A-10 gripe!

[Tronk 11]

I have to admit i enjoyed today watching the A-10's arrive, it was my sons first experience of seeing them.

However heres my moan. Johns field was busy which was nice to see but there was quite a lot of foul language from a minority i dont mind the odd word but idiots were even shouting out the C word which just backed up every other word that began with F! Not right in my opinoin especially as kids were around as it was half term.
Then some just rocked up and put their massive step ladders right in the way, unbelievably inconsiderate. Every set of pictures of A-10's landing had some in the way. I was lucky to get a decent shot and was on continuous shutter! I hope their shots were good, not all of mine were!

I hope more people will be considerate in future, we are all there to enjoy it.

Rant over!

[SamP]

Unfortunately this is what the hobby seems to have descended into now. I don't know whether its a generation thing or what but I've seen it more and more as this hobby has grown in the past 5 years.

Just look at the cesspool's that you find on some Facebook groups as well.

[StandardTom]

Sam's right, that seems to be the way that the hobby is these days. I'd like to think that most people are fairly considerate when thinking about where to set up their ladders, and how it might impact those around them. Most people just see it as a competition now.

The hobby is rife with one-upmanship, which is something i personally can't be bothered with. If i can't make it out to see something, i'm equally as happy to see other peoples good quality images of it. I just add them on the list of things i'd like to photograph in the future.

As for that level of foul language, there's no place for it when there are families with younger children around. The culprits should have been more aware of their surroundings.

Fair rant.

[acsmith117]

I was there but didn’t hear the language... at one point the local plod came into the field,should of had a word with them.

Like you I had a few shots ruined by heads and shoulders... even though I stood back a bit!!

[Tronk 11]

I don't want to come across as the grumpy old man, but it feels like some others may have seen things recently too.

I had a huge aerial up, BUT took it down before the A-10's landex as id be raging if that thing was in any shots i took.

If it only makes a couple of people think before the y do something if future hopefully this gripe will help a few of us. Im off to marham in a few weeks and wont be as reserved as i was today, im sure i heard some saying they were going. You have been warned!

[The Phantom]

Can't say i'm surprised. Sadly these aircraft arriving at airbases nowadays seem to attract along these bozos - though i do feel it is an generational thing.
Look out Marham next week!!!

[andrewn]

I blame the internet and facebook!! Joking aside you only have to scan the Coningsby FB pages to get an idea of the clientele frequenting airbases these days Personally I tend to avoid these set piece events and head down when the dust has settled. Mr Grumpy signing off....

[Blackcat1]

Yes I also blame faceache lol. Sadly in this hobby there are many inconsiderate people these days, especially at RIAT.

[Thunderbolt II]

I was there yesterday and can only agree with the above. The long wait was torturous at times, and I'm no snob.

[Blackjack56]

All of the above is true,we've all seen them,i like the comment from The Phantom about Marham next week.i will wait a few weeks until the dust settles and then go across to see(and hear!)the new arrivals.if they're not in the hangars being fixed at great expense!.

[reaper493]

With the explosion of Facebook and twitter and the reducing cost of decent cameras along with tracking sites, everyone is a spotter and photographer now.

We saw it when the F22's arrived at lakenheath, and when the F35's arrived at Lakenheath and Fairford and I think the worst I've seen it was at Coningsby when the Canadian lanc was over, the worst day being when they did the flight with the Vulcan. The amount of inconsiderate parking, litter and foul language on these occasions was horrific. Walking back to my car at Coningsby, a 'gentleman' shall we call him, started up his Transit, reved up his engine, and spun his wheels up and set off, showering the crowd behind him with dust and rocks. I managed to turn away to protect my self and my camera, but had there been kids around who knows what could have happened.

Also, with a lot of display crew on twitter now, people are breaking their necks to get a shot to send to them in the hope that they get a 're tweet' in order to make them look good.

Such a shame, but social media is ruining a hobby, its the same for Motor racing (BTCC, British Gt and BSB)

I think I'll pass on Marham next week, I mean these jets are going to be around for a long time to come.....

Mike

[welshandy]

It happens to Railway enthusiasts too. see this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iRE1Xw7-NU

[Blackcat1]

Personally I don't see the fuss about Dave! I'd rather go to see Tornados , true classics at Marham!

[C24]

No comment.

[Dan423]

The Mach Loop is getting as bad too, luckily there's a lot of quiet spots left in the hills. So many rude people with an overwhelming sense of entitlement that think the world revolves around them. No manners or consideration for others. You only have to scan through the awful Facebook groups to see what the hobby is becoming. Coningsby seems to be descending into Lincolnshire's biggest tourist attraction. Grumpy old man (before my time!) here too.

[Thunder]

Such a shame, but social media is ruining a hobby, its the same for Motor racing (BTCC, British Gt and BSB)

Social media is ruining a generation and society in general, not just a hobby. It's amazing how something so brilliant and useful in principal is being used so negative and dangerously in practice.

To Tronk11 did you ask the people involved to watch their language as there were young children about, you never know they may have apologised and stopped.

[James Cutting]

Coming in from a completely different view point from here:

I'm 20, and have grown up around new technologies and social media (which does include this forum as it's a social media platform) and without either I would have struggled to get into this hobby and know as much as I do, and have as much help as I have had. Yes, it is being used wrongly in some places. Mostly, it is used correctly. However, there will always be this one up-man-ship hobby.

I've only been in this hobby for 5 years, and it is a hobby that as you say, it's all about getting "that" shot, and getting the first pictures online to get all the "likes, faves" - Mine are still being backed up and I know they won't have much interest when I upload and frankly I don't care. I do this hobby for me, my Dad and my mates.

Re; ladders - it is a difficult. I don't have a problem, IF you are using them SENSIBLY and STAND AT THE BACK. If there is only a handful of people, then it's less of an issue. Unlike at RIAT where k**bs stand at the front, it's just wrong. Just ask people, and if you're in the way, just move.

Re; swearing - another difficult one, as everybody does it - even parents do in front of kids. Kids listen to pop music a lot of the time and everyone knows how bad swearing can be in that, and YouTube videos etc which often have swearing in. Ask the person nicely to stop or tone down - you'll be surprised they may even stop.

Everyone knew John's would be busy yesterday - Very rare you see A10's!!

I hope not to have upset/offend anyone, just want to offer a different viewpoint from a younger one.

[Saltheart]

I support the comments above. Fortunately, no such behaviour at Folly Road and no foul language. People were considerate with plenty of banter to pass the afternoon. Even the local police joined in the fun. And to cap it all we had the best photo opportunity as the A-10s taxied close by us. The special marked aircraft loomed spectacular and no I don't post photos on any forum.

[Thunderbolt II]

I wouldn't say it has anything to do with age, or a generational thing in my experience. All I'd say is that I used to enjoy being at the fence and visiting airfields generally, but now by and large I don't. This I suppose is due to the numbers of people that now tend to be around, a lot of the behaviour and so called 'banter' that fills the ever lengthening gaps between aircraft activity. I still go to see the planes I want, but stuff that surrounds it? No thanks. Don't get me wrong there are still good folks around, and I'm not trying to stir anything, but that's my honest feeling.

[jpickers56]

I was also at Folly Road yesterday afternoon, no such issues there. More enthusiasts in form of photographers in recent times and not spotters as was back in 70's and 80's. Yes I take pictures and does form part of the enjoyment but it does get out of hand. Proper spotters generally don't carry step ladders with them and its more about the serial than the photograph. I will possibly do Marham next week but from a distance, just want the numbers in the bag, after all the F35 will be about for donkey's years and so we will have so many opportunities for pictures in the future.