It is the variety that will continue to be diminished, partly due to the continual contraction of the RAF, such that their support for public events is now minimal, not to mention the shift to drones and UAVs. It is striking to remember when most RAF stations would hold a families day with perhaps a Phantom , a Jag, a Jet Provost team, a Shackleton, a Vulcan, some USAF stuff, plus few civi acts, enough for a three hour display.
Soon, it will be unusual to see a jet at a display, as F-35 or Typhoon slots are spread so thin, and the civilian vintage jet operators, are becoming an endangered species. The aviation industry is so risk averse now, it is hard to remember there was a time when airlines would support airshows, BA with Concorde, Northwest Orient 747 at the Fighter Meet etc. The piston airliner scene is also shrinking, with the Swiss JU 52s and Constellation grounded just this year, no DC-4 /6 in Europe, Twin Pin grounded etc.
Duxford and Old Warden both have strong resident ‘fleets’ without needing to buy too much in, and they provide dependable quality and variety, but the big military shows like RIAT will continue to contract, simply because the range of aircraft to draw from around the world gets ever smaller.
Spitfires are ‘on the up’, Hurricanes too, numerous warbirds and some excellent WW1 recreations/restorations. The future of displays seems to be leaning to quality over quantity, but if you like it big, fast and multi-engined………… well, enjoy it while you can.
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