RAF Abingdon 1978 - plus some pictures from 1979

[comet4]

Here are a few pictures from the Abingdon show of 1978. It was definitely a different era!
I have a few more pictures from the same show, if anyone is interested.
Graham

[st24]

Brilliant! Post more!! I know it was a fairly low key at home day with only UK participation but this one always sticks in my memory. A belting day; can see, hear and feel the VC-10 solo even now...

[SKYRAIDER]

Just great to see these, I was also at the show and in those days took black and white photos so its really good to see some colour shots from there, there was a good selection of aircraft at the show,
thanks for the memories,
Rob

[Abingdonman]

A cracking programme after a bit of a gap with Abingdon shows.(except for a small but memorable Silver Jubilee show 1977)
I still have the flying programme...
Only a 3 hrs 38 minutes flying display,but hey......they didnt give many folk much time to get bored in those days!
Flying programme in order as printed...
Falcons parachute display team-Buccaneer-Pitts special-VC10-RNhistoric pair(Sea fury & Firefly)
Lightning-Scout-Vulcan-Victor & 2 Lightnings(refuelling demo flypast)-Wessex-BBMF(Spitfire & Hurricane)-Stampe-Jet Provost
Canberra-Duo Zlin- Lynx-Jaguar-Glider-Autogiro-Nimrod-Shackleton-Tiger Moth & girl-Akro-Gazelle
Harrier-Hawk-Vintage pair(Meteor & Vampire)-Phantom-Bulldog pair-RedArrows.

I like the 'Tiger moth & girl' bit!

[Oldtower]

Brilliant! Post more!! I know it was a fairly low key at home day with only UK participation but this one always sticks in my memory. A belting day; can see, hear and feel the VC-10 solo even now...

You mean this show or others only UK participation??? sorry if i misread

[Haskey]

Great pictures from a great show. I was there that day but before I had a camera so thanks for sharing these and bringing back memories.

[st24]

Brilliant! Post more!! I know it was a fairly low key at home day with only UK participation but this one always sticks in my memory. A belting day; can see, hear and feel the VC-10 solo even now...

You mean this show or others only UK participation??? sorry if i misread

The '78 show had no "foreigners", but from '79 (a Danish Draken pair and F-100 flying ) they became more international... Man, what great days when our own forces alone with a few civvies thrown in could give a good afternooon's entertainment....

[Cimmerian]

The good old days! Thanks for sharing.

[comet4]

A few more pictures from the show. Until it was pointed out, it hadn't struck me that the show was UK participants only. Certainly in other years that I visited, there was foreign participation. I've included a picture of the VC-10 solo that impressed st24. Sorry about the poor quality of some of the pictures, the negatives have suffered a bit over the years! It does give a flavour of the day, though.
Graham

[Abingdonman]

This was one of only a few airshows I took a camera,and I happen to have fairly similar pics of the Buccaneer,Jaguar,Phantom,Vulcan & Lightning XS919.....quite a few of the flyers also visited St Athan same afternoon,where I believe the Sea Fury had a problem

[ciaranchef]

Simply brilliant, great days indeed.............Ciaran

[Blackbird]

Thanks for posting. My only show at Abingdon was the following year. I don't suppose you've got some to post from 1979? I've only got a few from that day

Andy

[Andover]

I went in '79 but I was only 7 and can't remember it so photos would be good.

Has anyone got shots of near-by Benson's shows in the '70s, particularly the last 'at home' day in '77 - or just a participation list?

[lynothehammer]

The year I was born, it looks immense. I've definately missed the best years !

Thanks for sharing !

[Abingdonman]

I believe I may have a few pics from 1979 static somewhere,but I have no scanner at the minute!
Scramble airshow reports is pretty much accurate with the Abingdon 78 & 79 shows content...
My second eldest was born 1978,so its getting harder to remember these shows...
Apart from Scramble I have the airshow programmes plus the airshow 1978 & airshow 1979 publications...without them I might be stuck!

[comet4]

Due to popular demand I've dug out a few pictures from 1979! I don't have a lot, so I either didn't take many or the negatives have disappeared over the years. Maybe someone else can fill in some of the gaps. That year saw participation by the USAF but it still seems to be mostly British.
Graham

[st24]

Fabulous again!!! I'd forgotten that '575 still had a red rear at that time - one of 6 gorgous research types on view. Just look at all those schemes - fantatstic!

That year saw participation by the USAF but it still seems to be mostly British.Graham

The USAF weren't flying that year so the OV-10 & A-10 were very much static, we did get the Belgian Swallows SF260 pair and also a Danish Draken pair and Super Sabre though ...

Great stuff sir!

[Abingdonman]

I remember the Drakens and F100 very well,as far as I recall.....the first and only time I saw a Draken flying!

[stranexuk]

Superb! Particularly liking the trials Viscount!

I wonder how many of those Air Cadets and kids in some of the photos went on to be involved in the world of aviation in some way and are probably retired by now!?

[Hamble Flyer]

:drool: Superb! Particularly liking the trials Viscount!

I wonder how many of those Air Cadets and kids in some of the photos went on to be involved in the world of aviation in some way and are probably retired by now!?

I was born and grew up in Abingdon and spent as much time as I could afford watching the aircraft at the airfield. These shots are rather poignant as it was the first airshow there I missed in 20 or so years.

Didn't really mind too much as I was then at BRNC Dartmouth, on my officer induction course prior to flying training and then service as a Royal Navy helo pilot.

[PeteM]

Lovely selection from a great era. I like the TWU Hunters, particularly the one in 63 sqn markings