I have a feeling that the F-35 was a plastic replica, and not a real one...
As others have said, it's much better if you can get in early in the week, on trade days. Several of the more interesting aircraft tend to leave by Wednesday. Weekends are Ok for general public viewing, but not so good if you've a professional interest, and diabolical if you want to photograph some of the aircraft.
I get the impression that it's very much an industry show (boy's days out) and they let in the great unwashed at the end of the week to subsidise it. My apologies if my personal view upsets some of your professionals. having attended all the shows since 1968, this has been my growing impression over that time, and not just during our recent recessions.
