RE: Display Routines-Fast and Low or Lots of Aeros?

Hi again folks,
Just to clarify my position on this,I’m NOT against aerobatics during displays.My discomfort comes from seeing these machines being pointed at the ground from a not-too-great height.I don’t mind these machines being looped or barrel-rolled or whatever,but sometimes I just feel that they could do with a little more breathing space.I’ve seen some pretty hairy displays in the past,one in particular being Ray Hanna in the PR.XI Spit at Biggin a few years back.He was pulling her out at the bottom of loops at the last,and I mean LAST,moment.A number of other pretty experienced airshow goers raised thier eyebrows to this aswell.At the time I thought it was fantastic,but in hindsight you realise that there was absolutely no margin for error,and I’m not sure I’d even want to see a recording of that display!
I realise these machines are not being stretched to thier limits and that the pilots are extremely capable people,but I just wish they’d play things a tad safer sometimes.
Fantastic Spit pics btw Damien,and congratulations on your first taste of a Spitfire cockpit!I sat in the prototype replica at Tangmere a couple of years back,and it’s amazing how cramped it is and just how little you can see.It was pretty daunting just shutting yourself in the thing,let alone tanking along at 400+mph with a whacking great Merlin roaring away up front.They were brave blokes indeed!

RE: Brooklands SeaVixen

I think the Scimitar is in storage off-site pending restoration.This may be because it requires work rather than just the space limitations,so perhaps the SeaVixen will go straight in being as it’s in such good nick,added to the fact that she’s got folding wings.Even if she didn’t go on display immediately,she’d be stored undercover,which is a better option than leaving her exposed at Brooklands.
Anyone have any ideas about what has become of the plans for a new museum site at Southampton?Last I heard,they were going to share half of a new powerboats museum,but I haven’t heard anything about it for ages.

RE: Display Routines-Fast and Low or Lots of Aeros?

Hmmmmm.Well this has certainly sparked an interesting debate!IMHO, a sedate or rather a not-too-stressful routine doesn’t have to be boring.An example of this is the Shuttleworth SeaHurricane,which has a limit of +3g/-1g.This means that Andy Sephton or whoever is at the helm can’t go throwing her around into high speed loops,stall turns etc,but the displays are not ‘boring’.The curved Old Warden crowdline is used to good effect,and even though the aircraft is not being heavily stressed,it’s routine is still impressive,and the photographers can still get some great results.(See pics below)
I would seriously disagree that that BBMF,and particularly the Lanc,are ‘boring’.As Lancman says,IT’S A LANCASTER!Even if I were blind I would still attend shows just to hear it!The BBMF are also the only chance you get to see a Hurricane at the majority of shows.I’ve only ever seen the TFC/HAC Hurricane at Duxford shows,and the Brieghton Hurri I’ve only seen twice in 6 years!
When I put up the initial post,I was thinking more in terms of safety, but the points about entertainment and longlivety are just as valid.It occurs to me that if a particular type or act doesn’t put on a good show (which most airshow goers seem to feel is high speed aeros,close formations etc etc) then they might not be booked again and the operator would lose revenue.So it could be argued that the entertainment value of aerobatics,formations etc outweighs the potential risks and the long-term wear and tear.
Personally,I don’t go to shows to see something like a Corsair being pointed at the ground from under 1000ft,as happens in a Brietling Fighters display.The Corsair is a powerful and manouvrable beastie,but it’s also damn heavy and it just doesn’t seem right to be pointing it at the ground from such a low hieght.After seeing the footage of the P63,I can’t really look at manouvre like that with a settled stomach.
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