RAF Cosford Air Show 2017 - [Main Topic]

[Pringles]

Now a question about the flying itself. I see the Sea King is booked(yay!) but any there any more helicopters booked or is it at the moment a waiting game?
Really looking forward to seeing the Red Arrows and the BBMF(the Hurricane is a big draw for me)
Best Wishes
Ian

Hi Ian! I can't help you much regarding disabled access however I can help you with the flying. There is no Sea King booked for the flying (although there may be some static resident examples used by the RAF for engineering training) you may be referring to the Whirlwind HAR10, which is in fact the Sea King's predecessor. Further helicopter action confirmed so far comes from the Vietnam era OH-6 Loach and UH-1 Huey, both classic helicopters that will be displaying and/or flying as part of an exciting set piece. There are no other confirmed helicopter displays, however I would hope to see the Apache once again and I see the AAC is listed on the airshow website as "Coming Soon" (unless JHC don't want to play ball?) and the Chinook has always been a regular at the show (however given the problems at the end of last year does anyone know if the display will actually be running? ) For any further helicopters, there is a slight possibility that the AAC Historic Flight will return with their Sioux and Scout, or Terry Martin's Westland Wasp may display (both were booked last year, with the latter on static) however that is for the organisers to decide.

Regarding the BBMF and the Hurricane, at the moment the BBMF will not be bringing any Hurricanes, rather the Lancaster will be escorted by 4 Spitfires! Luckily for you, given your evident love of the type, 'Hurricane Heritage' will be displaying their genuine Battle of Britain veteran Hurricane I. Hope this helps, I wish a very warm welcome to UKAR!

[speedshrew]

There's info here regarding accessibility.

http://www.cosfordairshow.co.uk/accessibility.php

I can't see any mention of taxi drop offs - can you get there in a car somehow perhaps?

As for the BBMF, they are appearing with the Lancaster and four (four!!) Spitfires. Which will be fantastic but not so much if you're looking forward to the Hurricane!

Thank you for that link, will take a closer look later.
Sadly have no use of a car, will continue looking though thank you very much for taking the time to respond

[speedshrew]

There is no Sea King booked for the flying (although there may be some static resident examples used by the RAF for engineering training) you may be referring to the Whirlwind HAR10, which is in fact the Sea King's predecessor.

Yes, of course. Apologies for that. Was reading something about the Sea King's history yesterday, so my coffee deprived brain somehow muddled the two up!

Further helicopter action confirmed so far comes from the Vietnam era OH-6 Loach and UH-1 Huey, both classic helicopters that will be displaying and/or flying as part of an exciting set piece. There are no other confirmed helicopter displays, however I would hope to see the Apache once again and I see the AAC is listed on the airshow website as "Coming Soon" (unless JHC don't want to play ball?) and the Chinook has always been a regular

The Loach and the Huey are good choices thus far. The Apache and the Chinook would be the dream for me but also the frosting on the icing on the cake as it were considering the overall flying lineup we have this year

Regarding the BBMF and the Hurricane, at the moment the BBMF will not be bringing any Hurricanes, rather the Lancaster will be escorted by 4 Spitfires! Luckily for you, given your evident love of the type, 'Hurricane Heritage' will be displaying their genuine Battle of Britain veteran Hurricane I. Hope this helps, I wish a very warm welcome to UKAR!

Thank you for your warm welcome and looking forward to chatting more
Ian

[PeterR]

I am a wheelchair user, and it strikes me that our options for getting to the airshow are somewhat limited? I understand the need for traffic control measures(heck, don't envy that person's job) but with the train station being wheelchair inaccessible(For 364 days a year I know it's an optional base so wheelchair access is unlikely to be needed regularly-practically speaking) my best option that I can see looking at a map is to get a taxi near as possible and me and my PA walking over. Google Maps tells me this is Newport Road, but knowing Google, it could be sending me the wrong way so any advice would warmly welcomed. I am staying in Shrewsbury with a friend. Is there also a disabled viewing area?

Hi Ian, as you've highlighted unfortunately, the Cosford train station does not have disabled access so we cannot recommend the use of Cosford train station to people who are unable to manage steps. Reference a taxi, due to the traffic management plan, all the roads into RAF Cosford are one-way for the morning of the Air Show so there is nowhere close for drop-off/pick-up. The nearest location which would be possible would be the Esso/Spar Garage on the A41, located at the Cosford traffic lights. However this is approx 1.2 kilometers /0.8 miles from the Pedestrian Entrance to the Air Show. There is an area set aside inside the showground with a disabled hosting team to ensure that our disabled visitors are well looked after at the air show. The disabled car park is connected via a hard standing taxiway to the main thoroughfare of trader, exhibitors and displays. Please note the disabled car park is filled on a first come, first serve basis and spaces are unable to be booked. My advice would be to see if your friend fancied a day out at the Air Show, travel by car, and display your Blue Badge to pack in the Disabled car park. Sorry this advice can't be more helpful. If you need more information, don't hesitate to call the office on 01902 377922 and I'm sure the girls will be able to offer better advice.

On the helicopter front, I can't say too much pending paperwork arriving here at Cosford but alongside the 3x civilian helicopters already booked, there should be at least 3 more helicopters performing in the flying display, and at least another 7 in the static displays too. However I do have to correct Pringles post, there's no Sea Kings left on the airfield site now due to a shift around of DSAE airframes, so non of the airframes you may have seen in previous years will be on static display in 2017, sorry!

Cheers,
Peter
Operations Manager
RAF Cosford Air Show

[speedshrew]

Thank you Peter for that kind post and useful information. Might I politely suggest that the overall access issue is something that is looked into for future events?
On the plus side, the disabled viewing area is a great thing, as is your hint about helicopters.
Looks like my best approach to the airshow will be to taxi and walk it. Do we need to let anyone know if we are coming from that direction(trying not to cause an accidental security alert here!)? What time do you recommend getting there for?
Ian

[Seahornet]

Hello Ian,
Have you looked into coach travel? (Would this be possible for you?) I notice that Owens are running a trip from Oswestry; you'd imagine that a pick-up in Shrewsbury would be likely.

http://www.owenstravel.co.uk/itineraries/185-royal-airforce-cosford-air-show?t3p=

There may well be others, and a coach would take you much closer than a taxi.

[speedshrew]

Thank you, I'll look into it. Thank you for replying and trying to help
Ian

[Andyperkins]

Thank you Peter for that kind post and useful information. Might I politely suggest that the overall access issue is something that is looked into for future events?
On the plus side, the disabled viewing area is a great thing, as is your hint about helicopters.
Looks like my best approach to the airshow will be to taxi and walk it. Do we need to let anyone know if we are coming from that direction(trying not to cause an accidental security alert here!)? What time do you recommend getting there for?
Ian

Taxi could end up being a very expensive trip depending on the queues, a few years back I hit the queue at 8am and by 1pm was still waiting outside.

[PeterR]

Today's update....

[center]Participation Update 14/3/17[/center]
- Griffin HT1 from RAF Shawbury confirmed for Static Display.
- Squirrel HT1 from RAF Shawbury confirmed for Static Display.


When the website is undated later today you'll see slowly more international responses are filtering through, with a number of Air Arms sadly unable to participate at the Air Show this year due to operational requirements. However, we're still in discussions for a fair number of countries to attend for both flying and static displays!

Cheers,
Peter
Operations Manager
RAF Cosford Air Show

[speedshrew]

Taxi could end up being a very expensive trip depending on the queues, a few years back I hit the queue at 8am and by 1pm was still waiting outside.

I believe the expression needed here is "Clucking bell"!
Early start needed whatever happens by the sounds of it....

[AFKAMC]

Taxi could end up being a very expensive trip depending on the queues, a few years back I hit the queue at 8am and by 1pm was still waiting outside.

I believe the expression needed here is "Clucking bell"!
Early start needed whatever happens by the sounds of it....

Definitely aim to get there 8:00 - 8:30, if you want to avoid queues (gates open at 8:30).

Having said that, I've been going for the last several years, and getting there around that time, I've always been parked up on site within 30 minutes or less.

The one year I set off a bit later, and ended up in a queue on the M54, but I was still on site by 10:00, as I recall. Maybe there was a traffic incident the year Andy describes?

EDIT: Just consulted my 2016 diary as an example. I started queueing in air show traffic on the A41 at 7:40, was parked up by 8:00 (albeit in the off-site car park).

Can't remember what time the gates were supposed to open last year, but I have a feeling they start letting people in before the advertised opening time, so better to be early rather than later, IMO.

EDIT again: Now I recall, the off-site car park was only a short distance from the base, but the ground en route was pretty uneven, so you might want to avoid off-site parking if you have mobility issues.

[Paul_Reflex]

On the subject of getting in, how early can you arrive at Cosford? I don't mind setting off very early if it means getting in promptly, but I wouldn't want to be a nuisance or cause an obstruction if there's nowhere for very early cars to wait safely.

[Andyperkins]

Taxi could end up being a very expensive trip depending on the queues, a few years back I hit the queue at 8am and by 1pm was still waiting outside.

I believe the expression needed here is "Clucking bell"!
Early start needed whatever happens by the sounds of it....

Definitely aim to get there 8:00 - 8:30, if you want to avoid queues (gates open at 8:30).

Having said that, I've been going for the last several years, and getting there around that time, I've always been parked up on site within 30 minutes or less.

The one year I set off a bit later, and ended up in a queue on the M54, but I was still on site by 10:00, as I recall. Maybe there was a traffic incident the year Andy describes?

EDIT: Just consulted my 2016 diary as an example. I started queueing in air show traffic on the A41 at 7:40, was parked up by 8:00 (albeit in the off-site car park).

Can't remember what time the gates were supposed to open last year, but I have a feeling they start letting people in before the advertised opening time, so better to be early rather than later, IMO.

EDIT again: Now I recall, the off-site car park was only a short distance from the base, but the ground en route was pretty uneven, so you might want to avoid off-site parking if you have mobility issues.

No traffic incident it was just one of those days where the weather was perfect (blue skies and 25c) so it seemed everyone within 50 miles decided to go and most didn't want to queue so just cut in further down the front meaning us at the back barely moved for hours, after that I made sure I left an hour earlier the following year and it was a completely different experience.

[AFKAMC]

Taxi could end up being a very expensive trip depending on the queues, a few years back I hit the queue at 8am and by 1pm was still waiting outside.

I believe the expression needed here is "Clucking bell"!
Early start needed whatever happens by the sounds of it....

Definitely aim to get there 8:00 - 8:30, if you want to avoid queues (gates open at 8:30).

Having said that, I've been going for the last several years, and getting there around that time, I've always been parked up on site within 30 minutes or less.

The one year I set off a bit later, and ended up in a queue on the M54, but I was still on site by 10:00, as I recall. Maybe there was a traffic incident the year Andy describes?

EDIT: Just consulted my 2016 diary as an example. I started queueing in air show traffic on the A41 at 7:40, was parked up by 8:00 (albeit in the off-site car park).

Can't remember what time the gates were supposed to open last year, but I have a feeling they start letting people in before the advertised opening time, so better to be early rather than later, IMO.

EDIT again: Now I recall, the off-site car park was only a short distance from the base, but the ground en route was pretty uneven, so you might want to avoid off-site parking if you have mobility issues.

No traffic incident it was just one of those days where the weather was perfect (blue skies and 25c) so it seemed everyone within 50 miles decided to go and most didn't want to queue so just cut in further down the front meaning us at the back barely moved for hours, after that I made sure I left an hour earlier the following year and it was a completely different experience.

I must've missed that year. It seems every time I've been to Cosford, the weather has been less than perfect - often, VERY far from perfect...

[speedshrew]

It's the unwritten rule of airshows I am told for the weather to go to pot just as one of the key draws is flying?

[convair]

It's the unwritten rule of airshows I am told for the weather to go to pot just as one of the key draws is flying?

Last years B-52...

[PeterR]

Bit of shameless plug, reference today's static additions. Although Griffins & Squirrels have probably be taken for granted by most enthusiasts, can I just remind you all that their service lives with the Defence Helicopter Flying School is coming to an end! Both types are being replaced with the H135M Juno, deliveries of which will begin very soon. I don't have the exact OSD for Griffin/Squirrel, but this could well be the last chance to see these aircraft at the Air Show! You'll probably miss them when they're gone...

[Spotty_Jag]

-

[AFKAMC]

Belgian F-16 displaying going to Norway instead of Cosford. The slow downfall begins...

Your use of the word "Downfall" made me wonder if anyone's ever done an airshow-themed Hitler parody video...

Turns out someone has. Go to YouTube and search "hitler airshow" - there's a few.

One of the least sweary examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_zbJRterSs

[Adamwilliams132]

Belgian F-16 displaying going to Norway instead of Cosford. The slow downfall begins...

There's still a few country's on the ongoing discussions list that could send a fast jet display or something decent
The Italian C-27 display would be top of the list.

[TYPHOON3]

I thought Cosford might have got the Belgian F-16 this year but they have managed to date clash with an overseas show again.It may turn out quite a few of the other international fast jet teams will also go to the show in Norway.Nothing on the list yet to entice me to attend.Still plenty of time though.Edit-Norweigian show (Sola) have already also confirmed the Finnish F-18 and Swedish Gripen.That's another two to cross off the international 'maybe' list.

[patrouille2001]

I have missed the Breitling Fighters, since they have been in the USA, They would be good at Cosford ?

[Wrexham Mackem]

The Breitling Fighters.. if only

Breitling Jet Team are very much under-rated though, and they did indeed look good the last time they were at Cosford. It would be good to see them back.

edit: and on the Breitling theme, if the wing walkers aren't at Cosford, or Scampton, or both, this year my little girls will make my life a misery

[Adamwilliams132]

Czech airforce have released there schedule, nothing on it for Cosford just RIAT Yeovilton and Biggin hill, looks like the RAFs only air show ain't high on the list for foreign Participants this year yet again.
Like to see a some Good civilian acts booked now to compensate Sea Vixen and Sally B jump to Mind.

[CJS]

Czech airforce have released there schedule, nothing on it for Cosford just RIAT Yeovilton and Biggin hill, looks like the RAFs only air show ain't high on the list for foreign Participants this year yet again.
Like to see a some Good civilian acts booked now to compensate Sea Vixen and small B jump to Mind.

Ahh, small B, one of my favourites.