Eastbourne Airborne
Discussion
I grew up in Eastbourne and used to go every year. Back in the day it was great. The Harrier used to hover over the beach and would fly backwards over the beach, Tornaodes, one year the Chinook dumped its arse on the beech and the back opened and a load of RMs ran up the beach setting off smoke bombs.
Went this weekend, my kids weren't interested so they went off with Granny & Grandad and I went on me Tod.
It was ok, first of was the Typhon, that was cool, running full afterburner for most of it, it was very loud. Then a biplane doing some mad stunts, it would go vertical and basically stall at the top, then come back down, throwing it about all over the place. They had a Mig 15 and Shooting Star - amazing how quiet they were, could hardly hear them. Ultimate ware birds was cool, Spitfire, Mustang, and a couple of others, all with Merlin engines. Did a dog fight display showing how the Spitfre could out turn other planes.
Chinook was good. All other planes came left/right but the Chinook came head on, just appeared over the horizon. It did a few tricks, got to hear the engines and plenty of blade slap.
Not bad considering its free, but certainly not as good as it used to be.
Went this weekend, my kids weren't interested so they went off with Granny & Grandad and I went on me Tod.
It was ok, first of was the Typhon, that was cool, running full afterburner for most of it, it was very loud. Then a biplane doing some mad stunts, it would go vertical and basically stall at the top, then come back down, throwing it about all over the place. They had a Mig 15 and Shooting Star - amazing how quiet they were, could hardly hear them. Ultimate ware birds was cool, Spitfire, Mustang, and a couple of others, all with Merlin engines. Did a dog fight display showing how the Spitfre could out turn other planes.
Chinook was good. All other planes came left/right but the Chinook came head on, just appeared over the horizon. It did a few tricks, got to hear the engines and plenty of blade slap.
Not bad considering its free, but certainly not as good as it used to be.
I went yesterday and came to the conclusion that part of the problem is the length of the display line.
I am stuck the east side of the Pier due to the dog. The main display area is from the Pier to the Western Lawns a distance of 1km. If you have jets they can cover that distance very quickly and in one move of the display, the slower stuff though tends to be centred around the Bandstand and The Blades appeared to be centred around Western Lawns. The outcome is you miss it.
Of course this year the weather wasnt encouraging attendance and even though yesterday turned out fine in the end, it did chuck it down about 11. The lack of the Red Arrows didnt help although the Breitling Jets partly made up for that, and I thought they were worth seeing.
There were definitely less people around which actually made it easier to get around, but you almost need the displays duplicated at either end of the display line.
I did wonder how it all works though. Presumably the RAF stuff is free, but how is the other stuff funded? I know the Brietling Jets were sponsored bu Ginsters but whats the cost of having them or The Blades etc attending? Is there a discount if they appear on more than one day?
I really want to see the twilight Fireflies and fireworks finale one day but cant persuade wife and daughter to stay longer.
I am stuck the east side of the Pier due to the dog. The main display area is from the Pier to the Western Lawns a distance of 1km. If you have jets they can cover that distance very quickly and in one move of the display, the slower stuff though tends to be centred around the Bandstand and The Blades appeared to be centred around Western Lawns. The outcome is you miss it.
Of course this year the weather wasnt encouraging attendance and even though yesterday turned out fine in the end, it did chuck it down about 11. The lack of the Red Arrows didnt help although the Breitling Jets partly made up for that, and I thought they were worth seeing.
There were definitely less people around which actually made it easier to get around, but you almost need the displays duplicated at either end of the display line.
I did wonder how it all works though. Presumably the RAF stuff is free, but how is the other stuff funded? I know the Brietling Jets were sponsored bu Ginsters but whats the cost of having them or The Blades etc attending? Is there a discount if they appear on more than one day?
I really want to see the twilight Fireflies and fireworks finale one day but cant persuade wife and daughter to stay longer.
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