RAF Leuchars air show, USAF no show?
The RAF moving out of Leuchars vice Lossie was always wrong for sooo many reasons:
1. To keep on thread, Leuchars is better for the airshow.
2. Leuchars is nearer more diversions that FJs need for low fuel on the ground unless you keep KIS's runway open at many ££££££s..
3. It is near civilisation (ie. Edinburgh)
4. It is the right side of the Grampians.
5. The golf is better.
6. The army could 'blob up' in LOS/KIS.
7. People from South of the border don't mind a posting to Leuchars but a further 3 hours up the A9 can be a marriage killer or career shortener (i.e. they leave). That said, some odd-balls like the isolation!
Still, another crap decision made, another good base going to the other services (just like Brawdy, Chivenor, Cottesmore, Abingdon, Andover,
). It's done now...
LJ
1. To keep on thread, Leuchars is better for the airshow.
2. Leuchars is nearer more diversions that FJs need for low fuel on the ground unless you keep KIS's runway open at many ££££££s..
3. It is near civilisation (ie. Edinburgh)
4. It is the right side of the Grampians.
5. The golf is better.
6. The army could 'blob up' in LOS/KIS.
7. People from South of the border don't mind a posting to Leuchars but a further 3 hours up the A9 can be a marriage killer or career shortener (i.e. they leave). That said, some odd-balls like the isolation!
Still, another crap decision made, another good base going to the other services (just like Brawdy, Chivenor, Cottesmore, Abingdon, Andover,
). It's done now...LJ
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Prestwick? I think MOL (of Ryanair fame) might have something to say about his (few) scheduled services being potentially interrupted by fast-jet jockeys showing off.
Parking (cars rather than aeroplanes) might be an issue as most of the larger spaces are already used by airport-associated long-stay outfits - only the patch of ground beside the tower security gate comes to mind, and it isn't 'large' as car parks go.
I know the railway station is close, but if public access were to be from the Gannet side as opposed to the terminal side, it'd be a bit of a hike for some... 2+ miles.
As for RNAS Prestwick/HMS Gannet SAR, mentioned earlier, (thread drift...), are it's days also not numbered, with civvy contractors taking on that role in the not too distant, and potentially from elsewhere?
Any other non-mil airfields having commercial/scheduled operators holding similar shows?
Parking (cars rather than aeroplanes) might be an issue as most of the larger spaces are already used by airport-associated long-stay outfits - only the patch of ground beside the tower security gate comes to mind, and it isn't 'large' as car parks go.
I know the railway station is close, but if public access were to be from the Gannet side as opposed to the terminal side, it'd be a bit of a hike for some... 2+ miles.
As for RNAS Prestwick/HMS Gannet SAR, mentioned earlier, (thread drift...), are it's days also not numbered, with civvy contractors taking on that role in the not too distant, and potentially from elsewhere?
Any other non-mil airfields having commercial/scheduled operators holding similar shows?
I too mourn the passing of the Leuchars Airshow, first flight ever was there as a lad in the 60's in a C172 and probably led to my decision to join the RAF.
As to its replacement, perhaps an enterprising Edinburgh City Council could follow the success of Bournemouth, Sunderland and Blackpool and put on a 'free' seaside airshow at somewhere like Portobello, say around the 18th of September next year
As to its replacement, perhaps an enterprising Edinburgh City Council could follow the success of Bournemouth, Sunderland and Blackpool and put on a 'free' seaside airshow at somewhere like Portobello, say around the 18th of September next year
Last edited by chinook240; 8th Sep 2013 at 16:31.
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I know the railway station is close, but if public access were to be from the Gannet side as opposed to the terminal side, it'd be a bit of a hike for some... 2+ miles.
My other recollection was that during the show there were some normal ops that briefly interrupted the show from time to time. (More to see
)
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Well I was disappointed. Look at the RAF participation in the flying display. Sea King, Tucano, Sentry, Typhoon. Leave aside the Reds and BBMF (with a single Tornado) and that was the total of RAF hardware shown to the public.
I know there are operational constraints but I feel this was a poor representation of the albeit limited capabilities we have today.
Having said that, it was a good day - the Austrian role demo was particularly impressive and it was great to see the Viggen.
Cheers
I know there are operational constraints but I feel this was a poor representation of the albeit limited capabilities we have today.
Having said that, it was a good day - the Austrian role demo was particularly impressive and it was great to see the Viggen.
Cheers
I've posted a similar message on UKAR, I think the most logical option, if the show can't return to Leuchars after 2015, the most likely option is to continue it at Lossiemouth. It would represent the best way of retaining the tradition and custom of the Battle of Britain at home day. The concerns about the level of access I think have been over hyped. I would have thought that together with the determined few from further south that the towns of Aberdeen, Peterhead, Inverness and so forth would provide a reasonable size core population, but then I suppose its all down to what the review currently being conducted by the R.A.F will determine. Personally, I'd prefer the original format to contniue at Leuchars somehow.
FB
FB
A shame if Leuchars goes under - and this year's show sounded to have been rather thin from the RAF's attendance.
29 years ago I did a flypast in VC10K2 ZA140 and the aerodrome looked packed - we also did a flypast at RAF Finningley and that too was packed solid with the genpub and no doubt, spotters with their wretched little ladders...
Later, we did a couple of statics and the FunBus was host to many 'selected invitees'....
But we had an air force back then.....
29 years ago I did a flypast in VC10K2 ZA140 and the aerodrome looked packed - we also did a flypast at RAF Finningley and that too was packed solid with the genpub and no doubt, spotters with their wretched little ladders...
Later, we did a couple of statics and the FunBus was host to many 'selected invitees'....But we had an air force back then.....
Last edited by BEagle; 9th Sep 2013 at 11:44.
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Whilst there may have been a paucity of aircraft, what was there was well presented, both on the ground and in the air. I feel that all dealt with any issues that came up (e.g. Vulcan and Hunter) well.
Everyone I saw certainly appeared to very much enjoy the airshow. The fact that the weather forecast was totally incorrect was much appreciated. Those that I spoke with certainly had a pleasurable day. I spoke with many former R.A.F. personnel who were happy to reminisce about their pasts and Leuchars' in particular. There was much sadness with the demise of R.A.F. leuchars and with the armed forces in general. This year, for some reason, I spoke with many people who wanted to tell me about their times at R.A.F. Tengah. It was absolutley fascinating.
I would personally like to thank all those people involved with organising, setting up, running and dismantling what was an extremely pleasurable day. Thank you all.
Finally a very big thanks to the Red Arrows for their departure display at 10:00 hrs on Sunday.
Hval.
Everyone I saw certainly appeared to very much enjoy the airshow. The fact that the weather forecast was totally incorrect was much appreciated. Those that I spoke with certainly had a pleasurable day. I spoke with many former R.A.F. personnel who were happy to reminisce about their pasts and Leuchars' in particular. There was much sadness with the demise of R.A.F. leuchars and with the armed forces in general. This year, for some reason, I spoke with many people who wanted to tell me about their times at R.A.F. Tengah. It was absolutley fascinating.
I would personally like to thank all those people involved with organising, setting up, running and dismantling what was an extremely pleasurable day. Thank you all.
Finally a very big thanks to the Red Arrows for their departure display at 10:00 hrs on Sunday.
Hval.
Last edited by hval; 9th Sep 2013 at 12:24. Reason: Initial phrasing looked poor
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"The aircraft could have probably been salvaged."
But the pilot possibly wouldn't. Which is more important?
"I would have thought East Fortune would have some potential for an airshow?"
Have you been there?
Nice airfield but unfortunately access leaves MUCH to be desired.
But the pilot possibly wouldn't. Which is more important?
"I would have thought East Fortune would have some potential for an airshow?"
Have you been there?
Nice airfield but unfortunately access leaves MUCH to be desired.
Come 2015, I'm sure the Scottish Air Force will be able to have their complete fleet on static display at SAF Lossiemouth. For the flying diplays, they can call on guest appearances from various foreign nations. Maybe the RAF might venture north to show the locals a glimpse of what they once had. 
Speedywheels,
My sentiments entirely, MSPs and the SNP have been getting right on their high horses over this, yet none can possibly offer anything similar to go in place should independence become a reality.
Having been at Leuchars on Saturday and accepting the way the R.A.F. orbat is these days, I think they did a marvelous job. Got to admit though, had it not been for the Austrains and the Swedes (especially the Viggen) it would have struggled a bit. I've boticed that the home based aircraft when ever they put up have always been restricted to flypasts and or role demos, no formation drills culminating in zoom climbs like it was in the early 90s and before.
So, wonder what the future holds now?
FB
PS Beagle,
29 years ago being 1984, I was on the ground at Finningley that very day.
My sentiments entirely, MSPs and the SNP have been getting right on their high horses over this, yet none can possibly offer anything similar to go in place should independence become a reality.
Having been at Leuchars on Saturday and accepting the way the R.A.F. orbat is these days, I think they did a marvelous job. Got to admit though, had it not been for the Austrains and the Swedes (especially the Viggen) it would have struggled a bit. I've boticed that the home based aircraft when ever they put up have always been restricted to flypasts and or role demos, no formation drills culminating in zoom climbs like it was in the early 90s and before.
So, wonder what the future holds now?
FB
PS Beagle,
29 years ago being 1984, I was on the ground at Finningley that very day.
Last edited by Finningley Boy; 9th Sep 2013 at 18:49.
