FighterControl

Dawlish Air Show 2011's First Participation Update
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Morning all,

Finally, after the usual months of waiting, I'm pleased to report that our first participation confirmations ahead of the 2011 Dawlish Air Show have started to come in.

I'm sure you'll all be delighted to hear that the first of these comes from Dawlish favourites, the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows. As with 2010, the team will be led by Sqn Ldr Ben Murphy and I have no doubt that the team will once again wow the crowds with its stunning precision formation flying and spectacular opposition passes.

Poor weather at RNAS Culdrose precluded the attendance of the 771 Sqn Sea King HU.5 SAR from the Royal Navy in 2010, but the Squadron hopes to be able to make amends this year. All being well the aircraft will be on static display during the morning (location as yet undetermined) and will then take part in the afternoon's flying display.

Joining the Royal Navy example of the Sea King will be one of the Royal Air Force's HAR.3 variants from 22 Sqn at RMB Chivenor. Like its Royal Navy counterpart, the aircraft should be on static display as well as participating in the flying.

Naturally, you'll know more as and when we do, but I hope you'll agree that it's a very solid start.

Best wishes,
Kevin Wills,
Event Organiser,
Dawlish Air Show

Participation Update Number 2!
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Participation news continues to trickle in to Air Show HQ, and RAF support for this year’s show is looking very strong once again.

Joining us from RAF Valley on the island of Anglesey will be Flt Lt Jules Fleming from 208(R) Sqn, 4 FTS, in the Hawk T.1. The paint scheme for the 2011 season’s not been revealed yet, but you can be sure it’ll be bright and colourful and will look great in the skies above Dawlish.

Flt Lt Dan Hayes is set to become the Tucano T.1 display pilot this year, representing 1 FTS based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, in doing so and following hot on the heels on Flt Lt Tom Bould who did such an excellent job of displaying the aircraft in its Battle of Britain colour scheme last year. I’m sure Dan will put his own stamp on what is always an eye catching demonstration and hopefully with a specially painted Tucano of his own. Fingers crossed!

I’m delighted to be able to welcome back our good friends from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby, and this year they’re hoping to bring us the Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane. The sight of the Lancaster low over the sea will have been one of the highlights of last year’s show for many and no doubt they will provide further highlights this time round.

Completing the RAF participation update is Flt Lt Shaun Kimberley in the Tutor T.1. Shaun is a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) on 1 EFTS at RAF Cranwell, Lincs. In being named Tutor display pilot for 2011 Shaun has realised a long held dream and we’re looking forward to seeing him at Dawlish.

It’s been a while since we’ve had an Army Air Corps presence at the show, but that could be put right this year with news that 671 Sqn from Middle Wallop, Hampshire, hopes to send a Lynx helicopter for our static display.

It’s fantastic to see the list looking so healthy already, but don’t forget that in order to book some of the more expensive items that many of you have been requesting we still need your support. You can still do this by becoming a Friend of Dawlish Air Show (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/friendsof.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)or by buying some of the items available from our online shop (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/shop.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). All profits go directly towards supporting the 2011 event.

Thanks for your continued support.
Kevin Wills,
Event Organiser,
Dawlish Air Show

May Update
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Morning all,

The Friday just gone saw us hold our Black Tie Ball at the Langstone Cliff Hotel in Dawlish. Some of you might be wondering why we didn't promote it more heavily. The simple reason was because ALL of the tickets had sold out way in advance! The night was a huge success and we even managed to keep a special surprise up our sleeves - Pete Wells and Guy Westgate from The SWIP Team put on a fantastic twilight display for everybody present. It was something very different and a great way to announce the 2011 Air Show to the local residents. Even better, the event raised more than £6000 for this year's show, which is absolutely phenomenal! To those of you that supported it, thank you so much! I'd love to think that the Black Tie Ball can become a permanent fixture on the Dawlish calendar, because it really was a cracking night.

I'd really like to thank the Air Show Committee, Jackie, Emma, Jim, Ali, Matt and Jenny for all their hard work organising the event and to all the management and staff at the Langstone Cliff Hotel for making everything run so smoothly!

So, now we've got some more money in, I'm in a position to confirm a few more participants for the main air show in August.

Continuing their support of our events, I'm pleased to say that The SWIP Team will be making a daytime return to the town. Pete and Guy fly a pair of Silence Twister aircraft, a type which bears an uncanny resemblance to the Spitfire in plan view. Some of you may have seen them out and about in 2010 as The Twister Duo, but they're now sponsored by Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (hence SWIP) and the aircraft sport rather funky new liveries in recognition of that tie-up.

Back again for 2011 is Dawlish stalwart, Flt Lt Leon Creese, returning for his fourth year as Royal Air Force King Air Display Pilot. Hailing from 45(R) Sqn at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, Leon and his co-pilot will put the King Air multi-engine training aircraft through its paces for you all.

I'm absolutely delighted to be able to confirm that there'll be a Hunter flying at the show again in 2011, after an absence last year. Exeter-based Team Viper will be providing the aircraft in this, the Hunter's 60th year, and we can't wait to see which one of the Team's six very differently painted aircraft turns up on the day.

These confirmations do once again mean that the pot is essentially empty again, so don't forget that there are a number of ways in which you can support the show. The easiest of these is to become a Friend of Dawlish Air Show (FoDAS) (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/friendsof.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), for which you will get a limited edition enamel badge, advance notice of air show events and the chance to win VIP tickets for four people to attend a lunchtime reception before the air show and uninterrupted views of the show from the reserved viewing area at the seafront. Membership costs £10. If you're already a member, please spread the word amongst your family and friends.

You can also buy Dawlish Air Show merchandise from our online shop (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/shop.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) or make an outright donation (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/donations.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

The only way we can add to the line-up is by raising more funds, so please support the show in any way you can, even if it's only by helping to pass on this message.

Thanks to you all.
Best wishes,
Kevin Wills,
Event Organiser,
Dawlish Air Show

http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/news.php

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Morning all,

Today we're just eight weeks away from Dawlish Air Show 2011! It hardly seems possible that it's come around so quickly, but come around it has!

I'm delighted to report that since my last update we've acquired two sponsors in Barratt Homes (http://www.barratthomes.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and Visit South Devon (http://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). I'd like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to them for coming on-board and backing the show.

Their support, along with a spurt in sign-ups to the Friends of Dawlish Air Show Scheme, means that I can now confirm a few other participants.

Returning to the skies over the town will be The Breitling Wingwalkers who proved to be hugely popular at last year's show. The team's two brightly painted orange Boeing Stearman biplanes, complete with striking white smoke, will each have a glamorous young lady performing a series of poses on top of the wing as the aircraft are flown around the sky!

Making their Dawlish debut will be The Blades from Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire. Flying four highly aerobatic Extra 300 aircraft, the team's regular pilots are all former RAF Red Arrows and they've brought all of that flair and panache across to their current display mounts. Uniquely, The Blades can also legitimately claim to be the world's only globally-accredited aerobatic airline, and we're sure you'll all love their display in August.

While not performing a dynamic display for you, we also hope that one of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust's EC135 helicopters will be on static display during the morning, raising awareness and funds for this most worthy of charities. Additionally, we hope it'll be able to perform a flyby on departure - attendance of course will be subject to operational requirements.

We hope you'll agree that the display line-up is really starting to take shape now, but that's not to say that there's not room for anything else! Your contributions, be they outright donations (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/donations.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), joining the Friends of Dawlish Air Show Scheme (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/friendsof.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)or making purchases from the online shop (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/shop.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), will all go towards adding additional participation to the flying programme.

Thanks for your continued support.
Best wishes,
Kevin Wills,
Event Organiser,
Dawlish Air Show

July Update

Afternoon all,

We'll be just three weeks away from Dawlish Air Show 2011 tomorrow and preparations continue apace.

Unfortunately we were informed this morning that it's not going to be possible for one of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust EC135 helicopters to be present on the day, but the good news is that we have secured a Royal Air Force Puma helicopter from RAF Benson for the static display instead.

Believe me when I tell you that we're doing all we can to add additional items to the participation list, but it would make our lives an awful lot easier if we'd got more funds in the pot to do so. While admission to the show is free for all, if you've not already done so and you've enjoyed our event in the past, please consider joining the Friends of Dawlish Air Show scheme (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/friendsof.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) or making an outright donation (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/donations.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). We'd still love to get some more local businesses onboard too with sponsorship packages, so if you know anyone who might be interested, please ask them to drop me a line at info@dawlishairshow.co.uk

Continuing the appeal theme, we're very much on the lookout for volunteers on the show day itself, particularly for people to go around with buckets collecting donations and also to act as marshals. Again, if you think you can help out or know someone that might, please send me an email ASAP to info@dawlishairshow.co.uk

The other important piece of news I have to tell you is that there will be NO park and ride scheme in operation this year. We will, however, still be using the same car park which has room for lots of vehicles on the Warren Road, from where you will be able to access the coastal path, where the views of the display line are particularly good, or be access footpaths down to the seawall to enjoy a nice walk into town. There is also a bus stop located nearby should anyone wish to use the Stagecoach bus service.

I think that's all for now. It's really important that we put in this one final push to ensure that this year's show is as strong as possible. We, the Dawlish Air Show committee, are giving our full commitment to making this year's show bigger and better than all those that have gone before and with your continued support we are confident it will be.

Thanks to you all.
Best wishes,
Kevin Wills,
Event Organiser,
Dawlish Air Show

Less than two weeks to go!

Morning all,

Despite the close proximity of the event, things are still changing on an almost daily basis, and we're still talking to aircraft operators about strengthening the line-up further.

Unfortunately the recently added Puma for static has been withdrawn; nothing we or anybody else can do about that, sadly, but rest assured we are doing our damnedest to find a replacement.

On the plus side, I am really pleased to be able to tell you that we've secured the Royal Air Force Tornado GR.4 Role Demo once again! Crewed by XV(R) Squadron from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, the routine features a pair of Tornados simulating ground attack runs with plenty of speed and loads of noise! At the present time the type is deployed concurrently in support of operations in Afghanistan (Op HERRICK) and in Libya (Op ELLAMY), so we're especially pleased that they've agreed to support our show.

Would you like to get involved and support the show? We're still in desperate need of additional volunteers to help out on the day with the collecting of donations, marshaling, selling programmes and just generally helping out. If you can help, or know anyone who would be willing to, please drop me a line at info@dawlishairshow.co.uk as soon as possible.

It's not too late for you to help make a difference by joining the Friends of Dawlish Air Show Scheme (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/friendsof.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), by purchasing items from the online shop (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/shop.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) or by making an outright donation (http://www.dawlishairshow.co.uk/donations.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

Thanks again for your continued support.

Kind regards,
Kevin Wills,
Event Organiser,
Dawlish Air Show

Stug wrote:This is looking good as usual and I'm hoping to have the day off, just hoping for the weather. I'm wondering, is the hill still available as previous years as I've not seen it mentioned so far?
Thanks.

Vulcan to the Sky - Over Dawlish!
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Afternoon all,

Just a very brief update today, but I've got some very exciting news for you! XH558, the world's only remaining airworthy Vulcan, will be joining us for Dawlish Air Show 2011!

The aircraft was present at the 2009 event and based on the number of requests we've received to book her again, I'm sure this will be music to the ears of many of you!

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Vulcan to the Sky Trust and to Eddie Forrester, Managing Director of Aerobytes, for assisting us with meeting the fee for this booking. It's not stretching it to say that, without their support, quite simply we would have been unable to afford to have the aircraft perform at the show, so we're all truly grateful.

As things stand, the flying display element of the show will run from something like 1230 through to 1630, although there will be rotary movements at the two static sites during the morning too.

Thanks again for your continued support.

Kind regards,
Kevin Wills,
Event Organiser,
Dawlish Air Show

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Final pre-show update

Evening all,

I really was hoping I wasn't going to have to write this, but I've just heard through the official channels that, sadly, Vulcan XH558 has developed a fuel leak that is going to preclude it from displaying at Dawlish Air Show 2011 as well as keeping other commitments for at least the next two weeks. Believe me when I tell you that no-one is more disappointed than I, but that, unfortunately, is the nature of the beast…

Furthermore, the Team Viper Hunter we had been expecting has been replaced by Heritage Aviation's Jet Provost T.5, XW324. We're grateful to the aircraft's owner, Jeff Bell, for making it available to us at late notice.

This will be the last website update before the show, so I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support so far. I hope you won't let this setback stop you from having a fantastic time on Thursday, we have after all still got a cracking line-up, and please remember that the only way we can keep doing this is if you throw some money in to the buckets that will be paraded around the crowdline during the display.

I hope you all enjoy it!

Kind regards,
Kevin Wills,
Event Organiser,
Dawlish Air Show