Boscombe Down 1990
- Wrexham Mackem
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Boscombe Down 1990
We've started to build some momentum in the Golden Oldies section now, so, to keep that going I'm dipping into my collection of old scans of older photos once again.
And this time, I'm cutting straight to one of my favourite airshows of all time; to give it its official title the TVS Battle of Britain 50 Airshow Boscombe Down.
In those days, IAT was still a biennial event. In the 'even' years, the IAT team used to keep themselves busy. They helped organise several Middle Wallop International Air Shows, and TVS Airshow South at Hurn. But when it was announced that they'd be staging a Battle of Britain commemorative event at Boscombe Down the enthusiast community was buzzing. Boscombe Down? to be invited on to the base? it would have been unmissable if the line up had been mediocre. Far from it though. The line up, both static and flying, was excellent, and as a venue Boscombe was outstanding.
June 8th -11th 1990
Starting with the US Navy in the static display.
a VF-143 Pukin' Dog
and some smart Tornados too
some action now, and a Phantom is always a good place to start. Unapologetically, here's two of the RAF display ship
one of a four ship launching
and the four ship
some more multiples
and some other stuff, both static and flying, in no particular order
star guests from 1sqn RAAF. One F1-11 in the static, a little tight to photograph well
and a flyer
also a flyer
quite a spectacular flyer in fact. Shot from the live side from the photo bus
There was a gathering of Spits and Hurricanes, I seem to recall around ten or eleven flew. I didn't seem to shoot much of the set piece and scanned even less, so here's a token shot
And finally, this is an L-39, seems unremarkable, but this was 1990, and this participant was very significant. The seasons to follow were about to see massive change on the airshow scene.
I hope that was a stroll down memory lane. I'll post 92 in due course, when this show became not IAT but ATI, and even better than this one.
And this time, I'm cutting straight to one of my favourite airshows of all time; to give it its official title the TVS Battle of Britain 50 Airshow Boscombe Down.
In those days, IAT was still a biennial event. In the 'even' years, the IAT team used to keep themselves busy. They helped organise several Middle Wallop International Air Shows, and TVS Airshow South at Hurn. But when it was announced that they'd be staging a Battle of Britain commemorative event at Boscombe Down the enthusiast community was buzzing. Boscombe Down? to be invited on to the base? it would have been unmissable if the line up had been mediocre. Far from it though. The line up, both static and flying, was excellent, and as a venue Boscombe was outstanding.
June 8th -11th 1990
Starting with the US Navy in the static display.
a VF-143 Pukin' Dog
and some smart Tornados too
some action now, and a Phantom is always a good place to start. Unapologetically, here's two of the RAF display ship
one of a four ship launching
and the four ship
some more multiples
and some other stuff, both static and flying, in no particular order
star guests from 1sqn RAAF. One F1-11 in the static, a little tight to photograph well
and a flyer
also a flyer
quite a spectacular flyer in fact. Shot from the live side from the photo bus
There was a gathering of Spits and Hurricanes, I seem to recall around ten or eleven flew. I didn't seem to shoot much of the set piece and scanned even less, so here's a token shot
And finally, this is an L-39, seems unremarkable, but this was 1990, and this participant was very significant. The seasons to follow were about to see massive change on the airshow scene.
I hope that was a stroll down memory lane. I'll post 92 in due course, when this show became not IAT but ATI, and even better than this one.
Re: Boscombe Down 1990
What an excellent set. Interesting to look in the background as well in some of them. Particularly noticeable for me was Comet 4 'Canopus'.
Simon
Re: Boscombe Down 1990
No ones going to see a B52 do that again...
Last edited by john001 on Tue 11 Apr 2017, 6:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- BigClick67
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Re: Boscombe Down 1990
Superb set that B-52 shot really made my heart stop!
Re: Boscombe Down 1990
We can't have been far away from each other:
Great memories, if only airshows were like this today...
Great memories, if only airshows were like this today...
Slinger65
Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
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Re: Boscombe Down 1990
Fabulous stuff! One of my all time favourite shows and like you said...a great venue! Oh happy days!
Thanks for posting
Thanks for posting
- Wrexham Mackem
- UKAR Staff
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- Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 4:46 pm
- Location: Farndon, Chester
Re: Boscombe Down 1990
Thanks folks.
Yes, that B-52 was quite a sight to behold.
Just to add a little more atmosphere, I thought I'd share a flick through the programme. Note, even in those days, not everything turned up, although sometimes things turned up you didn't expect.
First the static list and something we never see any more.. a proper map! a privilege to be on this usually top secret installation. There was even a proper little car park for us FIAT members right behind the enclosure. Note the photo bus was sponsored by a cigarette manufacturer. Different times all round there!
the flying display. There was no BoB finale and balbo on the Saturday due to wind.
this advert caught my eye. How simple, and cool, the IAT branding and advertising was
all fronted with Wilf Hardy artwork, naturally
I really am enjoying this nostalgia folks!
cheers
Nige.
Yes, that B-52 was quite a sight to behold.
Just to add a little more atmosphere, I thought I'd share a flick through the programme. Note, even in those days, not everything turned up, although sometimes things turned up you didn't expect.
First the static list and something we never see any more.. a proper map! a privilege to be on this usually top secret installation. There was even a proper little car park for us FIAT members right behind the enclosure. Note the photo bus was sponsored by a cigarette manufacturer. Different times all round there!
the flying display. There was no BoB finale and balbo on the Saturday due to wind.
this advert caught my eye. How simple, and cool, the IAT branding and advertising was
all fronted with Wilf Hardy artwork, naturally
I really am enjoying this nostalgia folks!
cheers
Nige.
Re: Boscombe Down 1990
Wrexham Mackem wrote:
I really am enjoying this nostalgia folks!
cheers
Nige.
Ditto!!
Fabulous post again Nige. As you have said, just being able to set foot on the hallowed ground that was (is) Boscombe Down not once but twice was an incredible experience - the only base in the UK that actively discouraged "spotting" with no camera signs and Police patrols (all ignored it has to be said! ) And what shows; both using every square inch of space on that huge 'drome to cram all those aeroplanes in, fabulous days. A very succinct IAT'91 advert - using a Hardy line drawing of a 2 year old Dutch display F-16! Simple over style so often wins.
The BoB set piece was a victim of the weather so no wonder you didn't shoot much of it - full practice on Friday cancelled, Saturday event curtailed and they finally pulled it off on the Sunday, even then in far from ideal conditions. That said it flowed beautifully - one of Sean Maffet's great moments in his "theatre of the air" sessions, the smoking Buchon (or was it the Nord/Bf108) diving behind a distant hill was memorable as was 56 Sqn's finest mixing it with the warbirds - there were 5 Phantoms, 8/9 Spitfires, 2 Hurricanes, Buchons and Nord all in the air together , stirring stuff.
And yes that unremarkable L-39 and L-410 from the Czechoslovaks - little did we know what we were in for at IAT '91!!
The only mystery is I still have yet to find out why the 4 ship Belgian Mirage V display was cancelled, presumably because they hadn't practiced but I don't recall the Canadians doing that either but they flew??... Aah well that's just history now.
Greta stuff mate.
You caaan't trust the system... Maaan!
- Wrexham Mackem
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Re: Boscombe Down 1990
That's it! yes of course Geoff, the bell has rung and its all come flooding back now. I'm not sure how the downing of the '108 had slipped my mind!
And the 4 x firebird Phantoms flew at the end of the day as part of the set piece, and if you look at how murky my shot above of that formation is, then it largely explains why I haven't all that many photos. It was obviously a sit back and watch moment.
And yes, the Belgian Mirage Vs that were there and didn't do anything - very curious.
Happy days.
And the 4 x firebird Phantoms flew at the end of the day as part of the set piece, and if you look at how murky my shot above of that formation is, then it largely explains why I haven't all that many photos. It was obviously a sit back and watch moment.
And yes, the Belgian Mirage Vs that were there and didn't do anything - very curious.
Happy days.
- Wrexham Mackem
- UKAR Staff
- Posts: 2518
- Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 4:46 pm
- Location: Farndon, Chester
Re: Boscombe Down 1990
A little postscript to this thread. I have just ordered myself the DVD of this show from PlanesTV. A pleasant little surprise to find it still available. So I can refresh that rusty memory even more.
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Re: Boscombe Down 1990
Another great thread, thanks for posting. What a line-up: Eglin F-15s, those Tornado schemes, the B-52 flying display, that F-111 - oh for a time machine and a special deal on Fujichrome!
Re: Boscombe Down 1990
No words needed....ist like heaven!
Re: Boscombe Down 1990
Another great load of photos. I can't remember why on earth I didn't go to this show. Lost in the mists of time.
My Air History photos https://www.airhistory.net/photographer ... k-Ferguson
Re: Boscombe Down 1990
Another first for me was on the A303....Stone Henge when stuck getting in