Cosford Airshow
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Cosford Airshow
Having been browbeaten into taking a nipper to Cosford I was surprised at the lack of the usual RAF SH in the (as always at Cosford) tiny static line up. In fact either I was looking in the wrong spot or there was none!
The Chinook was a welcome re-entry into the flying programme though, but not only no SH but no DHFS cabs in the static either.
The much hyped Typhoon was underwhelming and if compared to a recollection of Lightning days; positively pathetic.
What no Nimrod!
The RAF spend a bl00dy fortune on BBMF and Red Arrows when a set piece with C130 - SH - RAF Regt/Army -smoke & bangs could do so much to make the services profile higher. Being in the summer as opposed to the first week of sept makes Cosford an RAF "At home" day, were the public can relate to the services that we all take for granted. There is irony that I believe that the audience was three times+ the size of the combined RAF from home and abroad. Whoever is pulling the PR strings wants a P60 on the way out, for the AAC - Utterly Butterly - and large scale models put the RAF to shame today:
Rant over, I`ll get me coat
The Chinook was a welcome re-entry into the flying programme though, but not only no SH but no DHFS cabs in the static either.
The much hyped Typhoon was underwhelming and if compared to a recollection of Lightning days; positively pathetic.
What no Nimrod!
The RAF spend a bl00dy fortune on BBMF and Red Arrows when a set piece with C130 - SH - RAF Regt/Army -smoke & bangs could do so much to make the services profile higher. Being in the summer as opposed to the first week of sept makes Cosford an RAF "At home" day, were the public can relate to the services that we all take for granted. There is irony that I believe that the audience was three times+ the size of the combined RAF from home and abroad. Whoever is pulling the PR strings wants a P60 on the way out, for the AAC - Utterly Butterly - and large scale models put the RAF to shame today:
Rant over, I`ll get me coat
Remember the days when the only civvie aircraft flying at RAF At Home days were the odd pleasure flier or two??
It is just sooooo utterly pathetic nowadays......
It is just sooooo utterly pathetic nowadays......
Ah
But the Harvard display at Shawbury this afternoon (pre/post Cosford?) was quite pleasant in an old fashioned way. AND there were no queues!
But the Harvard display at Shawbury this afternoon (pre/post Cosford?) was quite pleasant in an old fashioned way. AND there were no queues!
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Have to agree with you Yozzer,
I was at Cosford, and I think it was probably the worst 'subscribed' airshow I have ever attended.
What was it in tghe line up?...
a plastic Reds hawk,
a Plastic Tonka,
a dead Jag
a real Gnat
oh and an AAC Apache and a gazelle.
The Wokka display was good, but that was all I thought.
Come on Cosford, pull your finger out for next year otherwise people will vote with their feet, and another 'at home' airshow will bite the bullett.
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
I was at Cosford, and I think it was probably the worst 'subscribed' airshow I have ever attended.
What was it in tghe line up?...
a plastic Reds hawk,
a Plastic Tonka,
a dead Jag
a real Gnat
oh and an AAC Apache and a gazelle.
The Wokka display was good, but that was all I thought.
Come on Cosford, pull your finger out for next year otherwise people will vote with their feet, and another 'at home' airshow will bite the bullett.
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
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Cosford (as are most air shows)is supported by and organised for the general public - not aviation minded "enthusiasts". spotters, crew etc etc. So as long as THEY like it and I believe they did, the show will continue. The GP are far more likely not to return due to the traffic chaos, NOT the lack of aircraft.As for the static line up, the show has a huge static display for the crowds to walk around, unfortunately its all under cover and ancient!
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I was there as well and I agree with some of the above. I've been to many airshows (my first was Leuchars 1971) but this was my first time at Cosford. I thought the logistics part , parking, entry/exit was pretty well organized ( much better than Fairford for example).
I agree that the static display was a bit grim but I can appreciate that there is not a lot of space for a static display and many aircraft can't land there anyway. You could argue that the best static display is in the splendid museum anyway.
I did think it did have the atmosphere of an old "At home" day and I thought there was fairly decent RAF content compared to recent years with good displays by the C-130J, Sea King, Tornado, Harrier and Jaguar.
The Typhoon was however "pathetic" and the disappointment could be felt in the crowd " Was that it".
I think the UK taxpayer deserves better than this. The project has been subject to lots of flak recently and this sort of display (and I use the word reluctantly) doesn't help.
The displays just before of the Grob Tutor and Bucker were much better and much appreciated in the crowd.
The amount of civilian content is a fact of life these days but I also remember the days when the only civilian aircraift were the pleasure flights or perhaps Ferranti's Meteor!
Another rant complete bar the shouting
JT
I agree that the static display was a bit grim but I can appreciate that there is not a lot of space for a static display and many aircraft can't land there anyway. You could argue that the best static display is in the splendid museum anyway.
I did think it did have the atmosphere of an old "At home" day and I thought there was fairly decent RAF content compared to recent years with good displays by the C-130J, Sea King, Tornado, Harrier and Jaguar.
The Typhoon was however "pathetic" and the disappointment could be felt in the crowd " Was that it".
I think the UK taxpayer deserves better than this. The project has been subject to lots of flak recently and this sort of display (and I use the word reluctantly) doesn't help.
The displays just before of the Grob Tutor and Bucker were much better and much appreciated in the crowd.
The amount of civilian content is a fact of life these days but I also remember the days when the only civilian aircraift were the pleasure flights or perhaps Ferranti's Meteor!
Another rant complete bar the shouting
JT
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It looks like we had a better display at shawbury!! Shackman, did you see the Jaguar run and break?? Delightful.... I will never accuse Jag mates of any sexuality crimes again...
The crowd here, waited and waited for the Typhoon to return and when it ambled in, they were thoroughly disappointed. Mind you, we shouldn't complain... the ticket prices were much cheaper!!
The crowd here, waited and waited for the Typhoon to return and when it ambled in, they were thoroughly disappointed. Mind you, we shouldn't complain... the ticket prices were much cheaper!!
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Had the Typhoon done at Cosford what it did departing Shawbury today, everybody would have been impressed:
RESPECT
Airborne in about 1000` sat on its ar5e and hightailed outa there. I struggle to believe that this could not have been done in front of the taxpayers on sunday.
Lightning gets my vote at this time, but I can see airshow potential there.
RESPECT
Airborne in about 1000` sat on its ar5e and hightailed outa there. I struggle to believe that this could not have been done in front of the taxpayers on sunday.
Lightning gets my vote at this time, but I can see airshow potential there.
TM
Couldn't agree more - airborne by the Brown House and then nearly vertical - v. impressive. Almost as good as the Lightning. Even the Jag two ship looked good on their departure - and that's after two years at Colt.
If the Typhoon (are we allowed to call it the Tiffy yet?) could do it today, it's a shame it didn't yesterday in front of the crowds. However, as I don't know the display rules/Release to Service it's operating under I don't have enough informed opinion to say more.
** Pertama **
Couldn't agree more - airborne by the Brown House and then nearly vertical - v. impressive. Almost as good as the Lightning. Even the Jag two ship looked good on their departure - and that's after two years at Colt.
If the Typhoon (are we allowed to call it the Tiffy yet?) could do it today, it's a shame it didn't yesterday in front of the crowds. However, as I don't know the display rules/Release to Service it's operating under I don't have enough informed opinion to say more.
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The RAF Typhoon's not got a display auth yet so it couldn't actually do a full air display at Cosford, which is why it only did a couple of flypasts. Disappointing I know but that was unfortunately the best it was allowed to do. Furthermore it's only appearing at 5 displays this year! As for more Airforce kit in the lineup, what more did you want??? With the exception of GR4 we had every front line fighter aircraft the RAF fly, as well as the first Chinook display in 10 years!
Any issues of static displays, well just think about it; what can land/depart at Cosford? Besides, there were scores of static aircraft in situ at the RAF museum, any more and Joe Public would most likely have found him/herself rather bored.
In my view, the day went as well as can be expected. Sympathies to all those stuck in the nightmarish traffic though, but 18,000 cars down Neachly Lane? Not a lot Cosford could do about that either.
Counter-rant over.
Any issues of static displays, well just think about it; what can land/depart at Cosford? Besides, there were scores of static aircraft in situ at the RAF museum, any more and Joe Public would most likely have found him/herself rather bored.
In my view, the day went as well as can be expected. Sympathies to all those stuck in the nightmarish traffic though, but 18,000 cars down Neachly Lane? Not a lot Cosford could do about that either.
Counter-rant over.
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propwash866
I think I agree with most of what you said ( or you agreed with me) but as far as the Typhoon goes the punters don't know about display authorizations etc and several tens of thousands of taxpayers (me included) went home disappointed.
Perhaps it should have been mentioned by the commentator. Could the "display" have been performed twice maybe?
Compared to the the other RAF displays on the day it looked a bit short.
Supplementary rant over
JT
I think I agree with most of what you said ( or you agreed with me) but as far as the Typhoon goes the punters don't know about display authorizations etc and several tens of thousands of taxpayers (me included) went home disappointed.
Perhaps it should have been mentioned by the commentator. Could the "display" have been performed twice maybe?
Compared to the the other RAF displays on the day it looked a bit short.
Supplementary rant over
JT
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The argument that Cosfords static line-up consists of Museum aircraft had some integrity in the days that the museum charged an entrance fee. It has no kudos now, for many have visited the museum often.
There is no excuse for the appalling line up of overgrown airfix kits and broken aeroplanes on a show that charges a £35 entrance fee. As for "With the exception of GR4 we had every front line fighter aircraft the RAF fly" What the F3 & Typhoon?? That shows how little the air force has become, but where were Nimrod / GR4 / E3d / Puma / Merlin / BAe 146 / VC10 / TriStar / C17 / ATC Glider (Vigilant) / Firefly / Squirral / Griffin / King Air / Dominie / Band of the RAF / RAF Regt / Queens Colour Sqn /
.....and with the BA influence amongst the museum exhibits, why did BA not contribute to the flying day.
There is no excuse for the appalling line up of overgrown airfix kits and broken aeroplanes on a show that charges a £35 entrance fee. As for "With the exception of GR4 we had every front line fighter aircraft the RAF fly" What the F3 & Typhoon?? That shows how little the air force has become, but where were Nimrod / GR4 / E3d / Puma / Merlin / BAe 146 / VC10 / TriStar / C17 / ATC Glider (Vigilant) / Firefly / Squirral / Griffin / King Air / Dominie / Band of the RAF / RAF Regt / Queens Colour Sqn /
.....and with the BA influence amongst the museum exhibits, why did BA not contribute to the flying day.
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Tiger_mate,
First, lets set a few things straight. The tickets cost £12 for an adult, a £35 ticket would get a family of 2 adults and 3 kids in, do the maths and you'll find that's fairly reasonable, especially as all proceeds have gone to charity.
Moving on to your comments about the lineup, lets address statics first. 2 main concerns, first of which is runway. Cosford's is all of in the region of 4000 ft, not many RAF aircraft can fit on that, save helicopters and light aircraft. There was a tutor on display, which leaves the firefly which was not present. DHFS helicopters were present both flying and static, albeit primarily for transport and operational reasons. Second issue; where exactly do you intend to park said static displays? Cosford, you may have noticed, is not particularly large.
In terms of the flying lineup, you forgot the Harrier, Hawk and Jaguar which, together with the aforementionned GR4 and other aircraft that were displaying, make up all front line fast jets we have. As for the others you mentioned, since when did the vigilant go to war? Had you seen one fly (at 55kts, by volunteers NOT display pilots) you'd agree it is not airshow material. Similar things can be said for the BaE 146/ E3d etc, in fact to such an extent that none of these have display crews. A Nimrod was included but had to pull out 2 days before the show for operational reasons. The display Canberra PR9 has only got one engine and so unfortunately could not be there. The Band of the Royal Air force were in fact at Cosford.
As for British Airways, imagine the cost of flying a b737/747/A321 to Cosford, insuring for a display and crewing it. Now put that cost to a profit making organisation such as BA. Ask the punters if they really want to see a 737 flying down the runway and see what you get.
In terms of fulfilling its purpose of a family day out with a good variety of displaying aircraft, Cosford's display lineup was reasonable. In terms of satisfying an airliner spotter, maybe it was lacking.
Case rested.
First, lets set a few things straight. The tickets cost £12 for an adult, a £35 ticket would get a family of 2 adults and 3 kids in, do the maths and you'll find that's fairly reasonable, especially as all proceeds have gone to charity.
Moving on to your comments about the lineup, lets address statics first. 2 main concerns, first of which is runway. Cosford's is all of in the region of 4000 ft, not many RAF aircraft can fit on that, save helicopters and light aircraft. There was a tutor on display, which leaves the firefly which was not present. DHFS helicopters were present both flying and static, albeit primarily for transport and operational reasons. Second issue; where exactly do you intend to park said static displays? Cosford, you may have noticed, is not particularly large.
In terms of the flying lineup, you forgot the Harrier, Hawk and Jaguar which, together with the aforementionned GR4 and other aircraft that were displaying, make up all front line fast jets we have. As for the others you mentioned, since when did the vigilant go to war? Had you seen one fly (at 55kts, by volunteers NOT display pilots) you'd agree it is not airshow material. Similar things can be said for the BaE 146/ E3d etc, in fact to such an extent that none of these have display crews. A Nimrod was included but had to pull out 2 days before the show for operational reasons. The display Canberra PR9 has only got one engine and so unfortunately could not be there. The Band of the Royal Air force were in fact at Cosford.
As for British Airways, imagine the cost of flying a b737/747/A321 to Cosford, insuring for a display and crewing it. Now put that cost to a profit making organisation such as BA. Ask the punters if they really want to see a 737 flying down the runway and see what you get.
In terms of fulfilling its purpose of a family day out with a good variety of displaying aircraft, Cosford's display lineup was reasonable. In terms of satisfying an airliner spotter, maybe it was lacking.
Case rested.
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Didn't get to Cosford but. . .
The display Canberra PR9 has only got one engine and so unfortunately could not be there.
Was a time when the RAF had more than one spare aircraft - and more than one spare Avon.
The Band of the Royal Air force were in fact at Cosford.
This makes everything all right then.
The display Canberra PR9 has only got one engine and so unfortunately could not be there.
Was a time when the RAF had more than one spare aircraft - and more than one spare Avon.
The Band of the Royal Air force were in fact at Cosford.
This makes everything all right then.
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Whilst I endorse comments made about the poor line up of aircraft in the static park, one thing absent this year was a collection of museum aircraft out in the daylight for a change (Gnat being an exception) because the area where it normally happened was full of spotters checking out the latest Japanese imports. The Honda roadster was quite nice though
Shame Air Antiques Twin Pioneer didnt do a circuit or two for it would have outshone the Typhooon. .....and I reckon that the Falcon (para) that had alleged pyro trouble simply missed the stack and banged out; or at least thats what it looked like to me.
The RAF Police Dogs, I knew I had forgotten something
Am I right in thinking that RAFGSA have a pair of gliders that can do a resonable 5 mins?
Do post Ramstein rules forbid Airfield Attacks nowadays?
A good airshow has at least 500 car alarms going off at the same time, and lets face it; that did not happen on this occasion.
Shame Air Antiques Twin Pioneer didnt do a circuit or two for it would have outshone the Typhooon. .....and I reckon that the Falcon (para) that had alleged pyro trouble simply missed the stack and banged out; or at least thats what it looked like to me.
The RAF Police Dogs, I knew I had forgotten something
Am I right in thinking that RAFGSA have a pair of gliders that can do a resonable 5 mins?
Do post Ramstein rules forbid Airfield Attacks nowadays?
A good airshow has at least 500 car alarms going off at the same time, and lets face it; that did not happen on this occasion.