Which Airshow? RIAT, Farnborough or Waddington?
Which Airshow? RIAT, Farnborough or Waddington?
Author
Discussion

markmullen

Original Poster:

15,877 posts

257 months

Friday 18th June 2010
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I'm going to make sure I go to an airshow this year, previously I went to Waddington, Sunderland and Finninley (as was).

Farnborough looks quite good as I could go midweek which would be handy, RIAT looks good and of course Waddington is closer for me from North Yorkshire but I've heard mixed reports on the last couple of years.

If you only had time to go to one which would it be and why?

Dr Jekyll

23,820 posts

284 months

Friday 18th June 2010
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Out of RIAT and Farnborough I'd go to RIAT. Farnborough is really a trade show so a lot of the aicraft are pretty mundane, and if something really exciting appears it might well go to RIAT as well.

RicksAlfas

14,301 posts

267 months

Tuesday 29th June 2010
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Any more thoughts on Waddington?
I was wondering about going with my son this Sunday. I think I last went about 30 years ago redface !
Is it still a good "boys" day out?

thatone1967

4,227 posts

214 months

Tuesday 29th June 2010
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Dr Jekyll said:
Out of RIAT and Farnborough I'd go to RIAT. Farnborough is really a trade show so a lot of the aicraft are pretty mundane, and if something really exciting appears it might well go to RIAT as well.
RIAT every time!

Emsman

7,201 posts

213 months

Tuesday 29th June 2010
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Flying legends at duxford on the 11th of July.

Bloody fantastic day out- I have been to the last 4 and can hardly wait

williamp

20,111 posts

296 months

Tuesday 29th June 2010
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The RIAT is the biggest airtshow in the world, I believe. Waddington is big, and good, but it's not RIAT big or good.

davidjpowell

18,598 posts

207 months

Tuesday 29th June 2010
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Had a father and daughter day out at Waddington last year. Was quite good, although typical girl did not like the noise. Loved the helter skelter though so that made up for it...

Traffoc would put me off. Was very busy last year and they turned away some people with pre-purchased tickets.

They do say they are more organised this year.

RicksAlfas

14,301 posts

267 months

Wednesday 30th June 2010
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davidjpowell said:
Traffoc would put me off. Was very busy last year and they turned away some people with pre-purchased tickets.
Hmmmm. That's not funny is it? Thanks for the info though.
Fingers crossed they are sorted this year. If we go we can only get there on the Sunday which I suspect is the busiest day too...

Dickster

337 posts

268 months

Wednesday 30th June 2010
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Well, I'm from Leeds (living in Selby) and went to Waddy for years but now it really seems to struggle attracting anything special so I don't bother.

I've been to RIAT for the last 4 years (apart from 2008 when it was cancelled and I got tickets for 2009). I always seem to struggle getting in time no matter when I set off, they seem to put main attractions on first so we miss them, it's expensive (£35??) and the tickets are date specific. It does attract some good stuff though (Mig 21 this year I heard). BUT....

Farnborough.... I went a few years back and it was amazing with the Osprey and A380 (which wasn't in service then). It's no further than RIAT for me really, £25 advance ticket I can use on either Sat or Sun and the F22, JF17 and possibly Airbus A400m are there....

This year, I'll mostly be going to Farnborough! Can't wait now.

Dixie68

3,091 posts

210 months

Wednesday 30th June 2010
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Speaking from the other side of the fence, RIAT always seems to have the better aircraft and organisation. I was stationed at Waddington for 3 years and always ended up being one of the poor sods that checked cars/handed out maps/put up fences.
Mind you, the last time I was at RIAT the Nimrod I was ground crew for ended up smashing its wing pod into a parked runway sweeping truck and I just spent the next three days pissed so can't really remember it well smile

Eric Mc

124,782 posts

288 months

Wednesday 30th June 2010
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Dickster said:
Well, I'm from Leeds (living in Selby) and went to Waddy for years but now it really seems to struggle attracting anything special so I don't bother.

I've been to RIAT for the last 4 years (apart from 2008 when it was cancelled and I got tickets for 2009). I always seem to struggle getting in time no matter when I set off, they seem to put main attractions on first so we miss them, it's expensive (£35??) and the tickets are date specific. It does attract some good stuff though (Mig 21 this year I heard). BUT....

Farnborough.... I went a few years back and it was amazing with the Osprey and A380 (which wasn't in service then). It's no further than RIAT for me really, £25 advance ticket I can use on either Sat or Sun and the F22, JF17 and possibly Airbus A400m are there....

This year, I'll mostly be going to Farnborough! Can't wait now.
I'll be at Farnborough (as I'm a local).

Would it be worthwhile arranging a PH meet up?

FezzaDude

381 posts

198 months

Thursday 1st July 2010
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went to Waddington last year and had a fantastic time!