This story seems to reappear every year really and to be honest we can all see that the armed forces are being pushed to the limits and further and as a country we are pretty much bankrupt.

So personally if the BBMF is to carry on without losing its meaning or assets I would not be against money being raised externally to keep them flying as they should, What I fear is the collection would be sold on and split up which would be an insult to all those who the BBMF fly as a tribute to as well as putting another huge nail into the coffin of this once proud country we call the United Kingdom.

We all know that some drastic cuts are going to be made to what is left to spend of the public purse and essentially we are not that far off being a third world country financially and this situation is not going to change easily, So if the BBMF is to survive by a different means then so be it, But it MUST survive.

In interest I wonder if the Red Arrows will be the next talking point for disbanding, They are an asset in a different way as they are great for publicity abroad as well as promoting whats left of UK bussiness, They are also a great recruiting tool.

I just wonder if the politicians realise how important both the BBMF and the Red Arrows are to the country.

My takeUK airshows.
2) There is a view with organisers that ‘if it aint broke then dont try fixing it’. Those shows which dispite what you might think of the content if huge crowds turn out each year then why change a winning format? However there are the exceptions and show organisers need to understand that having the same aircraft year in year out will eventually make people stop and think about going. I believe that most people are happy to see an aerobatic Spitfire display but to see the same Spitfire each time?

Personally I am not sure if most of the crowd would know what Spitfire is displaying in front of them, The enthusiast will as I have said before most crowds are not made up of enthusiasts but are made up with the general public.
They pretty much would be happy to see any Spitfire flown well as they have come to be entertained.

Biggin Hill has for most years that I can remember ended its display with a Spitfire solo, Normally MH434 firstly in the hands of Ray Hanna and more recently Nigel Lamb. The silence that falls across the airfield whilst she is flown is stunning with both the enthusiast and general public being moved and entertained, I have yet to see such a routine not raise an applause as well as a tear or two.

I think the general public expect certain things to be at shows,such as,
Spitfire
BBMF
Red Arrows

and more recently
Vulcan (they maybe unlucky in 2010)
Eurofighter Typhoon

I think the seaside airshow appeals very much to families because Dad can go along for the display Mum and the kids can play on the beach and all it costs is travel to get there.
Shows like Biggin Hill and Shoreham do well because they offer a variety and often are able to bring something a bit different among the regular acts.
It is also worth noting that some people may only do one show a year and are pleased to see regular acts as to them there are a bit different.

It does go to show its a tricky thing giving the people what they want and keeping Joe and Joanne public happy as well as the enthusiast.

I would of thought if some sort of European tour could be arranged taking in several shows then it could be a great bit of PR for the RAAF and a great coup for any show able to book her.

The Biggin Hill airshow website mentions that the organisers have invited nations of pilots who served in the Battle of Britain from Biggin Hill to send aircraft or representatives to the show, And with Waddington, Biggin Hill,RIAT and Farnborough all within a few weeks of each other I wonder if it could be possible for one F-111 to attend and the organisers share the costs for a UK leg of any tour.

OK maybe I am just dreaming or wishful thinking but it would be nice to see one fly.

Here are a few more of the North Weald based beastie, I hope people do not mind me posting them.
The Skyraider may not be pretty but you can not deny she is a great performer, From the rear shots I have taken I can not help but think of her as almost the An-2s little sister who had a bit of a face lift and lost a wing.

I hope nobody will mind me posting a few of my Jet provost pictures taken over the last 8 years.

Yes, it seems that Carshalton forms the second main source of the Wandle (the first apparently being under the former Swan and Sugar Loaf pub in South Croydon)

I lived near the Swan and Sugarloaf until a few months back and was wondering if with the water table of Ravensbourne causing so many problems at Purley and Kenley if there is a risk of that area flooding too.

I am English and from London area, so we have no choice but to be “ruled” by Westminster and envy the Scottish who have the chance to have a different way. The worries I would have if I were Scottish or resident in Scotland would be the following.
1)Is there any chance of being part of the EU?, some talk already says no
2)Is there enough manufacturing and oil to sustain the country? Who will trade links be set up with?
3)Could Scotland launch a viable currency if not allowed to use pound or Euro?
4)How much of the UK debt will Scotland be saddled with?
5) What are the plans in terms of taxes, what will I be paying as an independent citizen?
6) What are the plans in terms of future Government? what sort of government structure will be put in place?

All in all independence is an exciting option, but without money to sustain a stable economy and country I would fear a Greece or god forbid a Ukraine style problem in the future. At the moment it feels like more questions than answers and I feel Alex Salmond is making a mistake if he does not clarify things before the vote.

I feel sure i360 will work and bring something special to Brighton and maybe one day a new West pier can be built from the money it raises, just maybe.