Waddington 2012 - Thoughts?

[LarryElite]

thats a real shame Hopefully it will be looked in to further as the Airshow Team might be able to figure out who it would have been? I wonder if he would have done the same if it was the red's?

That exact thought crossed my mind. I felt quite embarassed just watching it.

[Mixed grill]

I did the 2 arrival days plus Saturday for the main show, my thoughts.

Good points was the very well spaced out static display and the content in the static the various aew type aircraft along with the Hercs and the Sauid Hawk being highlights of the static, the F4 was good to see in the static and its 2 flypasts before landing were worth the £5 ticket on the Friday alone.

The flying display again had a good mix of aircraft the Korean team were excellent the Red Devil Belgain team gave a very nice display but maybe were a bit lost at a big venue with bigger, faster and louder aircraft in the display. I take nothing away from this team I enjoyed the display but maybe one that would have worked better at a venue like Abingdon or Cosford etc.

Seeing the Falcons jump from a C130 was a treat what with that and a good number of fast jets it seemed more like the Waddos of old had we have had the Vulcan then it would have been the cherry on the cake really. However the E3D and 757 displays made up for it and it was nice to see something a bit differnet.

Not sure what happend to the Dutch tanker we were told it would land and go on the static display but one flypast and that was it.

The BBMF and Reds were both as good as ever, my only complaint about the flying is who had the bright idea of sticking the King Air on last plenty of people were heading home and the pilots were giving a lovely display.

The bad side was as has been said the very poor attitude of one or two photographers who due to them having big and expensive DSLR gear seemed to feel it gave them the right to force themselves to the front of the flightline and get in anyones way to get the photo they wanted. I must say this was a very small minority but something that needs stopping before people get wound up over it.

Also the kids doing a collection on the Friday were fine the first time they went round but when the same ones went round time and time again asking the same people it was getting a bit much.

All in all a really good airshow and I'm looking foward to the next one

[DeltaPapa]

One thing that did annoy me was the treatment of the two of the Black Eagles team. The support team had used the clear area in the Hurricane enclosure to set up their radios and equipment to speak to the pilots during their display. After the display had a finished, a couple of the pilots came in and sat at the bottom of the enclosure (by this time the stand was atleast half empty). People were obviously very pleased to see them and they were happy to sign autographs and have photos with the people in there which I thought was nice. Then comes along the "bigwig" in charge of the stand and at the top of his voice tells them to get out as they havent paid and they cant sit there. They looked rather taken a back and were then literally chucked out. Thought it was bang out of order. They were doing nothing wrong and im sure they would have moved if the people had come back to their seats. Just cheesed me off to see it. Dunno who the RAF bloke was but clearly he cant handle power. God knows what they must think of us.

Can you tell me when this was and how long after the display? because I was in the stand but didn't see that happen.

[fighterfoto]

For me it was quality over quantity this year but as per usual no effort seems to have been made to put aircraft in decent positions for photography. No point repeating the arguments as they have been enunciated many times in the past but one always leaves with the feeling of what might have been.

I also thought numbers were down which was corroborated by traders I spoke to. It's an expensive day out and perhaps there is a Vulcan effect?

[BDL]

thats a real shame Hopefully it will be looked in to further as the Airshow Team might be able to figure out who it would have been? I wonder if he would have done the same if it was the red's?

That exact thought crossed my mind. I felt quite embarassed just watching it.

If that was Saturday, then I too thought it a bit off. Most people had left and they should have been allowed to stay, but rules is rules I 'spose!

[LarryElite]

Can you tell me when this was and how long after the display? because I was in the stand but didn't see that happen.

It was on the saturday. I presume you saw all the korean support crew stood at the front with those backpack radio type things? They all left after the display then probably 30 mins after two came back wearing the black display pilot boilers suits. They signed some autographs then sat down. They obviously thought they were welcome in there the fact the crew had been in their just prior. Just felt slightly uneasy seeing them being told off and sent on their way when the stand was half empty and they clearly just wanted to enjoy watching some of the flying.

[DeltaPapa]

I bet had just left then, sad for that to have happened.

[Ledheadpilot27]

Believe the air show was one of the best of several years and the organizers should be pleased with the line-up of nations. Thought the positioning of the 3 squadron Tiffie was pretty poor (nearly went straight passed it ) and not really sure what the relevance of GA aircraft are-apart from to fill up the static line.

Highlights for me had to be the Black Eagles (lucky enough to be shooting next to PhilW) and also the RNZAF 757 in the setting sun. Also thought that the Red Devils put on a much better performance this year and the Red Arrows were quite a sobering affair.

Overall an excellent air show that was well worth its money-with some quality flying displays and interesting statics.

[MassiveMH434Fan]

Hi, just wanted to say well done to everyone at RAF Waddington and all of the other people who helped make it such a great day, it was a belter.
I was sitting in the Hurricane stand about three rows behind the RAF guy who asked the two Koreans to leave, dont think they were pilots, more like ground crew, not that that matters, out of courtesy he should have let them be. There were plenty of seats around them as people had started to leave. Would like to think RAF would be shown more respect when they're at airshows abroad. I'm sure if the people who had paid for their seats had returned they would have moved to another. I guess it wasnt what he was saying, technically he was correct, it was more how he was saying it...loudly and somewhat "rudely".
More of a challenge for me and my family were the group of friends who sat on the row opposite to us, they started necking booze at 10am and didnt stop, fosters, pernod, vodka, wine etc. Inevitably it ended up with a row between themselves, and a plastic glass was thrown in anger. The guy directly in front of me got soaked, and my camera was lightly covered in booze. The glass hit my hand, didnt get hurt. Dont get me wrong i love a beer or 10 like the next person, and on Saturdy evening had several beers, but there behaviour and swearing were unacceptable. I reported it to the RAF staff on duty and they had a quiet word and things settled. At one point my son said to me, "Dad they remind me of the Garveys from Benidorm" - lol.
It didnt spoil the day, my family and i had a great day, loved the flying, highlight for me was the red display with their tribute to sean and jon. Will be back, well done Waddo!

[Sezzy]

Totally brilliant.. Left at 6am drove 90 miles, took a few wrong turns, arrived @ 8.01am. Everything was awesome, I have a couple of questions.. What was up with the Reds today? Do they change their display every year? Or was it the weather? It was crap when they flew.. I was looking forward to the heart? Also, After the czech republic little jet flew, after the Puma, I believe, something else went up, about 5.30ish? I was driving out by then, but I just wondered what it was? It was quite beautiful, and made a lovely sound, but it didn't seem to be on the schedule? I thought it was a static leaving at first, but he was having serious fun... What was it? Thanks for any help you can give! I'm going to do Waddington every year now.. It was soo worth getting up @ 4am for, and I can't wait untill next year.

After the Czech ALCA, only helicopter shuttles were flying !

Ok, I have got totally mixed up then, there was a beautifally coloured little jet, that flew just before.. I swore I was taking note of the schedule.. But I have no idea what it was? It was painted so lovely, and sounded great too. I was out of earshot of the speakers, so didn't really hear anything. Thanks! (can't think if it was before the Super Puma, or just after).. sorry!

Also, after the RAF Falcons, a great big aircraft came in, prop, not jet, I think I heard someone say they had dropped off the Falcons.... what was that? It was incredibly handsome, and huge! I got some grand shots of him coming in, but I don't remember seeng it in the air? I was taken back by the whole show, as I've said before, I'm an 'only Dux' girl (aircraft fanatic only rose in me 3 years ago) , yesterday shocked me to the core with it's brilliance, and, as said before, can't wait for next year Well done to all inviolved... (as a side note, I am not a photographer, and probs did everything wrong yesyterday, but I came home with 1878 photos, and that wasn't including the static) haha!

[JJC]

Totally brilliant.. Left at 6am drove 90 miles, took a few wrong turns, arrived @ 8.01am. Everything was awesome, I have a couple of questions.. What was up with the Reds today? Do they change their display every year? Or was it the weather? It was crap when they flew.. I was looking forward to the heart? Also, After the czech republic little jet flew, after the Puma, I believe, something else went up, about 5.30ish? I was driving out by then, but I just wondered what it was? It was quite beautiful, and made a lovely sound, but it didn't seem to be on the schedule? I thought it was a static leaving at first, but he was having serious fun... What was it? Thanks for any help you can give! I'm going to do Waddington every year now.. It was soo worth getting up @ 4am for, and I can't wait untill next year.

After the Czech ALCA, only helicopter shuttles were flying !

Ok, I have got totally mixed up then, there was a beautifally coloured little jet, that flew just before.. I swore I was taking note of the schedule.. But I have no idea what it was? It was painted so lovely, and sounded great too. I was out of earshot of the speakers, so didn't really hear anything. Thanks! (can't think if it was before the Super Puma, or just after).. sorry!

Also, after the RAF Falcons, a great big aircraft came in, prop, not jet, I think I heard someone say they had dropped off the Falcons.... what was that? It was incredibly handsome, and huge! I got some grand shots of him coming in, but I don't remember seeng it in the air? I was taken back by the whole show, as I've said before, I'm an 'only Dux' girl (aircraft fanatic only rose in me 3 years ago) , yesterday shocked me to the core with it's brilliance, and, as said before, can't wait for next year Well done to all inviolved... (as a side note, I am not a photographer, and probs did everything wrong yesyterday, but I came home with 1878 photos, and that wasn't including the static) haha!

If it was Orange, with black stripes then it would have been the Austrian Saab 105

[Sezzy]

What was up with the Reds today? Do they change their display every year? Or was it the weather? It was crap when they flew.. I was looking forward to the heart?

They had a very low cloudbase and rain at the start of the show and even after delaying the start of the show 5 minutes had to start or run out of fuel. They do change their show every year and are a 7-ship this year after the loss of 2 pilots last year. No other Team would have flown in that weather, it's worth pointing that out. They can't do a heart if its cloudy

Thanks for your reply. They were still brilliant, I have only ever seen them once anyway. Aside from the time they flew over my house They were awesome, I just had my little lens on ready for the heart, and was wondering why it didn't come. You have explained it all. Thankyou.

[Sezzy]

One thing that did annoy me was the treatment of the two of the Black Eagles team. The support team had used the clear area in the Hurricane enclosure to set up their radios and equipment to speak to the pilots during their display. After the display had a finished, a couple of the pilots came in and sat at the bottom of the enclosure (by this time the stand was atleast half empty). People were obviously very pleased to see them and they were happy to sign autographs and have photos with the people in there which I thought was nice. Then comes along the "bigwig" in charge of the stand and at the top of his voice tells them to get out as they havent paid and they cant sit there. They looked rather taken a back and were then literally chucked out. Thought it was bang out of order. They were doing nothing wrong and im sure they would have moved if the people had come back to their seats. Just cheesed me off to see it. Dunno who the RAF bloke was but clearly he cant handle power. God knows what they must think of us.

That is awful.... Would be surprised if they ever come here again.. Don't the pilots have somewhere 'special' to go. Like a certain place where they are all sent? Can't believe they were thrown out of that grandstand. That's really sad...

[Sezzy]

Totally brilliant.. Left at 6am drove 90 miles, took a few wrong turns, arrived @ 8.01am. Everything was awesome, I have a couple of questions.. What was up with the Reds today? Do they change their display every year? Or was it the weather? It was crap when they flew.. I was looking forward to the heart? Also, After the czech republic little jet flew, after the Puma, I believe, something else went up, about 5.30ish? I was driving out by then, but I just wondered what it was? It was quite beautiful, and made a lovely sound, but it didn't seem to be on the schedule? I thought it was a static leaving at first, but he was having serious fun... What was it? Thanks for any help you can give! I'm going to do Waddington every year now.. It was soo worth getting up @ 4am for, and I can't wait untill next year.

After the Czech ALCA, only helicopter shuttles were flying !

Ok, I have got totally mixed up then, there was a beautifally coloured little jet, that flew just before.. I swore I was taking note of the schedule.. But I have no idea what it was? It was painted so lovely, and sounded great too. I was out of earshot of the speakers, so didn't really hear anything. Thanks! (can't think if it was before the Super Puma, or just after).. sorry!

Also, after the RAF Falcons, a great big aircraft came in, prop, not jet, I think I heard someone say they had dropped off the Falcons.... what was that? It was incredibly handsome, and huge! I got some grand shots of him coming in, but I don't remember seeng it in the air? I was taken back by the whole show, as I've said before, I'm an 'only Dux' girl (aircraft fanatic only rose in me 3 years ago) , yesterday shocked me to the core with it's brilliance, and, as said before, can't wait for next year Well done to all inviolved... (as a side note, I am not a photographer, and probs did everything wrong yesyterday, but I came home with 1878 photos, and that wasn't including the static) haha!

If it was Orange, with black stripes then it would have been the Austrian Saab 105

That was it! Thankyou. It/she/he was beautiful!

[Sezzy]

I must say the Dutch F-16 was brilliant too, beautifully painted aswell... As were the Tornado's. Nobody could have prepared me for that. Utterly utterly brilliant. All my son kept saying, was about Modern Warfare 3, and Black Ops... "They're doing a drop, Mum" *sigh* Sorry if I seem overexcited, but that's the first time I've seen them, what a sound!

[LarryElite]

Hi, just wanted to say well done to everyone at RAF Waddington and all of the other people who helped make it such a great day, it was a belter.
I was sitting in the Hurricane stand about three rows behind the RAF guy who asked the two Koreans to leave, dont think they were pilots, more like ground crew, not that that matters, out of courtesy he should have let them be. There were plenty of seats around them as people had started to leave. Would like to think RAF would be shown more respect when they're at airshows abroad. I'm sure if the people who had paid for their seats had returned they would have moved to another. I guess it wasnt what he was saying, technically he was correct, it was more how he was saying it...loudly and somewhat "rudely".
More of a challenge for me and my family were the group of friends who sat on the row opposite to us, they started necking booze at 10am and didnt stop, fosters, pernod, vodka, wine etc. Inevitably it ended up with a row between themselves, and a plastic glass was thrown in anger. The guy directly in front of me got soaked, and my camera was lightly covered in booze. The glass hit my hand, didnt get hurt. Dont get me wrong i love a beer or 10 like the next person, and on Saturdy evening had several beers, but there behaviour and swearing were unacceptable. I reported it to the RAF staff on duty and they had a quiet word and things settled. At one point my son said to me, "Dad they remind me of the Garveys from Benidorm" - lol.
It didnt spoil the day, my family and i had a great day, loved the flying, highlight for me was the red display with their tribute to sean and jon. Will be back, well done Waddo!

I too was watching those morons from the back row. They should be ashamed. The bad language and the drunk behaviour right in front of children was a joke. I rather have seen them ejected and their seats given to the koreans!

[nimtac77]

@Silentflight

"There havent been programme sellers walking around for the last 3 shows, there are 6 stands in the centre of the main taxy way, noted on the guidance maps, information boards and the apps!"

Hi Silentflight,

I can assure you that there HAVE been mobile program sellers for the last 3 years as I was one of them!!!! This year I was not on that project (71, manned by the AWC) but again there were mobile sellers, usually in two's selling the programs. Surely you knew that?

However; when I walked around over the weekend I did not see that many, but we are all short of manpower and do our best.

Glad everybody enjoyed the show!

[BossMann]

Following on from my earlier comments.

Also massive thanks to the Flying Display co-ordinators that actually proved that the show schedule can be changed after the offical one has gone to print.

I guess the weather forecast for the weather improving later on Saturday lead to the decision to move most of the team displays to later in the afternoon, but the Saudis did suffer the most having to display with only 5 planes on saturday straight after the Frecce!!

Did the Saudis display with 6 on sunday? Also I thought the Team Orlik display was good but maybe was a bit distant from the crowd, their uprated Turbo Orlik look very nice. The Belgian Red Devils display was MUCH better than at RIAT last year (saturday) but I still think they could benefit from some display smoke.

Also Frecce didn't perform the 10 aircraft cross over on the saturday as part of the display? have they excluded it from their display this year?

The Reds got the worst weather of the teams on saturday starting with a flat/ rolling display but were able to convert it to a high show mid way through - well done to them on displaying with only 7 jets this year, some nice new formations. They also had some issues with the PA system mid way through their display!

RAF Waddington 2012 was superb, massive thanks again to SilentFlight and the whole team for making it possible, also much more affordable than the other big show this week.

Hope that Waddo can keep the international trend going for 2013 and beyond now that it has confirmed to the rest of the international shows that it is indeed a 'heavy-weight' contender for international participation and will no longer suffer at the hands of other european airshows as it has done in the past

[DeltaPapa]

According to the commentary which I thought was much better this year, 6 Saudi jets [according to the local TV news were Indian] were here but the 6th display pilot was unfit to travel to the UK..

[paulb1973]

According to the commentary which I thought was much better this year, 6 Saudi jets [according to the local TV news were Indian] were here but the 6th display pilot was unfit to travel to the UK..

The sixth Hawk was in the static display, so at least that number were here. They displayed with five on both days.

[paulb1973]

Following on from my earlier comments.

Also massive thanks to the Flying Display co-ordinators that actually proved that the show schedule can be changed after the offical one has gone to print.

I guess the weather forecast for the weather improving later on Saturday lead to the decision to move most of the team displays to later in the afternoon, but the Saudis did suffer the most having to display with only 5 planes on saturday straight after the Frecce!!

Did the Saudis display with 6 on sunday? Also I thought the Team Orlik display was good but maybe was a bit distant from the crowd, their uprated Turbo Orlik look very nice. The Belgian Red Devils display was MUCH better than at RIAT last year (saturday) but I still think they could benefit from some display smoke.

Also Frecce didn't perform the 10 aircraft cross over on the saturday as part of the display? have they excluded it from their display this year?

On Sunday the Frecce didn't perform that 'all aircraft head for each other from different directions' sequence - it normally takes place towards the end of their display from memory. Unless that is only performed in the high display? The solo pilot did not perform the dramatic Lomcevak manoeuvre either, I assume that requires a high cloud base.

[Chopper81]

Also Frecce didn't perform the 10 aircraft cross over on the saturday as part of the display? have they excluded it from their display this year?

On Sunday the Frecce didn't perform that 'all aircraft head for each other from different directions' sequence - it normally takes place towards the end of their display from memory. Unless that is only performed in the high display? The solo pilot did not perform the dramatic Lomcevak manoeuvre either, I assume that requires a high cloud base.

It must be a cloud base issue, in Rome in June they performed a 9 aircraft crossover, and the solo stalling! but they didn't do the solo crazy fly pass! Never mind great airshow!!

[SilentFlight]

Following on from my earlier comments.

Also massive thanks to the Flying Display co-ordinators that actually proved that the show schedule can be changed after the offical one has gone to print.

Hi Bossman,

Thanks for the comment, however if your refering to the issue with RIAT last year the Programme version is only a guide produced 7-8 days before based on the rough plot at the time. The live programme changes constantly until the morning of the event. We would not move things around due to the weather for a number of issues and best practice in terms of safety.

SF

[Blue_2]

Firstly, a massive thankyou to the organisers for another excellent show! I went on the Saturday, the traffic queue in was no better or worse than previous years, and fortunately the rain shower stopped the second we set foot on the airfield!
The static was a little thin but hey ho. I did like the training circle, with the Hawks, JPs, Meteor and Hunter, nice thinking chaps! I'm slightly saddened at the way the trade stands seem to be becoming more and more dominated by non-aviation traders but if that's what is needed to help make the show wash its own face then so be it.
The flying was excellent; The Koreans impressed, as did the F18. The Typhoon's return was very welcome too! The Saudis were a little lack-lustre though I felt. The variety provided by being able to see a Sentry and a 757 chucked about a bit was great, as was the sight of the Rivet Joint making a flypast lower than 20,000 feet this year and the KDC10 fly through.

Overall a cracking show, well done and thankyou SF and team.

[Homer]

Also, after the RAF Falcons, a great big aircraft came in, prop, not jet, I think I heard someone say they had dropped off the Falcons.... what was that?

That would be the Hercules.