American Air Show 28-29 May

[Pen Pusher]

As they are on first, assuming the cloud base lifts, we'll see how many leave straight afterwards.

Brian

[itfcscott]

Aren't they on last Brian? Thought it was the Typhoon opening the show and the Reds closing?

[Tim N]

I'm a supporter of Duxford.

Ticket prices are a (small) factor but as somebody has already said, it is £18 into the museum anyway so if it was going to be a good day I can justify it no problems.

The line up here wasn't bad but not exciting either.

But as an American friend said " this is one lame ass airshow!" after watching the Mustang 'display' somewhere near Stansted He is not wrong. I will probably not go back to an airshow here - I will visit the museum again.

The best part by far is seeing the taxying aircraft - perhaps 'airshows' should now be about taxying displays rather than flying. I am being serious - best part by far was seeing aircraft do power checks close by

Once the wheels leave the ground they are too far away to make an impact - to those who say they can't see much change - I disagree - the whole flying display seems to sterile - it is pointless.

Very weak crowd too - It seems the general public have picked up that this is not an exciting event - not sure if it is restrictions or line up?

It is all sad really.

I'm surprised at your US friends claim. Typical American show, take away the T-Birds or Blue Angels and maybe a fast jet and u have 'Clark Vanderbilt Jr. In his extra 300 and 'Clint and Peggy-sue Smallpox' and their wing walker act. US shows can be very tame.

[Brevet Cable]

Crowd any bigger today?

There does appear to be more people about today. I was told more tickets were sold for today than yesterday.
Brian

Would the Reds have anything to do with that?.

Or simply because tomorrow's a Bank Holiday

[Dan O'Hagan]

As they are on first, assuming the cloud base lifts, we'll see how many leave straight afterwards.

Brian

Any acknowledgement from the powers-that-be you are fed information by that they've got elements of this show very, very wrong?

[Pen Pusher]

Aren't they on last Brian? Thought it was the Typhoon opening the show and the Reds closing?

Correct. It's been a long day already.

Brian

[itfcscott]

Typhoon been moved to later on to hopefully allow a full show, starting at 13:40 now with Great War Team.

Bit of information for anyone here, the Osprey is due to leave between 18:30 and 19:00 according to the crew, so maybe worth sticking around after if you want to see that!

[Flare Path]

As they are on first, assuming the cloud base lifts, we'll see how many leave straight afterwards.

Brian

Any acknowledgement from the powers-that-be you are fed information by that they've got elements of this show very, very wrong?

The CAA do not care about details the enthusiast otherwise would. Fundamentally, they need to make sure this year is trouble free and we don't have another Shoreham scenario moving forward.

No matter how loud you shout, it won't make any difference. They're not listening. You can only support shows this year (they need it) and see for yourself whether it's good or bad. Unfortunately, costs have risen to attend but you have to expect that, given the new requirements by the CAA.

I've been attending shows at Duxford for many years, and I didn't think yesterday was the 'doomsday' scenario many predicted. It was actually a very enjoyable day.

[Thoughtful_Flyer]

I'm a supporter of Duxford.

Ticket prices are a (small) factor but as somebody has already said, it is £18 into the museum anyway so if it was going to be a good day I can justify it no problems.

The line up here wasn't bad but not exciting either.

But as an American friend said " this is one lame ass airshow!" after watching the Mustang 'display' somewhere near Stansted He is not wrong. I will probably not go back to an airshow here - I will visit the museum again.

The best part by far is seeing the taxying aircraft - perhaps 'airshows' should now be about taxying displays rather than flying. I am being serious - best part by far was seeing aircraft do power checks close by

Once the wheels leave the ground they are too far away to make an impact - to those who say they can't see much change - I disagree - the whole flying display seems to sterile - it is pointless.

Very weak crowd too - It seems the general public have picked up that this is not an exciting event - not sure if it is restrictions or line up?

It is all sad really.

I agree, particularly the part I have highlighted.

Of course it was only because of the less common wind direction, leading to runway 06 being used, that this happened right in front of the tank bank. Had the wind been the more common south westerly the taxying and power checks would have been further away too!

[aaron0288]

Well I'm glad someone else said it. Count me in as another who found the taxying aircraft and power ups the best part of the show. The Mustangs in particular

I can't say anything stood out for me display wise yesterday. I enjoyed the French, although I think that was just down to them being on first. That music though In contrast, the Band of Brothers music being played with the C-47's did bring a lump to my throat. They are some damn beautiful aircraft.

I was really looking forward to the WW2 and Pacific "scenarios" but my god did they fall flat, especially the Pacific one. What with the commentator trying his best to make it more dramatic, it was almost cringeworthy. Can't believe I'm saying his, but I got bored of watching two mustangs and buchons after the 5th exact same manoeuvre. Think it's about time they changed the tail chase around a bit, or at least change it up if they're going to do more than 5 passes.

In terms of best display of the day, I thought the BBMF Spitfire was very good. Dynamic display but oh my did it sound beautiful. One of the best sounding spits I've heard. Typhoon was obviously fab, especially to finish the show of with some noise, but like someone else said, it was very short.

[Finningley Boy]

I think it would be great if they got rid of the corporate event style approach, Duxford like Cosford are really ladidah with their advance ticket sales and in the case of Duxford, advance carpark tickets. None of this is punter friendly and lessens the impact of airshows and reduces the desire, indeed ability, to attend one at short notice as is often the case by giving the impression of seclusion. Apart from RIAT the rest can't be doing themselves any favours, nor RIAT, come to think of it.

I was there yesterday, the flying was first class if, as has been observed, rather like watching an airshow from a field across the road from the gate. But, the one thing which really depressed was the old Restaurant, where I normally go for Breakfast, this has been changed into a sterile metal and glass featureless uncomfy joint. As I walked in before I could scan around to take in what had been done to the place, a young man with a joker's grin materialized in front of me and helpfully pointed out the obvious drawing attention to my presence in the process, so it felt anyway. As I moved forward in the direction he recommended I was intercepted by a middle-aged blonde lady who grinned, as he had, and spoke in that patronizing manner such people seem to be schooled in. She stood far to close, nearly on my toes, if I didn't lean back a bit... Well anyway, my eager refined hostess then ushered me away in a different direction toward another till, if I'd stood where she wanted me to we would have collided as she insisted still on trying to merge us both, as I tried to put just a reasonable space between us she filled the gap immediately, so I finished up standing three feet off target. She then in a slightly puzzled tone said, 'no over here sir'. I said 'but you're stood there.' Embarrassed laughter came next as she shuffled out of the way, all the time she was rabbiting away trying to impress me with their range of 'products' she then pointed to three different cooked meals on the menu, none of which appealed, again in that patronizing manner as if I'd never been allowed in such a refined establishment before. I asked if they were still doing Breakfast, she smiled and said cheerily 'sorry sir, breakfast finished one hour ago'. Before she could bend my ear any further I left for one of the Burger vans on the lawns. All the time lamenting the old Duxford where I would enter the same restaurant, previously decked out as a cozy cafe come mess dining rooms, with framed photos of aircraft and airmen of the past, sit down read the paper the programme and tucked into a Bacon Roll and a cup of tea. No more, the corporate event organizers know how to do this kind of thing professionally, don't they just. Very depressing.

FB

[Thoughtful_Flyer]

Typhoon was obviously fab, especially to finish the show of with some noise, but like someone else said, it was very short.

The Typhoon was kept holding for several minutes while the Zero did its hundred and first vague manoeuvre. So maybe the Typhoon was low on fuel or risked being late home for his tea?

[Pen Pusher]

Typhoon just displayed lots of people leaving.

Brian

[sideeffectwhu]

Did the Auto Gyro Calidus display there today as I tracked it on FR24 and see it come over Harold Wood.

[HeyfordDave111]

I think it displayed over Harold Wood mate, judging by some of the distances being reported.

[itfcscott]

No, not Autogyro at Duxford. Just the Reds left here now, due in the next couple of minutes.

[sideeffectwhu]

Yeah. Looked on the Auto schedule but there was nothing for today. But have just picked up formula one management rj 70 Coming from Nice to NA. Sorry, Im not clearer as I am typing as quick as pos.

[sideeffectwhu]

Think the Stearman just flew over, very noisy but not showing up on FR and one before that like to Matadors.

[King Cobra]

Just back from Duxford. The show was very much like the curate's egg - good in parts. Good taxying, take-off and landing shots from the tank bank but that was thanks to them using 06. Enjoyed most of the flying even though some items were rather distant. What was noticeable was the fact that top side passes were virtually non existent and pretty much the only time you saw the top side of an aircraft was during some distant manoeuvre.
Reds were limited to 4500 ft due to it being a "busy time with many airliners passing over." Never saw one throughout their display.

[Dan O'Hagan]

I drove past Duxford on the A505 during the Reds display. Hunt's Road was clearly open. A lot of cars along it. Even more cars and people on the verges and in the fields both before the M11 roundabout and way beyond the pet crematorium, with cars filling the numerous side lanes.

At an estimate, I'd put the numbers into the high hundreds, if not more.

So, "freeloading" is still going on. On a very wide scale. A lot of those I saw watching were families with children - possibly priced out by ticket costs and car parking charges (I did wonder if some cars had been left there to avoid the £5 charge).

These are the people Duxford needs to re-engage with. The photographers are probably lost to IWM shows for good due to the lighting and display distances, but an airshow needs to be an affordable, inclusive day out. Make going inside appealing and affordable to familes. I saw reports of child tickets costing £19 for this event. Is it any wonder Mr & Mrs 2.4 Children watched from the grass verge outside?

And Park & Ride was £2.70 per adult. For mum & dad, it'd be 40p less to park at the show! Barmy!

Nobody wants Duxford to fail, but for the community to help Duxford, first it needs to help itself.

[eddywinch82]

I agree King Cobra, I don't remember any topside passes from the WW2 warbirds i.e. the Mustangs and Spitfires that were close. Although I did thoroughly enjoy the display, today despite that. In terms of distance the displays didn't seem too far away I really was worried before I came to Airshow yesterday, but i was relieved when they seemed as close as ever most of the time. My overall highlight today was the few formation passes by the Pacific War Fighters. But I enjoyed all the displays, including the BBMF which were excellent, even without the BBMF Dakota. I can't wait for Flying Legends in July !!

[CameronSys]

A great day. From low cloud to pretty much clear skies. Was nice to have a look inside the Osprey and I felt that most of the displays were very enjoyable. The BBMF were a bit too distant I felt, odd considering the Spit and Huri pair that followed seemed a fair bit closer. The zero display was a bit boring I thought, underside pass after underside pass after underside pass. OV-10 and Skyvan display however was awesome!

[R4118]

I went to the show Saturday and have to say I was disappointed.
I'm a Duxford fan, did the 4 shows when they had 4 shows, did the 3 shows when the October show was stopped. So if I compare this show to my previous experiences it does not come out good, not by a long shot.

The displays are now too far away. I found myself stopping taking pictures and looking at the display for a time and after a while started looking at the people around me. I noticed a lot of people were just sitting and looking.
I did take pictures of the planes taxiing in front of me and of the formation flying. A warbird is too small to see a these distances and just becomes a plane flying around, with manoeuvres losing their meaning in the distance.
Formation flying will be something that still makes sense at long range...
Cost ways, I compensated the parking fee by skipping the flight line walk which I always used to do.

For me the charm of Duxford is lost. It remains special, but I think the time has now come for something new. Legends does not bring much new items compared to previous years, which was never a problem before. So now I decided not to do Legends and do RIAT for 2 days as it is the same weekend. Was going to do RIAT on Friday and Saturday, then Legends on Sunday; based on the experience of this weekend I will skip Legends this year. The September show I will decide on later.

It is a shame, but a change in the event (for whatever reason) means that people also adapt in one way or another. The future of Duxford events will change in the next year(s). Probably another show will drop out I think. Formation flying will become more promenant instead of tailchase flying. Maybe more "show" on the ground, like startup and taxiing.

Ah well time will tell, just my thoughts

[TKK 140]

A great day. From low cloud to pretty much clear skies. Was nice to have a look inside the Osprey and I felt that most of the displays were very enjoyable. The BBMF were a bit too distant I felt, odd considering the Spit and Huri pair that followed seemed a fair bit closer. The zero display was a bit boring I thought, underside pass after underside pass after underside pass. OV-10 and Skyvan display however was awesome!

It seemed like the weather would spoil it this morning, but the weather smiled on us and I thought overall it was a good afternoon. The Typhoon display was pretty good too. I took the opportunity to move around a bit more. It was good not to be packed in like sardines, but a reasonably health crowd today.

Glad we hung about for the Osprey to leave too.

A 100-400mm + 1.4 converter found the range for me.

The lack of decent topsides is baffling.

[Mr Potton]

Hello

I'm new here and was prompted to seek out and join this forum by my experience at Duxford on Saturday 28th May. I've been to many Duxford shows - I'm not a photographer, just someone without specialist knowledge who enjoys watching aircraft go through their paces. Briefly, I was disappointed with the show yesterday. More or less everything seemed either slower, higher or further away than on previous occasions. The lack of excitement amongst the crowd around me was palpable. I've written to the museum to register my disappointment and to encourage them to engage with the authorities to do something about these new regulations post Shoreham.

Other observations: although I'm not an air show nut, I got there at a little after 7am (I don't live far away) as I found on the last occasion that by doing so would enable me to get out of the car park fairly quickly. In the event, I was so early that nobody asked to see my ticket, and to my surprise I found myself the very first to arrive in the little area to the east of the Silver pass marquee where I usually sit. So for the first time, I found myself on the fence. And yes, I did resent the cynical decision of Duxford to impose a £5 parking fee where none had existed before.

Oddly, the highlight for me was the chance to board the Osprey and talk to the crew - rather special. But as for the flying itself, the Typhoon was magnificent as always, but the propeller-driven fighers all seemed to be out for a gentle Saturday afternoon stroll, rather than going full throttle and showing off their paces, as they have done in the past.

Anyway, just my tuppence worth,

Mr P