RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011 - opinions

[trebleone]

Just got home from Yeovilton Air Day and what a cracking show - comparing today with Waddington, IMO, this year the Navy has the RAF well beaten.

Plenty of loud jets - Polish Mig, French Rafale & Super Etendard, Belgian F-16, Tornados, Hawks .... and classic jets - Hunters, Sea Vixen and Vulcan, with the pairing of the latter two in formation flypast being the surprise crowning glory, masses of helicopters, flares galore and an abundance of bangs and pyros, not forgetting of course, delights such as the Sea Fury and Swordfish among others, made for a most satisfying and enjoyable day.

Very well done, Yeovilton

BTW - what happened with the BBMF - I didn't hear any commentary where I was, but it looked like the Lancaster and silver Spitfire arrived together, then the Spit disappeared, leaving the Lancaster to fill the whole slot alone?

[DamienB]

Utterly, utterly brilliant. Last year's show was hard to top but they did it. Forget RIAT, Yeovilton 2011 was the UK show not to miss!

[Russ]

A truly superb day. Pound for pound, I'd say it was the best UK airshow. Best show I've been to for some time.

The RAF ought to take a leaf out the Navy's book.

[TonyO]

Despite the weather, I have no regrets about visiting this year! Great performances, nice formations, variation and that French role demo was out of this world, raw power and cracking flying!

Please make this a two day show!

[CH2]

This became the ultimate Classic Jets Air Day, although the French nearly stole it! BANG! ouch

More here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14095321

But we did get Kembled

[Andyperkins]

Fantastic day and as I hoped the showers stayed away until the drive home

[Rick]

Absolutely superb show, one of the best I've been to in years
It had virtually everything you could want in a show.
Polish Mig 29, Sea Vixen, French Role Demo, GR4 Role Demo, Vulcan, Dutch Apache, Sea Fury, Stringbag were all superb with the rest of the show being none too shabby.
Really liked the Lynx static park too.

Top marks to the Senior Service , RIAT you've got your work cut out to beat that.

Rick

[Seamus]

I'm still smiling from today. Unquestionably the best VL Air Day I can remember attending, (which has been most in my 26 years!), and not far off some of the great show in from the last decade or so, Waddington 2001 for example. Today had everything you could possibly ask for from a military show- numerous fast jets, multiple helos, classic jets, warbirds and some of the more family orientated acts. The whole shabang. The flying programme promised much leading up to the show and, despite an indifferent arrivals, delivered with a bang, quite literally! Star of the show was unquestionably the MiG- a great display with lots of noise and smoke, a real treat- I was beaming throughout!. Massive congratulations to the organisers for bagging it's appearance. The French pair were not far behind; it was so good to see the Super Etendard flying again after more than a decade for me, but the Rafale was on another level today. So much speed, noise and agility, it made the poor old Etendard look like a carthorse in comparison! Never seen anything turn like it, without the use of TV. Epic. Hopefully we'll get to see more of the demo in the future, before the SuEs have all gone. Vulcan and Sea Vixen formation, 'nuff said

Without doubt, this will be my show of the year, and one we'll all be reminiscing about for year to come.

[A380FWWOW]

Yes, today was an absolutely cracking day. the show had obtained a great line up and they were all there and they performed. The bonus was the weather held out apart form a couple of very light showers.
There was plenty of jet noise form the Polish MIG-29, the French Rafale and Super E, RAF Tornado Role demo, and not forgetting our Hawk display, plenty of classic jet action from Team Viper, the Sea Vixen and the Vulcan and then plenty of rotary wing action from the Navy. The Naval Role Demo with their own air assets was a show in itself.
RIAT you really have got a show to beat this year, and this was the best show I have been to this year. Well Done RNAS Yeovilton, we had a great day, and Thank You to all the participants who have worked so hard to entertain us today.

[Richard E]

Excellent show, it's definately becoming my favourite display of the season and, after this year, appears to have dusted off Mildenhall's legacy of interesting and unusual formations: the Vulcan and Sea Vixen and the Rafale and Super Etendard although I think the Aeronavale pair were performing a typically Gallic Beta Display rather than the airfield attack the commentator introduced.

I wonder if I'm alone in thinking whether a few strings could have been pulled to persuade the role demo Tornados to contribute a some fly passes to the Commando finale in place of the Hawks.

And finally, whilst it's an entirely different environment: RAF Waddington, that's how to get people into an air display, straight into the Phantom car park and then ten minutes from the car park to handing over my ticket.

[2e1var]

Absolutely fantastic day, loved it. One gripe........

Since when do we give out sporting results as part of the commentary ?

Most people probably didn't want to know anyway
In the days of smart phones etc. we can find out if we really want to
I have Sky Plus so I can happily catch up when I get home

Thanks Mr Commentator for ruining the qualifying of the highlight of the grand prix calendar for myself, you're a total ****

[lynothehammer]

This was my first time at RNAS Yeovilton and I can honestly say this is by far the best airshow i've been too.

Very well organised, the static set up was fantastic for photography, the display was well thought out and the general mix was excellent. A great varied line up and truly superb to see the Mig doing its stuff.

Another thing I thought that was briliant was the price guide for food/drink, i've never seen this done before at any event i've ever attended and what a welcome sight it was. Too many of the caterers charge far too much at these sorts of things and the cap is a great idea that should be introduced everywhere.

Even getting out at the end of the day was a doddle.

I will definately be going back to this one next year, and cannot wait. Well done to everyone at RNAS YEovilton and the organisers.

[Phantom ACE]

I have to echo the comments of everyone else on here, absolutely brilliant, reminded me of why I love military aviation so much.

Easily the best Airshow I have attended for a long time.

Well done to the organising team, this was my first time at Yeovilton but definately will not be my last....!!!

Al.

[uk-ian]

Was my first time back to Yeovilton for quite a while and can only echo all the comments on here.
I also went to the Photocall and thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the weather. Organisation was excellent, content superb.
Bravo to everyone involved.

[TYPHOON3]

Fantastic show,one of the best I have ever been to and RIAT will do well to equal or top this.Easiest on and off car park compared to any other show I have ever been to,although we were parked in the Fury disabled car park.Don't know what it was like on the other car parks?We hit no traffic whatsoever on the surrounding roads either but we were only staying about 5 miles away.Hope 2012 is as good as this which next year is earlier on the 23rd of June.

[seb]

I totally agree - great show with a great variety. One of the best shows I have ever been to.

One very important aspect for me - I don't drive so I always use trains/buses. Yeovil was the first event in which getting to/from the train station to the airfield was so quick and easy - no traffic, buses running according to the schedule, just no stress about catching the train on my way back whatsoever. Great!

[BFA]

An absoluely fantastic show , the best I've been to since the days of Boscombe down in the early 90's . It has restored my fath in Yeovilton after my last visit in 2009 which was a bit of a washout.
The French stole it for me , esp that turn by the Rafale at the end .. unbelieveable ! The MIG 29 was a close second , plenty of noise and lots of smoke from the rear and 558 with Foxy lady was a sight to behold.
Having had a gap of attending shows from 1991 - 2009 when I returned I was left a little unimpressed with what's usually on offer at UK shows but after attending Yeovilton yesterday my faith has been restored .

Well done to everyone involved , it was a cracker !

[Dribben]

Personally thought yesterdays show was brilliant, loved the role demos from the Tornados/French navy and the Vulcan and Sea Vixen flypast was very impressive. Awesome work to get the Polish Mig29 aswell havent seen one for a good few years now. Overall brilliant and I think RIAT is going to have to go some to beat yesterdays show.

Also just wondered if you guys would check out a video my uncle recorded yesterday at the end of the French role demo, when the Rafale was chasing hard to catch the Etendard, just after his turn there was a loud bang and us on the ground in the field at the end of 27 physically felt it, curious as to whether he broke the sound barrier!

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

Even if he didnt its still a cool video!

[stonesfan]

Cracking little weekend away topped off by what was probably the best value for money airshow that I've ever been to. I am seriously hoping that what was on offer yesteday maybe has the effect of getting the likes of Waddington and indeed RIAT to raise the bar somewhat. Its come to something when the Navy can totally outperform the RAF at hosting what is supposed to be the latter's speciality!

Yeovilton proved that despite the 'Worldwide cuts' and 'current climate' that we keep having thrown into our direction, that you can still host a World Class air event at a relatively budget entry price.

WELL DONE TO ALL INVOLVED!!

[Mr Flibble]

Don't think I can add anything.
Tremendously enjoyable show day with some superb flying, and some real stand out moments that will certainly crop up on most peoples "best bits" of 2011.
The French Navy demo was corkingly good.

Good value for money too when you look at other shows at the same price.

[Trevsy]

Pound for pound, the best airshow I have been to in many years, just excellent.

[farnboroughrob]

After a bad start to the day in getting up late and leaving my phone at home I arrived late around 9am. No queues either at the car park or gate. So rather than arriving at 8 an waiting an hour next year I'll stay in bed later!
The flying was excellent got almost blown away when the Lynx's returned from the flypast by standing next to the ramp excellent! . Thought the mig and the french were excellent and the Vulcan and Sea Vixen just capped off the day. Of course there had to be a down side in the shape of the Jordanian Falconzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Shame there was no Merlin flying and only one in the static. Still think the static needs a large aircraft like a P-3 or C-130 but otherwise it was top notch. It has to be the best value for money airshow in the UK.

[Sulman]

My new favourite. I usually do RIAT and Farnborough and wish I'd discovered this show years ago. There's an atmosphere at the base that is hard to put your finger on, but it's very friendly and well organised. Good to see so many RN staff just enjoying the day out, too. Some interesting things for me:

[i] Having the flightline arranged - by accident or by design so close to the crowds and easy to photograph is wonderful.

[ii] Static aircraft barriered at a distance that was just right for photography - no annoying close-by ropes or cones

[iii] Affordable food.

[iv] I thought the commentator was outstanding. Knowledgeable, didn't patronise the crowd, told them what they are looking at with just the right balance of technical & lay terms.

It'll be hard to beat, for me.

[Seamus]

There's an atmosphere at the base that is hard to put your finger on, but it's very friendly and well organised.

[iv] I thought the commentator was outstanding. Knowledgeable, didn't patronise the crowd, told them what they are looking at with just the right balance of technical & lay terms.

You've raised a couple of key points here that I forgot to mention in my own summary first time round. Firstly, I think it was the first show I've been to where every act received a round of applause. A wonderfully appreciative audience.

Secondly, I agree about the commentator; apart from the odd faux pas, he was excellent. I got the impression it wasn't scripted either, he seemed too fluid for that. Great job

[zigzag]

Loved it, great show, havent enjoyed a show as much for a long time, well done to all involved.