OT - Air Shows

In article , Arthur G writes

I haven't been an airshow-goer for over ten years now, but I believe the Fairford show (July, IIRC) has the greatest attendance of modern military aircraft at a UK airshow these days.

Some of the RAF bases have 'Battle of Britain' style shows in mid-September, which also usually have some fast-jet content. I'm not sure whether the USAF still holds a Mildenhall show, but I used to go there each year until the mid-nineties, on the Saturday of the late May bank holiday weekend, and see a show lasting several hours, with an excellent mix of vintage and modern military aircraft.

I think the next airshow I go to will be the one where (with luck) the Vulcan will make its first public appearance after restoration. It's a pity the Campaign Against Aviation won't let any Lightnings fly again; oh, to see a pair formate on the Vulcan, one on each side...

All the best for the festive season and for 2006 to everyone on the group.

As a one time Plane spotter who would travel hundreds of miles in a weekend to see one aircraft your best bet would be the IAT at Fairford. It used to be every two years but I think its every year now. The Stealth bomber last year flew from the USA did a display and flew back. Mildenhall Air show was the next best but this was stopped as soon as America declared war against anyone they dont like. Just to upset you the Apache is built under license by Westlands the design and a lot of the bits come from Mc Donnell Douglas now Boeing.

Mart> A recent sighting of one of those nasty looking helicopters which

Vulcan, one on each side...

Andrew, A Vulcan is currently being brought back to full working order as we speak.

I used to live about half an hour from Mildenhall and Lakenheath and I belonged to a local aviation group. We used to have many visits around the bases, Including up close to a Blackbird the SR71, which had a american president read his script properly would have been a RS71 :-))

Piece of useless info, on the ground the fuel tanks of a SR71 leaked profusely and could only be fueled from the air after 30 mins flying to allow the aircraft frame to warm up. You always new when a Blackbird was flying because its refueeling tankers would take off about 45 mins ahead of launch.

Martin P

"Campingstoveman" wrote>

and a lot of the bits come from Mc

Au contraire, mon ami, knowing the Apache to be an American design, I had directed my customary scorn in the direction of Mr. B.Liar when I heard he'd ordered them. Consequently, I was somewhat heartened when I found out that the RAF Apaches were being built by Westland. You might say it commuted an injury to an insult :-). I guess most of the components are shipped in from across the pond.

Regards, Arthur G

------------------------------------------------ Engined by Rolls Royce (RTM322) Mike.H.

stinging insect on steroids, led me to

none other than Westlands in Yeovil, and

reinvigorated and I spent a pleasant

aircraft. It made me think that I ought to

Hi Arthur, as our resident Welsh aircraft expert can I ask you a question? I remember 30 years ago going to Shell Island & passing a site that flew radio controlled small survey aircraft. Do you know if it still exists?

-- Dave Croft Warrington England

Why not? I believe some fly in South Africa................

Brian L Dominic

Web Sites: Canals:

Does anyone know whether the Leicester Airshow at Stoughton Airfield still exists? It used to take place on August bank holiday if I remember correctly. It was one of the contributing factors towards me accepting the Queens shilling back in the 70's

Raf Cosford is probably closest to you but not the best for the more modern stuff, but it does have the attraction of the museum as well. The above site lists most events planned for next year, but for me Fairford in July is the one to go for.

Anthony

Do you mean Llanbedr?

In article , Campingstoveman writes

Absolutely - that's the one I mean - XH558, at Bruntingthorpe. When it's back in the air, that's a display I'm definitely going to.

I remember reading about that slip-of-the-tongue in one of the aviation magazines some time ago. I was a bit surprised that that mistake was allowed to change the aircraft's designation; if it had happened in certain other countries, it would have been more understandable, I thought.

I remember seeing one dripping at Mildenhall at one of the Air Fetes

IIRC a KC-135A did take off a while beforehand.

In article , Brian Dominic writes

They do indeed; unfortunately our authorities aren't (IMHO) as enlightened as theirs.

"Dave Croft"

controlled

Dave, I certyainly can't claim to be an aircraft expert, and I haven't got a clue about the site you refer to, so I've got to defer to Anthony on this one.

Regards, Arthur G

Thank you all for the information, it sounds like Fairford for me, and I must visit Cosford, as I've been promising myself for some time.

Regards, Arthur G

In message , Arthur G writes

Cosford is v. good. I admit to bias - learnt to fly there... The museum is a place where you can easily lose a day.

Regards

Pete

There was a Bristol Siddeley Engines Family Day years ago. It featured a Bristol Boxkite that was actually flying before the blokes steadying the wingtips had accelerated past a trot.

Later, a Lightning flew down the runway at nought feet, stood on its tail & lit the reheats about a hundred yards away from where we were standing. I clearly remember seeing the diamond shock pattern in the flame & the deep vibration in my chest as it reverberated with the noise. The aircraft was still moving away from us towards the road as it commenced its climb. Nothing aerodynamic to be seen, all ballistic at that point.

I suspect they wouldn't let anyone do that anymore ;o)) .........

One night, we came out of the pub down the road from Mildenhall. As we stood between the cars in the pitchy dark, feeling for our keys, this enormous noise flew overhead, obviously an SR71 taking off. As if to prove the point, the air became heavy with the smell of old tractors - kerosene.

As it became possible to hear again, my mate shouted "Stealth Bomber!" .

"How do you know?"

"Can't see the f****r can you?"

Regards,

Kim Siddorn.

"Arthur G" wrote

directed my customary scorn in the direction

somewhat heartened when I found out that the RAF

to an insult :-). I guess most of the

Nothing is simple in the world of international consortia. A variant of the Westland Agusta EH101 has been selected for the US Presidential fleet

The RAF stopped them pulling that stunt whilst still in sevice after to many tailed it into the runway. Bit like the F111's at lakenheath used to dump fuel between the engines with reheat on until one farted at the nozzle and blew up.

Martin p

I suppose this is an air show of sorts - think about it ............

Kim