61 years ago, even a small flying training station managed a flying display programme which included:
- Formation aerobatics by 2 different RAF teams, one with Meteors, one with Vampires.
- Solo aerobatics by 5 different RAF aircraft types.
- A sonic boom from an RAF Sabre.
- A mock airfield attack by Vampires against RAF Regiment Bofors guns.
Plus the usual speed / height judging, demo flights of manufacturers' aircraft, pleasure flights and a helicopter air sea rescue demo.
The static display included a Vampire FB5, Vampire T11, Venom NF3, Prentice, Meteor T7, Meteor NF11, Lincoln, Canberra, Varsity, Provost, Harvard, Balliol, Chipmunk, Anson, Tempest, Sabre, Wyvern and Dragonfly.
It even included a performance by the RAF Boscombe Down station band!
There was a children's playground - and a disclaimer on the programme stating that visitors entering the station did so at their own risk. No liability would be accepted by the Air Ministry for any injury, damage or loss. Paranoia of the day also asked people not to take photographs!
Quite what could one expect to see at Waddington these days? Fat spotters with camouflaged waistcoats covered in tat clutching little aluminium stepladders and expensive cameras all vying for yet another photograph of the one or two RAF aircraft participating?
Last edited by BEagle; 16th Sep 2015 at 12:03.
Reason: Apostrophic abuse - mea culpa. Thanks, vasco!