Well, there is no getting away from it....I got a bit wet today! 5 mins of crazy rain, just enough time for me to ponder why I forgot an umbrella....doh! Did it ruin my day...? Not in the slightest!
I've been going to air shows now since I was 11, first one was Mildenhall 89. My dad and I took the trip from Bognor Regis every year and nothing will be quite like that first one.
Now I take my daughter to any I go to and sharing the day with her always makes it a good day. I'm no longer worried about the static count, what does or doesn't turn up or if I see anything new and I think I enjoy it all the more for that now.
Today's show was a good day for the above reasons, but also for the aircraft that did turn up were great examples of their type. I like a dirty and grizzled line jet (e.g Zeus F-16 is pretty, but at last years RIAT most my pics were of the normal camo ones) and the F-16's and Tornado today were a treat ( I do have an exception to this, but will explain in a bit!) The Lynx had naughty but nice nose art and the Heavy jets were both great examples too. It's always going to be difficult to put them anywhere on the pan to take good pics of and its nice to see people being able to go in and see them anyway.
The only gripe I would have of the static is not Yeovilton's fault, but the RAF typhoon was very dull! the reason I like a line jet is because the the squadron badges and markings have so much meaning to them and they are always worn with pride! Come-on RAF, stop this no sqn markings nonsense and put the bars and badges back on!
The flying display was well planned I thought, the more dynamic displays not bunched together so we could all have a breather from catching the one shot we all wanted and watch a bit of the flying with our own eyes and not just the view finder.
The best display for me was the Bronco, wow, that can really move and is pretty much fully aerobatic! I was very impressed with the skill shown by the pilot.
The sea vixen is possibly the prettiest, ugly plane ever and I agree that the first pass was lovely!
The Mig 15 was a super display showing us every possible angle, with lots of lovely turning and top side chances.
The B-17 was my second favourite display, it just had real presence in the air and looked wonderful flying low over the church with its wheels down.
Reds, Apaches and all the other displays were great too and all added their own part to the day (special mention to Team Orlik who have some cool moves and cooler aircraft).
So for me (and izzy) the day was value for money and them some. £30 for both of us to watch, photograph and enjoy aircraft for 8 hours. £1.90 ish each an hour to watch sea vixens, migs, rafales and much more, yeah, I'll take that
