The Best Laid Plans...
However, whilst the Sunday was a washout, literally, Saturday saw what was close to an full flying display programme despite appalling weather conditions. The star attractions were undoubtedly six Sukhoi 30MKI Flankers from the Indian Air Force of which two were expected to perform a AAR (Air to air refuelling) demonstration. These examples came from IAF Station Pune. The Su30MKI is a export version of the famous Russian AF Su30 Flanker, widely known for it's breathtaking displays, that has been modified to fit the needs of the Indian Air Force, as well as utilising many Indian design and manufactured components. This model was jointly developed between the Sukhoi Corporation of Russia and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited of India. This variant has several modifications over the original design, perhaps the most notable to the observant enthusiasts is the addition of canards to the front of the fuselage. These increase the overall manoeuvrability of the aircraft, allowing it to operate at high angles of attack. Accompanying the Flankers were two Iluyshin 76 'Candid' transport aircraft and a single Iluyshin 78 'Midas' tanker.
The Indians were the only foreign participants in the flying display this year, clashes with other European airshows creating difficulties for the team in attracting the F16s and the like we have come to take for granted. However, the flying display contained several gems from aircraft that have served, or are soon to be part of, the Royal Air Force. Much has been made of the retirement of the RAF Jaguar fleet, the final flight planned being of the last three aircraft to Cosford for storage the Monday after the show weekend. Whilst circumstances meant the special schemed Jaguars from nearby RAF Coningsby couldn't attend we were lucky to get a flying appearance from the Jaguar GR3 operated by QinetiQ out of MoD Boscombe Down. Whilst it wasn't a full display we got a last chance to see a public flying appearance by this type. Unfortunately, after the first flypast the Jaguar suffered a radio failure which curtailed its showing, but it was still a significant appearance. From the end of the timescale to the beginning, out of BAe Warton came the Nimrod MRA4 (see sidebar) to perform a small demonstration. Since the end of the Nimrod MR2 display team in 2004 it's been a type much missed from the circuit, so it was nice to see a form of display, albeit only briefly. As far as RAF participation goes, the Eurofighter Typhoon F2 display flown by Flt Lt Jim Walls is always likely to be a major highlight and at Waddington it fully lived up to its reputation. As the Typhoon continues to enter service with the Royal Air Force at it's home at RAF Coningsby more crews are seeing just what a fantastic machine they have in their control. In the damp conditions the glow from it's two EJ200s shone brightly and with every manoeuvre did it's best to punch a hole in the low cloud. The display left a ringing in many ears and was a throwback to powerhouse aircraft like the Phantom and Lightning.
The other major RAF display at the airshow wasn't quite so lucky. The role demo, which has so far been seen at Biggin Hill, Cosford and Kemble, was planned for one of the last slots in the flying programme. Unlike the other venues so far, every aircraft taking part was expected to operate out of Waddington, albeit the GR4s only on Sunday, which would have made for an exciting spectacle. Unfortunately, as the time to begin grew near and the aircraft were at the hold for takeoff Sqn Leader Andy Pawsey, the Event Teams Creative Director was forced to announce the weather was simply too bad for the role demonstration to be carried out effectively, which, of course, was disappointing. Thankfully, however, the special effects that had been painstakingly set out by the pyrotechnics team for many hours did not go to waste, as the two Tornado GR4s arriving for the next days abortive display were able to carry out a number of fast pass to allow for the explosions to be seen.
The Role Demo wasn't the the only display team to suffer at the hand of the inclement weather. The ever popular Red Arrows, down to eight aircraft rather than the usual nine for the time being due to Red 3 Flight Lieutenant Andrew ‘Boomer’ Keith suffering a fracture to his hand, meaning he cannot fly. Some might ask why Red 10 couldn't simply fill the gap, however, each position in the Red Arrows is so specialist with it's own high standards only the pilot who flies that position is actually current enough to perform. As the Reds arrived in formation with the resident Sentinel R1 there were already some doubts about whether the team could perform in such poor conditions. However, true to form, the Reds managed to squeeze in the first half of their display before Red 1 Wing Commander Jas Hawker had to call off the second part. It was, of course, a shame, but in the limited visibility the opposition passes would have simply been too risky. Well done to the team for giving the crowd something. Other display teams fared little better, with the Army Air Corps display team The Blue Eagles being reduced to a solo Gazelle and Lynx display rather than the usual four Gazelle and one Lynx aircraft. The Royal Navy team The Black Cats were also reduced in numbers, one of their two Lynx aircraft going unserviceable prior to their display. The RAF also brought their solo Grob Tutor, Shorts Tucano T1 flown by Flt Lt Bobby Moore and Hawk T1 performing it's flat show under the control Flt Lt Mike Child. Last but not least was the Chinook. With this helicopter currently so heavily deployed around the world it was good to see it on display here. The helicopter was due to take part in the role demonstration in the troop lifting role.With the dismal conditions it was inevitable that the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight would be unable attend due to the strict limits they have on conditions to display their aircraft. The Spitfire and BBMF wasn't totally absent though, with ex BBMF leader Paul Day displaying the Spitfire TR.9 out of East Kirkby. This particular Spitfire served as a typical single seat fighter during WW2 before converted to it's current twin seat configuration by Supermarine in 1950. From one of the finest propeller driven fighters of the RAF to what is often considered Britain's finest jet fighter, the Hawker Hunter. This particular example being a MK58 from Hawker Hunter Aviation operated out of RAF Scampton.
This year the organisers were seemingly cursed from day one, with several other airshow around Europe taking the foreign overseas solos. Not helped by the fact that many foreign air arms seem to consider RIAT as their one UK show. As for the weather, a definite case of unfortunate timing, you know you're in trouble when the amount of rain forces a UK show to cancel as it did on the Sunday. However, despite the wet conditions on the Saturday the crowd still seemed relatively large, given just how miserable the weather really was. It could be argued that this years show was a return to the essence of RAF at home days, with several non display types such as the Jaguar GR3 and Nimrod MRA4 as well as the special Sentinel and Red Arrows proving a big hit with the Indian Flankers giving something for the more serious enthusiasts. With better weather this years show could have been one of the better shows in recent memory, sadly, it was not to be. But both the pilots who flew on the Saturday and the organisers deserve much commendation for all their effort in ensuring the crowd who braved the conditions were rewarded with a worthy show. Lets all hope for the weather and the foreign air arms to be back on form in 2008. Aircraft In Action would like to thank Flight Lieutenant Sarah Dickson and all the team at Waddington for their hospitality. |
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...go
astray as the saying goes, and Waddington International Airshow 2007
supported this notion with problems outside of the teams control running
throughout the weekend. Steven Hadlow reports from a sodden Lincolnshire.
Additional photos by Roger Hadlow, Michael Hind and Adam Noonan. All
photographs are copyright of their respective owner as marked.
The
Indian Air Force are at RAF Waddington to participate in Exercise
Indra Dhanush. It is a return visit following Tornado F3s from 43(F)
Squadron operating out of India on operations in 2006. This is also
a landmark operation for the Indians as this year sees their
platinum jubilee having been formed in 1932. An additional bonus to
the flying programme came in the shape of two of their support
aircraft heading back to India. Both an Il76 and 78 took to the
skies in the morning giving enthusiasts a rare opportunity to see
these unusual types on the move whilst the second Il76 was in the
static park. The planned AAR demonstration didn't materialise but,
rather than the expected two, three
Flankers took to the skies. At their flight time the weather was at
it's worst of the day and the Indian pilots, who are unfamiliar
with both the base and probably the weather, have to be congratulated
for still being willing to fly. None of the crews were display
qualified so there participation amounted to a formation run and
break to land, surprising even the commentator as they appeared out
of the cloud, but just seeing the Flanker flying again in the UK was
more than enough for the crowd.
