1985 Fairford - Starfighter Fest

[roughcutter]

I still have a flyer from the show, look at the admission guys (and weep!)
img002 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

[F3]

Love those first two shots of the line-up. One of the most memorable IATs for that reason. Had a distinct end of era feel for me.

[paddyboy]

You wouldn’t even get a programme for that price now, Mark

[Stratocruiser]

Oh yes, I do miss the sight and sound of those little flying coffins! Another great memory of the great airshows in the 70's and 80's. Many thanks for sharing your great pics

[mce89]

We were spoilt back then. Lots of colour and variety of airframes.
Great pics too . Thanks for sharing

[F3]

Thought a couple of flying pics req'd plus a tailender!

4 X F-104Gs GAF by Michael Britton, on Flickr

4XF-104Gs GAF (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

F-104 tailpiece by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[mancman]

Thanks for adding the flying pics, I didn't seem to get any, must have still been on the Photobus

[Mustang531]

Some more great shots, thank you for adding these.

[ciaranchef]

Pure aviation heaven, amazing post, thanks..

[3Greens]

Hi Andy and all,
Loved this walk down memory lane and your shots.
I hope that I can add some additional info on the German Starfighters present .
I arrived late on Thursday ready for the Friday arrivals. On the Friday for some reason in my notebook I had also logged times of arrivals. That morning the 'Vikings' using 26+60 and 26+66 came out for their practise display just after 10.00 but shortly into the flight 26+60 had an tech issue and the practise was aborted.
It must have deemed to be a serious problem as a spare jet 26+82 arrived in the afternoon at 14.54
I assume the Mfg.2 TF-104G 27+79 must have arrived earlier in the week and it was parked around the back of the hangar during the photobus trips on the Saturday where the first aircraft in the active line still 'wrapped' must have been the 'sick' 26+60
During the flying I was already back in the crowd and directly behind your shot of the pair take off 26+37 which I can confirm was 25+18 That must be just the rear of your bus then in my shot
I was pleased that the Italians arrived with two aircraft at the end of the squadron exchange with 29 Squadron at Coningsby as I was pleased to have had a day with them the week before.
Thanks again for your original posting, hope you don't mind I've added a few


[/quote]

Thanks for the update, must have been hangared, I don't remember seeing the the TF-104.So there were 16 in total, even better!

Got it, it was a Monday morning visitor arrived on the 15th July?

It's on the official BARG checklist that I bought at the show on the Saturday morning, so it must have arrived on one of the arrivals days.

Not a mis-read of 26+66 either as that's the one furthest away in my own photo :-

Definitely 10 Germans as per Mike's list above.

Not wishing to confuse things I have 9x German 2x each from Canada, Denmark, and Italy, numbering 15?

https://legendarymilavia.blogspot.com/2 ... es-new.htm
















Happy memories & best regards
3Greens

[mancman]

Thanks for the additional photos an info. Nice to see a different viewpoint of the same subject.

[Blue Diamond]

Did IAT85 Sunday and departures Monday but I'm not sure I got photos of all of the Hooters. Was it a tad wet on the Sunday?
Thanks for sharing.

[Knife 04]

Great thread and brings back loads of memories of that weekend

Thanks for all the posts - great quality scanning guys ensuring this is not forgotten

Best

Darren

[1marshn30]

Great post of great days

[Ridge Runner]

"27+79 TF-104G MFG 2" Absolutely 27+79. If I recall she had a fuel leak and was set aside in a safe corner

What a great show that was, with my No.1 machine taking pride of place!!!!

Martin

[SW Sky Blue]

Great stuff