No More Waddington Air Show
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South of the ex-North Devon flying club. North of Isca.
Age: 48
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Apart from the two chiefys I didn't think the BBMF had it's own groundcrew either.
Wensleydale, Is that like the Bomber Command museum plans that were "almost set in concrete" for Bicester?
Wensleydale, Is that like the Bomber Command museum plans that were "almost set in concrete" for Bicester?
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Colocate both RAF Museums centrally at Scampton and let them organise their own flying display weekend. Now that the future of RAF Cosford has been ringfenced, the aspiration of the RAFM to take the whole airfield is a none starter. (Unless flightline training is to become a 'sim').
The Cold War museum is not a permanent structure and could be moved. The estate at Hendon would provide a small fortune if sold. Yes it would be an expensive logistical nightmare, but it has much merit long term.
National Lottery and English Heritage money could be bid for. RAF units within Scampton either move or become a camp within a camp in the manner that Eastern Radar was to Watton or QinetiQ is to Boscombe.
The Cold War museum is not a permanent structure and could be moved. The estate at Hendon would provide a small fortune if sold. Yes it would be an expensive logistical nightmare, but it has much merit long term.
National Lottery and English Heritage money could be bid for. RAF units within Scampton either move or become a camp within a camp in the manner that Eastern Radar was to Watton or QinetiQ is to Boscombe.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Somewhere flat
Age: 68
Posts: 5,555
Likes: 0
Received 42 Likes
on
29 Posts
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
BBMF also has a large cadre of keen and enthusiastic vet volunteers in the visitors centre. No doubt new guides could be recruited and trained at Scampton but Coningsby has a large local catchment area for guides where Scampton probably does not.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Somewhere flat
Age: 68
Posts: 5,555
Likes: 0
Received 42 Likes
on
29 Posts
...although Lincolnshire has a huge aviation tourism industry with many Heritage Centres coordinated by Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council. This brings a good few million pounds into the Lincs local economy. The increasing of Scampton's existing Heritage Centre into a central museum close to Lincoln is a further attempt by the Council to increase this tourism - as evidenced by the new Bomber Command Memorial and visitor centre which opens (for the memorial at least) next month. BBMF visitor centre is already a partner in AHL and by moving to Scampton it puts all the display assets under one roof so to speak combined with a larger aviation museum. Drawing visitors to here will undoubtedly increase the footfall to the other smaller heritage centres that already exist. It makes sense.
Scampton ? I hope not, I may be being a bit NIMBYist here but as a Scampton village dweller, it's bad enough when they have a families day. The problem is that there are far too many easily accessed "naughty areas" foot paths and bridleways etc. especially on the N and W sides. This years families day saw the west side fence bridleway full of cars, vans and picnics, you name it. In the event of a full blown airshow it would be horrendous.
As for the showground, the available spectator space is decreasing every time I look at it, buildings going up all over the place, the latest being student accommodation.
As for the showground, the available spectator space is decreasing every time I look at it, buildings going up all over the place, the latest being student accommodation.
Nobody has mentioned Cottesmore as yet. This was used twice in the early 2000's to host IAT when Fairford was being rebuilt.
I was going to suggest Wittering, but then they don't have ATC coverage at weekends do they?
I was going to suggest Wittering, but then they don't have ATC coverage at weekends do they?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: 4 Civvy Street. Nowhere-near-a-base. The Shires.
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
BBMF Heavies full time? Really?
I thought BBMF was a secondary duty for Cranwell, Waddo aircrews.
Many from 8, 45 & 55 Sqn were Lanc /Dak pilots at the weekend, the Air Eng's were from 8 or 55 and the loadies from 55 then 45.
I thought BBMF was a secondary duty for Cranwell, Waddo aircrews.
Many from 8, 45 & 55 Sqn were Lanc /Dak pilots at the weekend, the Air Eng's were from 8 or 55 and the loadies from 55 then 45.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: 4 Civvy Street. Nowhere-near-a-base. The Shires.
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I expect that site is going to look like Leconfield / Driffield eventually.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
CS, of course. I think OC may be established. I know when I was there a nav was also an Ops O and a pilot was posted in as an Ops O and SOpsO was also Lanc captain. Then of course the telephone answering service took over.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Emptying the litter bin
Age: 65
Posts: 409
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
The airfield at Leuchars managed to have an airshow for a good few years.
Pongoes might like to make it a purple show too
Pongoes might like to make it a purple show too
Considering that the RAF do support a lot of airshows and that RIAT is the biggest military show in the world, I wonder if an "airshow" on home turf is what is needed?
If I was the powers that be I'd be trying to maximise PR and recruitment without all the faff of having a full blown airshow.
Just a thought but how would "open day" during the week at Coningsby (and maybe Lossie). Free to school buses - punters can pay! have a small static and trade displayes aimed at recruitment. Schdule a full days flying, orgainse a few PDs and airfield attacks - during lunch time maybe have Typhoon, BBMF and Arrows displays - i'e somthing moving all the day but few "displays". Much more of a "this is us at work" rather an an airshow - so no paying for civiie displays or need to get foreign airforces to arrive.
If I was the powers that be I'd be trying to maximise PR and recruitment without all the faff of having a full blown airshow.
Just a thought but how would "open day" during the week at Coningsby (and maybe Lossie). Free to school buses - punters can pay! have a small static and trade displayes aimed at recruitment. Schdule a full days flying, orgainse a few PDs and airfield attacks - during lunch time maybe have Typhoon, BBMF and Arrows displays - i'e somthing moving all the day but few "displays". Much more of a "this is us at work" rather an an airshow - so no paying for civiie displays or need to get foreign airforces to arrive.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Typerated, in theory, fine. In practise, less so.
In 1969, 11Gp did their annual BoB display. We displayed at Finningley, Coltishall and Gaydon amongst others. The whole flying programme was organised down to routing and timing at 11Gp.
From a military perspective it served to commemorate the battle but it was Labour intensive.
From a civilian perspective the catchment area was relatively small, traffic more manageable you got to see both the air show and th a RAF at home.
Smaller crowds reduced the air show infrastructure needs, tentage from Service sources, and toilet facilities minimal.
Today, with H&S, public perceptions are higher, misappropriation of Servivce equipment and supplies is almost impossibly, and there are two others things missing:
Far fewer types
Far fewer airfields
In 1969, 11Gp did their annual BoB display. We displayed at Finningley, Coltishall and Gaydon amongst others. The whole flying programme was organised down to routing and timing at 11Gp.
From a military perspective it served to commemorate the battle but it was Labour intensive.
From a civilian perspective the catchment area was relatively small, traffic more manageable you got to see both the air show and th a RAF at home.
Smaller crowds reduced the air show infrastructure needs, tentage from Service sources, and toilet facilities minimal.
Today, with H&S, public perceptions are higher, misappropriation of Servivce equipment and supplies is almost impossibly, and there are two others things missing:
Far fewer types
Far fewer airfields
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
misappropriation of Service equipment and supplies
Accomodation was the exclusive domain of visiting military units and all civilians were accomodated in university accomdation which is standard pratice with UK military airshows - or was!
Ah yes, the wonderful 'visiting aircrew' accommodation strategy....
At St. Athan, they tried to put us up in a squalid hotel in Barry, the other occupants being youth offenders.....we declined the kind offer!
At Coningsby, they wanted the aircrew to stay at Binbrook and the groundcrew to stay at Waddington.....we declined the kind offer! "Take bloody steps out, we're bloody going!", was the captain's bluff comment. The solution was the Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa, which was much nicer than a 45 min journey in a 32-seat coach!
At Finningley, they put us up in an hotel in Doncaster, but we then found out that they hadn't provided any evening meal for the groundcrew and all that had been provided for the aircrew were the usual mini pork pies etc. at a welcoming barrel. After 'some robust debate', the organiser agreed to pay for proper catering within normal guidelines and the lads had some decent scoff before sampling the bright lights of Doncaster.
I later discovered that visiting aircrew / groundcrew T&S was but a minute part of the overall cost; we were quite prepared to give up our weekend to entertain the tax payers, but did at least expect proper accommodation and catering.
At St. Athan, they tried to put us up in a squalid hotel in Barry, the other occupants being youth offenders.....we declined the kind offer!
At Coningsby, they wanted the aircrew to stay at Binbrook and the groundcrew to stay at Waddington.....we declined the kind offer! "Take bloody steps out, we're bloody going!", was the captain's bluff comment. The solution was the Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa, which was much nicer than a 45 min journey in a 32-seat coach!
At Finningley, they put us up in an hotel in Doncaster, but we then found out that they hadn't provided any evening meal for the groundcrew and all that had been provided for the aircrew were the usual mini pork pies etc. at a welcoming barrel. After 'some robust debate', the organiser agreed to pay for proper catering within normal guidelines and the lads had some decent scoff before sampling the bright lights of Doncaster.
I later discovered that visiting aircrew / groundcrew T&S was but a minute part of the overall cost; we were quite prepared to give up our weekend to entertain the tax payers, but did at least expect proper accommodation and catering.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Tiger, I was talking years ago when the shows were small scale. No, even at Coningsby 
, almost 30 years ago, most things were covered by the air show. One thing that wasn't was distribution of the air show posters. Holding officer, given a bundle of posters and MT spent two days touring Lincolnshire.
USAF MAC crew accommodated in the mess but I don't think any charges for accommodation were raised against the air show.
, almost 30 years ago, most things were covered by the air show. One thing that wasn't was distribution of the air show posters. Holding officer, given a bundle of posters and MT spent two days touring Lincolnshire.USAF MAC crew accommodated in the mess but I don't think any charges for accommodation were raised against the air show.