Subject: Re: Southend Airshow (3 of 3)
From: "Steve Bamford ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Daniel Butcher" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2003 21:41:54 -0700

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com
 
Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Daniel Butcher 
  To: Steve Bamford ARC 
  Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2003 2:27 AM
  Subject: Southend Airshow (3 of 3)

  Text below - used for a report on a different website ealier in the year.

  Traditionally held on the same weekend as Mildenhall Air Fete, this year the show was the highlight of the bank holiday weekend, with the cancellation of Mildenhall's Air Fete once again allowing Southend to take top honors.

  With the airshow attracting large numbers of people to the town, this years display attracted an equally large number of flying participants keep the crowds entertained. As well as the flying along the sea front, the Airport also opened it's gates to the public for it's open days, held on the Sunday and Monday, which combined flying and static aircraft with a selection of other attractions.

  For the meager sum of £5, admission to the airfield is granted, and you are allowed ridiculously close to the active taxiways and the aircraft, the airport playing host to a large portion of the airshow participants for the weekend, allowing for some superb photography. Fly pasts and impromptu displays from many of the participants upon their return to the airport kept noise levels up, and added abit of variety to the arrivals and departures.

  Among the aircraft on hand this year were the Golden Apple Trust's F-86A Sabre, and a T-33 Shooting Star, which were joined by the newly repainted DeHavilland Sea Vixen, all three making their debut in the skies above the Thames Estuary.

  The RAF was out in full force, with a full compliment of displays supporting the show, everything from the Tornado F.3 to the Grob Tutor display were on hand, and The Red Arrows put in their first public airshow performance of the season, although, like the Nimrod, they weren't operating from the airfield. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight also made an appearance; flying from Southend Airport, along with the rest of the military hardware, the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane put on a superb display, and the Falcons parachute team managed a display under difficult conditions, with strong winds working against them. Also present were the Royal Navy, who sent along the Lynx pair for the flying display.

  Other acts were from the Extra 300 pair, a Sukhoi Su-26, the Utterly Butterly Barnstormers in their Boeing Stearman's, and North Weald based aerobatic team, The Aerostars, flying their 6 Yak-52s.

  The highlight for many though, was the Avro Vulcan, XL426, which made a fast taxi run along the runway at Southend airport, the proximity of the crowd to both the taxiway and runway making it an unforgettable experience, and a very unique one in this day and age. With the problems hitting XH558, this may be the best we can hope for from any Vulcan.

  Among the aircraft on show, there were a few other attractions for the visitors, with stalls, a classic car show, and a model flying club all present, as well as Helicopter Pleasure flights over the airfield for those wishing to take the opportunity. Included in the ticket price was also a photo bus along the flight line. 

  Heavy showers around lunchtime on the Sunday did little to put a dampener on the event, the otherwise faultless weekend weather combined with hours of entertainment and unparalleled photo opportunities offering extreme value for money. The Red Arrows were the main attraction on both days, opening the show on Sunday, and drawing the two day event to a close on Monday. No foreign participation was present, but this was largely due to the lack of an Air Fete to 'borrow' acts from - not that they really needed any, with five hours non-stop action regardless.

  The organizers of both the show and the open day should feel justifiably proud - a solid lineup, stronger than that seen at Duxford at the start of the month, and a well organized display with no delays combining to put a lot of other events in the shade. The open day is certainly an overlooked event on the calendar, but one which is as high as any in the enjoyment stakes.