The retirement flypasts by Joint Force Harrier earlier this week marked the end of an era of V/STOL flight in the RAF that has lasted 40 years, and 50 years since the first flight of the revolutionary Hawker P1127. But it was perhaps the most high profile aircraft of a number which have been retired over the last five years that have long been a feature of UK airshows. A look back at the archives over the last five years reveal a number of iconic RAF fast jets and other important combat types that have disappeared as the RAF modernises. These losses are perhaps inevitable as technology allows the RAF to replace it’s diverse fleet with fewer types and more unmanned systems, but many are sorely missed by enthusiasts at airshows. Flightline UK takes a look at many types that have appeared at displays in the last five years that won’t be a feature of the 2011 season!
2006 saw the retirement of the RAF’s last few Canberra PR9 aircraft. Like many RAF types the aircraft was active on operations right up to it’s retirement in July 2006. For it’s final few months of operations, the aircraft was presented on the display circuit by 39 Squadron flown by Sqn Ldr Terry Cairns with a very spirited routine at Waddington and RIAT that year.
Next to disappear was the SEPECAT Jaguar GR3 and T4. The aircraft made it’s final year of displays in 2005 in 41 Squadron colours after the disbandment of 16(R) Squadron. The last display was flown by Flt Lt Derek Sington and the display aircraft sported some colourful artwork on the tail continuing a tradition within the Jaguar community that had started with the stunning “Black Cat” flown by 16 Squadron in the early 1990s. The Jaguar eventually retired in 2007 when the final squadron, No 6 Squadron, disbanded at RAF Coningsby in May. Later that year in early July, the Jaguar made it’s final flying display appearance at Waddington show with a QinetiQ operated example managed a few flypasts under the low cloud!
The Nimrod MR2 was always an impressive performer at airshows. It made it’s final appearance as a display item in 2004, but made several static appearances and the odd flypast right up to it’s retirement at the beginning of 2010. These flypasts included an emotional flypast at RAF Leuchars Airshow 2006 in the aftermath of the Nimrod explosion in Afghanistan with the loss of it’s crew in September 2006. It’s replacement, the Nimrod MRA4 was cancelled in the Defence Review in October which meant the last maritime patrol Nimrod made it’s final airshow appearance at the Jersey IAD in September 2010! It was a sad end to one of the most famous RAF types of recent times.
The Harrier is the most recent retirement after the announcement in the Defence Review in October 2010. A full feature on the Harrier can be found HERE. The speed of the Harrier drawdown has been unbelievably rapid with the final flights taking place in December 15th 2010. 2010 has seen the Harriers return to the airshow circuit with a role demonstration flown by Flt Lt Steve Kenworthy at a select number of events. The Harrier had previously been on the display circuit up to the end of the 2006 season when the increase in operations in Afghanistan meant the Harrier would not be flown at displays between 2007 and 2009. Before 2007, Harrier displays has been provided by 20(R) Squadron but they were disbanded in early 2010 and the OCU was passed to the IV(R) numberplate for the final year of operations.
The Tornado F3 will disappear from UK skies in March 2011 with the disbandment of 111(F) Squadron at RAF Leuchars and replacement by 6 Squadron’s Typhoon FGR4 aircraft. 2005 marked the final year of the Tornado F3 solo display, but the annual Leuchars Airshow kept the Tornado F3 part of flying displays upto the end of the 2010 display season which also saw an F3 take an integral part in RIAT’s Battle of Britain Anniversary flypast. The Tornado F3 was also an important part of the RAF Role Demonstration Team that made such an impact during the 2007 and 2008 display season and is now sorely missed.
During 2005-2010, the RAF has continued to display the Typhoon, Hawk, Tucano and Tutor (though the Tucano missed the 2009 display season following a training accident.) The Tornado GR4 has also been a constant in the display circuit bar the 2009 season either as a solo display upto 2006, the RAF Role Demo Tean in 2007 and 2008 or in it’s own Role Demo Team in 2010.
The RAF’s contribution to the 2011 display season has yet to be confirmed apart from the Red Arrows, Falcons and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. It’s likely the consequences of the Defence Review will have some affect on the RAF’s solo displays and role demo teams as the RAF begins to shrink; full details will be confirmed in the New Year.
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds will be visiting Europe in 2011 for a short tour. Their only UK stop on the tour will be at the RAF Waddington International Airshow on the 2nd -3rd July. The visit will not be the Thunderbirds first visit to the show, they previously visited in 2000 but only displayed on one day. This time, they are expected to display over both days of the show.
Their European display dates, as announced at the ICAS convention today include:-
We already know that the 2010 Biggin Hill International Air Fair was the last such event after the contract to hold the event was cancelled by the Airport. However, it is fondly remembered by many as one of the best ever Air Fairs ever with a superb tribute to the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. As such, we hoped to for a very high quality production covering the event.
This year’s DVD is produced by “Thier Finest Hour” which is a company specialising in all things “Battle of Britain.” They have been a regular sight at many shows this year with their replica aircraft and other artefacts. From the outset of the production, it is clear that the production company have tried to produce a very different DVD to the norm. There is plenty of archive recording of Churchill’s speeches and video footage.
One of the good aspects of the DVD is the number of interviews conducted with both air and ground crews. The various sections are presented by airshow commentator and display pilot Brendan O’Brien who does manage to convey his enthusiasm for display flying very well and he is joined by Jenny Gayner. It is good to see that the producers have tried to convey something of the spirit of the Air Fair on the ground as well as in the air
One of the real high points of this year’s Air Fair was the superb mix of flying set against some gorgeous blue summer skies providing some superb content. While the DVD is recorded in broadcast standard quality some of the the flying sequences are particularly shaky with the aircraft bouncing around the corners of the screen at an alarming rate. With a few displays, the image quality also seems to drop off; it’s particularly poor for the Typhoon solo display.
There are also issues with the sound quality. The DVD has a constant music soundtrack of some very well known classical music over-played with ambient noises from the airshows. While I certainly don’t mind music providing the backdrop for displays, the constant music does become slightly irritating over the two hours. There are some dubbing errors and at times it seems the Blades have re-engined their Extras with Rolls Royce Merlins!! There are also some interviews that are just lost under the music and ambient noise such as the Team Viper and the French Air Force Alpha Jet interview. The final issue with this DVD are just too many captioning errors to ignore. Perhaps the most serious is the “Spitfire and F4 finale” though there also crew names that are reproduced incorrectly despite the crews are wearing name badges which are clearly visible to the viewer!
Sadly this DVD fails to hit the mark in terms of other airshow DVDs produced this year and previous Biggin Hill Air Fair videos and DVDs. While the background content is very welcome and very good, it is let down by poor production and many little irritating errors and the constant musical score. Having said that, it is a unique look at the last ever Biggin Hill Air Fair and in itself is a reminder of a little piece of history that took place in Kent’s skies in late June 2010 that will never be repeated!
After five years at the helm, Fred Crawley has retired as Chairman of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises (RAFCTE), organiser of the Royal International Air Tattoo.
Since 2005, Mr Crawley has played a key role not only in founding RAFCTE but also in growing the organisation into the successful company it is today. He will continue as a Trustee of RAFCTE’s parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust and in due course will become an Honorary Vice Patron of the Royal International Air Tattoo.
Fred Crawley
Replacing him as Chairman of RAFCTE is Alan Smith, an existing board member and volunteer supporter of the organisation since the late 1970s. David Bywater and Jim Glover along with Alan, continue as unpaid non-executive directors of RAFCTE.
Alan has held a number of senior positions in retail including Managing Director of Victoria Wine, Superdrug and B&Q and Chief Executive of Boddingtons, Punch Taverns, Somerfield and Robert Dyas. His current non-executive roles include chairman of Fishers Leisure Holdings, a seller of bicycle accessories to independent retailers; director of FLYBE, the airline; and NAAFI, the military supplier of leisure and retail service.
In order to ensure he’d have the necessary time available to fulfil his new duties as Chairman of RAFCTE, Alan Smith retired recently as Chairman of the Royal International Air Tattoo Flying Scholarships for the Disabled (FSD) charity. The new chairman of FSD is Peter Vacher. Alan has also become a Trustee of the Charitable Trust.
Mr Crawley has been a keen supporter of the Air Tattoo since 1977 when it was parented by the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. In 2005, following a transfer of ownership, he along with Alan Smith were instrumental in establishing the new company and charity thereby securing the future of the Royal International Air Tattoo.
Alan Smith
Mr Crawley joined Lloyds Bank in 1942 and held a number of senior positions including Chief Executive, Lloyds Bank California and Deputy Chief Executive, Lloyds Bank. In all, he has spent almost 60 years in the banking and finance industry. Fred Crawley CBE, FCIB, FRAeS is a member of the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators. In 2006, he was granted the Freedom of the City of London.
Enterprises Chief Executive Tim Prince said: “Without Fred’s and Alan’s business acumen, – garnered at the highest levels of UK industry – and their belief that establishing RAFCTE was the right thing to do, I don’t believe the company or the charity would have got off the ground. That Enterprises has gone from strength to strength since 2005 simply reflects their excellent leadership during that period.
“Alan’s appointment ensures that Enterprises will continue to benefit from the guidance of one of the UK’s leading businessmen. We are indebted to Alan, David and Jim for offering their time and extensive knowledge so generously in order that the growth we enjoyed under Fred may continue.”
Earlybirds looking to attend next summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in the Cotswolds can now save £5 on the cost of their general admission ticket.
The Earlybird tickets, which have just gone on sale, are only available until February 28, 2011, priced £34. After that date, tickets purchased for either Saturday, July 16 or Sunday, July 17 will cost £39.
Next summer’s Air Tattoo will look back over the past four decades as it celebrates its 40th anniversary with a series of special aerial displays and ground entertainment. It will also host a gathering of specially-decorated ‘Tiger’ aircraft from the NATO Tiger Association. ‘Tiger’ aircraft come from NATO squadrons that have a Tiger or Big Cat in their emblem and their association marks its 50th anniversary in 2011.
In addition to saving £5 on the cost of a ticket, Earlybirds will also have their £4 booking fee waived – representing even more value for money. Anyone looking to enhance their enjoyment of the event can also purchase a range of private enclosure tickets including the Public Grandstand, Jubilee Garden and the Pimm’s Flight Deck.
The Air Tattoo’s Deputy Director of Marketing, Helen Webb said that savings made on the Earlybird ticket combined with free admission for all accompanied under-16s meant that next summer’s airshow represented an affordable and memorable family day out.
“All tickets are now sold in advance so it makes sense for anyone thinking of joining us next year to take advantage of our Earlybird offer. Next summer’s Air Tattoo is going to be extra special as we plan to celebrate our 40th birthday in style – so why not secure your ticket to the party now!”
For full ticket details, including the new Earlybird Weekend Ticket, visit www.airtattoo.com or call 0800 107 1940.
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After five years at the helm, Fred Crawley has retired as Chairman of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises (RAFCTE), organiser of the Royal International Air Tattoo.
