Farnborough Airshow - A fond return

 

Last week I went back to Farnborough Airshow for the first time in years. When I last went in 2016 (read my blog here) it was on the chilly and grey side, luckily last week the sun continued to shine on us for a perfect airshow day. 

Unlike RIAT (yes I'm still miffed about it's cancellation) with it's military displays Farnborough is a trade show which means the most up to date aviation technology is on display.

One of the most impressive displays was this Vertical Aerospace VA-1X

 

Joining it in the flying display was BETA Technologies CX300

On the ground there were aircraft to look at including this GE 747 & DHL 777

And a familiar shape of an RAF A400M -

After a wander around the static aircraft I found a spot for the flying display just in time to see the F35 being towed out ready for it's display (more on that later).

The show was opened by a flypast from 2 RAF Typhoons. 

Literally dropping in were the British Army Red Devils parachute team. 

The Red Arrows aren't the only team to perform Tornado!

Flying the flag for Farnborough

The most impressive part of their display is the carrying of this giant union flag.

The Red Devils are coming to Airbourne in a couple of weeks and I'm looking forward to seeing them again. 

After great displays last year at Duxford's Summer Airshow and RIAT the Army Air Corps Display Team were back and better than ever. 

Apache pair

Wildcat

Waves from the Wildcat crew

It wasn't only the military aircraft putting on impressive displays. There was the lovely-looking Bombardier Global 8000 which flew a graceful display and the Airbus A350 which put on the tightest large aircraft display I've ever seen - barely leaving the confines of the airfield.

A350

Global 8000

The noise increased when the Italian Typhoon took to the skies. It flew a brilliant display as you'll see here. 

I loved the art on it's tail

The most colourful display of the day was from Fursan Al Emarat with their howling L-15s which sounded fantastic. 

There was a vintage jet too in the form of the Czech L159 ALCA with a series of flypasts that showed off it's shape perfectly.

The noisiest participant of the day was the USAF F35A Demonstration . From the moment of it's ear-splitting take off the whole display was breathtaking and definitely the highlight of my day. 

 

Kicking up vapour on another tight turn.

The finale to the day came from the RAF Chinook Role Demo who arrived carrying a land-rover and treated us to tight turns, reversing along the runway and of course the iconic waving hands!

Carrying it's cargo

Being photobombed by the RAF A400M

You can find highlights of the show including the A350, VA-1X and Air Corps team here -

Next up is Airbourne in a couple of weeks - keep your fingers crossed for dry weather!

Love Jen

XxxX

Duxford Summer Airshow - Another aircraft ticked off the bucket list!

 

Another weekend, another airshow and another aircraft ticked off my bucket list. After a sunny start to the season at Headcorn Airshow it was off to Duxford's Summer Airshow with it's promise of a P38 Lightning - high on my aviation bucket list. 

The weather was set to be sunny again so I decided it was time to debut my ridiculously large hat ....

 

Corney & special guest Darcy attempting to hide their shame at the Typhoon stand

I finally remembered to take my Instax camera and took some fun instant photos of the aircraft on the flight line.

The show fell on the 4th July and had an American theme with a lot of American warbirds and this special flypast from Duxford's resident B17 Flying Fortress Sally B and a USAF KC135 Stratotanker from nearby RAF Mildenhall. 

I'm used to squinting up at KC135s as they come over the house at high altitude and seeing such a large aircraft at low altitude never fails to be impressive. 

Refueling hose extended

Sally B during her display

The Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota continued the 'heavy' theme with a graceful display. 

Returning to Duxford for the first time in many years were the Royal Jordanian Falcons. I'm used to seeing them at RIAT and seeing them in action helped my RIAT-cancellation depression a little bit. Their red livery caught the sun beautifully throughout their excellent routine.

Heading into their famous 'fan break'

High energy displays were in plentiful supply for the rest of the day with the OV-10 Bronco Demo Team representing the Vietnam-era.

It wouldn't be a summer airshow without Rich Goodwin and his Pitts which has been reunited with her jet engine. From the moment he takes to the skies (sideways of course) to landing there's not a moment's pause from the action. I'm really excited to see him all 4 days of Airbourne next month. 

The traditional 'sideways start'

A noisy newcomer to the airshow scene this year is the Fubar Aviation MIG 17. It's such a beautiful shape and I loved it's long afterburning flame. It's coming to Airbourne this summer and I think it'll look lovely over the sea.

The aforementioned afterburner flame

Probably my favourite photo of the day

Taxi-ing back after it's display -

My bucket list ticking off came courtesy of Austria's Flying Bulls collection who sent a P38 Lightning along with a P51 Mustang, Corsair and B25 Mitchell (I saw the Mitchell at Duxford's 2024 D Day show). They put on a real crowd-pleasing display with plenty of top side passes that make for perfect photographic opportunities.

Lightning, Corsair & Mustang

In formation with the Mitchell

 

The only disappointment of the day was the RAF Typhoon display. It came in but pulled straight off with a technical issue so I only managed a brief video of it as it came in over the taxi-ing Flying Bulls. 

The finale segment was titled 'Duxford Thunder' and it certainly lived up to it's name with storming formation and solo displays from the photo reconnaissance Spitfire, ME109 Buchon, Mustang, Thunderbolt, Wildcat & Bearcat. Unfortunately the light wasn't great for photographing the aircraft but as you'll see from the video it was a fantastic way to end the show.

Bearcat, Wildcat & Thunderbolt

The awesome Bearcat

  

You can watch more highlights of the show here -

It's nice being back in the airshow swing despite being gutted about the lack of RIAT this year. I'm off to Farnborough Airshow for the first time in years in a couple of weeks as they have the USAF F35 Role Demo and I need some noise in my summer!

Love Jen

XxxX