Waddington Airshow 2014 participation

[Wissam24]

Come on guys keep it on topic, otherwise I'll be forced to make a Waddington Toilet Thread

You mean a WTT?

[strangelookingalien]

Indeed... does anyone know if we're due an update today?

[SilentFlight]

Indeed I do, and the answer is.......

Not today, its been a bit thin this week!

[strangelookingalien]

Indeed I do, and the answer is.......

Not today, its been a bit thin this week!

Well at least I can stop checking the website every 5 minutes!

Wasn't there supposed to be some big update last week but it was delayed? Or am I imagining things...?

[SilentFlight]

Still delayed!

[Wissam24]

Bet the luggage goes to the wrong airport too.

[bjturner1981]

Still delayed!

Fingers crossed the reasons behind the delay are sorted soon and the big update can be released

[DaveH]

More like MBAs

I have one and will bring it along to the Veterans' Enclosure - being RNR.

[frank]

Still delayed!

Fingers crossed the reasons behind the delay are sorted soon and the big update can be released

Agreed we all want to see the F35 ar Waddo

[craig.mason]

[SilentFlight]

Not going to happen!

[john001]

Wouldn't matter if you ruined the runway though....

[alpha586]

Not going to happen!

Don't know why everyone is so determined that the F35 should be at Waddo? I understand that it is the main RAF airshow but its the yanks that control the F35s and they were only ever going to let it be based at Fairford (security and all that) Any way in 5 or 6 years time there will be rows of the damn things because it will be the only thing anybody's got!!

[Jamie87]

Plus the fact that the media have already (over)reported that its international debut will be at RIAT. Not sure if air tattoo organisers will be too pleased to see it perform a week earlier somewhere else to take the limelight from its Fairford shows

[boff180]

Don't know why everyone is so determined that the F35 should be at Waddo? I understand that it is the main RAF airshow but its the yanks that control the F35s and they were only ever going to let it be based at Fairford (security and all that) Any way in 5 or 6 years time there will be rows of the damn things because it will be the only thing anybody's got!!

Defence Secretary this week announced that 617Sqn will return from the States combat ready to Marham in 2018. So not that far off

(Also said at the same time he is pushing for the European maintenance hub to be at Marham as we will be ordering the largest fleet in Europe, which is good news and a hint at quite a large order planned).

Andy

[andrewman]

I'd also like to see the F35 at Waddo this year but clearly its not going to happen, Craig if seeing the F-35 is something you want to do then your going to have to go to Fairford.

[Rule 27]

I understand that it is the main RAF airshow but its the yanks that control the F35s and they were only ever going to let it be based at Fairford (security and all that)

Someone should probably mention that to the RAF and the MoD, who I'm sure think that they control the three aircraft that they have bought and are flying!

[Sundowner]

Give me the Sea Vixen any day......pretty please Mr airshow organiser.

[frank]

Not going to happen![/quote]

Sorry SilentFlight I was being a bit naughty with the F35 post. I guess we are all waiting to see what the delayed attendee(s) will be. The more it is delayed the more intriguing and speculative we will become. So we ll need to be patient and wait.
Looking at the number of displays already posted I am guessing from previous experience we must getting close to a full house. Looks a great show whatever the delayed announcement will be. Just need the AWACS and Sentinel for the station flypast please.

[Arthur Tee]

I don't know if anyone has ever asked this before - but is there an official statement as to why we've never seen one of the based Shadows at a show?

I'm not expecting a flying display - but surely a brief appearance - if only tucked in the back of an open hangar would suffice? (Although a fly-by with the Sentinel and Sentry would be even better!)

What can Joe Public possibly glean from say a 'head-on' view in a hangar - that can't be seen by leaning over the fence on the A15?

If Waddo wants a genuine 'one over on RIAT', then surely this can be achieved?

Arthur

[SilentFlight]

The question has been asked every year and the answer is as you have hinted.

Its not just them being out in the daytime, but guarding 24/7 if they are not locked away!

[Arthur Tee]

The question has been asked every year and the answer is as you have hinted.

Its not just them being out in the daytime, but guarding 24/7 if they are not locked away!

SF - many thanks for an honest response.

Last year the public had the opportunity to see a Sentinel in one of the hangars (albeit completely surrounded by staging and work platforms) - is there any way a Shadow could be positioned in the rear of that hangar - at least the tax payer gets to see it - with the added bonus can be locked securely away at night?

Arthur

[SilentFlight]

Believe it or not that would be considered more risky!

[Arthur Tee]

Believe it or not that would be considered more risky!

That doesn't surprise me!

At the risk of slight thread drift - but relevant on the grounds of how the RAF views aircraft security - and hopefully amusing...

I can recount the story of a large RAF four-jet (with strong links to Waddington!) deploying to a US Navy base in Nevada. On arrival the crew were asked by their hosts if they required Aircraft Guards. The aircraft captain declined this offer explaining they had brought SEALS.

Two weeks passed by very quickly and at the post-exercise booze up - the US Navy hosts stated that they were extremely impressed by our security arrangements - as they had not seen our special forces guards once!

The captain then produced a plastic tie-wrap from his flying-suit pocket and explained that this was what the RAF referred to as a SEAL!

Arthur
(Ex 23)

[Wissam24]

Wow I had no idea the Shadows were so top secret!

Might we expect an update today?