Posted by Flightline UK on 25/05/2011 under Military Airshows | 
UNITED States military aircraft will be out in force at this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.
The Air Tattoo, which takes place on July 16-17, traditionally displays the largest range of US aircraft in the UK and this year will see around 18 fast jets, transport and specialist aircraft as well as helicopters touching down at the Cotswolds airfield.
HH-60G Pavehawk
Among those taking part are two F-16 multi-role fighters and two A-10C Thunderbolt IIs from 52 Fighter Wing at RAF Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany; a giant C-5B Galaxy from the 312th Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California and a B-52H bomber from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Base, North Dakota. Also participating in this summer’s airshow will be three US Air Force Special Operations aircraft: an MC-130E Combat Talon from Elgin Air Force Base in Florida and an MC-130H Combat Talon II and MC 130P Combat Shadow based at RAF Mildenhall. All three aircraft have the capability to deliver troops and supplies into hostile territory as well as carrying our low-level refuelling missions.
Other USAF aircraft taking part include an RC-135 from the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron, based in Nebraska and two F-15s and an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. The primary mission of the HH-60G is to recover personnel from war zones. The US Marine Corps will be represented by a KC-130T refuelling aircraft from Fort Worth in Texas.
The US Navy will be sending a P-3C Orion from the Maritime Patrol Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) and a Mercury E-6B command and control aircraft for static display. The FRS provides flying training to naval aviators and naval flight officers prior to them joining the fleet whilst the Oklahoma-based Mercury E-6B, provides command and control communications. Both are for static display.
Air Tattoo Deputy Director of Air Ops Rob Windsor said he was delighted that once again the US military felt able to support the Air Tattoo.
He said: “The US Air Force, US Marine Corps and US Navy rarely display in the UK in such numbers and thanks to them the Air Tattoo has become known as the place in Europe to come each year to see many of their assets. We are hugely grateful.”
This summer’s Air Tattoo will be marking its 40th anniversary and hosting 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.
Tickets are available by visiting www.airtattoo.com or calling 0800 107 1940. All tickets must be purchased in advance. All accompanied under-16s go free.
Posted by Flightline UK on 22/05/2011 under Editor's Blog |
Some autumn like weather patterns have hit the UK this weekend leaving Duxford bright, but very breezy. Unsurprisingly, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight have cancelled their appearance today due to the winds at their base at RAF Coningsby which is a great shame.
Duxford Spring Airshow
Duxford Spring Airshow
Duxford Spring Airshow
Happily however, these pesky winds have not stopped flying at Duxford. Their have been several arrivals this morning, and though some aircraft are remaining in the hangar to prevent them being damaged several have slowly made their way out onto the flightline.
Duxford Spring Airshow
Duxford Spring Airshow
Duxford Spring Airshow
Today is also the first weekend for Duxford’s new smartphone “app.” Available for the Apple iPhone and iPad plus Android phones, this app promises to keep visitors up to date with real time flying display times and background information on the participants. It’s not the first airshow app for UK airshows. Bournemouth air Festival had one last year which never really got used fully due to the dire weather conditions that afflicted the event over the two busiest days.
As far as these two apps are concerned, I think they are great ideas, but at the moment are a little flawed. Despite being beautful to look at, and clear to read the Duxford App seems to be slow, even on WiFi data connection which can make it frustrating to use. However, this first real at the Spring Air Show should give the developers a good feel for the necessary improvements and I’m sure as time goes on, we’ll see more airshows try and develop similar products!
Posted by Flightline UK on 16/05/2011 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events, Museums |
Imperial War Museum Duxford has today launched an innovative and exciting Smartphone Application for the 2011 air show season. The Duxford Air Shows 2011 App is now available for download from the Apple store and Android marketplace.
The App provides a dynamic on-the-day flying schedule for each of the Museum’s famous air shows, which automatically updates the phone screen with details of each aircraft taking part in the show as its display commences. It also provides an extensive library of photography, statistics and information about over 150 classic aircraft, some of which can be seen flying in the Duxford air shows, and where in the Museum’s exhibitions you can find out more about them.
App users can keep a log of their favourite aircraft, add them to a schedule and receive a live countdown to inform them when that aircraft will take to the skies. With a map highlighting useful amenities at the Museum, the App is an indispensible tool for ensuring maximum enjoyment of Duxford’s celebrated air shows. Duxford’s first air show of 2011 is the Spring Air Show on Sunday 22 May.
Whether you are in the audience at Duxford eagerly awaiting the first aircraft display or are virtually engaging with the air show from elsewhere in the world, the Air Show App will keep you informed of all aircraft displays as they happen. As a special introduction, the App is FREE for a limited time. It can be downloaded at any time in the run up to the Spring Air Show and on the day itself. IWM Duxford is providing wifi access at the Museum to help people download on the day.
This dynamic guide to the Spring Air Show, and our other air shows in 2011, is a first for Duxford and demonstrates the Imperial War Museum’s commitment to innovation in new technologies and to improving our visitor experience. It aims to be the most innovative air show app around. For further information go to http://www.iwm.org.uk/duxfordairshows
Posted by Flightline UK on 08/05/2011 under Editor's Blog |
Abingdon is usually the first show of the season, but this year has moved back to the second weekend of May. It’s always an interesting show bringing together many of the RAF display acts for their first public outings of the year. This year is no exception with displays from the Hawk, Tucano and Tutor teams all making their thier 2011 debuts at the show.
Abingdon Air & Country Show
Abingdon Air & Country Show
Abingdon Air & Country Show
It is a popular show with the public and enthusiasts alike and enjoys strong support from the local military from RAF Brize Norton and Benson marked by the presence of a Merlin HC3A and Puma (a surprise returnee after being cancelled earlier in the week) on static display.
Abingdon has not been without it’s difficulties in recent years. 2010 saw a poor weather compounded by a late decision from higher authorities that the runway was unsuitable for fixed wing aircraft. Such heartache cannot be good for airshow organisers but the Abingdon team rallied to produce an excellent flying display to compensate in somewhat better conditions than forecast.
Abingdon Air & Country Show
Abingdon Air & Country Show
Abingdon Air & Country Show
2011 has at least seen the runway become useable again, at least to the lighter aircraft though clear Tony de Bruyn has no qualms about bringing his beloved Skyvan and Bronco!
The weather forecast has been somewhat questionable too. All week a break in the fine weather (much needed just down the road between Ascot and Bracknell for those fighting the forest fires) has been forecast to hit the Abingdon show with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast to hit the show. All week peoplehave been questioning whether to attend the event based purely on this forecast!
Abingdon Air & Country Show
Abingdon Air & Country Show
Abingdon Air & Country Show
Thankfully that threat waned over the week with the bulk of the rain passing over Abingdon during the night. Around the M25 and down the M4, the last of rain was still present but arriving at Abingdon this morning, we were greeted by some high-level clouds and large blue patches. There’s the occasional period of darker cloud, but nothing like the biblical rain we all feared!
Perhaps then the lesson should be to not believe everything the weatherman says !!!
Posted by Flightline UK on 06/05/2011 under Military Airshows |
THIS summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford will feature a tribute to a Wiltshire-based aircraft that was involved in preparations for the historic Pegasus Bridge landings on D-Day during World War Two.
Among the hundreds of aircraft taking part in the Air Tattoo, on July 16-17, will be a Dakota from the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, painted in D-Day invasion stripes and with the markings carried by No233 Squadron Dakota FZ692. This aircraft was delivered to No233 squadron at RAF Blakehill Farm, Wiltshire in March 1944, and on the night of June 5 1944, 30 Dakotas from the squadron took gliders and parachutists from the 3rd Parachute Brigade to Normandy, returning later in the day to drop supplies.
BBMF Douglas Dakota - photo by Oliver Curtis
Nurses stationed at Blakehill Farm who looked after wounded soldiers on evacuation flights became the first female RAF aircrew to fly into the combat zone. A Dakota from No233 Sqn became the first aircraft to land at a British-controlled airstrip in France after the invasion, on June 13. The squadron went on to provide aircraft towing gliders that carried troops from the 1st Airborne Division to Arnhem for Operation Market Garden, the attempt to capture key bridges across the Rhine in September 1944.
Dakota FZ692
This summer’s Air Tattoo will be marking its 40th anniversary and hosting 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.
Tickets are available by visiting www.airtattoo.com or calling 0800 107 1940. All tickets must be purchased in advance. All accompanied under-16s go free.
Posted by Flightline UK on 03/05/2011 under Display Team News and Dates, Military Airshows |
RNAS Yeovilton Air Day’s organisers regret to announce the Dutch F-16 Demo Team’s withdrawal from this year’s show, due to a combination of extensive defence cuts announced recently and the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s ongoing commitment to NATO’s Operation Unified Protector missions in Libya.
While disappointing, this is an understandable decision, given the current circumstances and serves as a reminder that all participating military aircraft are subject to operational commitments. The F-16′s withdrawal does not affect the participation of the Dutch Apache Demo Team in Air Day’s Flying Display which is not often seen in the UK.
The Dutch F16 will still feature in the Air Day branding as the artwork was commissioned back in March and most of the promotional material is already printed and distributed.
There will still be an F16 in the air at Air Day courtesy of the Belgian Air Component with its striking vortex schemed Fighting Falcon.
Details of additional foreign military participation will be announced in the weeks leading up to the event, which takes place on 9 July and besides the Dutch and Belgian contingent, also includes a possible last German Air Force F-4F Phantom II appearance and a first-time showing by a German Navy Orion.
The Air Day organising team extends its very best wishes to the Dutch F-16 Demo Team crew and hopes that its 2011 season is a successful and safe one. We hope to welcome them back to Air Day in the future.
Posted by Flightline UK on 01/05/2011 under Editor's Blog |
Old Warden Aerodrome
After a long winter it’s finally the start of the airshow season with the Shuttleworth Collection’s Spring Air Display getting things underway under clear blue skies, but a brisk cool easterly wind keeping temperatures down.
The forthcoming airshow season is probably going to one of the most challenging for airshow orgainsers. The economic climate and events in the Middle East are a major influence. High fuel prices and the cost of living affect not only those of use who visit airshows, but also the events themselves with the associated costs of operating aircraft and the cost of all the facilities required to run major events. Of course, the military is being squeezed by reduced budgets and the pace of operations around the world.
Old Warden - It's Show Time
Old Warden - It's Show Time
Old Warden - It's Show Time
Back to Old Warden then, and there can be no finer place to get the season underway. Old Warden in the spring sunshine is a great place for a flying display and lots must agree looking at the full car park. The green and yellow backdrop of the surrounding fields provide a superb vista for the flying display. Early arrivals were also treated to some final practice displays as an added bonus.
Star of the flying today is without doubt the stunning Polikarpov Po-2 and it’s generated great interest on display with a Hucks Starter. There’s more examples of Russian hardware on display with displays from an An-2 and the Yakovlevs Display Team as well as a visiting Yak-18T.
Old Warden - It's Show Time
Old Warden - It's Show Time
Old Warden - It's Show Time
Elsewhere there is the usual eclectic mix of Shuttleworth’s own unique collection of historic types, though these brisk winds may prevent some of the older and lighter participants taking part.
This is the first “Editor’s Blog” of the airshow season and hopefully, throughout the season I’ll be blogging about a varied selection of themes and there’ll be a full report from today’s flying display later in the week.
Here’s to a great airshow season ahead.
