It’s a case of ‘second time lucky’ for one of the world’s newest and most exciting jet fighters when it makes a welcome return to the Cotswolds this summer – two years after its planned UK debut appearance was rained off.
Now the aircraft, from the US Air Combat Command, will be returning to the Air Tattoo on July 17&18 to demonstrate why it is capable of outperforming any existing fighter aircraft in air-to-air combat. The Raptor represents a new generation of fighter aircraft incorporating state-of-the-art stealth technology, sophisticated weaponry and vectored thrust giving it an unrivalled combination of secrecy, power and manoeuvrability.
Air Tattoo Deputy Director of Air Operations Robert Windsor said he was delighted to see the aircraft return to perform at the Air Tattoo.
F-22 at RIAT 2008
He said: “The Raptor is one of the jewels in the crown of military aviation and its display in July will be among the highlights of the seven-and-a-half-hour flying display. I recall that the pilot and his ground crew were tremendously friendly and professional throughout their stay with us – despite their obvious disappointment. I am really pleased that they will finally be able to perform for our large and appreciative Air Tattoo audience!”
The Woodchurch Wings and Things Airshow may have not been the most well known airshow in the UK, but for those who regularly attended the show it is one of the most sorely missed events.
The venue for Wings and Things was Rob Davies’ private strip just outside the village of Woodchurch. During the second world war, Woodchurch was home to an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) and saw RAF Mustangs and USAAF P-47s use the strip. At one point, a damaged B-24 Liberator successfully forced landed on the strip. Rob Davies strip is based just to the west of the orginal airfield.
As well as a huge fly-in and the display flying, the show also saw an impressive vintage and classic car rally with clubs from all over the UK taking part. There were also some Traction engines and other steam powered machinery on show.
The modern airfield nestled on a slope which made for some spectacular landings from the participating aircraft. The show was very popular for pilots and public alike, and the airfield was often at capacity very quickly. Later events even saw some of the participating aircraft using Headcorn as a base with Woodchurch being so full.
The afternoon flying displays were amazing affairs that could rival any Duxford airshow for quality. Much of the flying had the feel of the old Tiger Club displays with all sorts of aerobatics and barnstorming. The rest saw some of the best “heavy iron” displays the the UK can offer!
The show was often opened with a glider display by local display pilot Alan Garside in a PiK glider. The locally based Turbulent Team were also a fixture on the flying programme making the short hop from Headcorn. The Tiger Club also operate G-ACDC, the oldest airworthy Tiger Moth and that too made appearances at Woodchurch, even with a wingwalking rig!
Powerful aerobatic aircraft were always a stong feature of the flying display. Will Curtis was a strong supporter with regular appearances in his Sukhoi Su-26. Other notable participants were Will’s team mate, Justyn Gorman in the Pitts Special and the Red Bull Matadors. The Utterly Butterly Barnstormers also visited Wings and Things with their powerful Stearman making some low passes in front of the crowd.
However, Woodchurch was always about warbirds and classic jets. Over the years, an amazing variety of historic machinery took part representing aircraft from the first world war right through the Korean War. The Battle of Britain was always a popular theme for this mid-Kent airshow. The Real Aeroplane Company’s Hurricane was a regular participant flown by the late Brian Brown in it’s distinctive night fighter scheme. The enemy of often portrayed by the 108 Group’s Me108 Taifun. Spitfires too were popular with notable appearances by Peter Teichman’s PRXI and Spitfire Ltd’s XVIe.
Naval aviation was never forgotten and Kennet Aviation displayed their Skyraider and the Seafire during their first seasons of display flying. However, it was the Fighter Collection’s Corsair that will be well remembered by the Wings and Wheels crowds. The big heavy fighter operated from the small farm strip in the capable hands of Pete Kynsey. The sight of the large powerful fighter powering down the dust confines of the strip was always impressive as was the aerobatics it performed overhead.
However, it was always the american aircraft that were the stars of the show. Rob Davies and Maurice Hammond always had their impressive aircraft at the show displaying their Harvards and Mustangs to great effect. Sally-B too was a regular and often formed up with the Mustangs saluting the mighty USAAF.
The final items in the flying programme were always the jets. Golden Apple Operations always supported the show with their F-86 Sabre and T-33 Silver Star. The North Weald based jets also put in regular appearance with Mark Grimshaw’s Gnat and Jet Provost being notable attendees.
Sadly however, Woodchurch became a victim of it’s own success. The airfield was well away from main roads down narrow country lanes and the growing popularity of the event often completely clogged these road. The airfield itself was at total capacity both in terms of aircraft and visitors. The ever increasing costs of putting on the event and supplying the health and safety requirements all contributed the events demise. For those that attended the show, it’s sorely missed.
THE Portrush Airshow will go ahead after all this year after it was saved at the final hour by the local business community.
The September event, which attracts up to 200,000 visitors each year, had been postponed for the first time this year due to a rise in costs and a lack of sponsors.
Coleraine Borough Council normally contributes about £70,000 to £80,000 to the event with the rest coming from corporate sponsors, however contributions from the sponsors were reduced this year because of the economic climate.
During a special meeting of Coleraine Borough Council on Tuesday night though, which the press were not invited to, the Chamber of Commerce confirmed that a number of businesses in the borough had pledged their support to the airshow.
In the light of this announcement, councillors unanimously voted to bring the airshow back.
Mayor of Coleraine, Sandy Gilkinson, said: “I can confirm that the NI International Airshow will take place in September 2010 at West Bay, Portrush.
“On behalf of Coleraine Borough Council I wish to thank the local business community and the Chamber for coming together to save this spectacular event, it shows tremendous spirit in a difficult economic period.”
Karen Yates, Chamber President commented, “I would like to thank everyone that has contributed so far for showing such spirit and commitment, particularly when trading is so difficult. It’s important to note that businesses of all sizes have made contributions from sole traders to large established groups, pledges have come from across the borough and the support province wide has been amazing. Once the line up has been confirmed we will make this public along with the names of the businesses that have saved the Airshow for all of us.”
“It’s not clear if businesses will have to finance the show in the future but we’ll have to put a plan in place,” she added.
Coleraine Borough Council staff will now continue to make arrangements for the airshow to take place on the first weekend of September.
It is yet to be decided whether this year’s airshow will be a one day or weekend event.
Alliance councillor, Barney Fitzpatrick, said: Cllr Fitzpatrick said: “This is a massive boost for our tourism industry and our local economy.
“I want to praise all the local businesses that have dug deep into their pockets at this tough time to save the airshow.
The excellent efforts of many in recent weeks shows the great community spirit in the locality.”
UUP councillor and MLA, David McClarty said: “The decision to cancel had been taken in the first place to keep the rate rise to a bare minimum, and because many businesses who would have supported it were under financial pressure this year.
“In my 20 years as a councillor, this is the biggest reaction to a subject, other than a human tragedy, that I can ever remember,” he said.
The good news will delight the 3,076 people who backed an online campaign to save the airshow.
Facebook users including Ulster Unionist MLA John McCallister and DUP MLAs Trevor Clarke and Jonathan Craig had joined a group called Bring Back The Portrush Airshow 2010.
Comments on the page reflected the disappointment felt across the Province at the cancellation of the airshow.
Some of the comments left included: “Give us all something to look forward to for goodness sake, precious little else given to ratepayers,” and, “I saw the Airshow in 2008. Unbelievable! I know times are hard but the show is such a big morale-boost and crowd puller.”
The Dawlish Carnival Airshow is one of the most unique shows on the display calendar. While it’s not quite as big as a venue like Bournemouth, it’s topography makes for some spectacular views of the flying displays which Planes TV take full advantage of.
Despite have much fewer displays than other shows, the quality of the acts is superb with strong support from the UK military. The USAF even get in on the act with the KC-135R Stratotanker. Historic flying is represented by Kennet Aviation’s Westland Wasp and Sly Blue’s Hawker Hunter FGA9. Visually, the rotary acts provide the best filming material staying low allowing the dramatic coastal scenery to be caught in the backdrop from the high vantage point. However, the highlight of the production is the formation of the Vulcan and the Red Arrows.
This is quite a short production and lacks the interactive portions of other Planes TV productions which is a little disappointing as you get the feeling they would be equally impressive as that shot from the ground.
One of your author’s favourite airshows is the four day spectacular at Eastbourne. The friendly atmosphere and unique viewing locations plus a superb varied flying display make Eastbourne one of the top airshows in the country.
2009 was a real return to form for Eastbourne after a disasterous 2008, publically in any case. The decision to charge for access to the seafront had been a PR catastrophe for the airshow. 2009 saw a return to the free access and the crowds did return, though not in the numbers pre 2008. However, it was enough to at least secure the future in to 2010 and hopefully beyond.
Like other seafront airshows, the aircraft are based at a number of airfields in the local area. One of the main bases for Eastbourne is Shoreham Airport just along the coast. It’s good to see Planes TV make good use of the airfield to capture some behind the scenes footage and some interviews with the display crews.
One of the remarkable moments of Airbourne was the formation of ARCo’s Spitfire IXT and the Netherlands Air Force F-16 which is not only captured well from the ground, but onboard cameras on the Spitfire and through the Heads-Up Display camera on the F-16. The HUD camera also gives an eye-popping impression of the F-16s spiral climb and dive.
Footage is recorded a number of different vantage points from the seafront -- the attractive seafront architecture frames the action perfectly for film in the beautiful summer sunshine. There’ s little to fault in the coverage except for the misidentification of the Harvard, which is not the Goodwood example mentioned in the commentary. However, this is a small blip in a briliant production rich with interesting onboard footage set against perfect weather.
One rather odd inclusion in the DVD package is the Vulcan Campaign video just after the main production which is perhaps a little out of place for a show that didn’t include the aircraft itself. However. as with all of Planes TV productions, the DVD does include “Interactive” extras including on baord footage from the F-16 HUD Camera, Spitfire, Mustang and Team Guinot which are all worth watching.
Organisers of this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in the Cotswolds believe there will be so much for people to see and do at the airshow that they are offering a special discounted two-day ticket. The Air Tattoo, which takes place on July 17&18, not only stages a seven-and-a-half-hour flying display but it also features a large, static aircraft park and a wide range of ground-based entertainment and interactive activities. Deputy Director of Marketing Helen Webb said the decision to introduce the new weekend ticket was in response to feedback from the public who said there wasn’t enough time in one day to enjoy all the attractions. She said: “We open our gates at 7.30am and don’t close them until 8.30pm but even then, the feedback we get is that people need more time to see everything. I believe the best way to make the most of the Air Tattoo is to spend one day enjoying the thrilling flying display and free evening concert with the second day spent exploring the static aircraft park and the many showground attractions.”
RIAT 2009
In addition to aerial displays by a range of fast jets, helicopters, large transport aircraft, aerobatics display teams and historic warbirds, this summer’s Air Tattoo features a Battle of Britain airfield, the Extreme Trial Motorcycle Stunt team, a display arena, a robot arena, a fairground, a large display of classic cars plus concerts by Queen and Beatles tributebands. There is also the opportunity for people to try water-zorbing and an off-road driving challenge. The Air Tattoo, which is held in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, is the world’s largest military airshow and attracts around 300 aircraft from across the globe. This summer’s event will stage special tributes marking the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The weekend ticket costs £65, representing a saving of £10 on the cost of two individual Saturday and Sunday tickets. All tickets must be bought in advance. Admission is free for all under-16s plus there is free parking. For further details, visit airtattoo.com
The Imperial War Museum has announced that the Patrouille de France will join the Red Arrows at their Battle of Britain Airshow in September. They will appear on Saturday 4th September only.
The RAF will further support the show with Eurofighter Typhoon, Hawk, Tucano and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Along with a huge gathering of Spitfire and Hurricanes, this promises to be one of the highlights of the 2010 display season. More can be found in our Preview.
An aircraft that actually fought on D-Day in 1944 will be returning to Oxfordshire in May as part of this year’s Abingdon Air & Country Show on Sunday May 2nd.
The C-47 Dakota named “Drag-em-oot” flew missions with the US Army Air Force on D-Day, June 6th 1944 – and still has bullet hole patches in its fuselage showing its war service.
The Dakota was a star of last year’s Abingdon Air & Country Show and is back again for 2010 as one of a number of priceless historic aircraft at the show. Other veteran aircraft on show will be the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster bomber of the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a Vampire jet, Harvard trainer and a rare bomber version of the Hurricane.
There will be other flying attractions including an RAF Hawk and the Swift Glider Aerobatic Team. There will also be a wide range of aircraft on the ground, including a US Army Blackhawk helicopter.
The show, raising funds for the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance, will be held at Abingdon Airfield, Dalton Barracks, just off the A34. It is now in its 11th year, and is organised by an all-volunteer team.
The show will include a wide range of attractions on the ground besides the aircraft.
Highlights include Dr Who Daleks, over 80 trade stalls and displays, the return of Fiona Harrison singing 1940s music and an Abingdon MG Car Works meet.
There will also be sheepdog demonstrations, a parade of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, RBS Williams F1 showcar, various World War Two re-enactment displays, a mobile farm, a craft marquee, tank rides, childrens’ amusements, a display of Army exhibits from Dalton Barracks and more.
Advance tickets are on sale now from a variety of outlets. For more information about the show, ticket prices and details of how to buy tickets, visit www.abingdonfayre.com
The Waddington Airshow website has confirmed that there will not be a UK tour by Royal Austrailian Air Force F-111s this summer. The airshow has approached the RAAF about the possibility of organising a “farewell tour” of UK airshows which had met with a favourable response. Sadly, it was not to be but you cannot fault Waddington for trying to secure a final appearance by this iconic aircraft!
We have great pleasure in launching the new look Shoreham Airshow Website. We’ve worked with James George, another volunteer at the airshow, to revamp the entire website with a new format and plenty of new images from the show.
The new site features a brand new news page which will run several articles throughout the build up to the show as well as after it. We have also launched a brand new Facebook Fan Page and Twitter Feed for the airshow which we hope to use to keep everyone updated with the latest happenings as well as plans for some live blogging from the Show in August.
Shoreham Airshow 2010 will be held over the weekend 21st-22nd August, and tickets will be on sale from the website later this month.
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It’s a case of ‘second time lucky’ for one of the world’s newest and most exciting jet fighters when it makes a welcome return to the Cotswolds this summer – two years after its planned UK debut appearance was rained off.
We have great pleasure in launching the new look 
