One I witnessed was as a 7 year old at an air display at Hooton Park in 1954. I remember there was some sort of simulated ground attack display going on; a small brick building had been built in the middle of the grassed area and a group of Meteors were attacking this. It was impressive at first, then I began to suspect some of the flashes and bangs may have been coming from pre-planted explosives being detonated by someone on the ground. Then, one of the Meteors came in in a steep dive and flew straight into the ground. I remember well the fire and the huge pall of smoke coming up and the next thing was my father taking my hand and saying "Come along son, we are going home now".
Sad.