Wattisham Flying Station, Families Day

[Tony1963]

If you’re bored on the afternoon of Thursday 25th August, and don’t mind a bit of waiting around on nearby roads or footpaths, you should see at least the Red Arrows, BBMF and an F-35. The Red Arrows should be first, at 1.20pm ish.

No, I can’t ‘get you in’ unfortunately.

I’ll update this if I hear of more attendees.

PS The Red Arrows might be down to only five Hawks due to more naughtiness…

[dukeboy749r]

Might have to have a saunter up that way!

As for the last line, sufficient to be sqd ending?

[DavieBNL]

Unlikely they will be totally axed but they are a real expensive busted flush these days, IMHO! Left totally in the shadows at RIAT this year by both the Koreans and the Italians.

[Eric Mc]

Tony1963 said:

If you’re bored on the afternoon of Thursday 25th August, and don’t mind a bit of waiting around on nearby roads or footpaths, you should see at least the Red Arrows, BBMF and an F-35. The Red Arrows should be first, at 1.20pm ish.

No, I can’t ‘get you in’ unfortunately.

I’ll update this if I hear of more attendees.

PS The Red Arrows might be down to only five Hawks due to more naughtiness…

What on earth is going on this year with The Red Arrows. Have they become sort of "Swingers" outfit?

[Tony1963]

Eric Mc said:

What on earth is going on this year with The Red Arrows. Have they become sort of "Swingers" outfit?

I think it may have been going on for a long time.

Fact: many RAF officers are extremely arrogant.

Fact: the RA pilots believe their own publicity.

Fact: the various authorities and upper echelons of the RAF have, over the decades, ignored and/or behaviour by officers that would see many others in the same service heavily punished.


I’ve had no time at all for the RA for a very long time. The Hawk is Boring. The displays are 90% same ol same ol. The RA commentator makes me want to vomit.

Worst from my POV is the extremely poor engineering and aviator standards over the years, shielded by the MAA.


NB: the above facts might just be my opinion

[DavieBNL]

..good to see you off the fence on that one Tony! Although never seen them associated with the acronym RA. I wondered for a moment if you meant those fine folks on 47 Regt RA flying Watchkeeper!

[Tony1963]

DavieBNL said:

..good to see you off the fence on that one Tony! Although never seen them associated with the acronym RA. I wondered for a moment if you meant those fine folks on 47 Regt RA flying Watchkeeper!

I just couldn’t be bothered to type their name. And, I feel unclean if I even say it.

[Tony1963]

Tomorrow’s weather looks shocking. I can see it being a complete washout.
That’s a real shame after two cancelled events due to you know what.

[dukeboy749r]

Typical!

Only checked the weather app the other day and all seemed set fair and fairly bright and warm for the next 10 days…

Came on this thread to check up on how small the Red Arrow display might have shrunk to and your comment on the weather prompted a look, now gutted for tomorrow.

I wonder if this is the final straw for the Red Arrows?

[Tony1963]

dukeboy749r said:

Typical!

I wonder if this is the final straw for the Red Arrows?

There are some very stubborn traditionalists in the forces, and the budget for the next few years was, I think, sorted out recently.

If they do fold, I’d just be happy to see the Typhoon display. A quite incredible show of agility and power, and it makes NOISE!

[swampy442]

Tony1963 said:

I think it may have been going on for a long time.

Fact: many RAF officers are extremely arrogant.

Fact: the RA pilots believe their own publicity.

Fact: the various authorities and upper echelons of the RAF have, over the decades, ignored and/or behaviour by officers that would see many others in the same service heavily punished.


I’ve had no time at all for the RA for a very long time. The Hawk is Boring. The displays are 90% same ol same ol. The RA commentator makes me want to vomit.

Worst from my POV is the extremely poor engineering and aviator standards over the years, shielded by the MAA.


NB: the above facts might just be my opinion

They most certainly arent facts, they are just your opinion, which seems to smack of some sort of bitterness or vendetta. The upside is literally millions of people round to globe do love and value them.
And as an ex Arrows engineer of many years, calling the engineering "extremely poor" is factually incorrect, and the MAA absolutely do not shield, if anything they do what they can to expose. MAA = Ministry Against Aviation.

[Tony1963]

swampy442 said:

They most certainly arent facts, they are just your opinion, which seems to smack of some sort of bitterness or vendetta. The upside is literally millions of people round to globe do love and value them.
And as an ex Arrows engineer of many years, calling the engineering "extremely poor" is factually incorrect, and the MAA absolutely do not shield, if anything they do what they can to expose. MAA = Ministry Against Aviation.

Christ, I finished my post with “opinion”. You missed that?

“When I was on the Reds…” usually followed by a yawn inducing story of how brilliant they are.

What did the MAA find once they really had to investigate following the ejection on the ground at Scampton? It made for worse reading than almost any other report. ‘Scathing’ would be an understatement.

But yes, I’ve also met plenty of excellent guys, way better at their job than I’ll ever be.

No, I’m not bitter at all. I enjoyed most of my time in the RAF. The best thing I did was join, the second best thing I did was leave. And yep, I’d hate to be in now. No postings, silly pay ‘structure’., little variety of aircraft…

[wolfie28]

swampy442 said:

Tony1963 said:

I think it may have been going on for a long time.

Fact: many RAF officers are extremely arrogant.

Fact: the RA pilots believe their own publicity.

Fact: the various authorities and upper echelons of the RAF have, over the decades, ignored and/or behaviour by officers that would see many others in the same service heavily punished.


I’ve had no time at all for the RA for a very long time. The Hawk is Boring. The displays are 90% same ol same ol. The RA commentator makes me want to vomit.

Worst from my POV is the extremely poor engineering and aviator standards over the years, shielded by the MAA.


NB: the above facts might just be my opinion

They most certainly arent facts, they are just your opinion, which seems to smack of some sort of bitterness or vendetta. The upside is literally millions of people round to globe do love and value them.
And as an ex Arrows engineer of many years, calling the engineering "extremely poor" is factually incorrect, and the MAA absolutely do not shield, if anything they do what they can to expose. MAA = Ministry Against Aviation.

Quite a sweeping statement Tony and some of it I take exception to. I too was engineer on the team for a number of years, as well as Tornado F3, Harrier and finally Eurofighter and my standards are extremely high. Tarring everyone with the same brush is an unpleasant trait but one you seem outstandingly adept at.

[Tony1963]

wolfie28 said:

Quite a sweeping statement Tony and some of it I take exception to. I too was engineer on the team for a number of years, as well as Tornado F3, Harrier and finally Eurofighter and my standards are extremely high. Tarring everyone with the same brush is an unpleasant trait but one you seem outstandingly adept at.

Maybe I’m just much more cynical now, and getting tired of it all. I’m less than ten years away from state pension age, and have been out for nearly 32 years. Over the years I’ve suffered a certain type of person too often. I’m sure you’ll have met them: in the mob they were always moaning, criticising every facet of the monster that is the RAF, can’t wait to get out. And then after they’ve left, the RAF was the best thing ever, best nobody ever points out the bad bits.

I go through my ups and downs with my memories of being in the RAF. It treated me well, and if I’d stayed in I was being lined up for my 3rd. I flourished at my last posting, Leeming on F3s, and was well regarded.

So, please allow me my rants, I sometimes forget myself and my audience.

[BarryP]

I was at RAF Syerston yesterday, Reds were down to 6 aircraft and the display was very disappointing, the synchro “pair” routine continued with just one aircraft !!!
They were completely overshadowed by the Typhoon display.
It is a huge embarrassment to the team and RAF that certain members of the Red Arrows are lacking in self control and respect for a much envied job, they’ve let down themselves, the RAF and disappointed vast numbers of the public who come to their displays.

[Simpo Two]

BarryP said:

It is a huge embarrassment to the team and RAF that certain members of the Red Arrows are lacking in self control and respect for a much envied job, they’ve let down themselves, the RAF and disappointed vast numbers of the public who come to their displays.

To save me googling, can you explain what the offending pilots actually did?

[Tony1963]

Heavy drinking, and it affected their job.

Shagging around.

[Simpo Two]

Tony1963 said:

Heavy drinking, and it affected their job.

Shagging around.

Thanks. Heavy drinking is clearly ridiculous. 'Shagging around' may be immoral but does it affect flying ability?

[Tony1963]

Simpo Two said:

Thanks. Heavy drinking is clearly ridiculous. 'Shagging around' may be immoral but does it affect flying ability?

Depends who, how and where. And is it becoming of an occifer.

[Condi]

Tony1963 said:

and have been out for nearly 32 years.

I flourished at my last posting, Leeming on F3s, and was well regarded.

Always nice to hear from someone with up to date experience!

RAF offices extremely arrogant you say? Is it warm in the greenhouse....?