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RAF Waddington International Airshow 2008
Steven Hadlow reports from Lincolnshire on one of the Royal Air Forces premier events. Photography copyright as credited.
The biggest talking point ahead of the show was undoubtedly that of the situation with Avro Vulcan XH558. All over the internet debates raged as to whether or not she would make it in time to display over her old home. Thankfully, Aerobytes Ltd stepped in and contributed the funds to allow XH558 to continue on it's destined path back to the public. Finally, tests were complete, papers signed and crew checked in, and XH558 arrived at Waddington on Thursday evening ready to give a large boost to the weekends flying. Cancellation came to haunt the organisers as the show drew close, as they lost many items from both the static and flying display, most noticeable among them were the F4 Phantoms from Greece and the F18 display from Spain both at very late notice. As a result of the sheer volume of the losses, vast expanses of the static park looked strangely empty. Sadly, cancellations are becoming a regular concern in these days of restrictive budgets and spiralling operational commitments that leave organisers helpless.
Waddington did still attract some other international participation in the flying display however, which was good to see after the rather unfortunate luck on this front in recent years. Making a welcome re-appearance to the event was the Mirage 2000. It's been many years since the distinctive delta wing appeared at Waddington, so it was good to see this always impressive display again. Set to make it's debut in new colours was the Douglas DC-6 from Air Atlantique. The DC-6 was down for Sunday only, having already agreed to appear for an event at London City Airport on Saturday. As the show drew close Air Atlantique were forced to cancel their appearance which was a great shame as we don't see these magnificent old prop 'liners much at the big shows. All was not lost, however as the Waddington team managed to secure a last minute booking for Sunday from the De Havilland Vampire T11 operated by the Vampire Preservation Company based at North Weald. On the ground, there were still several gems for the enthusiast, despite all the cancellations. From the air force of Czech Air Force there was a Antonov 26 carrying a fine piece of tail-art commemorating ninety years of their home base at Praha-Kbely AB. By some way of compensation for withdrawing their flying appearance, two EF-18As from Ala 12 were on static from the Spanish Air Force. One example sporting some colourful tail markings. The Italian Air Force were also back. A type not often seen in the UK is the C-27J Spartan and an example from 98°Gruppo was on static over the weekend. Also from Italy was an Aermacchi MB-339CD. A bonus for enthusiasts was the participation of Panavia Tornado GR4 ZA400 from 12 squadron. This particular GR4 carries 'Scud Hunter' nose-art and also sports rather striking sharks teeth on the nose. Also bolstering the static park was a Chilean Air Force C-130H Hercules, this being the support for the 'Halcones' team.
The RAF Role Demonstration was aiming to make an impact on it's Waddington debut, better late than never after the dismal weather at last years event forced it's cancellation. The improved weather on Saturday afternoon meant the afternoon saw the full demonstration which was a definite improvement on last years routine. Sundays more awkward weather meant that the crowd saw a slightly more restricted routine. Making it's debut on the circuit this season is the Army Air Corps Apache AH Mk 1. This was the first time another service has played an active role in the aerial elements of the tactical scenario, and serves to showcase how the UK armed forces assets can work together in a combat situation. The Apache providing simulated The Apache also flew as part of the AAC Blue Eagles Display Team along with the teams Lynx, the aircraft it is intended to replace. The teams usual quota of four Gazelles were missing, meaning that we got a Lynx solo alone instead. A new RAF display in 2008 came from nearby RAF Cranwell in the form of the Beech King Air B200, performing manoeuvres you imagine the aircrafts usual customers don't perform routinely!
Operational commitments meant that the usual opening flypast by Waddingtons resident aircraft didn't happen this year. However another former resident at Waddington more than made up for this loss with arguably the most anticipated display here since the Israeli F15s in 2001. Avro Vulcan 'XH558' performed it's final display at the RAF Finningley Airshow 1992, the show which was replaced by Waddington, before being retired. It was a legend of the airshow scene then and sixteen years on at Waddington it still was. Unfortunately, on Sunday she suffered a problem with one of their four engine voltage regulators which meant her appearance was reduced to a fast taxi run. Saturday, though saw her make her triumphant return to the public, her takeoff being met with applause from throughout the crowd. Chief Pilot David Thomas taking her in formation with the BBMF Lancaster before performing a gentle but impressive routine in the afternoon sunshine before making a perfect landing. Whilst one cold-war bomber stole the show, another wasn't able to participate. A USAF B-52H was also expected in the flying display on Saturday only, but unfortunately the Buff went tech in the morning, forcing it's non-appearance but it was still good to see this giant bomber at Waddington.
After two years of difficulty attracting those 'star' acts, not to mention last years farcical weather conditions, it was a case of third time lucky for the organisers. Saturday saw record crowds for that day, as over 70,000 people packed into the airfield. The Vulcan's successful display authorisation couldn't have come at a better time, as Saturdays display provided a memorable moment few present will forget. The weather, although awkward at first on Saturday and most of Sunday, didn't widely affect the display and with three international acts coupled with strong RAF support made the RAF Waddington International Airshow 2008 a resounding success.
AiA would like to thank all the media team at Waddington for their excellent hospitality. |
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After
the nightmare weather which forced the total cancellation of the second
day of last years event and presented some serious headaches on the
other, it was fair to say that the organisers at Waddington were hoping
for, and deserved some better luck this time out. 
International
display teams were also back at Waddington. Making their debut at the show
were the 'Sarang Helicopter Display Team' from the Indian Air Force. This
unusual team fly the HAL Dhruv helicopter. This utility helicopter is used
by all branches of the Indian armed services as well as in Nepal. The team
aim to display both the professionalism of the Indian Air Force as well as
showcase the increasing quality of work from the Indian Aerospace
Industry. They are performing at several events in the UK on tour as well
as Waddington, having already performed at Biggin Hill and planning to
attend RIAT and Farnborough as well. Whilst not the most attention
grabbing of routines their display was still very well flown and a
pleasure to see.
Also
making a long trip to Lincolnshire for their RAF Waddington debut were the Chilean Air Force display team
'Los Halcones'. Halcones fly an aircraft more familiar to the UK airshow
visitor in the shape of the Extra 300L. Named for the Halcón (Spanish for
Falcon) bird the team presented an immaculate routine on Sunday in less
than ideal conditions. Their performance on Saturday was cut short rather
bizarrely as, despite the sun just starting to shine through, the strong
on-crowd wind beyond the limits for the team.
More familiar to the UK enthusiast are the 'Patrulla Águila' from the
Spanish Air Force. Highlight of the performance from the Spanish had to be
the formation landing on Sunday, very impressive indeed.
The weather
on Saturday morning evoked some unwelcome memories amongst those who had
attended the 2007 event, as the rain fell very heavily, not helped by an
on-crowd wind pushing it all into the faces of the spectators. As a result
of the low cloud and dismal conditions, the mornings display
programme was hit hard with cancellations resulting in some lengthy unfortunate,
but unavoidable gaps. The FRA Falcons team only managing one pass in the
murk before making the sensible decision of cancelling. The Red Arrows arrived at the worst of the
conditions and were also unable to perform thanks to the low cloud, it was
credit to the team that they hung around orbiting near the
station before returning to perform a curtailed routine when the weather
improved slightly. Thankfully
as the day wore on the rain lessened, clouds parted and the sun finally
began to shine as the afternoons displays
were underway. Sunday was more troublesome, generally wet and grey for the
majority of the day, but a mostly unhindered programme was achieved.
The latest
fighter in the RAF, Eurofighter Typhoon had a busy weekend. With the RNAS
Yeovilton airshow running simultaneously the display aircraft, flown by
Flight Lieutenant Charlie Matthews took off Saturday morning,
spectacularly taking off at the height of the early morning wet weather,
intending to display there before returning for a later slot at
Waddington. Unfortunately, the Typhoon developed technical hitches forcing
it to land at Yeovilton. Not to be deterred however, Flt Lt Matthews
caught a ride with the Royal Navy Black Cats display team up from
Yeovilton which meant he could display the spare Typhoon at the end of the
display programme. A separate routine involving the Typhoon paired
this modern day fighter with the one of it's predecessors, the Supermarine
Spitfire. The pair performed a full display, recalling days of a similar
routine involving the Tornado F3.