Produced by PlanesTV; Available from PlanesTV.com priced DVD – £24.99, Blu-Ray £39.99
If you buy just one airshow DVD a year, this is the one! British Airshows 2010 covers a multitude of events up and down the country. Narrated by Sean Maffett, this production includes all the best bits from Planes TV’s own productions as well as contributions from other companies to complete the season although noticeable omissions are Old Warden, Biggin Hill and Waddington.
24 different events are covered kicking off at the Abingdon Air & Country Show in May right through to post season farewell to the Harrier at Dunsfold. Many of the events are those not covered by Planes TV’s other DVDs including Shoreham, Lowestoft, Clacton and Farnborough. An extra bonus is the coverage of the final day of Harrier Operations at RAF Cottesmore in December.
Cramming so much action into a viewable production does mean the action is very fast paced and you may be slightly disappointed if you wanted to watch some displays in detail and if they are not included in the second disc containing the interactive features which does have more comprehensive coverage of 15 or so different displays. Highlights include some stunning on-board footage from Jonathon Whalley’s Hunter display at Duxford, the 16 Spitfires at Duxford and some quite beautiful footage of the Swift Glider display at Eastbourne’s evening show.
“British Airshows” is always a definitive review of the display season, and the 2010 edition is no different. The producers have made sure where possible all the most noteworthy displays are covered in superb style. This production comes highly recommended!
The RAF’s legendary Red Arrows heads a list of spectacular aerobatic display teams preparing to take part in the world’s largest military airshow this summer.
They will join Team Viper, the Breitling Jet Team and the Breitling Wingwalkers in helping celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on July 16-17.
Enthusiasts in particular will be pleased to see Team Viper, who will be making their Air Tattoo debut in July. The team, flying supersonic Hawker Hunter jets, will fly as a five-ship formation for the first time this season.
The barnstorming Breitling Wingwalkers, based at Rendcomb in Gloucestershire, are the world’s only formation wingwalking team. Four Boeing Stearman aircraft display a breathtaking sequence of loops, rolls and turns while wingwalkers wave and perform handstands against 150mph wind pressure.
Based in Dijon, France, the Breitling Jet Team’s only UK appearance this year will be at the Air Tattoo. The team, which was founded in 2003, comprises seven L-39 Albatros Jets flown by civilian pilots.
Deputy Director of Air Operations Rob Windsor said: “The Air Tattoo is renowned for featuring a wonderfully diverse range of aerobatic display teams and this year will be no different. The Hawker Hunters flown by Team Viper form an important part of the airshow’s history as the aircraft’s 25th anniversary was the first ever ‘theme’ celebrated by the Air Tattoo, for its 1976 event. The Red Arrows’ have supported the Air Tattoo for many years and were based at RAF Fairford at one time. Jacque Bothelin, who created the Breitling Jet team has been a good friend of the Air Tattoo for many years and we shall look forward to welcoming him back in July. As for the wingwalkers, their hi-energy, barnstorming displays never cease to please the crowds!”
In addition to celebrating its 40th anniversary, this summer’s Air Tattoo will 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. The ‘operational’ spotlight STAR 11 will focus on aircraft and equipment involved in the roles of Strike and Reconnaissance.
Day-specific Earlybird entry tickets, priced £34, are available until the end of February. From March 1, day-specific tickets will cost £39 plus a £4 booking fee for orders taken online or over the telephone. For details, visit www.airtattoo.com or call 0800 107 1940. All tickets must be purchased in advance. All accompanied under-16s go free.
SOUTHEND airshow will run over the last weekend of May instead of the Sunday and bank holiday Monday in a cost-saving measure.
Southend Council took the decision to run the show over Saturday, May 28, and Sunday, May 29, instead of the traditional Sunday and Monday after negotiations with Essex Police indicated the cost of policing the event on a bank holiday would be prohibitive.
Last year was the first time the council had to pay for police cover for the event, and it is understood the cost had risen this year due to Government cuts.
Seafront traders have welcomed the move, but those in the town centre remain unconvinced.
One of Britain’s most iconic fighter jets will be honoured with an historic and breathtaking display at the 2011 Cotswold Air Show.
The theme of this year’s show, at Cotswold Airport, on June 18 and 19, is the 60th anniversary of the first flight of the Hawker Hunter.
Only a few airworthy examples remain of the elegant swept wing aircraft and it is hoped that one of the highlights will be a spectacular diamond nine formation flypast.
The airport retains close ties to the Hunter and several of the remaining machines are based and maintained on-site.
From 1954 to 1989, RAF Kemble (as it was then known) became known as the “Hunter MU”, as virtually every UK Hunter (over 1,200) built for the RAF and Royal Navy passed through its doors.
The skilled workforce of No5 Maintenance Unit, which was based at RAF Kemble, turned its hand to maintaining and servicing the jets and won many accolades for its workmanship.
Event organiser Glen Moreman said: “The Hunter is such an iconic, beautiful aircraft and the fact that it has such a history at Kemble we felt it was important to mark such a landmark anniversary.
“Lots of local people will have worked here on these aircraft and it will be great to see them back in the Gloucestershire skies again.
“Here at Cotswold Airport, we are lucky enough to see Hunters on a fairly regular basis and, by making the aircraft the theme of this year’s show, it will enable other aviation fans to share that experience.
“For the 50th anniversary in 2001 we managed to put together a stunning 15-ship formation. This turned out to be the largest ever civilian formation of classic jets in the world. It was a memorable day, but there are now so few airworthy examples that to pull together several for a diamond nine formation flypast will be a real coup, not to mention a truly historic event.”
The Hunter served for many years with the Royal Air Force and was widely exported, serving with 19 air forces.
A total of 1,972 Hunters were produced by Hawker Siddeley and under license in other countries.
Seeking better performance to suit military needs, Hawker Aircraft’s chief designer Sydney Camm developed a machine with a 35-degree swept wing design and it is from there that the Hunter evolved, serving a total of 20 air forces.
As well as serving as a frontline military fighter, the aircraft also broke the world air speed record in September, 1953, when legendary test pilot Neville Duke achieved a speed of 727.63mph in the development prototype aircraft.
Hawker Hunters were also used by several RAF display teams including the Black Arrows, who set a record by looping a formation of 22, and later the Blue Diamonds, who used 16 of the aircraft.
The planned Hunter diamond formation will be a major attraction at this year’s air show, although, as always, there will be plenty of other crowd pullers.
In addition to the Hunter, the show will include a wider ‘Hawker’ theme and it is hoped aircraft such as the Sea Fury, Hurricane and the Sea Hawk will take part. The show will also celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire and at least three Spitfires will take to the skies to celebrate this other very important milestone.
There will also be a strong contingent of other classic jets and the Red Arrows, who were based at the airport for 16 years, when it was known as RAF Kemble, are also set to make their now annual return to what is often referred to as their ‘spiritual home’.
Glen said: “It’s really shaping up to be a great event and we will have aircraft from all over the world flying in to display.”
Tickets for the event, which are initially available online through the airshow website (www.cotswoldairshow.com), will go on sale from March 1st.
Produced by Planes TV, available from PlanesTV.com priced £12.99 – DVD, £18.99 - Blu-Ray
The Cotswold Airshow is famed for it’s varied flying displays which encompass everything from warbirds to modern military heavy metal with a particular focus on classic jets. This year the show enjoyed relatively good weather during the weekend making for excellent filming conditions.
The production is narrated by Andy Pawsey, the main airshow commentator. As we’ve come to expect from Planes TV the footage is high quality and is mostly music free. Those segments where music is used it is justified. As well as several background interviews and a number of on-board camera footage, it pleasing to see a little of the post show ballooning too as well as some welcome scene setting shots.
As with many of Planes TV’s productions the bonus features are interactive in-cockpit pieces. There are six on the Cotswold DVD featuring O’Brien’s Flying Circus, Ultimate High Extra, Renegades Parachute Display, Jet Provosts, Vampire and the Yakovlevs which all helps to make this a superb production and highly recommended.
The Sunderland International Airshow is the UK biggest two day seaside event regularly attracting massive crowds and superb support from UK and overseas military air arms. In 2010 the show enjoyed some good weather for both it’s opening evening display and the main show days.
As with previous productions from Planes TV the filming is superb, but the narration is somewhat mono-tone and lifeless despite being factually accurate. This is disappointing in a production from a seaside venue where the audience would not nescessarily be hardened aviation enthusiasts! In fact I found myself rapidly heading for the Audio button - a useful function with Planes TV’s DVD is that the narration can be switched off without losing the interviews.
Interviews are a strong point of the production and not only include those conducted with the participants, but also with the flying display director about the evening show and the Royal Marines Commandos.
The filming starts with the evening show which opens the event with some spectacular footage of the Hunter, Swift Team plus wingtip pyrotechnics and the Dutch F-16 burner passes and flare release. Other highlights include “helmet-cam” footage from the RAF Falcons and the commando assault. Overall, this is a good memento from one of the UK’s most popular airshows.
Welshpool Air Show has been axed this year because of a lack of cash to bring the Red Arrows display team to the event.
Organisers said that they had failed to find a sponsor to cover all of the show’s costs.
Welshpool Town Council, which organises the event, had hoped the Red Arrows team would perform at the show, due to take place in July, but budget cuts have forced the Royal Air Force to be more prudent with its spending.
Robert Robinson, Welshpool’s town clerk, said: “We have been out seeking sponsorship to hold this year’s event, which we had hoped to hold in July, but we have unfortunately now had to cancel the event because of the lack of money.
“Unfortunately this is a sign of the times and the RAF can’t continue to offer free air displays.”
Mr Robinson added: “It’s something the country is going to have to get used to because there just isn’t any money about any more because too much has been spent in the past.
“We have looked at several options to try and make it happen but it was proving too expensive.”
He said: “It is disappointing but at the end of the day it is important that our troops are properly equipped on the front line so cuts have to be made elsewhere.”
Mr Robinson added that Welshpool would instead be holding a model air show on July 9 and 10.
The only Vulcan aircraft left flying in the world will be setting hearts racing at this year’s Cosford Air Show, bosses revealed today.
The iconic aircraft, which is one of the most popular examples of British aerospace engineering, is lined up to take to the skies at the air show on June 12 at RAF Cosford on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border.
In 2010 more than a million people watched the last airworthy Avro Vulcan fly and its appearance at the Midlands air extravaganza is set to attract thousands of people from all over the country.
Richard Clarke, spokesman for the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, said there were a number of reasons why the Vulcan was so popular.
He said: “She is an iconic aircraft from the Cold War that helped during that dangerous period and she is the last one left flying in the world.
“She is very very popular as a display aircraft and the design of the aircraft, with the Delta wing, is a real show stopper.
“We hope that the crowd at Cosford really enjoys the opportunity to see this iconic aircraft once again.”
Air show co-ordinator Norman Branagh said he was delighted the Vulcan was lined up to appear at in the air over Cosford once again.
He said: “The aircraft’s appearance in 2009 was a real highlight and thousands of people turned out to watch the Vulcan fly above the crowds.
“We look forward to seeing her in the air again this Summer.”
And as well as the excitement in the air the crowds will also be able to enjoy a wide variety of entertainment on the ground with a fun fair, craft fair, market and aircraft exhibitions – as well as entry to the RAF museum.
Tickets will be £25.00 on the gate, only cash can be accepted, and £19.00 in advance. Tickets are free for children under 16 when they are accompanied by an adult.
Postal bookings should be received on or before June 5, 2011, and all major credit cards are accepted on the 24-hour Cosford Air Show Ticket Line on 0871 230 1083.
Tickets are also available from the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Shropshire Star offices in Shrewsbury, Hereford, Newport, Bridgnorth, Oswestry and Ludlow, Tourist Information Centres in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and Birmingham and in Mid Counties Co-Operative stores.
Full information on the show can be seen on the air show web site – www.cosfordairshow.co.uk – or is available on the show information line at 0844 561 1897.
The Fighter Collection and Imperial War Museum Duxford are delighted to announce that The Horsemen, the world’s only P-51 Mustang formation aerobatic team, will be performing at Flying Legends (Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July 2011) -- complete with their own aircraft shipped over from the USA.
Visitors to Flying Legends 2009 will recall the dazzling aerial spectacle of The Horsemen in action in the skies over Duxford. Steve Hinton, Dan Friedkin and Ed Shipley, highly skilled warbird pilots, have a passion for showcasing the aircraft that made America great:
Steve Hinton is a two-time national unlimited race champion and holds the world speed record of 499 mph. He flew his first P-51 Mustang in 1972 and has since flown 150 types of aircraft including the Convair, North American B-25 Mitchell, Martin B-26 Marauder, Lockheed P-38 Lightening, Douglas DC-3, B-17 Flying Fortress, North-American F-86 Sabre, Northrop T-38 Talon and many others. Steve has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the Motion Picture Pilots’ Association since 1977, working as a pilot or co-ordinator for television and motion pictures.
Dan Friedkin was exposed to aviation at an early age by his father, a career pilot who owned warbirds. Dan began flying gliders at the age of 14 and soon after began flying a variety of tail-wheel aircraft and helicopters. At the age of 19 he became rated in the Lockheed Jetstar; at 20 he was checked out in the P-51 Mustang, which started a strong connection to warbirds that occupies much of his time and focus to this day. Dan actively flies the North American T-6 Texan, P-51 Mustang, Grumman F8F Bearcat, Hawker Hurricane and various models of Spitfire.
Ed Shipley is a former Boeing 747 pilot and well-known air show performer with more than 20 years experience in the T-6 Texan, P-51 Mustang and F-86 Sabre. He has piloted a P-51 Mustang across the Atlantic and is the only person in the world to fly a Second World War Corsair off a nuclear aircraft carrier. Ed recently served as a board member of the air show industrys governing body, the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS).
Experience the show-stopping performance of The Horsemen at Flying Legends 2011 -- once seen, never forgotten!
All flying is subject to weather, serviceability and operational commitments. Flying Legends 2011 is now on sale Tickets for Flying Legends 2011 are now on sale! Buy tickets for Flying Legends in advance and take advantage of the 10% advance booking discount.
Without doubt one of the finest warbird air shows in the world, Flying Legends provides an unrivalled line-up of the classic propeller-driven combat aircraft from both the First and Second World Wars, many of which are now either rare or unique. Legendary aircraft and superbly talented pilots come from across the globe to display at Flying Legends.
As in previous years, Flying Legends 2011 will provide a spectacular performance, enabling visitors to see iconic aircraft in stunning aerial displays. On the ground, there will be activities for all ages, including funfair rides, bungee trampolines, tank rides and demonstrations.
Firmly established as one of the UK’s most popular family days out , ‘Wings & Wheels’ will be returning to Dunsfold Park (home to BBC’s Top Gear) on Sunday 28th & Monday 29th August 2011 for its seventh successive year.
Wowing crowds of over 32,000 with an outstanding variety of dynamic air and motoring displays, static vehicle exhibitions, shopping and arena attractions, the airshow has raised some £250,000 for charity to date.
Each year Dunsfold’s historic aerodrome delights visitors with breathtaking 5 hour air displays including favourites; The Red Arrows, Eurofighter Typhoon, Team Breitling Wingwalkers and the Avro Vulcan, accompanied by witty and knowledgeable commentary from aviation experts and display pilots. The ‘Wings’ of the event would not be complete without the static aircraft exhibition which includes all visiting aircraft and Dunsfold’s resident Boeing 747.
The ‘Wheels’ is an adrenaline pumping 2 hour motoring demonstration which takes place on the main runway and includes a variety of vehicles ranging from modern day supercars to classic and vintage favourites, courtesy of Brooklands Museum. Over 80 Military Vehicles also join the show with a nostalgic parade along the 1500m crowd line. Visitors get the opportunity to take a closer look at all displaying vehicles in the static exhibitions and motoring paddock. The show arena is 32 acres packed with something to do for all the family including Wings & Wheels favourites; aviation and motoring simulators, children’s inflatable’s, a fairground, military outlets and interactive car shows.
The retail village is also located within the show arena and hosts over 80 stands selling a wide variety of products and gifts. To make your day even more enjoyable Wings & Wheels provides free event parking, on site camping, fixed priced catering, grandstand seating, disabled access and mobility provision.
The 7th annual Wings and Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Sunday 28th & Monday 29th August 2011, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 18:30. Tickets start from £18 for adults, £40 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £5 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £125 per person.
For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book tickets call 08712 305572. Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited with proceeds going to nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust, Help for Heroes and Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance.
2011 will see the return of the London City Airport Funday’s Airshow on the 2nd July. 2010 saw the Fun Day move away from the airport to become a more community orientated event. The event has moved again in 2011 to the Royals Business Park on the opposite side of the Royal Docks to the airport. The view back onto the airport allows for the popular air display to return. It’s not just a popular air display for the crowds, but also the pilots who get a rare chance to fly close to Central London in everything from warbirds to gliders.
Produced by Planes TV; available from PlanesTV.com priced: DVD -- £16.99,Blu-Ray -- £24.99
The RAF Cosford Airshow is the first of the three big RAF shows of the year and this enjoyed fairly mixed as a front crossed the UK during show day. The production is introduced and narrated by Sean Maffett who provides an easy going, but informative commentary throughout.
As well as superb filming of the flying displays, there are plenty of interviews with the display crews performed before, during and after the show. The somewhat mixed weather does have an effect on the filming, it’s not quite a vibrant as it could be. However, the rain does make the Harrier look even more spectacular. The production generally follows the display order which is great as it shows the story of the show with the weather slowly getting worse though it does mean a display has been missed when Planes TV were sheltering their equipment -- the Twister Duo. However, it does pick up again showing the last few displays in the pretty murky conditions making light of the professionalism of the display crews.
There’s some great on board footage on this DVD. The Tutor may often be overlooked, but seeing the aerobatics from the onbaord cameras gives a superb inpression of the work that goes into the display. The Blades Aerobatic Team also provide footage from the minicams that they have installed on their Extra 300Ls. Both are available in the interactive bonus features of the DVD.
Duxford’s first show of the weekend was an eventful one. Firstly it was a two day event, Saturday concentrating on ground shows by the Royal Air Force past and present and Sunday seeing a full airshow day. Secondly, it was the only airshow of the season to suffer significant effects from the volcanic ash from the Eyjafjallajökull Volcani in Iceland.
Planes TV’s production covers both days as one. Unlike the production covering the last two shows of Duxford’s season, Ben Dunnell’s commentary has been recorded after the show. Coverage of the flying displays is comprehensive and included s good selection of crew interviews and some good behind the scenes and air to air footage recorded pre-season. These features are particularly welcome and we hope Planes TV can expand on them for 2011!
As with most of Planes TV’s DVDs, there are a couple of interactive in-cockpit bonus features which on this DVD cover Hawker Hunter Miss Demeanour and the Shuttleworth Collections Bristol Fighter. On top of that there is a Avro Lancaster Bonus feature showing the aircraft’s solo display on the Saturday in full. It did not make the main show due to ash and winds at it’s RAF Coningsby base!
Overall, this is an excellent round up of the show weekend with a precise, and engaging narration from Ben Dunnell.
Be the First to Comment 
The RAF’s legendary Red Arrows heads a list of spectacular aerobatic display teams preparing to take part in the world’s largest military airshow this summer.
