Best at Cosford air show? Not what I thought!
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Best at Cosford air show? Not what I thought!
Well I took my 2 girls to the RAF Cosford air show on Sunday after raving about the Vulcan to them for weeks, last season, awe inspiring, cold war warrior etc.....
So to the day-
'Is that the Vulcan dad?'
'No that's the typhoon'
'Is that the Vulcan?'
'No that's an F18 hornet'
You get the picture, this goes on for a while.
When the Vulcan does appear, imagine an excited high pitched voice-
'Girls, GIRLS, look, there's the VULCAN!!!'
Girls look underwhelmed as it appears to just be a bigger jet than the others.
For each display they seemed more interested in the sweet stall, funfair rides, chatting about minecraft. Not even the sheer awesomeness of the finest aircraft ever (IMHO, and I'll fight anyone who disagrees) the TSR2.
Then the Reds came over and after 27 years in the RAF I had gotten quite used to them.
But-
The place stopped, yes everyone paused to watch even more than the Vulcan, they loved it and there was a definite something special feeling running through the crowd. As I have always watched from the sidelines I hadn't realised how much the public enjoy the display which I had considered routine.
My girls stopped, went very quiet and then very excited.
It was the best part of their day, and they want to go back next year.
Amazed!!!!!
So after all that it was the Reds they loved, the next day I was able to thank one of them which, being SH I would obviously never have previously done.
Thank you Reds, you are worth every penny.
Now, where did I put that TSR2 to the Sky banner!!!!!!
So to the day-
'Is that the Vulcan dad?'
'No that's the typhoon'
'Is that the Vulcan?'
'No that's an F18 hornet'
You get the picture, this goes on for a while.
When the Vulcan does appear, imagine an excited high pitched voice-
'Girls, GIRLS, look, there's the VULCAN!!!'
Girls look underwhelmed as it appears to just be a bigger jet than the others.
For each display they seemed more interested in the sweet stall, funfair rides, chatting about minecraft. Not even the sheer awesomeness of the finest aircraft ever (IMHO, and I'll fight anyone who disagrees) the TSR2.
Then the Reds came over and after 27 years in the RAF I had gotten quite used to them.
But-
The place stopped, yes everyone paused to watch even more than the Vulcan, they loved it and there was a definite something special feeling running through the crowd. As I have always watched from the sidelines I hadn't realised how much the public enjoy the display which I had considered routine.
My girls stopped, went very quiet and then very excited.
It was the best part of their day, and they want to go back next year.
Amazed!!!!!
So after all that it was the Reds they loved, the next day I was able to thank one of them which, being SH I would obviously never have previously done.
Thank you Reds, you are worth every penny.
Now, where did I put that TSR2 to the Sky banner!!!!!!
On the Queen's Birthday Flypast thread I floated the idea that they might as well bin the rest of the flypasts on these occasions, which lets face it are usually pretty underwhelming and just have the Reds, which 99% of the public love.
Nobody bit on that thread, but your girls backed up my thoughts! Anyone agree?
Nobody bit on that thread, but your girls backed up my thoughts! Anyone agree?
A week ago I was at the Tours Air Show - very much a French "do" and Centenary of that base - the Reds got a standing ovation at the end and each pass and formation change got a round of applause - the "heart" especially so - I was very, very proud to be a Brit and to be part of the RAF "family", especially as around 25 years ago I was a Trustee of the Red Arrows Trust for six years
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Anyone agree?
Many moons ago the Reds used to start their show with a manoeuvre called 'Piccadilly Circus' in which they arrived at low level from all points of the compass and formed into a diamond 9 in a vertical climb. It was by far their best manoeuvre and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I've often thought how appropriate it would be for a Buck House flypast and how many more citizens would get to see at least one Red on the day. Come on Red Leader, let's see it back for 2016!
Gentleman Aviator
Have to say the Reds were indeed a pleasant surprise - thought I too had got blase about them, but they could still make an old (not bold!) pilot gasp.
Don't think Piccadilly Circus will ever come back - even the Reds can't fly over the crowds at low level any more. Elfan Safety dontcherknow!
Other impressive sights - not in any particular order.........
Spitfire and Typhoon.
The Vulcan - because it';s probably the last time I'll see it (her?) fly.
Gp Capt Vorderman in her No 1!
Might even knock Section Officer Maggie Harvey into Silver Medal position (when in FULL uniform that is!)
Don't think Piccadilly Circus will ever come back - even the Reds can't fly over the crowds at low level any more. Elfan Safety dontcherknow!
Other impressive sights - not in any particular order.........
Spitfire and Typhoon.
The Vulcan - because it';s probably the last time I'll see it (her?) fly.
Gp Capt Vorderman in her No 1!
Might even knock Section Officer Maggie Harvey into Silver Medal position (when in FULL uniform that is!)
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As my wife said, there is nothing more quintessentially British than the Red Arrows flying over Buckingham Palace being waved at by the Royal Family.
In my opinion, people attend Yeovilton Air Day for two things, the Reds and the Jungly Assault. And why not?
In my opinion, people attend Yeovilton Air Day for two things, the Reds and the Jungly Assault. And why not?
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Bin 'em. Too costly and the money could and should be better spent on real practical defence requirements of which these pages speak verily.
But I concede like the changing of the guard at London and all the royals wearing military fancy dress on the balcony it continues a tradition and gives an impression of solidity and continuity. HS.
But I concede like the changing of the guard at London and all the royals wearing military fancy dress on the balcony it continues a tradition and gives an impression of solidity and continuity. HS.
Bin 'em. Too costly and the money could and should be better spent on real practical defence requirements of which these pages speak verily.
But I concede like the changing of the guard at London and all the royals wearing military fancy dress on the balcony it continues a tradition and gives an impression of solidity and continuity. HS.
But I concede like the changing of the guard at London and all the royals wearing military fancy dress on the balcony it continues a tradition and gives an impression of solidity and continuity. HS.
Originally Posted by Nige321
HS you strike me as one of those people who knows the cost of everything and the value of absolutely nothing
Best at Cosford
.....and formation change got a round of applause - the "heart" especially so
I have related elsewhere the storty about taking our ex ALAT Super Cub to the French Air Force display at Cambrai. The only display that caused the VIPs to put down their champers and watch was that by the RAFG Harrier.
You could see hands applauding but the sound was only of the mighty Pegasus . Shame we will not see the like again this side of the pond.
You could see hands applauding but the sound was only of the mighty Pegasus . Shame we will not see the like again this side of the pond.
I get my own Reds fly past every September without fail.
My house is on the run in for the Tyne Bridge fly past, over the Great North Runners.
I tell my good lady they use the church next door to our house as the IP.
My house is on the run in for the Tyne Bridge fly past, over the Great North Runners.
I tell my good lady they use the church next door to our house as the IP.
Other impressive sights
The trouble with the Vulcan at Cosford is that you don't get the take-off experience...still very impressive to see, but from past airshows, the take-off into a nearly-wingover really gets people's attention like nothing else.
Next year: no yellow aircraft with roundels and no grey and green ones either
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you don't get the take-off experience
The cousins were not amused!
dfv8 - but as I explained (in my then halting French) to a French family at the same show a few years ago, "The heart is for the young ladies whose birthday it is today, but whilst Patrouille de France fly the manoeuvre with 8 aeroplanes, the Fleches Rouge de Grand Bretagne use neuf avions