Waddington - A classic British Airshow
Welcome to this latest edition of Aerodrome and our regular look at the fascinating world of aeroplanes and the historic aviation scene in the UK.
Having just returned from a sweltering RAF Fairford and the triumphant return of the Royal International Air Tattoo to the UK Airshow scene, I can confirm that Airshows are now officially back in full effect and don't we just love them! With sell out crowds attending each day of this year's show, organisers worked hard to produce an exciting and varied display programme and with at least eight hours of flying on both main show days, ensuring there was something for everyone in attendance. With the static display holding just as much interest for the aviation enthusiast as the flying programme did, RIAT weekend is both enjoyable and exhausting in equal measure and whilst the weather this year was certainly welcomed by photographers, the extreme heat did have to be managed sensibly. I managed to gather plenty of content for future Aerodrome features, but work commitments and attending departure day on Monday means that all my pictures are still on their respective memory cards, so my first RIAT 2022 review will appear in the next edition of the blog.
For this week and wanting to remain with a classic British Airshow theme, I decided to delve back into the archives and look at the Waddington Airshow which took place back in 2008, but on arrivals day and not the show itself. Due to a family situation, I was unable to attend the show that year, but was fortunate enough to be granted a pass to attend Friday arrivals, as this famous RAF station prepared to host its latest Airshow event. Featuring exclusive imagery taken on the day, prepare to see some much loved RAF aircraft which are no longer in service, some popular international aviation participants and a couple of aircraft wearing special schemes which will be of interest to a great many aviation enthusiasts. It's time to go Airshow retro with the latest edition of Airfix and Corgi Aerodrome.
Waddington Airshow - An annual international affair
The annual Waddington Airshow could always be relied upon to attract international participation for both the flying and static displays.
As one of the most popular outdoor pastimes in the country, Airshows have long been a staple of the summer season, attracting millions of people to airfields the length and breadth of the nation in the hope of gaining access to the most exciting machines produced by man, aeroplanes. During the glory days, Britain's countryside was littered with military airfields and most would hold annual Airshows or open house days, showcasing what they do to the general public, whilst at the same time raising much needed funds for local good causes. Back then, RAF recruitment was a big deal, with most major towns having a recruitment office and Airshow events providing an effective platform to allow youngsters an insight into the thrill of service life and therefore a tangible future recruitment opportunity for the force. These events were also a valued opportunity to say thank you to the local communities which may be affected by base activities, but who were in the main fiercely protective of their RAF station.
The county of Lincolnshire enjoys a proud association with the men and machines of the Royal Air Force and from the very first RAF Waddington Airshow back in 1995, people from the surrounding towns and villages have always been keen to support the event, which was usually held during the first weekend in July each year. Local businesses certainly benefitted from the new Airshow, an event which would regularly attract attendance numbers in excess of 100,000 people, bringing visitors from all over the country. Indeed, ever since that very first Airshow, Waddington was described as an International Airshow and not only attracted military and civilian aviation participants from the UK, but the promise of exotic overseas aircraft from air forces across Europe and beyond. This would see Waddington International Airshow quickly become the largest of the RAF organised displays and result in millions of spectators heading for Lincolnshire in subsequent years.
Historically, with the announced closure of RAF Finningley in South Yorkshire scheduled for 1995 and the final Battle of Britain display taking place at the airfield in September 1994, the RAF were in need of a new venue to host a major Airshow event. The annual Finningley show had the reputation of being the RAF’s largest one day Airshow and if they were to continue with a show of this magnitude, they would need access to a large airfield which was conveniently located and possessed transport infrastructure able to cope with significant traffic movement. Situated less than 40 miles from RAF Finningley, the former Avro Lancaster and Vulcan bomber base at Waddington in Lincolnshire proved to be a more than adequate replacement and a first Airshow was duly scheduled for the following summer.
Although the largest group of people attending any Airshow would probably be local families looking for an exciting day out, the show organisers at Waddington have always also catered for the committed aviation enthusiast, securing aircraft which will often have people travelling long distances to see and using their contacts to secure appealing overseas participants. As the RAF's largest single day Airshow, if Waddington couldn't attract a certain aircraft, what hope did the rest of the aviation world have? Thankfully, most attendees were honoured to take their place in either the static or flying display, with the undoubted beneficiaries being the Airshow-going public - Waddington was definitely a show not to be missed.
As I mentioned earlier, for the 2008 show, a family commitment meant that I would not be able to attend either day of the Airshow that year, but as it would be marking the 90th Birthday of the Royal Air Force, I didn't want to miss out entirely. Fortunately, I managed to secure a base pass for arrivals and display validation day on the Friday prior to the show, which is where all these images were taken, at my lonely vantage point on a crowdline which would be packed with people just a few hour later. That year's show may have been significant for marking the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force, but it was assured sell-out crowds for another rather impressive aviation reason.
The French Air Force always turn up to UK Airshows meaning business and this Mirage 2000 produced one of the standout displays of this memorable event.
Following an almost unbelievable return to flight in October the previous year, it was hoped that Avro Vulcan B.2 XH558 would be able to take its place in an already packed flying display, an undoubted potential highlight for many and something which thousands of people were desperate to see for themselves. Right up until the eleventh hour, the Vulcan's attendance was in the balance, as the aircraft had still not received a certificate of airworthiness, or her display authorisation, but in the hours prior to the show taking place, both were granted and Waddington prepared to mark this historic occasion - the first UK Airshow appearance of a Vulcan since the type's retirement from RAF service. Unfortunately for me, I had to leave before the Vulcan arrived, so didn't get any pictures of her and to make matters worse, during her Waddington show performances, she flew in formation with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Avro Lancaster, but as they say, you can't win 'em all!
If you were lucky enough to photograph this aviation spectacle, please do let us have a picture or two, so we can share it with our readers by way of a record of this event - please send your pictures to our usual aerodrome@airfix.com address.
Waddington Airshow arrivals day 2008
A pair of RAF Tornados scream into the pattern, prior to breaking for landing.
For the purposes of this blog review, I intend to split the various images into linked sections, providing a written overview of the aircraft within, but allowing the photographs themselves to actually tell the story. It was a very warm day and as far as photographers go, if we are not complaining about a lack of light, we are moaning about heat haze ruining our images and that phenomenon was certainly an issue on the day. Nevertheless, these pictures serve as an interesting record of the RAF's largest Airshow on the occasion of the force's 90th Anniversary.
The Home Team
As the premier RAF Airshow of the year, organisers of the Waddington show were always going to be able to rely on strong support from the Royal Air Force and they were not to be disappointed in 2008, much to the delight of the massive crowds turning up for both days of the show. Back then, we were probably guilt of taking many of the aircraft types on display for granted, but with the Tornado GR4 and F.3 variants now retired and the Red Arrows being the only remaining users of the BAe Hawk T.1, we are now acutely aware that time and aircraft retirements wait for no man, so catch them all whilst you still can.
Waddington's home based squadrons were able to display their majestic Boeing E-3D Sentry, an aircraft type which is now itself retired from RAF service, but was still alive and kicking in those days. Entering RAF service in 1991, the Sentry performed the vital tasks of airborne surveillance, intelligence gathering and providing targeting information for Britain and her international allies, electronic eyes in the sky which had a particularly inquisitive nature. A development of the classic Boeing 707 jetliner, this AWACS aircraft was distinguishable by the large rotating radome carried in an elevated position on its back, equipment which gave this aircraft incredible powers of detection and made it one of the most valuable aircraft in the RAF's inventory. The Waddington based aircraft were joined by a European based E-3A Sentry which was operated in a similar role by NATO, allowing a direct comparison between the two related aircraft to be made.
Other notable RAF aircraft included in the 2008 show line-up were Tornado GR4A ZA400 with its toothy smile and 'Scud Hunter' artwork, several Tornado F.3 fighters and the beautifully presented RAF No.19 Squadron Hawk T.1 wearing its Spitfire style camouflage to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Spitfire entering RAF service with the squadron at Duxford in 1938 - this 'Spithawk' is still definitely one of my favourite RAF aircraft.
Lincolnshire's Falklands Phantom
An aircraft which you might not have expected to find at RAF Waddington, McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2 XV497 was one of the more permanent display exhibits at the airfield, a stunning machine which was the pride of No.23 Squadron. A hard working and well-travelled aircraft, this particular Phantom had spent time in service with no fewer than nine different RAF squadrons, in addition to having spells with both No.228 Operational Conversion Unit and 1435 Flight on the Falkland Islands. She was one of the last Phantoms in RAF service and on her retirement was allocated to RAF Coningsby, where she was to be used as a fire training aid. She was later saved from possible scrapping by members of No.23 Squadron, brought to their current home station at Waddington and repainted in this beautiful scheme to mark her time spent representing the squadron in the defence of the Falkland Islands.
A popular exhibit over show weekend, a scaffolding platform had been positioned on the port side of her cockpit, allowing visitors to have a good look inside and even sit inside the aircraft, although it has to be said that I wasn't there during show days and don't know if this was actually allowed. This aircraft is now no longer at Waddington and is a much loved exhibit at the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum at Flixton, so catching the Phantom outside the offices of No.23 Squadron at Waddington without throngs of people milling around proved to be rather fortuitous for me.
A truly international occasion
When it comes to putting an Airshow programme together, if you want to include a thrilling fast jet display which is guaranteed to enthral the crowds, make a quick call to the French Air Force and see if they are available for your event. From an enthusiast's point of view, the opportunity to see a display from an aircraft operated by our near neighbours is always something to look forward to, not just because we will be admiring an aircraft type which is uncommon in UK skies, but also because of the flying skill French pilots always bring to their display performances - when they come, they always mean business!
A fourth generation multi-role jet which has always been a favourite with UK audiences, the Mirage 2000 is an incredibly powerful single engined delta fighter, one which has the agility to match its power. Oh and then there's the noise - there is nothing like using sound to get you noticed and the Mirage makes so much noise you can almost feel it rattling your internal organs. The consummate Airshow performer, the Mirage 2000 was reportedly coming towards the end of its service life back in 2008, so this was billed as perhaps the final opportunity to see the type displaying at a Waddington show, something which was not lost on the huge crowds over the weekend, who no doubt classed this as one of the show highlights. This stunning example came from Escadron de Chasse 2/5 'îll-de-France' based at BA115 Orange-Caritat Air Base in southern France, a unit which is responsible for providing training and operational conversion for Mirage 2000 pilots in an air defence role.
Other notable international participants at the Waddington show that year were a pair of Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, a most welcome pair of Spanish Air Force Boeing EF-18A Hornets and a magnificent Antonov An-26 'Curl' transport aircraft from the Czech Air Force, which was presented in distinctive anniversary markings and was making its UK Airshow debut that weekend.
Classic British jets add a touch of aviation nostalgia
There is no question that we will all have our own particular favourite aircraft types which provide a never-ending source of interest and fascination for us and whilst an Airshow featuring an exciting and varied display programme will appeal to us all, if one of our aviation favourites is scheduled to fly, this can ensure we take our place amongst the crowds on the day, no matter how far away the airfield is from our home. An era of aviation which continues to be of interest to many people is the early post war period of jet power, when the ultimate piston powered fighters were forced to give way to a new type of propulsion, one which was capable of taking the aeroplane into uncharted territory. This era can boast numerous aircraft types which have a special place in our hearts, with manufacturer names such as Gloster, Hawkers, de Havilland and Folland all conjuring up evocative images of classic jet aircraft types.
Of course, over recent years, many of these aircraft types have all but disappeared from the UK Airshow scene for obvious reasons, but back in 2008, the show organisers at Waddington had ensured that anyone attending the show would have an impressive selection of early British jets to admire. Some of the aircraft I was lucky enough to photograph during several pleasant hours of show arrivals were Hawker Hunter T.7 XL577 wearing its striking Blue Diamond display team livery, an aircraft which is now based in Jordan and Hunter T.7 WV318, which was one of the last Hunters in Royal Air Force service. This aircraft was wearing the distinctive livery of an RAF No.111 Squadron Black Arrows aircraft, but is now another aircraft which plies its trade overseas, this time in Canada.
Taking us back to the very early days of British jet aviation, Gloster Meteor NF.11 WM167 is an absolute stunner, but is unfortunately no longer on the Airshow scene, however, she is thankfully being cared for by a new owner at the former RAF airfield at Bruntingthorpe. Folland Gnat XR991 is yet another classic British jet which is no longer flying in the UK, with American audiences now being the fortunate ones with the opportunity to see it display. The aircraft is presented in the striking colours of the 'Yellowjacks' display team, the forerunners of the Red Arrows and looked absolutely resplendent in the Lincolnshire sunshine.
Helicopters and propellers
No modern Airshow would ever be complete without either a Spitfire or Hurricane and a selection of helicopters in its display programme, reflecting the importance of rotary air power in the modern world and Waddington 2008 was not about to break with that tradition. On the helicopter front, the show could boast the rare attendance of a Royal Navy Merlin HM Mk.I from RNAS Culdrose and this beast was joined by a Royal Air Force Puma HC1, an aircraft which was an aviation collaboration between Britain and France. Representing the more offensive side of the modern helicopter, the always popular Apache AH1 Attack Helicopter is one machine you would definitely not want to get on the wrong side of, but it makes for a popular Airshow display act.
As the airfield prepared to welcome tens of thousands of visitors over the next two days, the arrival of Hawker Hurricane Mk.I R4118 marked the attendance of a genuine piece of aviation history, a WWII fighter aircraft which is claimed to be the most original Hurricane from the Battle of Britain in airworthy condition. This aircraft served with No.605 Squadron at Croydon during the Battle of Britain and over the years has been the subject of books and TV programmes as the project to bring her back to airworthy condition took her from India to the UK and is the story of unbelievable dedication and achievement.
Keeping the Hurricane company, her aviation partner in crime was represented by Supermarine Spitfire T.9 MJ627, an aircraft which was originally constructed as an LF MK.IXc at the Castle Bromwich factory in 1943 and would go on to score a combat victory against a Messerschmitt Bf 109 during what turned out to be an active wartime career. Later converted to two seat trainer configuration for the Irish Air Corps, this aircraft is now based at Biggin Hill, where she can be seen giving experience flights to those looking to have time in a Spitfire entered in their personal logbooks.
I did get to see a Vulcan
Although I missed out on the opportunity to see Avro Vulcan XH558 arriving at Waddington to take part in her first post restoration Airshow, my day was not completely bereft of Vulcan action, as XM607 could be seen on the opposite side of the runway, close to where the A15 road passes the airfield boundary. Vulcan XM607 is one of the famous Falklands War 'Black Buck' raiders and as such, has been a long-time resident at Waddington following her service retirement in 1982. In retirement, she was used to provide many components to help get fellow Vulcan XH558 back into the air and to keep her there and I have to admit that my intended shot of the day was to photograph XH558 as she taxied past XM607, two historic RAF Vulcan bombers in the same picture. Sadly, that opportunity didn't present itself and whilst the Vulcan did fly in to Waddington in the late afternoon, I had already outstayed my welcome by then and was on my way home.
A classic British RAF station Airshow from the recent past, we may never see the like of this kind of show ever again, be that down to the fact that RAF bases continue to be closed, or simply because some of the aircraft which featured back in 2008 are now no longer in service. Aircraft which were already in private ownership may now have been sold on to new owners and can no longer be seen in the UK, so we really shouldn't take our current Airshows for granted, because time really does pass quickly.
As far as this latest blog is concerned, with the Waddington 2008 show boasting the attendance of several specially marked aircraft and others which have now either been scrapped or reside overseas, hopefully this review will serve as an interesting photographic record of the show and a nostalgic look back at an event which used to be a hugely significant annual occasion for the wider Lincolnshire area and would attract enthusiasts from much further afield. With the Red Arrows scheduled to move to RAF Waddington in the near future, could there be a possibility that we might see Airshows returning to this popular venue in the years to come?
I’m afraid that’s another edition of Aerodrome in the can, however, we will have more aviation delights for you in just four weeks’ time. Should anyone have an interesting aviation related story of their own they would like to share, or details of an interesting aviation heritage project taking place near to them, please do consider sending details to us here at Aerodrome, so we can share them with our ever-growing, worldwide blog audience, who I am certain would be delighted to hear about it.
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The next edition of Aerodrome is scheduled to be published on Friday 19th August.
Now in our seventh year of publication, thank you for continuing to support our Aerodrome blog.
Michael
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