RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

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scottspencer
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by scottspencer »

Aye he said one had a baby a day or so ago

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harkins
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by harkins »

I'll probably get slaughtered for saying this, but he's in the armed forces and on top of that a lot of people have paid good money to see them perform. Tech issues are bad luck, but paternity leave - seriously? Does a front line sniper drop his rifle and stand up in Afghanistan? Does an MI6 agent drop cover and catch the next plane home? What about submariners on the deterrent subs, surface and head for the nearest port to drop dad off?

Not much gone right for this air show.

davidjones533

Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by davidjones533 »

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Last edited by davidjones533 on Sun 09 Sep 2018, 8:45 am, edited 1 time in total.

AngryAndyPandy
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by AngryAndyPandy »

harkins wrote:I'll probably get slaughtered for saying this, but he's in the armed forces and on top of that a lot of people have paid good money to see them perform. Tech issues are bad luck, but paternity leave - seriously? Does a front line sniper drop his rifle and stand up in Afghanistan? Does an MI6 agent drop cover and catch the next plane home? What about submariners on the deterrent subs, surface and head for the nearest port to drop dad off?

Not much gone right for this air show.



Some quite poorly chosen comparisons if I'm honest. I understand the reason but an airshow doesn't really compare to those sitations. It's not exactly fair to deprive him of something like that when national security isn't a factor etc etc. And if I'm not ill-informed, if soldiers are deployed I'm pretty sure they're shipped home as soon as possible for maternity reasons.

minnie the moocher
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by minnie the moocher »

Just reviewed our departure time for the morning. Just spoken to somebody who was there today and using the shuttle bus - advice is get there plenty early to get through the traffic and then get a bus

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CJS
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by CJS »

Obviously it's a no brainer about the paternity leave thing, an airshow is not something to miss out those first special days for, even if you are a Red Arrows pilot! I wonder if it's ever been considered that one or two of the pilots could work up either a solo or pairs Hawk demo in addition to the Reds display? I appreciate it would be more work and that they're not exactly sitting sound twiddling their thumbs in the run up to the season, but even if it was a version of the synchro pair routine, it would leave them with another option if the wrong two jets were to go tech.

Anyway, how was the rest of the show today?
"There's only one way of life, and that's your own"

scottspencer
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by scottspencer »

Really enjoyed it. Good variety and unlike a lot of shows hardly any gaps in the flying display (apart from the Reds problem and the other texh aircraft), mostly one display was finishing/landing and the next was ready to take off.

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BrawlerO
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by BrawlerO »

harkins wrote:I'll probably get slaughtered for saying this, but he's in the armed forces and on top of that a lot of people have paid good money to see them perform. Tech issues are bad luck, but paternity leave - seriously?


Do they not have a reserve pilot? Baby issues aside, what happens if one of them gets ill?

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aceyone
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by aceyone »

BrawlerO wrote:
harkins wrote:I'll probably get slaughtered for saying this, but he's in the armed forces and on top of that a lot of people have paid good money to see them perform. Tech issues are bad luck, but paternity leave - seriously?


Do they not have a reserve pilot? Baby issues aside, what happens if one of them gets ill?


No ,they don't have a reserve pilot !
Don't know about those jets ,they spoil a very nice place

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andrewn
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by andrewn »

scottspencer wrote:Really enjoyed it. Good variety and unlike a lot of shows hardly any gaps in the flying display (apart from the Reds problem and the other texh aircraft), mostly one display was finishing/landing and the next was ready to take off.


Agreed, it was a good first effort.

scottspencer
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by scottspencer »

Was very surprised at the little gaps though, with a lot theres some large gaps between displays which turns a 5 hour display into more like 3.5 or so, which wasnt the case today!

B_Tank88
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by B_Tank88 »

Promising, I'm attending tomorrow :cool:

Finningley Boy
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by Finningley Boy »

Having been among the detractors over the weeks, months I will also say it was a pretty good show. The flying was very good the Typhoon solo the best I've seen for a while having secured the right weather break. Both him and the French Alpha Jet reminded me why it is best of all to use a large military airfield with its own controlled airspace up to the heavens and beyond in order to put on a really good flying display, aircraft appeared not at all distant and could utilise all the sky as a stage. The Vampires restricted from aerobatics along with the JP/Strike master duo made the most of the conditions despite the imposed restrictions, hopefully will be lifted once the CAA get over the psychological block about ex-military jets in private hands again. What did strike me was the dilapidated state of the infrastructure of what is an RAF primary flying station, albeit once again. The Officers' Mess looked abandoned, indeed it was. Do the RAF personnel stationed at Scampton have their accommodation elsewhere? Waddington, Coningsby, Cranwell perhaps? :cuppa:

Anyway, all the best to the organisers for next year, I see they've set 8th and 9th September 2018 for the next air show! I trust they'll have their Ducks in a row this time and attract some more impressive items. Also, it would improve the static if they could secure some heavies next time. But all in all, not bad. Looking forward (fingers crossed :wink: ) to next year.

FB :biggrin:
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wv383
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by wv383 »

aceyone wrote:
BrawlerO wrote:
harkins wrote:I'll probably get slaughtered for saying this, but he's in the armed forces and on top of that a lot of people have paid good money to see them perform. Tech issues are bad luck, but paternity leave - seriously?


Do they not have a reserve pilot? Baby issues aside, what happens if one of them gets ill?


No ,they don't have a reserve pilot !


Well said! How could they have one reserve pilot. He would have to train every position in the formation and every single manoeuvre. Impossible.
Simon

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aviodromefriend
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by aviodromefriend »

BrawlerO wrote:what happens if one of them gets ill?
If it is one dropping out, they fly with 8 aircraft the same routine as they do with 9. If more than one drops out they fly only the enid or gypo bit (if the pilots dropping out are in the same segment) or they stay on the ground. (I've seen all of these possibilities.)
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The Baron
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by The Baron »

Scampton is the home base. It's not like you're expecting him to clear off for a day, or whole weekend. You're talking a couple hours each day?
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wv383
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by wv383 »

Finningley Boy wrote:Having been among the detractors over the weeks, months I will also say it was a pretty good show. The flying was very good the Typhoon solo the best I've seen for a while having secured the right weather break. Both him and the French Alpha Jet reminded me why it is best of all to use a large military airfield with its own controlled airspace up to the heavens and beyond in order to put on a really good flying display, aircraft appeared not at all distant and could utilise all the sky as a stage. The Vampires restricted from aerobatics along with the JP/Strike master duo made the most of the conditions despite the imposed restrictions, hopefully will be lifted once the CAA get over the psychological block about ex-military jets in private hands again. What did strike me was the dilapidated state of the infrastructure of what is an RAF primary flying station, albeit once again. The Officers' Mess looked abandoned, indeed it was. Do the RAF personnel stationed at Scampton have their accommodation elsewhere? Waddington, Coningsby, Cranwell perhaps? :cuppa:

Anyway, all the best to the organisers for next year, I see they've set 8th and 9th September 2018 for the next air show! I trust they'll have their Ducks in a row this time and attract some more impressive items. Also, it would improve the static if they could secure some heavies next time. But all in all, not bad. Looking forward (fingers crossed :wink: ) to next year.

FB :biggrin:


Don't forget that though Scampton may to all intents and purposes be an operational base, the only unit actually based there are The Red Arrows. So it's not really surprising that some parts might look decidedly under used. After all, imagine the complaints about waste of money if the whole place was kept fully uo to scratch when probably 90% of the base isn't used.
Simon

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BrawlerO
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by BrawlerO »

wv383 wrote:
aceyone wrote:
BrawlerO wrote:
harkins wrote:I'll probably get slaughtered for saying this, but he's in the armed forces and on top of that a lot of people have paid good money to see them perform. Tech issues are bad luck, but paternity leave - seriously?


Do they not have a reserve pilot? Baby issues aside, what happens if one of them gets ill?


No ,they don't have a reserve pilot !


Well said! How could they have one reserve pilot. He would have to train every position in the formation and every single manoeuvre. Impossible.


Suppose that makes sense. I guess they make it look so easy but then they are the greatest display team in the world! :clap:

davidjones533

Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by davidjones533 »

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Last edited by davidjones533 on Sun 09 Sep 2018, 8:45 am, edited 1 time in total.

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bennysdad
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by bennysdad »

CJS wrote:Obviously it's a no brainer about the paternity leave thing, an airshow is not something to miss out those first special days for, even if you are a Red Arrows pilot! I wonder if it's ever been considered that one or two of the pilots could work up either a solo or pairs Hawk demo in addition to the Reds display? I appreciate it would be more work and that they're not exactly sitting sound twiddling their thumbs in the run up to the season, but even if it was a version of the synchro pair routine, it would leave them with another option if the wrong two jets were to go tech.

Anyway, how was the rest of the show today?


The flying display was better than it looked on paper beforehand. Highlights were the Belgian F16, the Alpha Jet and the 727 which did 2 very brisk spray passes with a spirited climb out. The Typhoon would have been up there with them if it had landed before its display rather than arriving and going straight into its routine and departing immediately after its final pass. Thank goodness there were no foreign teams supporting the reds at their home base. The embarrassment would have been too much to bear. When they knew they were a jet down already I would have thought a spare ready to cover for any that went tech was a reasonable plan.

The park and ride worked as well as any I have seen but trying to force motorcyclists to manoeuvre on uneven wet grass was a big no no. Fortunately all the bikers I saw had done what I did and ignored the directions of the parking staff and found their own hard standing, of which there was plenty. Next time please consider bikers unless an impromptu motocross in the car park was part of the planned entertainment.

Finally just a personal observation. This is my first visit to Scampton and I was quite looking forward to visiting this historic base. It looked sad and neglected with so many unoccupied buildings being left to rot. Please preserve it or demolish it.

I don't think this year's flying programme was worth the cost but it was a good first effort that with just a few more foreign bits of heavy metal would have justified the ticket price. Thanks to everybody who worked to make the most of what they had.

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boff180
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by boff180 »

wv383 wrote:
Finningley Boy wrote:Having been among the detractors over the weeks, months I will also say it was a pretty good show. The flying was very good the Typhoon solo the best I've seen for a while having secured the right weather break. Both him and the French Alpha Jet reminded me why it is best of all to use a large military airfield with its own controlled airspace up to the heavens and beyond in order to put on a really good flying display, aircraft appeared not at all distant and could utilise all the sky as a stage. The Vampires restricted from aerobatics along with the JP/Strike master duo made the most of the conditions despite the imposed restrictions, hopefully will be lifted once the CAA get over the psychological block about ex-military jets in private hands again. What did strike me was the dilapidated state of the infrastructure of what is an RAF primary flying station, albeit once again. The Officers' Mess looked abandoned, indeed it was. Do the RAF personnel stationed at Scampton have their accommodation elsewhere? Waddington, Coningsby, Cranwell perhaps? :cuppa:

Anyway, all the best to the organisers for next year, I see they've set 8th and 9th September 2018 for the next air show! I trust they'll have their Ducks in a row this time and attract some more impressive items. Also, it would improve the static if they could secure some heavies next time. But all in all, not bad. Looking forward (fingers crossed :wink: ) to next year.

FB :biggrin:


Don't forget that though Scampton may to all intents and purposes be an operational base, the only unit actually based there are The Red Arrows. So it's not really surprising that some parts might look decidedly under used. After all, imagine the complaints about waste of money if the whole place was kept fully uo to scratch when probably 90% of the base isn't used.


Actually the primary unit based there is 1ACC

Stagger2
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by Stagger2 »

davidjones533 wrote:
The Baron wrote:Scampton is the home base. It's not like you're expecting him to clear off for a day, or whole weekend. You're talking a couple hours each day?


And what if, like most new parents, he's only had a few hours sleep in the past 24-48 hours? I wouldn't want to drive, let alone fly formation aerobatics.


Being a privileged vital member of the prestigious Red Arrows really should count for more. Sounds like he was fortunate enough to be there for the actual birth, so I'm inclined to agree that a little pride should kick-in, especially for the Home-Team inaugural Scampton event? The need to step-up was wasted!
I base this judgment on the fact that many people are not able to enjoy any part of the 'first' days due to circumstances that can't be changed. Spare a thought for the Navy guy who is maybe fortunate enough to witness the birth before leaving a week later for 6 months! As previously said, taking-out a couple of hours to do a 'local' show isn't gonna bring charges of family desertion.
With regard to sleep, the onus is on the pilot to ensure that happens even if it means getting a room elsewhere. After all, it's not like they don't have to maintain control of alcohol, diet, fitness, & mental agility just because of a newborn.
I've had two kids & life didn't stop because of that & I'm not even a vital part of a National jigsaw!
Not having a spare jet ready at your home-base is pathetic. Should've had Lingy's & the Nappy-changer's vacant seat available at least? :facepalm: The apathy is amazing, might as well save money & take just 6 to Greece!

rob68
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by rob68 »

Had no trouble getting in but I stopped over night locally. P&R worked well in morning. Base looks as If it needs some TLC. Red skips and building rubble for a background do not make for nice shots. P&R getting out was poor, signage non existent. Got off at show ground and went to wrong car park, didn't see any signs to give a clue. Nearly £40 is expensive for what was there.

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andrewn
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by andrewn »

Stagger2 wrote:Not having a spare jet ready at your home-base is pathetic. Should've had Lingy's & the Nappy-changer's vacant seat available at least? :facepalm: The apathy is amazing, might as well save money & take just 6 to Greece!


Hi Stagger,

They did have a spare, but the decision was taken to proceed as a 4-ship only ("Gypo") as the time taken to taxi back back, get the spare, refuel, would have taken too long. Unfortunately, with the age of the jets now it's been noticeable in the last few years it is becoming more difficult to get 9 jets serviceable on a consistent basis.

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andrewn
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Re: RAF Scampton Air Show 2017

Post by andrewn »

bennysdad wrote:
Finally just a personal observation. This is my first visit to Scampton and I was quite looking forward to visiting this historic base. It looked sad and neglected with so many unoccupied buildings being left to rot. Please preserve it or demolish it.


Yes it is very sad. Scampton should be declared a national heritage site and maintained accordingly. If our useless Government had anything about it they'd divert a tiny % of the billions being spent on HS2 and get Scampton back into the condition it deserves. Going forwards it would then make a perfect living centre for aviation heritage - a kind of Bruntingthorpe without the commercial constraints or a Duxford with a decent runway length.

It'll never happen of course :(

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