Air Atlantiques 50s Shows - 1999 + 2003 (Correction)

[F3]

After all the excitement of Fairford and its Air Tattoo August was rather a barren month on the airshow scene back in the 90s until a new show was launched towards the end of the decade. This was Air Atlantiques 50s airshow staged at its Coventry airport base. Having missed the first event, held in '98, we made the second - the undoubted highlight of which was the Noratlas display and I was totally sold on the retro vibe. Where else could you see such aircraft as the Lockheed Electra and Twin Pioneer displayed as well as a formation of Daks? We returned the next year to see more classic French types such as the Flamant and Nord 1101 plus a swarm of classic jets and thought it one of the outstanding shows of the season. Sadly holiday traffic at the airport was on the increase and the operators regarded the show as something of an interference so it turned out to be the last one. Although it did nt last very long it will always be fondly remembered the the happy band who attended.
PS - One of the early Rod Stewart albums was entitled An Old Raincoat Never Lets You Down. Sadly the same cannot be said of my memory as I've just unearthed the programme of the '03 show - which was the last one. As there are no programmes for shows in '01 or '02 there was presumably a 2 yr hiatus after the Millenium show. Some of the pics featued below (incl the Albatross + Noratlas are definitely from this show) and as it also featured the Sea Vixen this was the one where it lost the panel referred to and where the fatal loss of the Ryan replica occurred. FYI I am adding a scan of the display programme as it may rekindle some memories.

Coventry 2000 - Flamant by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coventry 2000 - Nord 1101 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coventry 2000 - F86 + T33 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coventry - Vampire Mk 7 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Cov 2000 - Canberra take - off by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Cov 2000 - Canberra + Meteors by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Cov 2000 - Canberra + Meteor by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coventry 2000 - Albatross + B-17 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coventry - DC3s by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coventry - Grumman Albatross by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coventry - Noratlas take - off (50%) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Nordatlas - plan view by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Nordatlas - Khe Sahn approach by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coventry 2000 - Twin Pioneer by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coventry 2000 - Anson + Pembroke by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Coventry 2000 - Meteor NF11 + Vampire by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Cov 2003 - Dsiplay schedule by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[raptor9]

Oh, yes. Only went to one, for both days. Absolutely superb to see a formation of two D.C.6s, seven Dakotas, Meteor F.8, Sea Vixen [losing a hatch and all of it's tools in a tight turn] etc. but sadly remembered also for the fatal crash of the Ryan replica. That aside, all those lovely large piston engines!. A Dutch D.C. 2 if I remember. How rare was that!!. Lovely pictures. Hope and and yours are well. Regards, John

[paddyboy]

Hi Mick

That’s the sort of show that can and will never be repeated

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[Mustang531]

Sadly I missed both of these shows, but great to see these older types. Back in the mists of time, there was a smaller show at Baginton on Bank Holiday Monday in May 1987, it was quaintly advertised as an Air Pageant. It did include a Shackleton, DC6, Bristol 170, Ju52/3m and a couple of DC3s, plus some smaller and more modern military types. Sadly it looks as if the airport is doomed and closing in a couple of years time. But at least the Midland Aircraft Museum will remain and always worth a visit.

[raptor9]

Baginton close to my heart. It was a landing on my qualifying PPL cross-country from Booker. Ah, nostalgia!!.

[F3]

How ironic that the airport now looks set for closure when the reason for axing the show was because of the burgeoning passenger traffic just 20 yrs ago. Seem to remember there was a big planning issue surrounding the provision of extra parking (possibly encroaching on the Green Belt) that was stymied, which seemed to nip the expansion in the bud. Still, in the wake of the pandemic most airports seem to be struggling. There are now big questions over the future of DSA (formerly Finningley) near me as a result of Wizz Air's recent departure. My own view is that given its proximity to rail/motorway links and the Free Port it would make a great Freight airport as it has many of the attributes of EMA which is a freight airport at night.

[H.A.Bucken]

I remember the A.A's DC-3s throbbing their way up the Lake District in the late 1970s around 2200L while on the mail runs to Scotland. Fabulous. Didn't realize A.A. had airshows.
Roger

[binbrook87]

Yes! I went to one or two shows (i think?) I remember the unfortunate crash of the Spirit of St Louis replica... sadly killing the pilot And where Foxy Lady lost a panel during its display?
Incredible variety of classic aircraft and a real nostalgic vibe, sadly not to be repeated. Thanks for bringing back happy memories

[F3]

Having missed the inaugural show in '98 I'd be interested in seeing some pics of it if anyone has any. I think that was supposed to be the homecoming of the Shack that went to the States.

[Stratocruiser]

A great selection of gems with the pistons taking centre stage!
Thanks for sharing them