Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

For any UK event that does not have its own forum
purple_95
Posts: 213
Joined: Fri 21 Aug 2020, 6:48 pm

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by purple_95 »

The headline jet for Saturday is the Vampire, was booked just for the Saturday but is now flying on all three days of the event thanks to a sponsor covering the costs.

IP1960
Posts: 333
Joined: Thu 19 Nov 2015, 9:22 pm
Location: Worcestershire

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by IP1960 »

JMC wrote:
Mon 09 May 2022, 2:52 pm
Whatever happened to the jet that was supposed to headline the Saturday?
As has been said above, the Vampire was added to the Saturday (and then later in April to all three days). The organisers had hinted at "jets", so I guess they knew at that point there was a chance the Reds would be added to the Saturday as well, which they subsequently were.

Just need the usual Ragley sunshine now :grinning:

JMC
Posts: 1418
Joined: Fri 11 Mar 2022, 10:50 am

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by JMC »

Oh! The way they said 'star item' made it sound as if something rare as such would rock up! (Could've been me as an enthusiast suffering with delusional thinking. Star item = Must mean Couteau Delta)

Mike
Posts: 2800
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 5:08 pm

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by Mike »

The Vampire hasn't displayed in the mainland UK for quite a few years now. If it turns up, it will be a rare appearance.

westhamfan84
Posts: 405
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 9:09 am
Location: Wolverhampton
Contact:

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by westhamfan84 »

Hi does anybody know the display frequency used for this event
Planned Shows for 2022 - Midlands air festival, Cosford, Weston, Southport, Riat, Blackpool, Bournemouth

farnboroughrob
Posts: 2118
Joined: Fri 05 Jun 2009, 8:31 am

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by farnboroughrob »

Not been to this before, does anybody know of a showground plan, even a rough one?

5944
Posts: 515
Joined: Wed 21 Aug 2013, 7:40 pm

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by 5944 »

Don't know about a plan, but it's all laid out quite simply. Entrance at the east end of the site, and you're looking SSW towards the display line. Lots of stalls and food vans as you come in, keep going past them and it empties out considerably. Wife and I sat down the bottom of the hill last year with no one within about 20 feet of us. If you want food and drink while you're there, take cash - mobile phone signal is non-existent! It was a good show last year, but you're looking into the sun for a lot of it. Not so bad first thing when the sun is high, but makes it a bit awkward later on in the day.

farnboroughrob
Posts: 2118
Joined: Fri 05 Jun 2009, 8:31 am

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by farnboroughrob »

5944 wrote:
Sat 28 May 2022, 2:46 pm
Don't know about a plan, but it's all laid out quite simply. Entrance at the east end of the site, and you're looking SSW towards the display line. Lots of stalls and food vans as you come in, keep going past them and it empties out considerably. Wife and I sat down the bottom of the hill last year with no one within about 20 feet of us. If you want food and drink while you're there, take cash - mobile phone signal is non-existent! It was a good show last year, but you're looking into the sun for a lot of it. Not so bad first thing when the sun is high, but makes it a bit awkward later on in the day.
Thanks for that, was going last year but ended up off with a bad back. Mainly going for the hot air balloons as it is now the largest UK meet. Not bothering with the camera, I enjoy it more without one, just after the numbers. Only staying at the Travelodge 5 min away so easy to go back for nap after the 6am balloon launch!

User avatar
Mr Benn
Posts: 305
Joined: Mon 10 May 2010, 8:49 am
Location: WORCESTERSHIRE

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by Mr Benn »

Does anybody have the exact timetable for the air displays over the 3 days , Im sure I saw it somewhere but cant find it now. Thanks

User avatar
Mr Benn
Posts: 305
Joined: Mon 10 May 2010, 8:49 am
Location: WORCESTERSHIRE

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by Mr Benn »

Thanks Speedbird. Sorry, I shouldve been clear it was actually the timings of each plane that I was looking for. Going over to see the Reds about 5pm, but deciding what time to go based on the other planes timings. Cheers.

User avatar
speedbird2639
Posts: 1349
Joined: Wed 13 Jul 2011, 11:35 am

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by speedbird2639 »

Hi Mr Benn - I realised that after I posted hence the deletion.







The only place I have seen the info is on the email accompanying the tickets

User avatar
Mr Benn
Posts: 305
Joined: Mon 10 May 2010, 8:49 am
Location: WORCESTERSHIRE

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by Mr Benn »

Thanks Speedbird. The weather looks good for all 3 days of the show.

User avatar
Mr Benn
Posts: 305
Joined: Mon 10 May 2010, 8:49 am
Location: WORCESTERSHIRE

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by Mr Benn »

Well the Red Arrows started at just 7x hawks, then another one dropped out straight away. So it ended up with just the 6. Im guessing the lost one was part of the usual 2 jets flying towards each other, as it ended up a bit of an odd show. Have to say for them it wasnt one of their better shows, but with just 6 jets it was hard for them.

IP1960
Posts: 333
Joined: Thu 19 Nov 2015, 9:22 pm
Location: Worcestershire

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by IP1960 »

Mr Benn wrote:
Thu 02 Jun 2022, 6:15 pm
Well the Red Arrows started at just 7x hawks, then another one dropped out straight away. So it ended up with just the 6. Im guessing the lost one was part of the usual 2 jets flying towards each other, as it ended up a bit of an odd show. Have to say for them it wasnt one of their better shows, but with just 6 jets it was hard for them.
Bird strike wasn't it - you could tell as soon as they failed to reposition as normal there was an issue. Not the easiest start for a new Red 10 doing his first UK show and having that happen after about a minute!

verreli
Posts: 1558
Joined: Sun 12 Mar 2017, 6:05 pm
Location: Lake District

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by verreli »

Attended on Thursday from mid Afternoon. Another great event with a relaxed atmosphere. Love the variety. Amphitheatre setting means the view is great for everyone. Finished with one of the best fireworks displays I've seen as the cherry on a very enjoyable cake.

p.s. Red Arrows did the best they could with what they had and plaudits for continuing after the alleged bird strike. Could be a difficult season for them though as they didn't get the usual whoops from the crowd flying only 6 aircraft and no syncro.

User avatar
Mr Benn
Posts: 305
Joined: Mon 10 May 2010, 8:49 am
Location: WORCESTERSHIRE

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by Mr Benn »

I watched the Reds yesterday and they were back to their usual best. Grey skies didnt stop them looking good. The B17 looked fab as well, I didnt realise how big she was. Hopefully I will get to see the Lancaster with the BBMF later today as well.

User avatar
aviationanoraks
Posts: 467
Joined: Thu 18 Feb 2010, 7:45 pm
Location: UK
Contact:

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by aviationanoraks »

Really good show, with something for everyone.
Cap 10 display was elegant, and seeing the Bronco operate from the strip was impressive.

Many more highlights from yesterday, but actually was not that impressed with the Reds. Two aircraft were out of position on arrival leaving a slightly larger than normal gap in the formation, and one of the syncro pair seemed to be a few seconds out during their piece - on one opposing pass the right hand aircraft was level and running into the arena while the second was still descending.
Don’t like criticising any display, but they just didn’t seem to be their normal precise selves.
Expect it was a one off, and look forward to hopefully seeing them again later this year.

Overall the show was excellent value for money, and getting in and out was very easy, with no queues.
Think it will become a permanent fixture on our show calendar.

Tom105
Posts: 658
Joined: Fri 29 Apr 2016, 5:15 pm

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by Tom105 »

Went yesterday, good show light isnt the best but was expecting that. Great to finally see the vampire after so many years of trying! Have to agree about the reds, display felt disjointed lots of dead air time, also there cross overs were off crossing all over the place.
Thomas

farnboroughrob
Posts: 2118
Joined: Fri 05 Jun 2009, 8:31 am

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by farnboroughrob »

Went on Friday afternoon , and was going today. Sadly the thing I went for ,the balloons, was totally ruined by the weather. I perfer shows where all aircraft operate form the site. Enjoyed the Bronco, the reds and the BBMF but rest were just meh for me. Saw this morning weather and checked out of our hotel a day early. Think I will just judge the weather and find a naughty field for the ballons next time.

purple_95
Posts: 213
Joined: Fri 21 Aug 2020, 6:48 pm

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by purple_95 »

Just got back home, had a great day. Very unfortunate about the balloons but other than that a great display with a real mix when it came to the flying items. Fantastic to see the Vampire again and the Lancaster as its been some time since I have seen it airborne. Felt a bit sorry for the pilot of the CAP 10 who was putting on a wonderful aerobatic display but the music the display was set to got drowned out from the Bronco doing its pre flight checks, but that is a very minor point on what was an all round great day out.

UKAirshowTour
Posts: 361
Joined: Thu 05 May 2016, 4:58 pm
Contact:

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by UKAirshowTour »

Went Friday and Saturday. Thought the display was great on Friday but Saturday was top class and the pilots all did an outstanding job

IP1960
Posts: 333
Joined: Thu 19 Nov 2015, 9:22 pm
Location: Worcestershire

Re: Midlands Air Festival 2 - 4 June 2022 Ragley Hall

Post by IP1960 »

My local show, 15 minutes from my door - quite how they came to pick Ragley as the venue back in 2018 I don't know, but I'm glad they did.

The third show at Ragley, and it worked least well for the balloonists this time round. After a good press launch on Thursday morning (including balloons low over my own house), and a wonderful mass launch that evening along with the Nightglow, only Friday morning was possible for a launch, and after that little was seen of them - understandable given the winds in particular on Saturday.

One new section was competition balloonists taking off at nearby Bickmarsh on Thursday evening and flying into Ragley - 15 attempted it, only 3 landed, showing how tricky the sport can be - very interesting seeing the different balloons the pilots fly, and the slightly terrifying way they lose height when approaching their target!

As usual, the flying was a real mixture - this has been true since Show 1 4 years ago, but the show has grown, enhanced by another year of excellent RAF support including the Red Arrows, Falcons and Tutor all three days and the BBMF for 2.

Plenty of coverage already of the bird strike one minute into Red 10's UK commentary debut on the Thursday - he certainly didn't have the easiest of days. Ten minutes passed before we knew if we would see the remaining Hawks, and whilst it was obviously a slightly odd display full marks to them for re-starting and the crowd loved seeing them, regardless of the numbers of jets in front of them.

A good cross-section of aircraft displayed, from the solo Tutor to the Strikemaster pair. It was wonderful to see the Vampire, and we don't see the Bronco often enough (great to see it based at Ragley for the three days), aerobatics from the Cap10 and the Pitts, lovely displays from Sally B and the Catalina, and the Turbulents were very popular with the children in particular. Whilst the BBMF have displayed before, it was great to finally see the Lancaster come in over the trees, although on Saturday it had lost the Spitfire that came with the Hurricane escort on Friday. As a slightly biased Mustang fan, I think the display of the three days was possibly the Rolls Royce Heritage Mustang, which ended up closing the show in some lovely sunshine on Saturday, although I must give honourable mention to the Tiger 9, who gave a fantastic display in winds of 10-15 knots earlier that day. It was a shame that due to the winds they couldn't land to execute their synchro shutdown in front of the crowd, which had attracted so many children to them the two previous days.

All in all a very family-friendly show, as evidenced by the crowd - family groups and children everywhere. It doesn't suit everyone's tastes as it's such a mix of types, but for me is a throwback to the shows I first went to in the Midland Shires back in the late 60's/early 70's. It certainly gains lots of positive reviews locally.

At times the commentary had periods of silence again as in previous years, although I'm not sure the crowd actually minded too much and simply enjoyed what appeared in front of them.

One final point, connected to the comment above - it was interesting to note that displays were applauded, some more than others of course, but reminded me that it's something we should perhaps do more at all shows, to show appreciation of the pilots skills whatever he/she is flying.

361 days until we can do it all again.