I do not have a problem with chairs and wind breaks at the front of the crowd line. What causes the problem is dispite the fact that there are chairs the people than stand up to take their photos. I am happy to stand behind a wind break so long as the people on the front row keep their heads down.

With regard to the tank bank, as it is so popular could an extra 100 metres not be construction along the front of the Tank Museum Building ? And we certainly should not have to pay extra for it. Its bad enough having to pay extra for the flight line walk.

Such a formation is already available should an airshow organiser be prepared to pay for it. The Vulcan has flown a formation with the Dutch Hunter at Volkel, so why not repeat the preformance in the UK, there are enough UK based Hunters around and I would exect their owners would be only to pleased to be paid for their services. Air Atlantique has been mentioned, excepting the usual servicablity issues they could provide Canberra, Meteor and Venom, but at what cost ? I suspect the interfering hand of the CAA would also have a say in flying such interesting formations.

Why not have several 150mm diameter holes in the fence to allow for photograph through the fence ? There would be no need to worry about the ladder users and if the holes were in the correct location the base would know where most of the spotters were.
Access to and parking on private land is more of a problem. At Coningsby there is a veiwing area car park, problem is that it is only suitable for photography in the late afternoon, so most people use ‘the mound’, which is private land. A sollution might be to retain the exsiting car park but also have a small enclosure within the main external fence which would allow unobstruted photography, once again the base secrity would know exactly were the spotters were and their movements could be monitored accordingly.

quote “what is the fixation with yak 52 formation teams year after year????”

Cost !! I assume the team members fly for fun, therefore so long as they get their costs, ie fuel, covered they are happy. Would any Yak Team members like to comment further ?

I have no problem with their participation at UK airshows, it all adds to at great day out, the extra special items beings any military hardware that is on show either on the ground or in the air. A problem that I do have is with the promotion of the UK military shows as the place to see the modern RAF, we all go away disappointed with the level of military participation.

Definately recommend the Aerofax book, 175 pages with loads of photos and colour artwork. However I can not offer an opion on the text because I have never got around to reading it, but it is great for model making reference. Also I believe Midland Counties have them in their discount section so worth taking a look. I also have the Squadron Signal book ‘Sukhoi Figters in Action’ which is a soft back with 50 pages, obviously contains much less detail but might be worth a look if you can find a copy.

As the Vimy is currently at Duxford any plans for that to take part in the flying display, or just static. Its not mentioned at all on the IWM web site ?

Great images of WH876. Does anybody have a top surface view showing roundel placement and black / white markings ?