RAF Waddington International Air Show 2013
by Baron Halpenny, LincsMag Editor.
Date: 11 July 2013
With nearly 150,000 visitors at this years RAF Waddington International Air Show the figure easily tops last year’s figure of 125,000 visitors, but then with tickets on the first day selling out completely before 10am, the organisers knew this year was going to be a huge success and to top it, the weather was gorgeous.
The Air Show helps to transcend cultures as all come together as one to admire and enjoy the breathtaking and skilful flying. If anything, the Air Show brings people together.
Also important as well is that the Air Show allows members of the public to see up close some of the machines (both past and present) used by the military, as well as seeing a few in action, thus appreciating the features of these machines, but also the dedication and skill of those that fly in them, and let us not forget those that service them, for without their knowledge and expertise the machines would very likely go nowhere.
Cold War Champions
This year had the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight’s debut at RAF Waddington International Air Show.
Visitors could see, for the very first time, the Swedish flight fly their SK60, Tunan and the mighty SAAB JA37 Viggen in the skies above RAF Waddington. Powered by a Volvo RM8B Turbofan engine, the Viggen first took to the skies on the 27th March 1967 and is capable of reaching speeds of up to twice the speed of sound.
It’s Air display entertained the crowds and was a fitting companion to another Cold War Champion that turned everyone’s head as it roared in the sky … the might Vulcan. Sunday saw the most impressive display of the Vulcan as is “Wowed” the crowds, showing that despite its size, it is a very manoeuvrable beast.
Anniversary Theme
There was very much an Anniversary theme at the show this year with impressive years being hit. We had the 95th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force, the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid with a special flypast by the Battle of Britain Lancaster in formation with a 617 Squadron GR4 Tornado.
The French Air Force’s National Aerobatic Team, the Patrouille Acrobatique de France are celebrating their 60th year, probably making it the oldest military display team in the world, and then there was 5 squadron who did a special flypast with the Red Arrows in their Sentinel and showed off their special red tail art, as they celebrated their 100 years, having been formed in July 2013.
Of course, not to be left out, the red Arrows also had a special reason to celebrate on the Saturday, as this year's display saw them reach a significant milestone in their history. Formed in 1965 and famed for their diamond nine formation the Team who are now in their 49th season performed on Saturday 6th July; their 4,500th display over Lincolnshire, their home.
Squadron Leader Jim Turner, Team Leader of The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team - the Red Arrows - said: “As one of the world's premier aerobatic teams, it's a wonderful moment for the Red Arrows to have reached the significant milestone of 4,500 displays and it's particularly special because the event is our local air show.”
The Team have performed in 54 different countries but always look forward to displaying to a home crowd.
Breitling
The Breitling brand brought a couple of displays that both stunned and delighted visitors, but for different reasons. There was Mikael Brageot performing a solo display of heart stopping aerobatics in his Xtreme Air XA41, where he quite literally threw the aircraft about in the sky.
Then later there were a couple of the Breitling Wingwalkers as they performed a breathtaking sequence of acrobatic manoeuvres and handstands whilst strapped to the top wings of the team's beautiful Boeing Stearman biplanes.
The team pilots flew their aircraft through a well rehearsed energetic routine of dazzling aerobatics and close formation flypasts as the wingwalkers waved at the delighted crowds. These manoeuvres include, loops, rolls, stall turns and even inverted flight! During all of this, the wingwalkers experienced speeds of up to 150 mph and 'G' forces of up to 4G!
There were a number of wonderful static displays and of these the Belgian F16 bagged the best static display.
But of all the aerial displays at this years Air Show, it was the RAF Chinook that won first prize for the best air display and when you were fortunate to witness them, it was not hard to see why as they showed the incredible flexibility of the aircraft and provided that little bit extra fun as they waved to the crowds.
Facebook Picture Album
To see more pictures from the RAF Waddington International Air Show 2013, visit the Album on our Facebook page HERE!
