Alconbury USAF Air Tattoo 1984

[st24]

Thankfully the 10TRW decided to make the Tattoo annual and so, in perfect conditions on 28 July, the '84 event was held. Belgian F16s and Mirage VBR, Danish Draken and WGAF RF4Es joined the Vikings and Atlantic alongside good USAF and RAF participation. Highlight no doubt was the ultra rare appearance away from Air Fete of an SR71.
Looking at these pics, I think I'm going to bin my scanner and start again...

F5E finger 4


RF4C box


cute little Harrier GR3


F4F Wildcat - didn't last long like this


Anniversary fin Mirage VBR


RF4s had started going into European scheme




Static CT39A


The other display Vulcan - XL426


Unforgettable Vikings






Highlight - SR71 appeared early on in the show for a cracking display-

[F-86]

Nice shots, good to see TFC's first Wildcat.

[nigelblake]

Goodness me, I remember that; It was the year my daughter was born (february) and I had her in a papoose on my back (she slept through the whole show) as well as all my cameras Pentax LX and Tamron adaptall 300mm f2.8 (someone else thought that money would have bought a nice carpet!) etc.

Always were great shows at Alconbury especially when it was full of Phantoms

[Blackbird]

I was at that show too - indeed my avatar comes from a shot at the show. (Very) happy days!

Have you got any more? My collection comes to a paltry dozen shots

Andy

[Lomcevak26]

Excellent Geoff. Can never get enough of this kind of thing and nice to see some of the old favourites - TFC Wildcat as has been mentioned, plus the Lindsay Walton Corsair.

Vikings F-104 must have been giving it some for vapour to show up on those little wings!

Paul

[capercaillie]

My first Alconbury was 1986 and that was a very good show as well, but all the pictures of the Blackbird from the 84 event really make me wish I'd been there.

Nicely covered Mr S

[canard67]

Those shows at Alconbury were great and do I remember correctly they were free to enter?

[st24]

Thanks all, but the scanner has let me down badly, the originals are much better, honest!!

Those shows at Alconbury were great and do I remember correctly they were free to enter?

I'm pretty sure there was an admission charge

Vikings F-104 must have been giving it some for vapour to show up on those little wings!

Paul

Its from the opposition pass. At mid point (i.e. passing point) both made a hard left break. Depending on the crowd line length, inevitably the nearer one ended up over the crowd as shown here. Closing speed was in the 1000mph mark so yes, he was moving!! This aircraft then continued the high speed as it positioned at crowd rear for the high speed "sneak pass" to overtake the other in slow, dirty configuration. Happy days folks, happy days...

[Blackbird]

Not in anyway wishing to hijack your thread, but hope you don't mind me adding just a few of mine of the show?






Andy

[raiford]

thats a beautiful Mirage III

[Wrexham Mackem]

Brilliant, one of my favourite shows of all time this one. Alconbury was always good, but 84 in particular was a vintage year. I had missed Air Fete that year, and the SR-71's flying display debut, so to see it on the display list here was an unexpected shock.

Excuse the quality, scanned negs, not my usual KR64. Geoff, you'll have to treat yourself to a scanner that does film, and shove the prints to one side.



































Great show, great thread.

[st24]

Fantastic guys! Thanks for the additions - amazing what you forget/lose pics of ! However Andy, I can definately say that the Mirage IIIE was at the 1982 show! - Nice to see any way!

I didn't get a display insert in the programme but noted the flying display thus -
Shleicker Glider
4 RF4C
5 F5E
Jaguar Stampe
Fokker Triplane
SR71
P40 + Spitfire IX
DC3 + T6
T33
Dunlop Pitts
P51
Red Devils
B17
Mosquito + P40 + Spitfire flyby
Sea Fury + F4U7 + F8F+F6F flyby
Sea Fury
Marlboro team
Mosquito
F8F+F6F
BBMF
Tornado GR1
Hawk
F111
Vikings
Spitfire 1a + Fiat G46
A10
Lightning
Harrier
F16A
F15C
Bleriot rep
Fokker E1+Dr1+ Sopwith triplane
Vulcan

[Wrexham Mackem]

Here you go Geoff, you can have a squint at mine:





Your list is pretty much it, although I've got a KC135 noted down there. Not that I can remember it, nor have I any photos.

[Ben Montgomery]

Would have loved to see the Blackbird fly

[st24]

Thanks again Nige. Good to see what an accurate printed programme that was, I noted each item as it happened and apart from a couple of changes it ran very close to order. Static wise too, we lost the Dutch F16 but gained 2 German RF4Es! I can't see any mention of a KC135, flying or static but it was a long time ago!

[Blackbird]

However Andy, I can definately say that the Mirage IIIE was at the 1982 show! - Nice to see any way!

Just updated my database - thanks

Andy

[Dollar99]

I knew that 42 Sm Mirage V looked familiar



There were in fact two aircraft that year with that scheme BR04 was the other one. I have it photographed but not scanned

[Lomcevak26]

Vikings F-104 must have been giving it some for vapour to show up on those little wings!

Paul

Its from the opposition pass. At mid point (i.e. passing point) both made a hard left break. Depending on the crowd line length, inevitably the nearer one ended up over the crowd as shown here. Closing speed was in the 1000mph mark so yes, he was moving!! This aircraft then continued the high speed as it positioned at crowd rear for the high speed "sneak pass" to overtake the other in slow, dirty configuration. Happy days folks, happy days...

Thanks for the info Geoff - mortified that I missed it all though! Excellent additional photos chaps (especially like those mixed warbird formations, Nige!)