Airshows 2014/2015

RAF Northolt Open Day / Centenary Airshow - 13 June 2015

Well this is probably the most boring photograph of the day, but it sums the day up well. I appreciate that due to weather things get cancelled but this shot shows how busy the place was including the very disappointing static line up.

Congratulations RAF Northolt, this was the worst airshow I have ever attended.

Hi Rich

Having spoken today to someone who flew in the limited display at Northolt on Saturday, I think you may have been a bit unfair on the organisers.

I was told that 25 or more aircraft booked for static did not turn up because of the weather, and I think that the Chinook and its replacement went u/s also. On the flying side no doubt things were also not helped by the lack of the QBF.

Regards

Bill

WJT;161109 wrote:

Hi Rich

Having spoken today to someone who flew in the limited display at Northolt on Saturday, I think you may have been a bit unfair on the organisers.

I was told that 25 or more aircraft booked for static did not turn up because of the weather, and I think that the Chinook and its replacement went u/s also. On the flying side no doubt things were also not helped by the lack of the QBF.

Regards

Bill

It was very badly laid out Bill, the cadets were still building the crowd line fence at gone 1300, when the flying was due to start at 1300. Apart from the B-17, the Grace Spitfire was parked in an area that was too far for any decent photos. The 18 Sqn display Chinook taxied out and was about to display when it was then told to turn back due to a landing 146, (heading back from the cancelled QBF.), it then went U/S. and returned to its parking parking spot which was also away from the crowd line so you codn't get a decent photo. The second Chinook, that diverted into Northolt due to a technical issue and once again was parked away, it wasn't until nearer 1600 it was moved to where you could photograph it. A Hercules landed and was parked far away from the crowd line too.

As for the QBF, I understand that most cancelled due to the weather the the few helicopters and the reds that took part didn't appear over Northolt even though they had flown over London.

Its a fair comment and point regarding the 25 static aircraft that were due to take part in the static line but why was there no provision made to fly them in the day before when the weather was fine? They knew the weather was looking iffy for the saturday. Nothing Polish turned up, no jets, Typhoons etc? As I said, I was very disappointed and let down.

The weather played a major part, but the organisers should have known better. I have been to plenty of very wet airshows where there was plenty of other things to see and do, and static aircraft. In my opinion it wasn't very well organised at all.

It is a difficult place to have an airshow, single engined aircraft are banned for one thing. Add on the proximity to Heathrow and Im amazed they had anything.

Some photos I took on the day, of what activity took place and a few other bits.

I had to smile when I saw Sally B there, I live in the heart of 8th AF country and the only place I am likely to see her this year was at Northolt



Hercules ZH868 with Sally B departing for her display


Sally B over the remaining C-Type Hangar


Cheers

Rich

Here's a selection of shots that I've taken at various Old Warden shows this season so far -

Part 2 -


Steve

That's whetted the appetite for Sunday!

Wonderful shots there Stevie really good to see !

There's something strange, in the Dragon Rapide.........