FighterControl

Come by and say hello.
Me and Mrs Kipling will be in the checklist tent, which will be certain to be 'in the cruise' (i.e. flaps up) by 0900hrs, judging by the weather forecast.
I'll be the one wearing the blue FC patch!
Brian

If i can find the tent i'll make sure to pop in and say hello

I will do my best to pop along and say howdy

I will have a blue or white Nike baseball cap on my bald dome, huge 'tache and big grin

Probably be carrying a camera and my trusty Yuppy scanner as well

As for you Adam, you should know better; 1100, as late as that

Cheers

Paddyboy

Anyone for meet ups on Sunday

Hello Folks,
I hope people enjoyed themselves at the show today. I might put the cat amongst the pigeons with this next few lines.

How good was the show really? There was a couple of nice jets there today, but I had a few friends there, & they weren't impressed. Why do we think that this is the best they can do when people rant about how good it is, when really its not that good. I know there are arguments that could say they sold out of all of the tickets, but is that because there aren't any shows left to go to?
I went last year & was disappointed. The highlights was the Korean aerobatic team, but the static wasn't that good, & they flying was dire. Should we put more pressure on the organisers for better jets. I wouldn't mind paying good money for good airshows, but not for this.
Fairford doesn't inspire me either. Its a LOT of money for brilliant aircraft! I don't think so.

I could have been spoiled about the 'good old days' & austerity is kicking in but that's bad excuses.
Comments would be welcome, & please say what you really felt about today. Please don't say the Vulcan was worth the entry fee itself too, if it is donate more to keep the beautiful machine flying!

Enjoyed the day but I think money and current conflicts haven't helped with the content. Personally I've seen more fast jets at coningsby on a Tuesday afternoon (typhoon,hawk,tonka and a couple of eagles) and for free! Still all in a good cause and to see my five year old jumping up an down with delight at the red arrows....PRICELESS!!

I can take on board your points and whilst I agree with some of them I felt today was better than last year... It was a good eclectic mix of types...the young French aerobatic pilot in his breitling extra was superb as was the chinook... The vulcans spiral descent and the Saab viggen simply divine! Loved the viggens blue afterburner... The Turkish f16 was fab and if I had to pick one thing for being ever so slightly not as good as last year was the typhoon display... Great weather too... All in all I had an enjoyable day... That's my two penny worth anyway.

I appreciate comments, but is two penneth worth was really £29 on the day. A Viggen, Vulcan & F-16 are fantastic, but not worth that. If it had rained I doubt the comments would be so pleasant.
I love airshows, don't get me wrong, I've done them for 30 years, & the feeling I get at the campsite afterwards, especially on a fantastic warm night, but I can't think I'd be a tad disappointed tonight, & the talk tonight would be are we doing it next year?

Tronk 11 wrote:I appreciate comments, but is two penneth worth was really £29 on the day. A Viggen, Vulcan & F-16 are fantastic, but not worth that. If it had rained I doubt the comments would be so pleasant.
I love airshows, don't get me wrong, I've done them for 30 years, & the feeling I get at the campsite afterwards, especially on a fantastic warm night, but I can't think I'd be a tad disappointed tonight, & the talk tonight would be are we doing it next year?

You seem to have a really weird view on what is worth £29 (actually £22 if you bought an advance ticket)
Ever been to a Premier League football match, where you get 90 minutes entertainment for a lot more than £29...?
Ever been to a Pop Concert, where you get 90 minutes entertainment for a lot more than £29...?
If I had been to the Queen's Coronation Flypast in 1953, when over 600 aircraft flew by, I'd probably be a bit disappointed. Fortunately I live in the real world.
I doubt the organisers will be too bothered if you go next year - there are plenty of other people to help them sell all the tickets.
Enthusiasts/spotters/photographers make up about 5% of the attendance at most airshows. It does not matter to them if a Mongolian Air Force MiG-21 turns up - the Red Arrows and the Vulcan will do just fine.

Oh dear me!
I expected comments like this. I didn't go this year, & I doubt I'll be the last who says they won't go in future if the airshows don't improve. Did you enjoy the show? Value for money? You never mentioned that, which doesn't surprise me, as you'll be a hypocrite if you do. I'm a fan of airshows, but don't expect Mongolian MiGs, get real! I expect a bit more than you got today, & don't quote the austerity or any other rubbish like that. Very lame excuses, & ones that I could pick holes in all night.

Oh,
There were Spanish Typhoons & Polish F-16's at Leeming, THAT would be a draw to a show, whats to stop this coming to the show. Plus RC-26's at Prestwick, transiting. I'd go to see them. If your happy with the red arrows & Vulcan then your easily pleased. I don't pay to see football, or concerts, but would pay to see a good airshow, wouldn't you?

Think its a case of catering for the masses and placating the minority Tronk....a sign of the times....can you recall seeing a funfair at an air fete or a coningsby open day. My memory may be clouded but an airshow used to be just that but now you can buy a kitchen...sponsor a dog..and order garden furniture all from stalls that are money spinners.

You'd be disappointed by 600 aircraft in a fly by! Are you drunk! I'd love that. I saw the flypast at Abingdon after the Gulf War, & can still remember it, a superb show. I doubt you saw 100 active military jets today.
I'd not watch football, as I don't agree its value for money, but have been to concerts that have been worth it. I'm a realist. Please say you loved the show today, & we'll see the support you get! NOT

Hi Patrick,
Sorry for being harsh, its not aimed at you but the organisers. I can buy a kitchen at a show, sponsor a blind dog & that's not the point is it. They pay a lot of money for that. Are the shows being greedy? I love the RAF & RAFBF but are we being mugged off in the name of charity?

i think this debate needs its own thread rather than hijacking a thread about FC'ers meeting up at the show.

Tronk11 fancy doing the honours? I just think itll be easier for others to find rather than being hidden inside another thread whose title doesnt really lend itself to the content.

Regards

Neil

actually looks like there's already a debate viewtopic.php?f=59&t=82674

I'm pants at setting up new threads, my gray hairs are testament to this. Sorry if I've hijacked this link. Have a good day tomorrow guys.

Not to worry Tronk. We're all learners at something.
Nice to see a good few of you on Saturday and put faces to pseudonyms.
Look out for Mrs Kipling's hat again at Fairford.....
Freeman