Coningsby Airshow Memories

[F3]

Watching the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Saturday brought back memories of the RAF Coningsby Airshows which were usually held on the Queen's Birthday. Indeed in the Tornado era the Station provided 16 ship formations for the flypast on several occasions. Altho' in the early days the shows were all RAF affairs, as witnessed by the typical flightline in the 1st. pic (circa '75) the mid '80s brought foreign participants, at first in the static, and then in the flying display. The pics include some of my favourite memories such as the Short Sunderland display in '90 and the Wattisham Phantom formation fresh from the Queen's Birthday flypast in '92. We expected this would be repeated by Buccaneers the following year, which turned out ti be the last show, but unfortunately the iffy weather put paid to that!

Coningsby - Seventies display line (3) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coningsbys Displays - Meteor '84 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coningsby '86 - F2s everywhere by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coningsby - F4s + F16s '90 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coningsby '90 - Display F3 touches down by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coningsby '90 - Short Sunderland 1 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coningsby - Swiss AF F5 + Mirage '91 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coningsby '92 - Mirage 2000 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coningsby '92 - F4 formation by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coningsby '93 - Flamant by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coningsby '93 - FAF Jaguar by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coningsby '93 - FAF Jaguars (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[roadstar1845]

Happy days, think that was the show where the French parachute team did a spectacular drop, two guys locked feet to feet then at the last minute separating to land on they're own feet.The noise of multiple take offs then the chase back overhead to get into formation by the F3's, can't be late for Liz now can we.Where's it all gone.

[Unknown74]

Never knew that Coningsby had held Airshows wish I'd known would have loved to have attended one having been to so many at Leuchars.

[paddyboy]

Remember that '92 show well

16-ship formation was one of many highlights

As for the lowest moment, I had my 'Don't let me die; I want to fly' Vulcan t-shirt on, which SWMBO spilt half her glass of Guinness down

Needless to say I was in a right sulk for the duration

Cheers

Paddyboy

[F3]

Sounds like a waste of good Guinness PB. I trust you gave her a stern lecture on her wastefulness! Must have been all of £1 a pint back then.

[slogen51]

Great memories

Wasn't there also a mass launch of Tornado F.3 at the 92 show.

I recall the show as I was banned from driving that year and a fellow spotter friend took me.

[F3]

Don't recall a mass launch at that show. It was usually when they were tasked with Queen's B'day Flypast and the last time that I recall that happening was 1990 as I got some shots of it.

[gramp.t]

Love that Phantom gaggle! more chance of seeing a Klingon spaceship these days! Keep 'em coming!

[The Phantom]

That first shot is a cracker

Phantom flypast is very nice