alpha586 wrote:Finningley Boy wrote:rdchawk wrote:I think the point is that, to FB, RAF Cosford is the spawn of satan.
Not at all, its just too little to stage an air show that does justice to the RAF. It simply can't support a sizeable event.
FB
I think Cosford is a great venue for an air show. Yes the runway is too short to operate the fast jets but they can easily operate from nearby shawbury. As for not being big enough to cater for larger aircraft is the A400M not big enough for you? What other air show venue can boast some of the RAFs most iconic aircraft from the first world war right through to today? All 3 v bombers the tsr2 (yes I am aware it never entered service) the mosquito jaguar harrier (in various guises) yes i know not all of these will be pushed out of the museum but they are still there. What better place is there to celebrate the centenary of the RAF?
The location is brilliant too. A central location is very accessible to a wide area of the country. The price of the show is very good when compared to other shows, Scampton last year was double the price and with a lesser flying display.
Where else in the UK last year could you see a B-52 and B1 in the air. Where else will have a Dutch KDC-10 fly past? Even RIAT haven't got the Polish MiG 29!
Yes air shows are subjective and each to their own, if you don't like it that's fair enough I suppose but I have loved the show for years! Helps that it's 30 minutes down the road As well!!
Alpha,
Anything can fly over, that depends on what or whether anything can be made available on the off chance. For an example, look at the Yeovilton line up and no I'm not hijacking the thread, but just look at the comparison. Remember the Navy do Boats; Frigates, Destroyers, Submarines! Aeroplanes aren't supposed to be their strong suit. If I'm perfectly honest and to be fair, it is a reasonable point about Shawbury, however, you have to admit, Cosford just doesn't seem to draw the NATO frontline the way Yeovilton does or the way Waddington and Leuchars did. But it also misses out on simply not being able to mount the kind of static line up you could have. Another stark comparison being the Belgian AF equivalent, Klein Brogel?
No use comparing RIAT, which isn't a service organised/sponsored event, however well supported by the RAF. Other than that, I can say positive things about Cosford, I actually like the location, it does have a traditional feel about, reminds me of air shows as a child, what I mean by that is the on airfield parking with plenty of room made available, I think one of the limitations at Scampton last year was the fact that RAFCT now have in their blood not to allow on field parking except to anyone paying a mint. Cosford is good in so far as you can park up, and you don't need to go anywhere during the flying, you can, as I have before, sit in you car while its raining but flying continues or be ready to set off while watching the closing display, you've got a base to operate from, which is great, you can leave everything in the car and go for a free and breezy wander about. Its also a bonus that you've got the RAF Midlands museum there, get in early enough and you mosey round that and the other stuff and the Craft Fair, a trial getting in on time since about 2002 when the flying expanded in length, but if in on time, you've got plenty to look round, but very little current! So no problems there really or with catering. The trouble is simply, the runway is only 3,500 ft long, Yeovilton's secondary runway is 4,500 ft long, their main runway, like the RAF's operational bases, over 7,000 ft long and about twice as wide.
Believe me, I regret that in the year that the RAF celebrates its 100th Birthday I feel I'm better off spending a large amount money I'd rather not, on heading off to a foreign base in a much smaller country with a much smaller air force which isn't celebrating such a milestone in its history and with a far, far, far less illustrious, colourful and prestigious past. I would much prefer to be attending the RAF's premier 100th anniversary air show. But if we've come to this, very little of the RAF's current assets on show and very little support from overseas allies then for me personally, the effort hasn't been made to justify the occasion. Or the organisers simply haven't been able to make the kill, perhaps its something to do with operating from Shawbury? should the event be held at Shawbury instead? I've often wandered if it may be better, save for the draw of the museum Its all a matter of logistics sir, nothing more.
FB