Greatest airshow moments
Discussion
What are your greatest memories of air shows?
My list.
B17 at Biggin in around 1978, ridiculously low passes, like 20 feet. Not big and not clever and only the front row could see it. But Wow.
F15 at Farnborough 1974. Low fast pass followed by what looked like an even faster and accelerating vertical climb.
SU27 at Boscombe 1992. Flew all the way from a Russian airfield that a couple of years before would have been a very secret Soviet airfield. Then went straight into a spectacular aerobatic display on arrival.
My list.
B17 at Biggin in around 1978, ridiculously low passes, like 20 feet. Not big and not clever and only the front row could see it. But Wow.
F15 at Farnborough 1974. Low fast pass followed by what looked like an even faster and accelerating vertical climb.
SU27 at Boscombe 1992. Flew all the way from a Russian airfield that a couple of years before would have been a very secret Soviet airfield. Then went straight into a spectacular aerobatic display on arrival.
SR-71 - Mildenhall mid 80's - 1 pass alternating thrust on each engine - final 1 stood it on it's tail and went vertical - clear blue sky - tracked it so far with high powered telescope but then lost it - commentator said it was next reported over Amsterdam.
Lightning at Greenham Common 1981 or 82 or 83 - Similar Trick but did it from take off.
Lightning at Greenham Common 1981 or 82 or 83 - Similar Trick but did it from take off.
Dr Jekyll said:
What are your greatest memories of air shows?
SU27 at Boscombe 1992. Flew all the way from a Russian airfield that a couple of years before would have been a very secret Soviet airfield. Then went straight into a spectacular aerobatic display on arrival.
I was there. He arrived alongside a Tu-134 and flew at slow speed alongside the airliner as the airliner landed and rolled down the runway. He then poured on the power and went straight into his routine. Spectacular.SU27 at Boscombe 1992. Flew all the way from a Russian airfield that a couple of years before would have been a very secret Soviet airfield. Then went straight into a spectacular aerobatic display on arrival.
I remember watch one of the early A-10s (flown by a Fairchild test pilot) perform at low level (due to really murky conditions) at Greenham Common in 1977. That was truly spectacular - with tons of vapour poring off the wings accompanied by thuds and bangs as he reefed the aircraft around in high G turns within the confines of the airfield.
Biggin Hill Battle of Britain Show, Sept 1974. Flt.Lt Pete Chapman’s solo Lightning display – the best ever.
Greenham Common RIAT 1979 – last time I saw the Reds using the Gnats.
Last, Last Lightning Show RAF Binbrook Aug 1987. Massed Lightning take-off in ghastly weather.
Cranfield Airshow Sept 1992 – XH558’s final display in RAF service
Midenhall Airshow 1986 – SR-71 with the big burner bangs.
RIAT July 1993 – RAAF F-111 dump n burn (oh and a couple of crashing Mig29’s)
Flying Legends sometime in the mid 90’s and the low level tail chase between Ray Hanna in the Fury and Stephen Grey in the Bearcat – stunning.
Duxford Autumn Airshow 1991 – first public display of the restored Me109G Black 6 – what a sight and sound.
Nellis AFB, Nevada, USAF 50th Anniversary Airshow – Finally getting to see a F-106 fly.
Greenham Common RIAT 1979 – last time I saw the Reds using the Gnats.
Last, Last Lightning Show RAF Binbrook Aug 1987. Massed Lightning take-off in ghastly weather.
Cranfield Airshow Sept 1992 – XH558’s final display in RAF service
Midenhall Airshow 1986 – SR-71 with the big burner bangs.
RIAT July 1993 – RAAF F-111 dump n burn (oh and a couple of crashing Mig29’s)
Flying Legends sometime in the mid 90’s and the low level tail chase between Ray Hanna in the Fury and Stephen Grey in the Bearcat – stunning.
Duxford Autumn Airshow 1991 – first public display of the restored Me109G Black 6 – what a sight and sound.
Nellis AFB, Nevada, USAF 50th Anniversary Airshow – Finally getting to see a F-106 fly.
Edited by aeropilot on Thursday 24th July 14:46
Thanks aeropilot you reminded me of -
RAF Finningley 1977 - Queens Silver Jubilee - Attended the practise day as I was part of the ATC Parade
RAAF F-111 Dump + Burn at very low level - A lot higher on the public day
4 Vulcan Scramble - Cartridge starts - Taxi and take off - lots of smoke.
ETA - 1989 - Sion Air show Switzerland - Mirage III - JATO demo!
RAF Finningley 1977 - Queens Silver Jubilee - Attended the practise day as I was part of the ATC Parade
RAAF F-111 Dump + Burn at very low level - A lot higher on the public day
4 Vulcan Scramble - Cartridge starts - Taxi and take off - lots of smoke.
ETA - 1989 - Sion Air show Switzerland - Mirage III - JATO demo!
Edited by NM62 on Thursday 24th July 13:46
Faiford 1993. Standing on the wing of Albert (parked next to the Belgique Albert) watching the MiG 29 pairs display.
This looks interesting I thought, followed by OOPS! Then the BANG! BANG! as the pilots ejected.
The first one to land shrugged his parachue harness off and promptly lit a cigarette.
The second guy landed, got rid of his parachute, marched up to the first guy and punchd him in the face!
Interestingly the Belgian C-130 took shrapnel damage from the crash.
This looks interesting I thought, followed by OOPS! Then the BANG! BANG! as the pilots ejected.
The first one to land shrugged his parachue harness off and promptly lit a cigarette.
The second guy landed, got rid of his parachute, marched up to the first guy and punchd him in the face!
Interestingly the Belgian C-130 took shrapnel damage from the crash.
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
Faiford 1993. Standing on the wing of Albert (parked next to the Belgique Albert) watching the MiG 29 pairs display.
This looks interesting I thought, followed by OOPS! Then the BANG! BANG! as the pilots ejected.
The first one to land shrugged his parachue harness off and promptly lit a cigarette.
The second guy landed, got rid of his parachute, marched up to the first guy and punchd him in the face!
Interestingly the Belgian C-130 took shrapnel damage from the crash.
Didn't one of the Belgy Albert crew fall off the a/c or jump off trying avoid bits of errant MiG....?This looks interesting I thought, followed by OOPS! Then the BANG! BANG! as the pilots ejected.
The first one to land shrugged his parachue harness off and promptly lit a cigarette.
The second guy landed, got rid of his parachute, marched up to the first guy and punchd him in the face!
Interestingly the Belgian C-130 took shrapnel damage from the crash.
aeropilot said:
Didn't one of the Belgy Albert crew fall off the a/c or jump off trying avoid bits of errant MiG....?
I believe he jumped and did his ankle. It's a long way down from the top of Albert. 
markmullen said:
The last Finningley show, can't remember what year, the Vulcan display seemed to put more effort in than normal.
IIRC the last Vulcan display at the Finningley Battle of Britain Airshow was 1988.The last ever Finningley Airshow was September 1995 (obviously no Vulcan was present at that).
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
IIRC the last Vulcan display at the Finningley Battle of Britain Airshow was 1988.
1992.It was the penultimate RAF Vulcan display, the last ever one being the next day at Cranfield.
That weekend also marked the final RAF Buccaneer displays as well.
The weather was crap at that '92 Finningley BoB display, low cloud and rain most of the day.
The Blue Angels were displaying that year as well - well attempting to display in the awful clag.
aeropilot said:
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
IIRC the last Vulcan display at the Finningley Battle of Britain Airshow was 1988.
1992.It was the penultimate RAF Vulcan display, the last ever one being the next day at Cranfield.
That weekend also marked the final RAF Buccaneer displays as well.
The weather was crap at that '92 Finningley BoB display, low cloud and rain most of the day.
The Blue Angels were displaying that year as well - well attempting to display in the awful clag.
They used to have an annual airshow at coventry airport in the 1970,s, red arrows, concorde passes a few times etc, lots of current RAF and USAF types, also lots of old warbirds, i remember a b17 flypass with one wing dangerously low to the ground, also remember a twin engine ww2 american bomber, not too sure of which type, a26 or b26?? this did a pass at a ridicoulsy low height, i would guess 15 feet, the pilots name was Don Bullock, he was a regular diplay pilot, sadly he was killed in a flying accident at an air display a few years later.
micky metro said:
They used to have an annual airshow at coventry airport in the 1970,s, red arrows, concorde passes a few times etc, lots of current RAF and USAF types, also lots of old warbirds, i remember a b17 flypass with one wing dangerously low to the ground, also remember a twin engine ww2 american bomber, not too sure of which type, a26 or b26?? this did a pass at a ridicoulsy low height, i would guess 15 feet, the pilots name was Don Bullock, he was a regular diplay pilot, sadly he was killed in a flying accident at an air display a few years later.
Sad for the 6 other lives Bullock took with on that day at Biggin Hill when his ego attempted an aerobatic manoeuvre that was forbidden in the pilot notes for the A-26.1. Wroughton in the sunshine in the '90s, can't remember exactly what year. Two B-17s amongst the other assorted warbirds. The Science Museum reserve collection was open, including the hangar with the Connie in it.
And I drove up to the iron age hill fort along a byway in a MkIV Escort, and got some stick from my wife, and funny looks from the farmers and dirt bikers along the way.
2. North Weald, again a long time ago, and another Warbirds show. It was horrid. The pilots and crews did their best to put on a display, but it was a washout. The car park was behind the display line, so we sat in the car and watched the 'planes with the heater on. I recall some rather lovely dark blue radial engined goodness being due to display that year.
3. Biggin Hill, the last display season for the Vulcan in RAF (display) service. I hope I'm not imagining a flypast with the Red Arrows as part of the programme.
4. Randomly happening upon a Duxford show, having been out on a cycle ride from Saffron Walden, and watching from the road at the 'back' of the airfield, sat on the verge. Then a collision between the Skyraider and Mustang. Very happy to find out that the pilot got out in time, but sad to see the fire brigade around the wreckage in the Rapeseed field. Police diverted a few of us cyclists through another field, where we found the jettisoned canopy, upright on a track through the field.
5. Attending the Duxford show when it featured a Battle of Britain celebration, and at least twenty Spitfires, and some Hurricanes, were all up at once, doing circuits in four ship formations. Awesome sight, smell, and sound.
6. St Athan BoB 'At Home' days. Especially those when the Reds still had the Gnats. And getting to climb the ladder into a Vulcan for the first time. As the servicing centre for the Vulcan fleet, St Athan always had a slack handful of Vulcans lying around about the place. Oh, and being mesmerised by the Arena displays, including Queens Colour Squadron drill (with proper 7.62mm SLRs
) and the Royal Signals White Helmets, along with a bizarre MT section wheelchanging competition featuring Bedford 4 Tonne trucks. In my defence, I was only 'little' and easily impressed by anything remotely military.
ETA: The canopy of the Mustang we found, having been directed through the field by a uniformed Police officer...
And I drove up to the iron age hill fort along a byway in a MkIV Escort, and got some stick from my wife, and funny looks from the farmers and dirt bikers along the way.
2. North Weald, again a long time ago, and another Warbirds show. It was horrid. The pilots and crews did their best to put on a display, but it was a washout. The car park was behind the display line, so we sat in the car and watched the 'planes with the heater on. I recall some rather lovely dark blue radial engined goodness being due to display that year.
3. Biggin Hill, the last display season for the Vulcan in RAF (display) service. I hope I'm not imagining a flypast with the Red Arrows as part of the programme.
4. Randomly happening upon a Duxford show, having been out on a cycle ride from Saffron Walden, and watching from the road at the 'back' of the airfield, sat on the verge. Then a collision between the Skyraider and Mustang. Very happy to find out that the pilot got out in time, but sad to see the fire brigade around the wreckage in the Rapeseed field. Police diverted a few of us cyclists through another field, where we found the jettisoned canopy, upright on a track through the field.
5. Attending the Duxford show when it featured a Battle of Britain celebration, and at least twenty Spitfires, and some Hurricanes, were all up at once, doing circuits in four ship formations. Awesome sight, smell, and sound.
6. St Athan BoB 'At Home' days. Especially those when the Reds still had the Gnats. And getting to climb the ladder into a Vulcan for the first time. As the servicing centre for the Vulcan fleet, St Athan always had a slack handful of Vulcans lying around about the place. Oh, and being mesmerised by the Arena displays, including Queens Colour Squadron drill (with proper 7.62mm SLRs
) and the Royal Signals White Helmets, along with a bizarre MT section wheelchanging competition featuring Bedford 4 Tonne trucks. In my defence, I was only 'little' and easily impressed by anything remotely military.ETA: The canopy of the Mustang we found, having been directed through the field by a uniformed Police officer...
Edited by yellowjack on Friday 25th July 01:17
Every year my Dad took me to Leuchars Airshow. Often on the train to avoid the queues. The ground displays were huge, often lines of aircraft such as F16s or Tornados. Remember walking through a Galaxy that seemed huge to me. The Vulcan stood out then. The last year it flew as an operational aircraft they had a goodbye message in the bomb bay.
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