Manchester Air Show - Barton
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I was off to the north aerobatting our Chippy when I head of the crash over the radio. Saw the smoke off the end of 09 as I got back on the ground just before the field was closed
Also remember Tony Brown's very distinctive voice and style on the radio. Were there any other ATCO's who said "Cheerio" so nicely ?
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Tony was highly professional, very clear in what he was communicating to pilots, and absolutly 'kept you in the picture'. A typical transmission to a light aircraft holding for a gap to get into EGCC would be "G-AB, I have not forgotten you, I will get you in just as soon as I can". And you knew he would.
But he didn't take prisoners with the less than competant, either. I remember him at a Barton show asking a C172 driver if he was happy to taxi through a restricted gap past a parked aircraft on the apron. "Roger" came the reply from Mr Cessna. "Is your roger an Affirmative?" (that dates it), replied Tony.
There used to be another contoller at EGCC back then whose name I don't know, but he had a very laid-back RT style. A typical transmission of his to me, returning in a light aircraft one Sunday evening, was "Tango Sierra.... your traffic is a Trident on a six mile final. When you see 'im, ....nip in behind 'im".
Those were the days!
SSD
But he didn't take prisoners with the less than competant, either. I remember him at a Barton show asking a C172 driver if he was happy to taxi through a restricted gap past a parked aircraft on the apron. "Roger" came the reply from Mr Cessna. "Is your roger an Affirmative?" (that dates it), replied Tony.
There used to be another contoller at EGCC back then whose name I don't know, but he had a very laid-back RT style. A typical transmission of his to me, returning in a light aircraft one Sunday evening, was "Tango Sierra.... your traffic is a Trident on a six mile final. When you see 'im, ....nip in behind 'im".
Those were the days!
SSD
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Slight drift off thread.
Reminds me of a visit to the tower in Kirkwall many many years ago on a particularly gusty afternoon when the duty controller was talking to an inbound BEA Viscount after giving the Pilot all the usual info he finished by saying 'and I shall continue to pass wind during your approach'! I swear I could see the Viscounts wings wiggle as the crew fought to stiffle the laughter
Back to Barton. I remember the Vulcan doing a grand display there and setting off all the car alarms as it climbed out in a magnificant display of power. The field was always full of spectators it really was a great event I recall lots of folks would have roof racks on their cars fitted with boards or planks so they could sit up there on picnic chairs for a grandstand view.
I recall they also used to get good support from the Old Flying Machine Company based at Duxford.
Reminds me of a visit to the tower in Kirkwall many many years ago on a particularly gusty afternoon when the duty controller was talking to an inbound BEA Viscount after giving the Pilot all the usual info he finished by saying 'and I shall continue to pass wind during your approach'! I swear I could see the Viscounts wings wiggle as the crew fought to stiffle the laughter
Back to Barton. I remember the Vulcan doing a grand display there and setting off all the car alarms as it climbed out in a magnificant display of power. The field was always full of spectators it really was a great event I recall lots of folks would have roof racks on their cars fitted with boards or planks so they could sit up there on picnic chairs for a grandstand view.
I recall they also used to get good support from the Old Flying Machine Company based at Duxford.
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Ah yes, car alarms... I remember attending a Friday 'press day' prior to the Barton show. I was standing by a Sea King which was parked and shut down just the other side of the fence from the car park, when a Harrier, low and fast approached the field from the north. "Just aim for the Sea King", said the controller. The Harrier streaked in at about 20 feet AGL and and only just subsonic (it was silent as it approached, growing rapidly from a spec to an aeroplane).
It flashed over the Sea King in an tremendous crescendo of sound - the helicopter's rotor blades flexed considerabley in the slipstream as it flashed a few feet directly over its mast head at about mach 0.98. And all the car alarms in the car park went off.
I loved press days. Even the more lax airshow rules back then didn't apply on press days.
SSD
It flashed over the Sea King in an tremendous crescendo of sound - the helicopter's rotor blades flexed considerabley in the slipstream as it flashed a few feet directly over its mast head at about mach 0.98. And all the car alarms in the car park went off.
I loved press days. Even the more lax airshow rules back then didn't apply on press days.
SSD
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I was there the day the mini Mustang went in. Despite the tragic event, the prganiser were very professional in keeping the show going.
I also seem to remember that an F111 (I think) did it's display over Manchester Airport rather than Barton (much to the annoyance of ATC) and the freefall display team that landed miles away on the motorway.
I also seem to remember that an F111 (I think) did it's display over Manchester Airport rather than Barton (much to the annoyance of ATC) and the freefall display team that landed miles away on the motorway.
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I, too, was there when the mini-Mustang went in. The barrel roll has long been a big killer of display pilots.
The F 1/11 did its fast pass at Manchester instead of at the Woodford airshow. I did my RT exam in 1978 with the controller who was on 'Manchester Approach' that day. He told me he saw the primary return coming across the Pennines at several miles per 'paint', and soon realised it was headed for Ringway instead of Woodford. It was, of course, on the Woodford frequency so the Manchester controller picked up his phone to advise Woodford of the situation. As he did so, he heard the roar of its low pass past his tower!
It missed an approaching Vanguard east of Stockport, and a Viscount climbing out over Knutsford, did a big 'U' turn, and went back east, home and probably unaware of his mistake (until he landed at base!).
The USAF could often not find Barton - the RAF always did. Some US display aircraft went fuel critical trying to find us, so never got to the show, and one F 1/11 did one fast pass, turned left, and lost the field. He never found it again before he had to go home due fuel critcality!
The F 1/11 did its fast pass at Manchester instead of at the Woodford airshow. I did my RT exam in 1978 with the controller who was on 'Manchester Approach' that day. He told me he saw the primary return coming across the Pennines at several miles per 'paint', and soon realised it was headed for Ringway instead of Woodford. It was, of course, on the Woodford frequency so the Manchester controller picked up his phone to advise Woodford of the situation. As he did so, he heard the roar of its low pass past his tower!
It missed an approaching Vanguard east of Stockport, and a Viscount climbing out over Knutsford, did a big 'U' turn, and went back east, home and probably unaware of his mistake (until he landed at base!).
The USAF could often not find Barton - the RAF always did. Some US display aircraft went fuel critical trying to find us, so never got to the show, and one F 1/11 did one fast pass, turned left, and lost the field. He never found it again before he had to go home due fuel critcality!
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My 'eld fella used to take me both to the airshows and the viewing park, (well actually it was the car park), when I was a nipper. Had my first flight ever in ? an islander when I was about 11 yrs.
It was a great moment many years later when I took him up in G-BOIL.
(Although he never quite got to grips with "go-arounds.")
It was a great moment many years later when I took him up in G-BOIL.
(Although he never quite got to grips with "go-arounds.")
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Barton (Manchester) Air show....
Ahh memories! Only just come across this thread but reading it brought back many memories of these shows. I have lots of photos in my collection of various participants, sometime over the next few days I will get them scanned and put on here if anyone is interested.
cheers
Gary
cheers
Gary
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Lost Usaf F-16s
I remember one Manchester Airshow when the USAF had no F-16 display pilot in europe so they sent aformation of 3 F-16s to perform a number of flypasts.After taking 35 minutes to find Barton they flew past once then returned to Hahn. I also remember Paul Day in the BBMF spitfire, never knowing which direction he would appear from!!!
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Anyone recall what year it was when they set the airfield alight during a spectacular ground attack display by a couple of WW2 warbirds? they used some big explosive charges to simulate cannon shells hitting the ground which immediately turned the parched grass into an inferno!
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I do remember they got 'Blaster' Bates to do the explosives for the 'ground attack' runs. He buried the explosives and placed bags of flour over them to give a 'smoke' effect.. "with some wholemeal flour for them as likes a bit o' roughage"!
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Been away for a while and just seen this thread. I used to attend some of the airshows each year (as a spectator, i hasten to add - am not a pilot !!) and always went to Barton and Woodford as i lived in Altrincham so could get there easily.
I remember the Air 2000 fly-past. Lovely bright orange and white aircraft.
I *seem* to remember the commentator saying that the pilot was the chief training officer / chief pilot or similar for Air 2000 and mentioned him by name as a friend who had strong links with Barton / Lancs Aero club.
Other memories are the Harrier touch and go (well , light bounce would be more correct !!) one year which the commentator said would be logged as a Harrier landing !! - threw choking dust everywhere....
Do seem to vaguely remember a VERY fast F-111 flypast which dissapeared off as a speck in the distance.
Happy Days !!
I remember the Air 2000 fly-past. Lovely bright orange and white aircraft.
I *seem* to remember the commentator saying that the pilot was the chief training officer / chief pilot or similar for Air 2000 and mentioned him by name as a friend who had strong links with Barton / Lancs Aero club.
Other memories are the Harrier touch and go (well , light bounce would be more correct !!) one year which the commentator said would be logged as a Harrier landing !! - threw choking dust everywhere....
Do seem to vaguely remember a VERY fast F-111 flypast which dissapeared off as a speck in the distance.
Happy Days !!
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757 displaying at a M/C air show
Not sure if this is the same show etc, but I have a photo of an Airtours 757 displaying at the 2000 (3-6-00) Woodford air show:
ScanImage8 1024 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
ScanImage8 1024 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
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Barton accidents
By coincidence I visited this thread on Barton accidents. In the 1950's in my early teens I used to frequently go on my bicycle to Barton and then continue on to the very active Burtonwood.
On one occasion I went to an airshow at Barton on both the Saturday and Sunday.
If my recall is correct an Autocrat wrapped its wings around a tree on the Friday.
On the Saturday I was on the far boundary of the airfield (relative to the control tower) and watched a Turbulent crash within 50 meters from me. I was first on the scene to a pilot with serious injuries.
On the Sunday a Prentice attempted a roll, dived into the airfield vertically and caught fire. The pilot was killed instantly.
On one occasion I went to an airshow at Barton on both the Saturday and Sunday.
If my recall is correct an Autocrat wrapped its wings around a tree on the Friday.
On the Saturday I was on the far boundary of the airfield (relative to the control tower) and watched a Turbulent crash within 50 meters from me. I was first on the scene to a pilot with serious injuries.
On the Sunday a Prentice attempted a roll, dived into the airfield vertically and caught fire. The pilot was killed instantly.
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New post yesterday has prompted me to upload to Flickr all of my photos taken at the 1975 and 1994 shows.
Here are the 1975 photos: Pingouin G-ATBG (but see below), Cessna G-BCUY, Stampe G-AYIJ and Islander G-AXXH:
Barton Air Show, 13th July 1975 - a set on Flickr
1994: Air Atlantique DC-6B G-APSA, a RAF Sentry, a Miles Gemini G-AKKB, and Messenger G-AIEK/RG333, Army Air Corps Beaver, Skeeter, Wasp, Bell 47G5; and the Crunchie Stearman, N74522:
Barton Air Show, 22nd May 1994 - a set on Flickr
Correction to above: I've just been advised that the Nord Pingouin is in fact a Nord Noralpha, G-ATHH.
Here are the 1975 photos: Pingouin G-ATBG (but see below), Cessna G-BCUY, Stampe G-AYIJ and Islander G-AXXH:
Barton Air Show, 13th July 1975 - a set on Flickr
1994: Air Atlantique DC-6B G-APSA, a RAF Sentry, a Miles Gemini G-AKKB, and Messenger G-AIEK/RG333, Army Air Corps Beaver, Skeeter, Wasp, Bell 47G5; and the Crunchie Stearman, N74522:
Barton Air Show, 22nd May 1994 - a set on Flickr
Correction to above: I've just been advised that the Nord Pingouin is in fact a Nord Noralpha, G-ATHH.
Last edited by Proplinerman; 23rd Jul 2012 at 19:50.
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Just remembering Tony Brown again... I flew our Chippy into the Southport Air Show (landing on the beach) a couple of years ago. I was delighted, when calling in on the airshow frequency, to hear Tony's unmistakable voice. He was as cool and professional as ever, co-ordinating my join and landing on the beach with a low fly-by of a pair of fast jets.. "Golf sierra lima, can you please confirm you will NOT be going around from this approach?". No problem with that of course; the beach is very long (even if the marked runways weren't).
Strangely I was recently reading Cedric Flood's autobiography (a Liverpool-born pilot who flew for Cambrian and later BA at MAN on the S1-11). He, too flew into that show in his home-built, and mentions in his book how delighted he was to hear Tony's voice again after many years.
Strangely I was recently reading Cedric Flood's autobiography (a Liverpool-born pilot who flew for Cambrian and later BA at MAN on the S1-11). He, too flew into that show in his home-built, and mentions in his book how delighted he was to hear Tony's voice again after many years.
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Air crash 1981
Hi, I've registered with this website in the hope of adding to my knowledge of the event that killed my grandfather's nephew, a commercial pilot Leo Nichols, and his engine fitter co-pilot. They were flying a Luton Major after an air show at Barton on 31 May 1981. From the crash investigation report it seems the plane wings folded mid-air and the two were instantly killed in a field at Culceth at 7pm. An eye witness was on a golf course at the time.
I am becoming intrigued as to how Leo (from Dundee) & his companion were able to gain a private flight in someone else's plane. There are comments mentioning an air instructor killed in an accident. Could that be Leo?
I was rather perturbed to read of the multiple accidents from this airfield but do these details prompt the memory of anyone? Awaiting with trepidation, ...
I am becoming intrigued as to how Leo (from Dundee) & his companion were able to gain a private flight in someone else's plane. There are comments mentioning an air instructor killed in an accident. Could that be Leo?
I was rather perturbed to read of the multiple accidents from this airfield but do these details prompt the memory of anyone? Awaiting with trepidation, ...
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Leo was one of my instructors at LAC Barton when I did my PPL July 1978 to early 1979. I was at that air show and waved to Leo who waved back as we drove out of the airfield after the show. An hour later he was dead.
The Luton Major was owned by a couple of Barton pilots, including the guy (can't remember his name) who was killed with Leo in the accident and I knew him and the other owner (I always remember it had painted on it lovely script "Built Upleaden Pig farm" and the date).
I remember Leo had left instructing by then and was working for Loganair in Scotland. He had come back south for the airshow. He and the part-owner of the Luton went flying after the show had finished and according to the AAIB had overstressed the aeroplane in aerobatics (the Luton was non-aerobatic). I remember the report saying the wing structure that failed was well up to design strength.
That accident lead to LAC banning flying after any future air shows as it was feared pilots might be inspired to try to copy the display pilots they'd seen at the show.
I remember Leo as very laid back. He was invariably late for my lessons, but one thing he didn't like was my propensity for a steepish cross wind to downwind turn in the circuit. I'd hold attitude as taught after the crosswind climb to circuit height, get the speed up from climb speed to 90knts, trim for level flight, look out, then 'bank and yank' the poor old C150 round a 60 degree turn (works much better in the Chipmunk, I have to say!).
"One day you'll just go spiralling into the ground doing that" he'd say. Ironic, I suppose. It was quite a shock to all at Barton when those two likeable people died so tragically that summer evening. I still think of them if I'm in the Culcheth area, as I was only a couple of weeks ago. I can point today at the place they went in (between the east Lancs Road and Culcheth).
The Luton Major was owned by a couple of Barton pilots, including the guy (can't remember his name) who was killed with Leo in the accident and I knew him and the other owner (I always remember it had painted on it lovely script "Built Upleaden Pig farm" and the date).
I remember Leo had left instructing by then and was working for Loganair in Scotland. He had come back south for the airshow. He and the part-owner of the Luton went flying after the show had finished and according to the AAIB had overstressed the aeroplane in aerobatics (the Luton was non-aerobatic). I remember the report saying the wing structure that failed was well up to design strength.
That accident lead to LAC banning flying after any future air shows as it was feared pilots might be inspired to try to copy the display pilots they'd seen at the show.
I remember Leo as very laid back. He was invariably late for my lessons, but one thing he didn't like was my propensity for a steepish cross wind to downwind turn in the circuit. I'd hold attitude as taught after the crosswind climb to circuit height, get the speed up from climb speed to 90knts, trim for level flight, look out, then 'bank and yank' the poor old C150 round a 60 degree turn (works much better in the Chipmunk, I have to say!).
"One day you'll just go spiralling into the ground doing that" he'd say. Ironic, I suppose. It was quite a shock to all at Barton when those two likeable people died so tragically that summer evening. I still think of them if I'm in the Culcheth area, as I was only a couple of weeks ago. I can point today at the place they went in (between the east Lancs Road and Culcheth).
Last edited by Shaggy Sheep Driver; 13th Apr 2013 at 21:38.