OT- Sunderland Airshow

Any of you boys and girls been?

I went for the first time today and had a great day out with the kids.
Seemed well organised and transport was no hassle at all (Metro straight in and out).
Highlight was seeing the Spitfire, Lancaster and the Hurricaine by a country mile.

 

please log in to view this image

 

please log in to view this image

 

please log in to view this image

 

please log in to view this image

 

I have been stuck on nightshift all weekend, so went over with my daughter on Friday night only to find out they had cancelled all the planes due to very low cloud just off the coast..

 

Aye the guy today said a few of the planes from today were rescheduled from Friday I think.

 

Acthung, acthung! Four planes just flew over my hoose here in Walkergate, England.

 

I used to be involved with the Air Tattoo at Fairford The sound of those Merlin engines are a national treasure. We only get to hear a few these days, can you imagine the sound of 100 lancs, with 400 merlins on song. You were lucky too Albert, with seeing two Daks, both in invasion markings. Only ever seen one on its own, never two.

 

The other icon is the Vulcan, with its amazing "howl". Not 100% sure, but I think its caused by the the air intakes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ARSE8jEHQ

Designed by the same guy who designed the lanc, but sadly he was killed before it flew

 

I went yesterday. Cracking day out. The place was rammed with people, far more than 2 years ago from memory. Love the Red Arrows and the Typhoon displays.

 

Went years ago and hated every minute just loads of people horrible experience.

Nice day n all u could have put my feet up.

 

I'm the same with big crowds but we found a decent spot this year which isn't that crowded but very good view and there's bogs and food there with no big queues. In front of/below where the VIP tents are. Take a fold up chair and you're laughing.

 

That would help but in all honesty I found the planes less exciting than formula one which is saying something.

 

Indeed. The compare chap mentioned that one of the Daks even had several bullet holes in from D Day still. He made a point of saying it's quite rare to see two together, in formation. and with D Day markings.
He said that later in the year the only other flying Lanc, from Canada will join up for a formation flight with the BBMF Lanc so it may be the last time we ever see two together in the sky over England at an airshow.
People say that individual planes won the war but I'd say it was the engine (and of course the men who flew them). I believe both the Spit and the Lancaster were both fortunate to carry such powerful engines.

 

I've been up close to a Vulcan at Duxford and they are as solid as hell. Iconic.

 

That's where I was mate, at Seaburn.

 

Out of interest Mr T... what does get you excited?

 

Shame I cant change my work schedule, I work in your area for a week, but sadly its in October. Still one of my fave areas to work, everyone is so friendly & down to earth. Going back to the Vulcan, I did a weeks camp with Air cadets at RAF Waddington, at the height of the cold war. Even in one week, the Vulcan's had several 3 minute warnings, where the crews had to get kitted up and taxi to the end of the runway, including one in the middle of the night. As a youngster, I didn't realise how close we were to WW3.

Strange coincidence, but the Lanc that now flies was at Waddington, and several of us were allowed to go inside. I think it was an Australian officer who was on tour instigated the restoring of her to flying condition, but not 100% sure. RAF Scampton still maintains ******s grave, and Gibson's office, which both my kids visited when we were at Waddington air show. Merv Hallam was the curator, and a genuine top bloke. Happy memories.

 

Jeez how politically correct have we become. All I typed in was the name of Gibson's black labrador, and it got a load of stars!