You should all buy my book "The Royal Air Force At Home" The History of the R.A.F. Air Display from 1920.
The point of the 15th September is that it was the Saturday of the week in which fell the 15th. So if the 15th was on a Sunday, at home day was on the preceding Saturday 14th. Likewise, if it was on a Monday, then the airshows would be held on the following Saturday, 20th September. The most ever, simultaneously, was on 15th September 1945, 100 stations. Here after, the trend was rapidly down but with improving displays. Occasionally, the trend bucked. In 1973, tradition slipped as Finningley was authorized to hold it's on the prior 8th September. The other six being on 15th. This was to avoid Finningley competing with the nearby Doncaster St Ledger. A defining moment, on 18th September 1965, more than 45 Lightnings flew at the 12 at homes that year. Bearing in mind there were only six squadrons and an O.C.U. to squeeze that lot from, it gives an idea of the ability to fit in such extra curricular activities then compared with now!
FB
