the weather, alas). I guess having a permanent visitor centre would be a very big undertaking (and assuming funding, planning permissions, insurances, rights-of-way and all the other stuff fell into place – it’s taken years to move the Biggin Hill visitor project along). But it’s good that the BBMF continue recognise the special history and character of Kenley.
Somewhat off-subject, but what a good site Kenley would be for a balloon festival like they have at Bristol!

I have to say I agree with the foregoing posts here; there’s nothing wrong with the idea of an Open Day on its own, showcasing the work of the airport on a day-to-day basis, including an air element (?the Red Bizjets?), and perhaps allowing tours of the historic parts of the airfield, concluded with a Spitfire solo display (Kent Spitfire perhaps). The timing would sync with the “Heritage Open House” weekend that is held annually around that time.

But how you would combine that with an air show in the traditional sense (and as we have thought of it at Biggin for the past 35 years or so), I’m not so sure. I think there’s a risk that masses of people would turn up expecting something like the usual event and leaving disappointed…unless admission was free?

Which all leaves a bit of a hole in the calendar around late May/early June. What about something elsewhere – you could call it “Fighter Meet” or something….

Well, it got my 10-year old son looking forward to visiting Cosford with his School next year. So, apart from being entertainment for (most of) us, it did some good. I wonder if the ‘Spit will be suspended from the roof by a giant piece of cotton? I assume the undercarriage was tube steel, in order to support the weight? Wonder how it fixed to the wings (?welded to the “?spar”?) Don’t think fibreglass or plastic would have done it!! And they should have trimmed off the base of exhaust stub assemblies, which stuck out too far…. (ok I’ll get my anorak…).

I sometimes wish the transfers (decals to Revell users) were that big! Anyone else get in a hopeless mess trying to stick the side transfers on the old Concorde, VC10 or Comet models? As for painting the nose glazing bars on the HE111 or B29 (don’t get me started).

I assume Mr May will be doing Hornby at some point, since we saw him at Grosmont Station (North York Moors Railway) ascending the cab of one of their Diesels in August…

You couldn’t have taken that picture today, unfortunately; both Lancaster and ‘558 went u/s !

I did see ‘558 from a distance in my back garden on Saturday; ah well, another time….