The Fuhrer is incandecent about Waddo Aisrhow!

[Lima Juliet]

I know this has been used a million times before, but there are some great lines for those that know RAF Waddington and its Airshow...

Hilter learns RAF Waddington Airshow 2015 cancelled - YouTube

Well done to KM for making me chuckle! :D

[chopper2004]

Speaking to a few peeps at the show, I'm led to believe this maybe the last ever show as the current Staish is not overly keen on shows and wants the base to be a base.

Cheers

[Wander00]

Is it his "call". Sounds a miserable git. So no RAF shows at all now. That's very sad.

[500N]

How long does a Staish command a Staish ?

[air pig]

Opportunity for either Scampton or Conningsby to step in. Love the video.

[TheWizard]

Don't forget Cosford

[Wander00]

Wiz - true, and I guess fairly central

[Fg Off Bloggs]

That's definitely put the kibosh on it!

Petition launched to ensure return of RAF Waddington International Air Show | Lincolnshire Echo (http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/Petition-launched-ensure-return-RAF-Waddington/story-21339015-detail/story.html)

Wander00

Sounds a miserable git.

Looks like it (photo):

RAF Waddington - RAF Station homepage (http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafwaddington/)



I am immensely proud of the effort Station personnel have contribute to this year’s RAF Waddington International Air Show both in the months leading up to the event and on the day. The event is a unique opportunity for the Station to engage with our visitors to showcase the work, people and capability of the RAF and its partner organisations.

It is very much regretted that due to essential work due to be undertaken to refurbish the runway at RAF Waddington, the Station will be unable to put on an Air Show next year (2015).

Due to this work and the movement of the RAF from our other air show location (RAF Leuchars in Scotland), the RAF has decided to complete a full review of its air show commitments; the results of the review will be announced in due course.

Thank you for your support.

Group Captain

Station Commander

RAF Waddington


Bloggs

[Wensleydale]

"Look on the bright side", said Goebbels. Your Storm Troopers are all sports fanatics and the two week blanket leave ban over the airshow would upset them - look at what it has meant to all those RAF chaps who have not been able to attend the many sports events for the last 20 years that always fall on the first weekend of July".


Hitler thought about it .... Tour de France; World Cup; British Grand Prix; (but did not consider Wimbledon as sport because tennis is for jessies).


"Very Well Goebbels - we will combine all the sports events together into one big Teutonic event. We will dress all our stormtroopers in black shirts with red facings just like our victorious football team in Brasil. We will race all our cars and motorcycles, into France and tour round the country at speed. We will use our Panzers to escort the Schnitzel vans to their posts. We will start in May".


I will personally watch the end of the race down the Champs Elysees once we reach Paris. We can park the schnitzel vans at the finish.


http://www.annefrankguide.net/en-gb/content/5_11_1.jpg

[Wensleydale]

Team Omega Pharma Goosestep try out the schnitzel van on the Alp D'huez during the 1940 Tour de France...


http://www.thebicycleinwartime.com/German-cyclists-evacuating-Oslo.jpg

[Wensleydale]

The Team Liebstandarten support vehicle approaches the Arc de Triumph on the final circuit of stage 21 in Paris. Eva Braun is using the vehicle to draft back onto the peloton following an earlier puncture.


http://cs5199.userapi.com/v5199046/119/H3yk41FWCyI.jpg

[Spot 4]

There is no appetite from the upper echelons of the RAF to hold Air Shows as we know it. The RAF Centenary has already been 'contracted' to RIAT, and known as RAF 100 as in Riff-raff 100.

There is an appetite to instead support local geographical participation in village and town events but this itself is restrained by a lack of participant potential. There isn't even an RAF Police Dog Team anymore, although what remains of a military 'can-do' usually gets someone exhibiting at Cruffs with a service dog.

Air Shows are seen as 'capacity' at a time when the Chiefs are complaining to Govt about overstretch. IMHO this shows that some education is required about the positive aspects of a public air display.

I doubt very much if Yeovilton and Culdrose have an axe hanging over their airshows; but RAF events may very soon be legacy items. This is an 'own goal' in progress and sadly I wouldn't put a single £GBP on there being either RAFAT or BBMF in their present guise in 2019. In fact I absolutely believe that were it not for the upcoming Centenary in 2018, their cards would already be marked.

The review has in one form or another been ongoing for the last two years. It appears that it is not what the conclusion will be but how they manage that conclusion that is the issue. Unless there is a major change in mindset, Waddington airshow is now finished. The RAF have no intention of sponsoring a Scottish Air Show in lieu of the demise of Leuchars.

[Tiger_mate]

BBC News - Ministry of Defence to review RAF commitment to air shows (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28226410)

[Navy_Adversary]

It would appear that the RAF Waddington air show could go the same way as RAF Mildenhall air show.
Surely if the RAF have no air shows then the Sparrows will have the sword of Damocles hanging over them, in addition the Hawk T1 is now getting on a bit.

[Roadster280]

Why not just use Scampton a few miles the other side of Lincoln? There is absolutely bugger all there, and the Lincolnshire Showground is right next door for parking.

[Avtur]

I hear you, but setting up the show was a real pain even when you were on the airfield, so trying to set-up at Scampton (for it would be Waddo personnel) would be a nightmare. Lincoln was not the easiest place to get through three years ago, and I doubt it is any better today.

Also, it now seems the initial harsh comments about the Waddo Staish were a bit unfair. The airshow has always been a promotion seeking event and an opportunity for them to rub noses with CAS et al in the VIP tent. Can't imagine too many Gp Capts shying away from that.

[glendalegoon]

for some reason, this seems the right time and place for this song:


Hitler, had but just one ball

Goering, had two, but they were very small

Himmler had something similar

and poor Goebels had no balls at all!


It is sung to the tune, "Colonel Bogey March" aka, the march from the bridge on the river kwai.

[aviate1138]

The Wiz says
"Don't forget Cosford".

And the length of Cosford's runway is????? :rolleyes:

[Tiger_mate]

Cosford as a venue is fine if supported by nearby Shawbury. It means running two airfields for one event, but Cosford is better suited for public access then Shawbury alone would be. There is no reason why fast pointy things cannot display at Cosford operating out of Shawbury. Cosford has its own traffic issues, but with the M54 Jn3 only 1.5 miles away and a railway stn on site, public access is as good as it gets. The achillies heel for Cosford is that it is an awfull lot of effort for a single day event. The Business model for any such event is improved ten times over for two or even three days. Traders and participant logistics are improved if transit costs are recouped by multi days trading.

The other option is a single event centrally located if the the 2014 status quo is not restored in 2016. This will be RIAT and everyone north of Watford would rightly argue that Fairford is not centrally located. Whilst it will never happen, Leeming or one of the other airfields in very close proximity to the A1 would be a better alternative. The writing on the wall is for no 'RAF' airshows, with maximum support to RIAT being the smoke and mirrors.

[chopper2004]

Problem with Mildenhall Airshow the last being 01 (I was there) was a few months later was all hell broke loose. IIRC, the official line for no 02 show was the runway was being dug up / modified and the tempo of support for Enduring Freedom was increasing.

About 5 years back, the 100th new CO who was a female Colonel stated on BBC Look East / About Anglia when being interviewed that she had every intention of bringing back the show. Over the years, there have been rumors on the web about bringing back the show but no official statement pertaining to re introducing the event.

Now as I occasionally pop in and as there does not appear to be many movements compared to over a decade ago, two days or even one day out of the year with 6-8 months planning is possible?

Any thoughts here,

Cheers

[Al R]

Sandy,

When we had sufficient bases and, more importantly, manpower, big on-station airshows were fine. Those days are gone my friend and leaning must take place before something happens that will cause everyone to ask "why were we stretching ourselves so much for a publicity event?"

I don't disagree with the tone of what you say but is that now an over used line trotted out by prescriptive heads of service in order to let the state know it's too stretched and some more resources are needed please? I sense and agree completely with the Staish's unease and displeasure, after all, it is he who has to fend off his Execs justifiably bringing him tales of poor hanger floor morale, matrimonial disharmony and fighting in the NAAFI/Spar- are there still KPIs for that sort of thing??!!

But, this is the longer term reality. We are seeing the start of increased apathy from the public in respect of how it sees the military and how it supports it. Charities are on their heels a bit, the public is listless, bored and looking for something new to fuel its need to feel worthy. I have absolutely no doubt that the stretch felt by the military is as taut and as demanding as it ever has been. I'm saying though, that short sighted and dogmatic polarised reactions like this will only make matters worse.

Hiding away and reducing the military profile is only going to, 'x' years down the line, result in an ever increasing, terminal decline in military fortunes. So, instead of feeding that, why not recruit genuinely dynamic people, folk drawn from the echelon of creativity and commercial acumen (with respect, not the job club that seems to power RIAT) who might seek a way of fusing HM Forces at Home Day (another PR disaster waiting to happen - will there be anything more soil destroying than a military parade through a town somewhere, in the year 2021, that draws hardly any interest?) with a 'national recruitment' day, a 'history comes alive' day etc etc?

It could even be a Public Services Day which has a roulement theme - I am just as appreciative of the nurses and firefighters as much as I am of my former colleagues but they get nothing (let's not invite the teachers though). Yes, I appreciate that the endeavour and statistically the sacrifice is different but by chopping an airshow, you're simply addressing the symptom, and not the underlying malaise. There is so much to be done that can be done - it is however, all entrusted to the wrong people.

Someone needs to get their heads out of the sand and look ahead - properly ahead, not just until after Waddo's runway is open, but 15-20 years. It isn't going to be a legislator because they're pretty much useless across the board, it can't be a Head of Service because the way it's going, they'll be soon busy rattling buckets themselves at their main gate - so who? One thing's for sure, if nothing gets done, the PPRuNe of 2024 will be lamenting why it was allowed to happen.

[Sandy Parts]

HI Al - agree with your sentiments, just feel (with my cynical mode on) that we are beyond saving these types of events given current and especially future planned resources. I've been to RIAT 4 times as 'static' (I did move a bit though :p) and I always thought it was the ideal event to foster young peoples interest in all activities military aviation related. Lost count of the number of kids we showed around the jet who seemed wide-eyed with interest (probably about how old and smelly it was..). I appreciate it also has its very large spotter element but they too are paying the entry fee so helping swell the RAFBF coffers.
By the way, your typo made me larf "will there be anything more soil destroying than a military parade through a town somewhere"
Had visions of a group of marching erks veering onto council flower beds and causing mayhem :p

[Al R]

;)

Good spot. Agreed, there is so much self serving, reactionary short termism - where is the strategic thinking?

[Wensleydale]

Al,


The section that I used to work for at Waddington used to be run by a Wing Commander who had five squadron leaders and 16 junior officers working for him...when the airshow arrived from Finningley the section was given 5 major airshow secondary duties to manage. Many years later and the section has been part civilianised. It is now run by a Squadron Leader with two junior officers and guess how many airshow secondary duties it still has! How many are run by the civilians? Yep.


When I retired I held nine major service secondary duties - the loss of the officers on the section made no difference to the tasks that had to be carried out. I was in charge of one of the major enclosures and in one year there was an attempt to make me in charge of all crowd barriers at the same time. Add to this my increased primary duties and there was little time left for other living! All I can say is that I am happy to have retired when I did.


I am sure that there are many blue suiters at Waddington who have breathed a huge sigh of relief that the airshow (and its two week leave ban) has gone, leaving just the armed forces day as a thank you and another compulsory working weekend for many. Lack of manpower is not an empty excuse - it is a primary reason why the airshow has become increasingly difficult to organise as the "no-cost" part of the labour force has significantly reduced.

[Al R]

Wensley,

No, I didn't mean to suggest it was an empty excuse. - I have no doubt the demand on time off is insane, I spoke with a girl in the Waddo mess last week (I left my wallet there) and she was clearly rushed off her feet but was politeness and professionalism personified.

I just don't think that chopping it all is a good idea, that's all. Rather than going for a black/white, on/off solution, there needs to be some better, more creative thinking. The truth is, the help and support of the RAF has probably always been taken for granted - maybe the subjects of the appreciation shouldn't have always been expected to provide the means for the public to express that appreciation.

The nation deserves and should be able to see where its money goes and the service needs and (rightfully) expects the nation to appreciate and show its gratitude - that's as much a part of the Mil Cov as any hollow legislator soundbite. Maybe, 50 years ago the opportunity, capability and intent were there, but we have slowly evolved and diluted a principle to the point someone has to draw a line under things and start again, and stop referencing a now flawed concept based on what was once a viable principle.

I don't think it should be the role of the RAF automatically, to determine, fund, and execute the arrangement. But there should still be such an arrangement. Chopping it is the worse thing of all to do - dilution through myopic apathy. I feel sorry for those who have to make these decisions because they shouldn't be expected to have the only dog in this fight.

[Tiger_mate]

before something happens that will cause everyone to ask "why were we stretching ourselves so much for a publicity event?"

... because it is not a publicity event.

The (out of date by nearly two years) GAI2022 mandates by the Air Force Board who is to hold airshows and why. The party line is to 'Educate the general public in the Defence Mission of the UK', with recruitment and service charity fundraising both worthy by-products.

In short: Dear taxpayer, please come along and I will show you what the Defence Budget (your tax) pays for. The air show organisers pay a lot of money for RAF participation and such events are financially self sustaining.

[teeteringhead]

No justification for RAFAT ........

I refer the House to my earlier post - of 21st January 2007.

... my (usually well-informed) spies tell me the plan is to try and run the Reds on to 2018 and then do a farewell season for the RAF's centenary .......

........ always assuming the RAF lasts that long.......:(

[Wander00]

In 1984 I took 3 recently graduated young officers on the annual visit to the RNoAF Academy. A fantastic week which included flying in their little SAAB piston engine flying grading aeroplane. There were cadets from the Norwegian Army and Naval academies, with girlfriends. When the girlfriends were offered flights we suggested that this was pretty open-minded but would not happen in UK. We were told they were taxpayers and as such were entitled to see where their taxes were spent. Brilliant. At the Ball I presented the Commandant with a bottle of Port, so, I said , that he would know what his students had been doing to my head all week!

[Uptime]

Wnsleydale
Would that section happen to be MSW, which I hear was renamed in the late 90's ?
Uptime