air shows were usually hugely profitable
Were they ever in some cases.
1976 B of B At Home Day RAF Finningley.
A week prior to the event the St Leger horse race was run at Doncaster.
SRO's requested volunteers to go the the Races, in Best Blue, to sell FY At Home Day advance tickets.
Step forward one (enterprising) SAC from Air Traffic known by one and all as 'Scouse' (as he hailed from Liverpool).
Scouse was horse racing mad. He and the bookie in Auckley village were on first name terms but deadly rivals.
A day at the Races, indeed the running of the St Leger, free entry, free food (OK, buttie box from the Airmans Mess), a Grand Day out thinks Scouse. However, one rather large black cloud hovered over Scouse. A not too wise investment in a runner in the 2.30 at Newmarket (that didn't come up to snuff) had left Scouse broke, brassic, flat, skint (you get the picture).
Scouse, as most Liverpudlians, had the sellers gift of the gab. FY B of B tickets flew from his fingers and pound notes flew into them.
Temptation, temptation.
I am reliably informed he put the whole of his takings (or rather the FY B of B takings that he had custody of) on a horse in the Big Race.
The horse came in at 6 to 1.
FY's profitability that year was nothing compared to the profitability of one SAC Scouse H""""".