WOW! Just wow...

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 09 Jul 2011, 19:04

Today I was fortunate to watch the spectacle presented by these guys as part
of a free airshow; the Red Arrows doing what they do best:

Not my pictures BTW, I was too busy watching them to faff about with a camera!

Gave me goosebumps watching such a superb display and they blew me away!
Definitely gave everyone a lift and a massive feelgood feeling so If you've
never bothered checking them out live, you really ought to see them.

Trainman · Unread post by **Trainman** » 09 Jul 2011, 19:43

Proper 'feel good factor'

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 09 Jul 2011, 19:56

The 1941 vintage Lancaster bomber from the Memorial Flight had a
solo spot to kick things off and sounded glorious with it's x4 Merlins
resonating around the natural amphitheatre of Swansea Bay; the figures
for it's history/capabilities are mightily impressive and the losses and
casualties are totally humbling

Some great stuff shown today to highlight the work of many unsung
heroes including the Air/Sea rescue RNLI lifeboat and SeaKing with training
re-enactment for sea rescues; didn't see a Wiliamesque landing in the
sea mind!

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 09 Jul 2011, 20:07

Back in 2007 I was at an airsoft forum weekender near Hereford, as they were giving out prizes and saying thanks to everyone for organising it, the Red Arrows flew over very low, it was spectacular

(course the police incident when someone left their gun bag in the taxi to the station nearly marred it!)

A few years back I managed to get to the Farnborough airshow and took this one:

Citroening · Unread post by **Citroening** » 09 Jul 2011, 20:20

A friend of mine is a aircraft-fan and likes his photography too - a couple of his snaps -

Red Arrows by nikonsigma, on Flickr

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 09 Jul 2011, 20:24

This is the second year I've seen the show now after I watched them 3
years ago fly, in full tight formation, no more than bugger all feet above
me (100-150?) as I walked my dogs out in the sticks as they flew en route
the few miles to burst onto Swansea bay and the waiting crowds to present
their moves.

This year was totally packed with a huge crowd that cheered and clapped
as they performed their moves.

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 09 Jul 2011, 21:16

Excellent pictures. Really stunning.

Hope they are at the Bournemouth Air Show this year, along with the Memorial flight and the Vulcan.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Jul 2011, 21:16

When I was serving in Cyprus we used to get to see the Red Arrows training each spring when they visited RAF Akrotiri for a few weeks. That cumulated in a big show on the Island just before they returned home.

In the weeks leading up to it we could often see them training and that was as good to see as the show.

Sadly, one year I witnessed one of the Arrows crash into the runway. The pilot bailed out and landed a bit heavily but was OK, albeit, it was said, six inches shorter! The 'plane was dead though.

Nothing stops their show though, a replacement 'plane arrived but rather than red it was grey. That year the show was marked by one grey 'plane in the formation.

The Red Arrows are brilliant, no other word for it....

brmartyn · Unread post by **brmartyn** » 09 Jul 2011, 21:25

Jim is fully aware that I'm currently serving in the RAF and have the pleasure of seeing these type of displays on a regular basis! - especially in the summer!

They still amaze me everytime I see them.

Homer · Unread post by **Homer** » 09 Jul 2011, 21:32

Was at Waddington last week.

The Red Arrows..

...really showed the Thunderbirds....

...how it's done.

Star of the show was of course the Vulcan.

If you want to see the Vulcan for free it is displaying at Sunderland this year (30, 31 July). Fingers and toes crossed of course.

Citroening · Unread post by **Citroening** » 09 Jul 2011, 21:34

Homer wrote:Was at Waddington last week.

The same friend (!) mentioned above also went to Waddington too - Pics.

Red Arrows by nikonsigma, on Flickr

brmartyn · Unread post by **brmartyn** » 09 Jul 2011, 21:58

I love the Vulcan and unfortunately due to extremely bad weather it had to be cancelled at the last minute from giving a display at the Cosford Airshow a few weeks ago

citroenesque · Unread post by **citroenesque** » 09 Jul 2011, 22:16

@ Citroening

Nice selection of pics on that link. I must say the Hawker Hunter just has to be the best looking - no, beautiful - machines ever built.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 09 Jul 2011, 22:22

I was working under a Hillman Imp when that Vulcan flew over then went into a vertical climb right above me.
Never moved so quickly - I thought the Ragnarök was upon us, god it was loud and the ground shook.
This would have been one of the first Sunderland Air Shows.

We have a little air museum here and the centerpiece is a decommissioned Vulcan.
We did have an airfield too but that is now the Nissan plant

Used to be great watching the small planes and skydivers from our front window, all gone now.

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 09 Jul 2011, 22:23

There is a legend that may be complete waffle, of an airshow in the US where the comentator was saying the blue angels/thunderbirds (can't remember which) were the best display pilots in the world.
Then as they flew very low to the ground past the crowd, an RAF pilot buzzed below them upside down.
Would be nice to be true.