Jay Thanks for your posts. I think the Aussies have it about right but please don’t think we are all whinging poms.
You’re very right we are very lucky to have the excellent museums (many of which are free and those that aren’t very reasonably priced when compared with other attractions) and shows of all types air, car, steam train and traction engines. Regrettably there is the same criticism in all fields. Our National Rail Museum was severely criticized for the expense of bringing two A4 steam engines over from North America and had a line-up of the 6 remaining examples in York. Sadly I wasn’t able to get there and for some inexplicable reason they wouldn’t bring them to my local station!

High Without a doubt the three sister flying in formation over Metheringham followed closely by the 3 sisters at Waddington. Then the 4 C47’s at Duxford.

Lows Not getting to Beachy Head to see the two Lancs.

And the bickering on this and related threads regarding VeRA’s visit

I am not Welsh but have lived in North Wales for 32 years. You do not live in these areas and then complain about the rain (or the midges) or the fact that nothing but nothing much happens other than the stunning beauty and the more relaxed way of life. However, it does mean that if you want to do or see anything you must be prepared to travel, you cannot have it both ways. Surely it is all a question of population density, the density has to be high enough to support events unless you expect other people to fund loss making events. I wonder if the referendum had gone the other way things would be any different.
I am ashamed of how some of the comments made on a couple of threads reflects badly on us about the valiant effort made to bring VeRA over here. I would have happily travelled to Land’s End to see them, and if I couldn’t just be very disappointed I wouldn’t blame VeRA for not flying closer.

David had the right question, did any Scottish venue actually invite VeRA?

Surely to be brown nosing there has to be the intention of gaining something.
Sincerely thanking somebody for going to a huge amount of trouble to bring us what is best described as a once in a life time experience, for me anyway, is not brown nosing. From what I have seen the praise was drawn forth in response to the carping.

I have to say I am a little surprised at the direction this thread has gone. I agree that the petition will have no effect and in that sense is pointless, however.

Bringing VeRA to the UK was a hugely complicated, risky and expensive operation, and for whose benefit? Us. I for one hope that they have made money on the trip it could have been so different if things had gone badly wrong. If there is any profit it will go towards the future upkeep and we should all be very happy with that surely. The same goes for museum and airshow entrance fees. Nobody lines their pockets it all goes to preserving our aircraft heritage and keeping some of them where they belong.

This trip gave me and many, many thousands of people the pure thrill of not only two Lancasters flying together but also the three Avro sisters, what a sight and emotional feeling. Waddinton was absolutely packed and I was totally amazed to see the perimeter track at Metheringham absolute ringed with vehicles all the way round as they flew directly overhead.
I can think of a few other British aircraft now flying in North America that I would like to have the opportunity of seeing fly here. Surely we cannot rely on philanthropists to do this and that they need to know that they will be very welcome, that they will get help if needed and that they will cover their costs.
Might I suggest that CWHM starts an appeal on their website for donations to cover these costs with a fund gauge like those used on VTTS. I for one would like to make a small donation.
In case our Canadian cousins are in any doubt from what I have seen VeRA and her crew were welcomed and feted everywhere they went and the visit was very much appreciated.

In view of the many flights that VeRA made in company with Thumper in memory of all those allied airmen/women who gave their lives it would be a nice if the Government did make a suitable gesture, this would be a very small amount when compared to the cost of all the arrangements and entertaining given to visiting foreign dignitaries.

Thank you CWHM and thank you Canada. Please come again!!

Pay And View Enclosure, created on the aerodrome close to perimeter track to give close up view of three parked Avros. Waddington Aircraft Viewing Enclosure, across the road almost at the end of runway 20 with snack bar, normally free.

Thanks Elliot for that link.
I found it strange that the 3 ship formation was not going to do a flypast at Waddington, so I asked them. The reply was “I can confirm that there is not intended to be flypast of the aircraft.”
I wonder if the important word is “intended”?

The Midland Air Museum also has a Vulcan open to the public as is the Argosy flight deck. We had an excellent and personal guided tour of both. No pilot seat for Vulcan due to the usual reasons.

Surely it is not what any individual can afford but whether air shows are expensive when compared with other forms of entertainment. The examples given in this thread clearly indicate that, in fact, air shows are good value for money and as an added bonus the entrance fee goes directly to help keeping these aeroplanes where we like to see them rather than linings somebodies pocket. If you have to travel and stay then these are very likely going to cost you more than the entrance especially as local hotels put up their prices for the weekend of the event. There are also now many free air shows put on by towns all around the country. Those of us of a certain age remember the “At Home Days” and the “lively” displays put on then but regrettably our economy does not seem to stretch that far any more.