12th Annual Abingdon Air & Country Charity Show..08/05/2011

[DeanW]

Was an enjoyable day, nice relaxed atmosphere.
The only thing that bothered me was the Bronco. What was the point in getting it on static display to then park it arse end to the public in a place where people can't see it? Bit of a waste really!

[DamienB]

Aircraft are parked into wind wherever possible - and the show organisers cannot, alas, control the wind direction!

[DeanW]

They still managed to park the Pembroke in a decent position though!

[DamienB]

The Pembroke wasn't being left out in the weather for a couple of days though...

I thought Dan Griffiths' display in the Jungmeister was amazing too - by far the best routine I've seen in that type, as they're so often aerobatted in deathly dull fashion at about 10,000 ft.

[DanO1978]

Agree with DB on Dan Griffith's Jungmeister display - really, really superb flying. Aerobatics that wouldn't have been out of place in a Pitts. Best display of the type I've seen too.

[F-22 Raptor A]

Oh, another bonus was the only Merlin display this year...after taking off from static we were treated to a steep climb, some low turns and a couple of passes....all without a door!

[tommercer]

Oh, another bonus was the only Merlin display this year...after taking off from static we were treated to a steep climb, some low turns and a couple of passes....all without a door!

NO WAY! I LEFT

[PeterR]

It really wasn't a display - it was a flypast. A Merlin in the air is very welcome and was very enjoyable but it wasn't a display.

[F-22 Raptor A]

It really wasn't a display - it was a flypast. A Merlin in the air is very welcome and was very enjoyable but it wasn't a display.

Yes, terribly sorry Tommercer for the confusion, it was merely a flypast, after departure, no display!

[seahawk67]

did any one get the bronco departing wow how low and pull up at end
why can`t anyone get this to display in a show instead of just static

andy

p.s had great day best bits puma and merlin dep
vulcan display
and ov10 bronco

[D1Scafellpike]

Highlights for me - the Tucano ('cos it wasn't the 2011 display machine (the Hawk attended Fairford last year)) and the Merlin departure. Nice to see a 130 too, even though it was a J.

The show appeared to be well attended so hopefully made loads of cash for the Air Ambulance. I was rather surprised to have to join a queue on the slip road off the A34.

Oh ... and the Bronco looked good in the sun after everything else had left

[D1Scafellpike]

did any one get the bronco departing wow how low and pull up at end
why can`t anyone get this to display in a show instead of just static

andy

p.s had great day best bits puma and merlin dep
vulcan display
and ov10 bronco

Was the departure about 18:35 ? I thought I saw something with twin tails rise up sharply in my rear view mirrors as I joined the A34

[JohnF]

Yep, Bronco departed and did its excellent flypast at approx 18:40.

Thought it was a really enjoyable day and well done to all those involved in organising the show.

Highlights for me, other than the Vulcan, were the Fennec display and the Merlin/Puma departures. Nice to get the Puma arriving as well which was a surprise as I thought it had cancelled. I'd also been told the Merlin was staying the night by the ground crew so was nice to see it depart after the Puma.

[Ponti]

The only thing that bothered me was the Bronco. What was the point in getting it on static display to then park it arse end to the public in a place where people can't see it? Bit of a waste really!

As Damien said, the Pembroke wasn't being left out overnight for several days. The Bronco was parked into wind as were almost ALL the other aircraft, and the biggest reason is that the engines need cooling from the front being a turbo prop.

As one of the marshalling team behind the parking, be greatfull that Neil and co. managed to be able to get ANY aircraft on the ground for you to see. Considering the problems he keeps facing with DE.

[tommercer]

did any one get the bronco departing wow how low and pull up at end
why can`t anyone get this to display in a show instead of just static

andy

p.s had great day best bits puma and merlin dep
vulcan display
and ov10 bronco

I spoke to the team behind the bronco and apparently they are only on static display this year and working up a flying display for next year

[patrouille2001]

did any one get the bronco departing wow how low and pull up at end
why can`t anyone get this to display in a show instead of just static

andy

p.s had great day best bits puma and merlin dep
vulcan display
and ov10 bronco

I spoke to the team behind the bronco and apparently they are only on static display this year and working up a flying display for next year

I spoke to the crew and they confirmed only uk flying display this year is East Fortune.

[Abingdonman]

I saw the Bronco do its nifty take off.....after the show I stayed in the car park facing the runway,tell you what....it was much better than inching along in a mass exodus!
and I was home 53 miles away for 'The antiques road show'

[DeanW]

As Damien said, the Pembroke wasn't being left out overnight for several days. The Bronco was parked into wind as were almost ALL the other aircraft, and the biggest reason is that the engines need cooling from the front being a turbo prop.

As one of the marshalling team behind the parking, be greatfull that Neil and co. managed to be able to get ANY aircraft on the ground for you to see. Considering the problems he keeps facing with DE.

Well that's just not good enough.. next year make sure the wind's blowing the opposite direction! In all seriousness, thanks for providing me with an answer!

[lynothehammer]

I saw the Bronco do its nifty take off.....after the show I stayed in the car park facing the runway,tell you what....it was much better than inching along in a mass exodus!

I did pretty much the same, although we left before the Bronco took off which i'm quite upset about.

The Merlin and Puma were ace, first time of going to Abingdon and all in all it was superb. I'll definately be going next year.

Now roll on Kemble.

[Oldtower]

First of all - many many thanks to all for attending the show - Neil / Andy being the main organisers are very grateful for all your support & were grateful to DE for allowing near enough a full return of aircraft back on the floor, as to aircraft enthusiasts this is part of the show element... take it away and the show ceases!

We played some gambles and they paid off. Weather turned out good aswell and of course getting the Vulcan this year as our star item certainly made the day! Got to try and top that next year!!

Few things, we are sorry you had to queue to get out, luckily opening both North & South gates to get people moving helped..

The Puma was 're-instated' pretty late on Friday because of ongoing training exercises etc, and hence why one came in very early before the hoards arrived - but both the 'doorless' Merlin and Puma had to return to Benson that evening for operational reasons.

We thought it was a K Herk, but a K or J doesn't bother us - we were again very grateful for authorisation to be given for a single flyby.. you don't see many C130 flythru's.

All aircraft displays were good, but the wind was too strong for the BBMF Spitfire 'duo' to come across from their bolthole of Bournemouth airport, and Team Osprey had technical probs etc.

The ground side contained alot of diverse items - where else would you see a ships auxilary power unit 'run up'..

Anyhow we thank you all again - take care and see you next year.

The team

[tommercer]

First of all - many many thanks to all for attending the show - Neil / Andy being the main organisers are very grateful for all your support & were grateful to DE for allowing near enough a full return of aircraft back on the floor, as to aircraft enthusiasts this is part of the show element... take it away and the show ceases!

We played some gambles and they paid off. Weather turned out good aswell and of course getting the Vulcan this year as our star item certainly made the day! Got to try and top that next year!!

Few things, we are sorry you had to queue to get out, luckily opening both North & South gates to get people moving helped..

The Puma was 're-instated' pretty late on Friday because of ongoing training exercises etc, and hence why one came in very early before the hoards arrived - but both the 'doorless' Merlin and Puma had to return to Benson that evening for operational reasons.

We thought it was a K Herk, but a K or J doesn't bother us - we were again very grateful for authorisation to be given for a single flyby.. you don't see many C130 flythru's.

All aircraft displays were good, but as the wind was too strong for the BBMF Spitfire 'duo' to come across from their bolthole of Bournemouth airport, and Team Osprey had technical probs etc.

The ground side contained alot of diverse items - where else would you see a ships auxilary power unit 'run up'..

Anyhow we thank you all again - take care and see you next year.

The team

No thank you can't complain at the programme being £1, RIAT take note lol

[shaggie]

Don't worrie i'm sure someone will have caught the low departure of the bronco

[RickIngham]

The Puma was 're-instated' pretty late on Friday because of ongoing training exercises etc, and hence why one came in very early before the hoards arrived - but both the 'doorless' Merlin and Puma had to return to Benson that evening for operational reasons.

We thought it was a K Herk, but a K or J doesn't bother us - we were again very grateful for authorisation to be given for a single flyby.. you don't see many C130 flythru's.

Thanks for that Oldtower, don't think I was complaining! That will more than likely be the only RAF C-130 airshow appearance this year!
Why was the Merlin 'door-less'? - I photographed it in a woodland a few days before and it was in one piece! (Though i'm told it was the only serviceable Merlin in the UK at the time!? Is that really true???)

[D1Scafellpike]

Yep, Bronco departed and did its excellent flypast at approx 18:40.

Thanks for the info. For anyone who hasn't seen it, I came across this from 2010...I missed that departure too ! Seems they like to be the last to leave ???


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE6QSmEL ... ure=fvwrel

First of all - many many thanks to all for attending the show - Neil / Andy being the main organisers are very grateful for all your support & were grateful to DE for allowing near enough a full return of aircraft back on the floor, as to aircraft enthusiasts this is part of the show element... take it away and the show ceases!

(rest snipped to reduce size of post !)

I wonder what spanner DE can find for next year

talking of spanners...I was surprised the Army didn't send a couple of trucks from the other side of the runway this year.

I missed the ships auxilary power unit you referred to but the model of the aircraft carrier was pretty impressive !

On the subject of the "headline act", I don't know whether the organisers have anyone keeping tabs on the public attendance etc or the relevance of the following, but I noticed mid afternoon that cars were leaving the site. I also overheard comments made by more than one group of people when the commentator referred to the Vulcan displaying, that suggested they were surprised to learn it was attending !

Anyway..well done to all involved It must be very time consuming and frustrating to try and organise an event when so much is dependent upon others and changes seem to be necessary almost daily !

[REHEAT1230]

Don't worrie i'm sure someone will have caught the low departure of the bronco

I managed to get her top side on when we was just going out of the show ground picture is hear if your on facebook- http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... =1&theater