If you want a closer look at the Seahawk and Sea Harrier, they will be on public view at Dunsfold on the 16th May.

http://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk

and check out the events section

Dont beleive the website, they have already clarified/confirmed on another forum that the BBMF have no official involvement. I agree that it is misleading.

If we are to believe the website and the band of 13 that is being talked about then it would seem that the BBMF are involved. Some clarification required I think. I can only take the people listed as at face value nothing more nothing less.

As for budget. They have no budget in official terms anyhow. Or isnt that what the MOD were meaning by saying they have to exist without resources from the overstretched funds available. I am sure they would soon gain funds to fly the beast as well as the experiance required to fly a wooden wonder.

And thinking about it a little further your wooden statement is a little untrue because Hurricanes are at least a little part wooden arent they?

I did read recently that the BBC had recently sold all of the rights to their documentary archive to a bouncy castle firm in Slough in return for free bouncy castles at the BBC Summer Party, so I am sure it’s all 100% legit:)

Very interesting thread and a few trends here.

Very tempting to look back at history and to remember how good a show was and wish it would come back. Also tempting to want to have a good show in your own neck of the woods and also tempting to have an airshow that has exactly the aircraft that you want to see.

IMHO Airshows are like any other product, they have to move with the times. The market moves on and develops and anyone who wants to sell any product needs to move with (or even better anticipate) the market rather than go backwards.

Its a hard fact to swallow for many enthusiats (including myself) but I am a firm beleiver that the big money is with the family market. Society has become more “child centric” over the last couple of decades with parents willing to spend more and more on their kids.

Its not a coincedence that RIAT have booked an X-Factor star to perform this year. They know that is a market to move into. I dont agree with it as a punter (in fact it keeps me away) but I completely understand why they are doing this from a hard nosed business perspective.

Despite the recession, I am still convinced there is a significant potential spend within the familly market if the product is right. Just look at the entrance prices for Legoland or dads taking their kids to Premier Football.

Thats not to say that successful airshows have to be giant tat sales and funfairs. I think that there are opportunities to tie in with other styles of events (the Wings and wheels theme is a good example)

Linked to this is the issue of cash flow. I have recently helped create a charity event at Dunsfold where people paid £25 to ride in a Supercar around the Top Gear Track.This raised around £35,000 last year for a kids charity but the beauty was that 90% of the tickets were sold in advance so the cashflow was wonderful and the financial risks were mitigated.

Needs more thought, time for a Rich Tea…..:)

Just a couple of things,

at Alchatraz, pay the extra for the audio guided tour gadget, it is award winning and adds incredibly to the atmosphere,

also, check out China town, some of the best chinese food I have ever had, we were in SF for 3 nights and ate Chinese everynight,

have a great time

The VAT rise will soon be forgotten, in itself, as the impact will be negligible on the majority of purses. What will not be forgotten is by how much actual prices on the high street will rise under the guise of the VAT increase in the weeks to come. A £300 TV will cost £8 more…items under £40 will cost pence more.

Do you want to try that again? it’s not £8, prices are not going up by 2.5%

Shunt – The Life Story of James Hunt

coming to a cinema near you soon!

33 is too big a cast,

knowing Hollywood, they will re-write it, change it to a team of 7 and the mine will be in USA.