MJAviation Airshows

AirShows

New HDR Photographs
HDR processed pics are now online. These have been edited using the Photomatix Pro software and saved at 1200x800 resolution. Above is a swept wing Tornado GR4.

New HDR Photographs
HDR processed pics are now online. These have been edited using the Photomatix Pro software and saved at 1200x800 resolution. Above is a BAE Harrier GR9 @ Cad West.

New HDR Photographs
HDR processed pics are now online. These have been edited using the Photomatix Pro software and saved at 1200x800 resolution. Above is a F15 shot from Corris Corner.

More HDR photographs can be found here

Latest Shots This shot of a Heads Up Display (HUD)was very kindly given to me by a pilot of an F15E I'd snapped around the loop. This sunset was shot looking through his HUD whilst over Afghanistan.

Airshow Gallery
For more shots from the various Airshows click on the above link or here.

On May the 17th 2009 Duxford held its annual Spring Air Show. The weather was very damp to start with and the wind was gusting to over 25mph at times so some aircraft that were booked in for the display had to cancel. With aircraft including, Tiger Moths, Spitfires an RAF Hawk and Typhoon as well as many others it made for a nice display and a great day was had by all. HD videos are now online and some still shots can be found here.

This years show featured celebrated British pilots including Guy Westgate, eight times National Glider Aerobatic Champion, who recently set a new record of rolling 'on tow', he demonstrated his aerobatic skills in a Swift Glider and Pawnee Tug. Mark Jefferies, four times British Aerobatic Champion flew his newly-acquired Extra 330c.

On August the 14th 2008 Dawlish held its annual Airshow and carnival. This was my first visit to Dawlish and it turned out to be a fantastic day. We were blessed with glorious weather which gave crystal clear skies, just the ticket for nice fast shutter speeds, low ISO's and superb visibility.

Situated on the south coast of Devon in the South West of England, Dawlish is one of the more popular destinations that people visit during their holidays in the area, whether for the numerous holiday parks, hotels or guest houses available to stay in, or indeed to take in the beauty of this small picturesque Victorian town. The town dates back to Saxon times and all time periods have left their mark with a variety of buildings from different eras.The town is only 10 miles from the historic county town of Exeter with it's spectacular cathedral, and 10 miles in the other direction is Torquay and the English Riviera with its numerous tourist attractions.

The Dawlish Airshow is organised and run by unpaid volunteers and receives no funding from local or county councils unlike some other free airshows. Their budget is around 10% of that of other major shows, funded partly by sponsorship with almost half of its funding coming from public donations. Taking this in to account it shows just how much hard work and dedication goes in to organising this great show. Hawker Hunter FGA9 XE601 Built in 1956 as an F.6 XE601 was converted to a FGA.9 and first flew as such in April 1965. In 1966 she joined the A+AEE (Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment) and trials fleet at Boscombe Down and remained in continuous service there for 42 years, subsequently becoming the last Hunter FGA.9 in military service in the UK. In 2005 Skyblue Aviation bought her and in conjunction with the Hunter Flying Club, based at Exeter Airport and now registered as G-ETPS., she was returned to airworthy status, taking to the skies once again on the 21st of June that year.
	The Red Arrows It was the twelfth visit for the Red Arrows at Dawlish and its their favourite place to perform. All nine Red Arrow display pilots are fast jet pilots from frontline Royal Air Force squadrons. Each display pilot flies with the Red Arrows for three years. This year the lead aircraft Red 1 was flown by Wing Commander Jas Hawker. Reds 1 to 5 form the front section known as 'Enid', and Reds 6 to 9 perform the highly popular opposition manoeuvres during the second half of the display sequence. There was only eight flying in this years show as one suffered a bird strike on take-off from Exeter and had to return to base.
771 Naval Air Squadron Seaking The Seaking helicopters of 771 Naval Air Squadron are based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall and are one of the most visible and famous parts of the modern day Royal Navy. A specialist Search and Rescue Squadron, the crews of 771 and their Red and Grey Seaking Helicopters are on standby 24/7 and can often be seen performing their daring and heroic missions on our national news channels. The 771 Seaking demonstrated its SAR skills in conjunction with the Teignmouth and Exmouth lifeboats.

The Westland Wasp HAS 1 above was flown by John Beattie and comes from the Royal Navy Historic Flight based at Yeovilton in Somerset. The Wasp served with the Royal Navy from 1963 until 1988.

Royal Jordanian Falcons
For the first time this year the show went international with the Royal Jordanian Falcons. Jordans national aerobatic team was formed in 1976 and consists of five Extra-300 L aerobatic aircraft. The aircraft is a two seater with the rear seat instrumented for pilot in command. The maximum G limits are +/- 10G for aerobatic flight. The team displays in a 4-ship formation presenting a blend of both formation and solo aerobatic performances. the pilots are Air Force volunteer pilots who usually fly with the team for a period of three to four years before returning to their fighter squadrons.

Royal Air Force - Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. At this years display this included the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane. PA474 is one of only two remaining airworthy Lancasters out of 7377 that were built, the other resides on the other side of the Atlantic in Canada. PA474 makes a welcome return to the skies of Dawlish following a major service at Air Atlantique's Coventry airport base in early 2007.
Amazingly the BBMF is now in its 51st year of operations.

Duxford Flying Legends 2006 This unique and spectacular air show is now established as one of the best warbird show's in Europe. It features a matchless selection of the great propeller-driven combat aircraft of two world wars. In beautifully staged and choreographed flying sequences, classic American and European fighters take to the sky. The veterans, the pilots, the aircraft and the atmosphere are all here in this wonderful nostalgic two-day action experience. Aircraft included in the show were Spitfire's, Hawker Hurricane's, P-51 Mustang's, B-17 bombers, Corsairs, Bristol Fighters, Grumman Tigercat, Hellcat, Bearcat and many more. Sadly it was the last time the Tigercat will be shown at Duxford's Flying Legends.

This was the first warbird show I've been to, and it certainly didn't disappoint, I'll certainly be going again. The show runs all weekend on both the Saturday and Sunday, and has plenty to do and see for all ages. Although I went on just the Saturday, I think going for the two days would give you more time to visit all the museums and watch the flying events. My advice is to leave early, as the traffic soon starts to build up. If you need accommodation, its a good idea to book well in advance, as this show is extremely popular.

Videos from the 2006 show can be found by clicking on the links on the right hand side.