FAO Farnborough Spotters

[C70R]

I'm very easily impressed, but the F-16 was quite something to watch from such close range. Coming overhead at a couple of hundred metres with the afterburners on is a very special experience indeed.

[FredAstaire]

Shadow of its former self. Thought about buying tickets earlier this year, so glad I didn’t.

[silverfoxcc]

Fred

I agree.Compared to even 6 years ago, i would rate that display list as piss poor

Oh for that Russian and the Cobra move, the 380 doing insane turns,The Connie a few years back,and then going back to the 60s/70s Now theywere air shows

[Trevatanus]

Eric Mc said:

Missing completely from the show was anything to do with the F-35. I didn't even see a plastic replica of one (we've had them in the past). This is despite the fact that the F-35 features prominently in their promotional brochures.

It did a flypast on the early trade days. The RAF have not had a chance to work up a display yet. 5 years are we'll all be bored with them.

[Trevatanus]

Absolute highlight of the show for me
IMG_1418 by Jim Pritchard, on Flickr

Edited by Trevatanus on Monday 23 July 08:53

[Eric Mc]

silverfoxcc said:

Fred

I agree.Compared to even 6 years ago, i would rate that display list as piss poor

Oh for that Russian and the Cobra move, the 380 doing insane turns,The Connie a few years back,and then going back to the 60s/70s Now theywere air shows

To be fair the Red Bull DC-6 was pretty nice. I love any classic piston engined airliner.

On the whole, the air display was poor. I went on Friday and did get to go through all the display halls but even they were a bit bare compared to other years. Farnborough waxes and wanes a bit.

[Composite Guru]

aeropilot said:

Composite Guru said:

yellowjack said:

oyster said:

What’s the fast jet going orbiting Fleet Pond? And alongside a lumbering old 4piston?

Not sure what the jet was, but assume it's one of the toys from Red Bull's box.

The 4 engine radial monster was their DC-6 I think, and currently the P-38 and possibly a Corsair (I can hear it but not see it) are up too.

I've just been up in that DC6 this morning. Won a raffle at work.
Took off from Cranfield, flew over London and then back via Silverstone.
All I can say is what an awesome experience!! Something I doubt i'll ever do again!!!


[url]

No prizes for guessing who you work for

Cool thing to experience, as very few opportunities left now to experience flying in one of these great old propliners....

Yes its not hard to work out. Not everyone had a flight as there are too many of us.
We bought tickets in a raffle for the Red Bull Wings For Life charity and i was one of the 90 people that got a chance.
I was surprised how much they were chucking at about for an old aircraft. Some real G's being pulled in the turns. Walking around the cabin whilst it was being done was a great feeling.


I feel immensely privileged to have gone up in it. Such an awesome experience.

Edited by Composite Guru on Monday 23 July 08:41

[aeropilot]

I hate to think what RB's monthly bill for supply of Autosol is for the Bix Six as well as the P-38 and B-25

[LotusOmega375D]

Composite Guru said:

Walking around the cabin whilst it was being done was a great feeling.


I feel immensely privileged to have gone up in it. Such an awesome experience.

Edited by Composite Guru on Monday 23 July 08:41

I'm glad you appreciated the occasion: it seems like half of your co-workers were more interested in playing with their mobile phones.

[danllama]

I was disappointed overall, not enough aircraft, too much time between, not enough of interest on static, even the stalls were disappointing, compared to other airshows! No decent book or model stores. Everything overpriced. Don't get me wrong, it's always a joy to watch the aircraft fly that are there, especially the f16 and harrier, and BbMf, but all of the problems above, combined with the watering down by the CAA, meaning everything is slightly too high and far, especially the ww2 birds, made me come away wondering why I spent the money.

[ecsrobin]

danllama said:

I was disappointed overall, not enough aircraft, too much time between, not enough of interest on static, even the stalls were disappointing, compared to other airshows! No decent book or model stores. Everything overpriced. Don't get me wrong, it's always a joy to watch the aircraft fly that are there, especially the f16 and harrier, and BbMf, but all of the problems above, combined with the watering down by the CAA, meaning everything is slightly too high and far, especially the ww2 birds, made me come away wondering why I spent the money.

Having worked many airshows is always go for the free option of Bournmeouth and pay for parking or get public transport. A very good line up and plenty of stalls and ground events to keep everyone occupied.

[yellowjack]

ecsrobin said:

Having worked many airshows is always go for the free option of Bournmeouth and pay for parking or get public transport. A very good line up and plenty of stalls and ground events to keep everyone occupied.

I rode a bicycle to Bournemouth from Farnborough last summer, and left it so late leaving that I only got to see the Red Arrows and a glimpse of Sally-B before I rode back again. About 160 miles by bicycle through The New Forest, but well worth it to avoid parking charges or worse still, parking tickets...

https://www.strava.com/activities/1163547782

For anyone looking at that route in the link, it was pretty much traffic free, or at least free-flowing on the roads, unlike the M27/A31/A338 mega-jams for the air show. Decent driving roads too, so if you leave early and are happy with country lanes, it's a FAR nicer way to get there than the GPS/signposted routes...

[Trevatanus]

Not Farnborough related, but just up the road this time.

[yellowjack]

I'm currently crocked with a broken leg, so was unable to drive or ride (it's on a favourite route to a local MTB area) up to Blackbushe RAF Hartford Bridge to see the BBMF stuff. My wife said she heard "something old and powerful" while walking to the bus stop on Saturday afternoon though.

Yesterday (Sunday 20th August 2018) I heard an unusual racket approaching outside and went to the patio door in time to see four small aerobatic 'planes flying northbound in relatively close formation. 'The Blades' or similar? Perhaps on their way home from Biggin Hill/Eastbourne?

Edited by yellowjack on Wednesday 29th August 15:17

[FurtiveFreddy]

Yes, the Blades have gone over my house a couple of times in the last few days.

Heard some of the Memorial flight but didn't spot them.

[Trevatanus]

yellowjack said:

I'm currently crocked with a broken leg, so was unable to drive or ride (it's on a favourite route to a local MTB area) up to [-]Blackbushe[-] RAF Hartford Bridge to see the BBMF stuff. My wife said she heard "something old and powerful" while walking to the bus stop on Saturday afternoon though.

Yesterday (Sunday 20th August 2018) I heard an unusual racket approaching outside and went to the patio door in time to see four small aerobatic 'planes flying northbound in relatively close formation. 'The Blades' or similar? Perhaps on their way home from Biggin Hill/Eastbourne?

As below, The Blades went over Sandhurst yesterday afternoon.

[Strugs]

What's up and playing now? Can hear a fast jet, but can't see it..

Edit.. actually, could be Odiham. I'm Upper Hale and the acoustics might be playing tricks on me..

Edited by Strugs on Wednesday 29th August 15:08

[Kinky]

Strugs said:

What's up and playing now? Can hear a fast jet, but can't see it..

Yup - there's one been continually flying around the office for the last 5-10 minutes!

[ecsrobin]

Kinky said:

Strugs said:

What's up and playing now? Can hear a fast jet, but can't see it..

Yup - there's one been continually flying around the office for the last 5-10 minutes!

Typhoon was at RAF odiham families day

[Strugs]

ecsrobin said:

Kinky said:

Strugs said:

What's up and playing now? Can hear a fast jet, but can't see it..

Yup - there's one been continually flying around the office for the last 5-10 minutes!

Typhoon was at RAF odiham families day

That'll have been it then!