Produced by Planes TV, available from PlanesTV.com priced £16.99 -- DVD, £24.99 -- Blu-Ray
This is probably the most highly anticipated DVD release of the year. I remember well the huge queues that formed outside Planes TV’s tent after Duxford’s Battle of Britain Airshow has concluded each day! That’s not surprising as I rated the airshow as perhaps the best overall airshow of the year during 2010 thanks some superb displays, not least the 16 ship Spitfire finale.
For this review, Flightline UK was supplied with the Blu-Ray edition in HD but more about that later. Apart from the content of the flying displays, this is a very interesting production because of the way it’s put together. The production is introduced and narrated by Ben Dunnell however much of the commentary soundtrack is taken from the airshow commentary system. In a strange way, I think this improves the production as it’s really like reliving the airshow in your sitting room! Unlike any productions that use a recording of the actual airshow commentary the sound reproduction is good quality. The bonus is that the “Commentary-off” function still works too with a soundtrack free of the airshow commentary.
As ever the footage is superb throughout. There’s some really nice sections including the Hurricane four-ship, Patrouille de France and the Belgian F-16. However, it is the Spitfire finale that really stands out. There’s some really interesting footage from onboard the lead Spitfire (MH434) and the aircraft right at the back of the formation, Spitfire IX TA805. The sequence ends with some interview of the various pilots who all show the enthusiasm for the event as the crowd did.
As we mentioned earlier, we viewed the Blu-Ray edition in High Definition quality recording. HD certainly adds to the viewing experience, but particularly so with the more vivid colours. It is therefore the extra footage from the Autumn Airshow that benefits more from the HD quality recording with it’s wonderful autumnal blue skies an colourful participants.
The Autumn Airshow is recorded in the same manner as the Battle of Britain show and features a number of displays unique to this event. It has to be said the warbirds look absolutely superb recorded in HD as does the Pitts Special fourship and the F-86A Sabre. There are some complementary interviews conducted by George Bacon and further on-board footage with Alistair kay in OFMC’s P-51D Mustang and Mark Linney in the F-86A Sabre.
Thanks to it’s superb content, different approach to the soundtrack and excellent footage, this is one of Planes TV’s best productions to date. If you to ability to watch the Blu-Ray, definitely buy this edition as the footage is superb!
Produced by Planes TV; Available from PlanesTV.com priced £12.99 -- DVD, £18.99 -- Blu-Ray
The charming Heart of Scotland Airshow at Perth was certainly a highlight of the season with it’s small, but very varied flying display over the picturesque Perthshire countryside. The weather for the weekend was mixed to say the least with the Saturday seeing clear sunny weather and Sunday some rather inclement conditions with low cloud and rain.
The production is introduced and narrated by show commentator Andy Pawsey who provides an excellent commentary throughout. On top of the usual high standard of flying display filming there’s a pleasing level of interviews with the pilots and others associated with the airshow.
As ever, Planes TV had a number of cameras on various different displays and there’s some excellent footage from the Anro Anson, Sandy Torrence’s Crazy Flying routine in the Cessna 172, the Swift Team and Rich Pargeter’s Pitts Special. All these displays feature in the bonus features with the interactive in-cockpit functions using the “Angle” button.
A nice touch to the filming are a number of wider shots showing the context of the show bringing a number of display items together -- for example there’s a rather lovely shot of the Swift Team displaying in the background with Peter Vacher’s Hurricane in the foreground. Overall this is an excellent production and comes highly recommended.
The Sanicole International Airshow is one of the most famous and rest regarded shows in Europe. Flightline UK made it’s first visit to the show in 2010 and I have to admit, it was probably my favourite show of the year. Few other shows provide quite the variety of Sanicole and it is supremely well organised! This year the show included such acts as the Canadian Skyhawks Parachute Team, the Swift Aerobatic Display Team, Breitling Jet Team, Breitling Wingwalkers, Belgian F-16, Dutch AH-64D Apache, Red Bull AH-1 Cobra and the Turkish Stars.
For the first time in 2010, Sanicole hosted a Sunset Show on the Friday before the show. While Sunset shows have long been run in the US and to some extent in the UK, it was the first time such a show had been run in continental Europe. Thanks to some very pleasant evening weather with some stunning cloudscapes. The DVD opens with some of the highlights from the sunset show which provides some stunning footage, particularly of the Breitling Jet Team and the Twister Duo with their wingtip pyrotechnics.
The DVD covers all of the acts that participated in the show over the Sunset and Sunday Airshows with narration from Sean Maffet. As well as superb ground to air footage, the DVD contains plenty of interviews with the pilots and personalities that make the show happen. There is also some stunning on-board footage from a number of the acts from in the cockpit and mounted on the aircraft fuselages. Footage from the Breitling Jet Team and the Turkish Stars displays is particularly noteworthy! The filming is superb through with smooth camera-work following the flying displays and the action fast paced, yet detailed enough to keep the viewer interested throughout with an excellent commentary from Sean Maffet.
As well as the main feature, there are two special features with short films focussing on the on-board footage and some stunning air to air footage from Tony de Bruin’s Shorts Skyvan including the amazing Apache/F-16 formation and the pyrotechnic firing Twisters!
Accompanying the DVD is a quite superb full colour “photobook”. The book features the photography of Eric Cockelburghs and his famous “Photocrew.” The edition features air to air as well as ground to air photography of all the display acts as well the scenes at the show.
If you went to the show, this pack is a superb reminder of the event, but equally it’s a unique item that would please any airshow fan.
Sadly we are unable to embed a clip here, but you can watch the intro on YouTube
Europe’s biggest, and most family friendly, street party will be held over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday May 7/8 in the pretty market town of Northwich, Cheshire. And the star of the show will be a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire which will display on Sunday 8 May.
As in previous years, the Thundersprint offers completely free admission for spectators together with free parking and free grandstand seating.
The Thundersprint is an incredible mix of classic motorcycle racing, street entertainment and fine food which takes over this pretty market town during the second weekend in May. But the Thundersprint is far more than just a festival for bike fans. The highlight of the weekend for many visitors is the stirring display by a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire.
The Spitfire will perform in one of the most evocative settings in the world. Displaying right on the edge of the town, the Spitfire gives a true feeling of what it must have been like to see these iconic aircraft in action 70 years ago.
The visual experience is vastly enhanced by the arena setting which captures the growl of the mighty Merlin in all its glory, rather than have it dissipated in the wide open spaces where Spits normally display.
Away from the track is a mile of trade stands; a spectacular fun fair; huge inflatable play area for little ones; bands; street entertainment and fine food. In fact, something to keep everyone in the family happy all day.
Disabled, and less sprightly customers, are particularly well catered for and well-behaved pets are very welcome.
Spectator admission to the Thundersprint is free, as is parking, but arriving early is recommended because Northwich gets very busy.
For more information visit www.thundersprint.com or 01928 740 498.
With less than four months to go to the 2011 Abingdon Air & Country Charity Show, planning is now well under way by the all-volunteer organising team.
Taking place on Sunday 8th May, at Abingdon airfield, Dalton Barracks, Oxfordshire, the event will once be supporting the RAF Benson-based Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance, a Charitable Trust which relies wholly on public donations.
This, our 12th show, will follow the successful format of previous years, plenty to see both on the ground and in the air. Among the highlights of the three hour flying display will be The Tigers crack parachute display team, erobatics by The Ospreys and the ever-popular Swift Glider Tem. Both UK and overseas military participation has been requested.
Flying display aircraft should be available for inspection on the ground during the day and the United States Army in Europe have once again pledged their support with their UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.
A wide range of classic vehicles are expected including, cars – with up to 300 locally produced MGs, motorbikes, commercial and ex-military types and steam engines. For the younger visitors there will be a miniature ailway and miniature double-decker bus offering rides throughout the day.
Other attractions for younger visitors will include the time-less classic Punch & Judy as well a wide selection of amusements and rides.
Live music will be provided by local rock musician Rick Chase and there will be other musical acts to maintain variety.
There will be a full range of on-site caterers (including the Wychwood Brewery travelling bar) and shopping opportunities will be available at a varied selection of Craft/Farmers Market and general trade stalls.
Admission costs have been kept at the 2010 level hopefully allowing as many people as possible to join us and enjoy a fantastic day at Abingdon Air & Country Charity Show 2011.
Advance tickets are available to order now from our website (www.abingdonfayre.com) and, as of 1st February, over the counter at the following locations:-
1. Abingdon Information Centre
2. Wantage Information Centre (Vale & Downlands Museum)
3. Princes Risborough Tourist Information Centre
4. Abingdon Warehouse (near Coxeters)
5. Didcot Information Centre
And selected local branches of Nationwide Banks.
A limited localised shuttle bus will run from locations around Abingdon town centre to the airfield, route(s) to be confirmed. This service, for a small fee, has been arranged in conjunction with Rural Carriages of Chilton, near Didcot.
Please check our website (www.abingdonfayre.com) for up-to-date details or telephone 01235 529142 / 07769 689823 for more information.
THE marketing team behind last summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire has been recognised with two awards at a prestigious ceremony in the US recently.
The 2010 Air Tattoo’s TV advert tied second place for the best commercial advert for a large show whilst its website (www.airtattoo.com) came third in the ‘large show’ category at the award ceremony held in Las Vegas. The awards were presented by the International Council of Air Shows at its annual convention in Nevada which is attended by airshow organisers from around the world as well as representatives from the military.
The Air Tattoo TV advert featured a Typhoon pilot from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire preparing to take off followed by dramatic footage of displaying aircraft. The website award comes shortly after the site was revamped to include an interactive map and video gallery.
Air Tattoo’s Deputy Director of Marketing Helen Webb said: “To be recognised in this way by such an influential organisation is fantastic. The marketing team works hard each year to bring to life all of the excitement and thrills the Air Tattoo has to offer.”
The artwork for the 2011 Air Tattoo has been designed by Swindon born modern aviation artist David Bent who has been inspired by the Air Tattoo since his first visit in 1999.
The Air Tattoo, which takes places on July 16 and 17, is held in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust and is the world’s largest military airshow. This summer’s event will look back over the past four decades as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. 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 this year. The operational theme will be STAR 11 focussing on Strike, Attack and Reconnaissance.
Earlybird tickets, priced £34, are available from www.airtattoo.com or by calling the Air Tattoo box office on 0800 107 1940 until February 28, 2011, priced £34. All accompanied under 16’s go free.
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THE marketing team behind last summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire has been recognised with two awards at a prestigious ceremony in the US recently.
