East Kirkby Air Show 2013
by Gary Malkin, LincsMag Writer.
Date: 20 August 2013
The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre held their annual airshow in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund at the start of August. Now in its fifth year and back in its regular fixture date having moved to September last year due to the Olympics the event again attracted a near capacity crowd to the family run East Kirkby venue.
The display line-up included some regular favourites along with some prestigious aviation displays making their East Kirkby debuts as well as taxi runs from East Kirkby’s most famous resident, Avro Lancaster NX611 ‘Just Jane’.
Aside from the air display visitors were able to enjoy a varied display of classic cars and vehicles, trade stands and static displays as well as being able to enjoy the regular museum exhibits. Proving popular was the opportunity to view inside the cockpit of Just Jane as she sat out on the hardstand prior to her taxi runs.
There was also a mini cockpit fest where private owners bought along preserved cockpit sections from British aircraft. With canopies open the public were invited to get a close-up view inside or sit in the cockpits. Children had the chance to drive specially built mini tanks and experience the sensation of combining trampolineing with bungee jumping or try out a flight simulator.
One of the appealing aspects of East Kirbky show is that the majority of display acts arrive on the morning of the show, usually performing a flypast before landing. These aircraft, along with some visitors, lined up along the crowdline to also form a static display. This also meant that prior to display the public could also see the pilot’s pre-display preparations and checks, as well as meeting the pilots before and after their displays.
Flying Display
Opening the flying was a display of large scale radio control aircraft which also included scale jet aircraft. The slot included both solo displays and set piece multi aircraft displays. This was followed by the first of the days popular taxi runs by Just Jane. A slow taxi along the display line was followed by a faster mock take off run before returning to her hardstand area.
The first display act up was the Yak-52 expertly flown by Nigel Wilson, a regular East Kirkby performer. Next up was a rare display item, a pair of observational aircraft, Auster AOP11 and Cessna Bird Dog. The AOP11 displayed was the only one produced being the last of a famous line of Auster observational aircraft.
While the Bird Dog is operated in the colours of the South Vietnamese Air Force by Justin Needham reflecting the types involvement in the Vietnam war. They produced a good display that showed the typed slow speed capabilities along with short take-off and landing qualities.
The first of the day’s teams, The Wildcats, took over flying their unique formation of two Pitts Special biplanes and an Edge 360 monoplane. Flying the Pitts Al Coutts and Willie Cruickshank displayed as a pair while David Jenkins performed solo aerobatics in the state of the art Edge. Following these up was a display of sport aviation with the Titch, Calidus and Twister racing aircraft.
Arriving to the sound of Gustav Holst Mars the bringer of war and making its East Kirkby debut was Avro Vulcan XH558, the last remaining flying example. Flown by Bill Ramsey and Martin Withers the Vulcan cruise in over the trees before pulling up and producing the unique Vulcan howl from the engines. This was followed by a further two passes before Bill eased the Vulcan into an impressive spiral climb to depart East Kirkby for its home base at Robin Hood Airport.
Flying Circus
In complete contrast East Kirkby regulars Captain Neville’s Vintage Flying Circus took to the stage. In their vintage aircraft, which include the famous Tiger Moth biplane, the pilots performed a number of tasks to entertain the crowd and add some humour. First up the pilots attempted a penalty shootout, flying in low along the airfield the pilots dropped a football towards a five-a-side goal as the keeper attempted to save the penalty.
After mixed success they then moved on to try the limbo competition as a pair of ‘washing lines’ were erected along the display line. Following each other along they at first came in low flying under the first line then pulling up hard before the second. After a couple of runs they then attempted to hold the aircraft low and fly under both lines.
Displaying exceptional skill it was Tricia Dear Neville flying her Jackaroo biplane that completed the task first. Balloons were then released and in turn the pilots circled around the airfield attempting to pop them with their propellers. The team then landed leaving the sky clear for another of the day’s highlights, a pair of WWII P-51 Mustang fighters from Hardwick Warbirds. Beginning the display with a series of flypasts following up with a tail chase.
The duo then split to perform individual displays with ‘Marinell’ flown by owner Maurice Hammond and ‘Janie’ flown by renowned Mustang pilot Rob Davies. A fantastic display showing the power and performance of the famous American fighter which also produced the amazing sound of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine accompanied by the howl produced as air passed through the gunports on the wings. The pair then landed and the pair of fighters, along with their artwork, could be admired on the ground.
The pace was then slowed again as the large-scale modellers performed a second display every bit as good and skilled as their first. Before Just Jane performed her second taxi run a tribute was made to the museums co-founder Fred Panton who sadly passed away in June. The crowd stood and applauded in tribute as Just Jane taxied out onto the airfield.
The Blades
As the sky began to darken it was time for another team to make their East Kirkby debut. Arriving from behind the crowd the Blades flew over pulling up into the dark but sunny sky in their four bright orange Extra 300 aircraft.
Made up of former Red Arrows pilots they entertained with a series of formation displays interspersed with fast crossovers and individual aerobatic manoeuvres. It was during their display that the expected rain arrived with a light shower. This deterred either the Blades, who carried on regardless, or the crowd who put up their umbrellas and continued to enjoy their display.
If anything the darker sky showed off the teams orange livery and display smoke even better. Closing their display with a stunning crossover break the team then landed to refuel and meet the public. Though the team is based at Sywell in Northamptonshire all the pilots live in Lincolnshire so considered East Kirkby a ‘home’ show for them.
Veteran display pilot Rob Dean then performed an immaculate display of solo aerobatics in his former RAF Bulldog trainer, keeping the aircraft within the airfield perimeter. It was then time for some more ‘Merlin Magic’ as the Spitfire Mk.XVI flown by Richard Lake and Bouchon flown by Air Marshall Cliff Spink. The Spitfire is one of the best known aircraft and needed little introduction in contrast to its display partner.
The Bouchon, sporting a desert Luftwaffe scheme, is a German Me109 but with a Rolls Royce Merlin engine as operated by the Spanish post WWII. The pair displayed a series of tail chases before splitting to perform solo displays.
With the rain still hanging around it was time for the final act, the Trigg Team with their pair of high performance Pitts Special biplanes. The pilots, Richard Grace and Dave Puleston, performed close formation aerobatics along with opposition passes and solo manoeuvres as the sun re-appeared.
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre again produced a great display in an excellent educational location with friendly staff to assist. I look forward attending the sixth RAFBF Show next season. The next event this year is Pistons and Props on Monday August 26th, which will include taxi runs, flypast and displays. For further information on the centre and events go to www.lincsaviation.co.uk.
Facebook Picture Album
To see more pictures from the East Kirkby Air Show 2013, visit the Album on our Facebook page HERE!
