So in summary, those that want it back are out; and those that don't seem to be everyone still in who has to work it.:ok:

Or are at least posted at Waddo at the moment.....

Downsizer, I guess I must be in the CCL camp though having been at Waddo I would go with the no group.

Must admit I enjoyed participating at places like New Zealand, Farnborough, Colt, Gaydon, Finningley, Cranwell, Old Sarum, and got a great buzz at Coningsby after the event, but hate battling the traffic and crowds today.

Enjoy our regular displays of Spitfires, Hurricanes, Dakota, Lancasters, and Typhoons, all at no cost, no crowds and a glass of wine to hand.

The RAF had one air show this year - Cosford. It's a very good show, not on a frontline station - but it maxes out at about 55,000 people.

airsound

Be careful about that for which you might wish!

Remember the Spirit of Adventure farce of 8 years ago? No? Well here you are:

Leaning!!
 

There is a lot of talk of 'Leaning' on this thread...(posh word for cut backs).


I would like to offer this -


'Leaning' is just 'Learning' with the r's kicked out of it!!


Four types

Of course the RAF should be able to put on at least one Airshow a year, be it at Waddington or anywhere else, if only to let some of the great "unwashed" whose taxes pay for it see some of what their paying for, and like the Red Arrows they do influence people to join.

Commitments such as Guarding, OOA, deployments etc, were bandied about at Leuchars and Waddo when I was there as reasons not to have an Airshow. Didn't stop them then and I am highly doubtful it will now.

If the powers that be want an Airshow, an Airshow they shall have.

Unless of course the bean counters decide otherwise.

" Of course the RAF should be able to put on at least one Airshow a year, be it at Waddington or anywhere else, if only to let some of the great "unwashed" whose taxes pay for it see some of what their paying for, and like the Red Arrows they do influence people to join" .

Whilst not strictly speaking an RAF show, the public as mentioned above did have the chance to see how their £££'s are being spent last weekend....at the Southport Air show. Which, along with a couple of friends and about 45000 others, I attended.

Given the location, it's very well organised as in the town itself keeps functioning whilst the paying public are directed to the front.

However, there was only one real attraction to judge from the many overheard conversations and that was the Vulcan.

The arrival, with the Red Arrows in a V formation, in near perfect weather, did, as they say, bring the house down and I suggest you have a look on you tube as to just how impressive this was.

Thereafter, came what can best be described as an "interesting" display. :ok:

The downside.

Given the complete range of people attending, the collective and repeated, ahem, "sentiments" towards the commentary / commentator were telling.

As an exercise in "how to put people off aviation, the RAF and air shows" it was unsurpassed. Ponderous and, at times, arrogant inflection, repeated references to that, raid, "please give us some more money " and a lecture in Roman history and mythology all contributed towards a negative perception.

This was going to be the last chance most people, other than the dedicated enthusiasts, would have to see the Vulcan displayed so you would have thought a lively, upbeat, celebratory and even humourous commentary would have been more applicable......but no.