Coningsby International Airshow
Well, it's seemed that way.
My impromptu day out on Thursday, replacing the London trip turned out quite successful. The whole point was to catch a bit of last minute action from the resident 6 Squadron, RAF who're the last in the air farce to operate the Jaguar ground attack plane, who've been given one months notice to shut down; a bit of shabby treatment considering the jet's been in front line service for 33 years, and still effective; and they've some of the best flying and spirit we've got left.
What was going to be just a bit of hit and miss jet watching turned into three days in the sun, picking up an injury* running for the runway whilst carrying a big bag full of lenses and optics on one shoulder. The air ingredient turned out to include two displays from the only Lancaster bomber flying in Europe, just back from it's major service and looking lovely and clean; four Spitfires and an unexpected formation display from three brand new Eurofighters; as well as the 13 aircraft formation display from the retiring Jaguars. Spotters around the place.... well, I've been to airshows with less people at them. The camera's chewed it's way through more pixels than is good for it, and is in need of fettling now thanks to the dry conditions, strong wind and dust getting into places it's best not to mention. Anyway, my pictures are here, here, here and here.
*Think your arse is just for sitting on? Wait until you pull muscles all the way down one side of it and then you'll appreciate how important it actually is for walking !
I got a little reflective at times, on how some of those jets that are retiring I can actually remember seeing for the first time in 1985, and yes, that only seems like a long while ago now I actually think about it. There's been a lot go on since, and my attitudes to life couldn't be more different to what they were then; the aviation obsession was total, seemed fair enough and natural and it's slipped by the wayside since. Hell, I'm not about to psychoanalysise myself here. Interesting as it is, I've not got the time, there's stuff to do....
My impromptu day out on Thursday, replacing the London trip turned out quite successful. The whole point was to catch a bit of last minute action from the resident 6 Squadron, RAF who're the last in the air farce to operate the Jaguar ground attack plane, who've been given one months notice to shut down; a bit of shabby treatment considering the jet's been in front line service for 33 years, and still effective; and they've some of the best flying and spirit we've got left.
What was going to be just a bit of hit and miss jet watching turned into three days in the sun, picking up an injury* running for the runway whilst carrying a big bag full of lenses and optics on one shoulder. The air ingredient turned out to include two displays from the only Lancaster bomber flying in Europe, just back from it's major service and looking lovely and clean; four Spitfires and an unexpected formation display from three brand new Eurofighters; as well as the 13 aircraft formation display from the retiring Jaguars. Spotters around the place.... well, I've been to airshows with less people at them. The camera's chewed it's way through more pixels than is good for it, and is in need of fettling now thanks to the dry conditions, strong wind and dust getting into places it's best not to mention. Anyway, my pictures are here, here, here and here.
*Think your arse is just for sitting on? Wait until you pull muscles all the way down one side of it and then you'll appreciate how important it actually is for walking !
I got a little reflective at times, on how some of those jets that are retiring I can actually remember seeing for the first time in 1985, and yes, that only seems like a long while ago now I actually think about it. There's been a lot go on since, and my attitudes to life couldn't be more different to what they were then; the aviation obsession was total, seemed fair enough and natural and it's slipped by the wayside since. Hell, I'm not about to psychoanalysise myself here. Interesting as it is, I've not got the time, there's stuff to do....
posted by Fred the Singing Bandit at 7:50 pm
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