Farnborough Airshow
Farnborough Air show, an event I have wanted to see for years!. For my 70th, Matthew & Vicky treated me to a day out at the world leading air show - what a treat. Matthew, Adam and I had a great day out, even having runway side, grandstand seats for the best view in the house.
Even the journey there and back were pain free, with no long queues either way - bonus!
So, to start, a static view of an old workhorse, the Tornado. The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing multirole combat aircraft, which was jointly developed and manufactured by Italy, the United Kingdom, and West Germany. There are three primary Tornado variants: the Tornado IDS (interdictor/strike) fighter-bomber, the suppression of enemy air defences Tornado ECR (electronic combat/reconnaissance) and the Tornado ADV (air defence variant)interceptor aircraft.
It first flew on 14 August 1974 and was introduced into service in 1979–1980, and is expected to remain in service until 2018.
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by European Union manufacturer Airbus. It is the world's largest passenger airliner.
...and then it took to the sky.
The Airbus A400M Atlas is a multinational, four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It was designed by Airbus Military (now Airbus Defence and Space) as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities to replace older transport aircraft, such as the Transall C-160 and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The A400M is positioned, in terms of size, between the C-130 and the C-17; it can carry heavier loads than the C-130, while able to use rough landing strips. Along with the transport role, the A400M can perform aerial refuelling and medical evacuation when fitted with appropriate equipment.
Pitts S2S is one of a series of light aerobatic biplanes designed by Curtis Pitts. It has accumulated many competition wins since its first flight in 1944. The Pitts biplanes dominated world aerobatic competition in the 1960s and 1970s and, even today, remain a potent competition aircraft in the lower categories.
When the Chance Vought FG-1D Corsair was introduced in 1940 it boasted the most powerful engine along with the largest diameter propeller of any fighter aircraft in history. The result of this engine and propeller combination was the first fighter to exceed 400 mph. Corsairs were built right up to 1952, giving the type the honour of having the longest production run of any American piston-engined fighter.
The first service engagement for the Corsair was with the US Marine Corps operating from makeshift land bases across the Pacific, and it was not until later that she was operated from aircraft carriers initially with the British Fleet Air Arm. The Corsair proved to be a formidable air superiority fighter during World War II when she was the scourge of the skies across the Pacific, and continued to deliver sterling service in later years during the Korean War.
The Antonov An-178 (Ukrainian: Антонов Ан-178) is a short-range medium-airlift military transport aircraft designed by the Ukrainian Antonov company and based on the Antonov An-158 (An-148-200).
It was announced on 5 February 2010, rolled out on 16 April 2015 and the first flight was on 7 May 2015
Boeing 727-2S2F: A new aerial oil dispersal capable aircraft.
Seems almost comical that each new industry of today, spawns other industries or opportunities.
The Extra 300L is a Lycoming AEIO-540 powered two-seat aircraft, used by The Blades, a British civilian aerobatic team based at the Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire.They have been described as "the world's only aerobatic airline" and are the only full-time civilian aerobatic team in the United Kingdom
The Breitling Wingwalkers, the world's only aerobatic formation wing walking team, and it is a display well worth seeing.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multi role fighters undergoing final development and testing for the United States and partner nations. The most expensive weapons program in the world - Defense spending gone mad!
The Fairey Swordfish was a biplane torpedo bomber designed by the Fairey Aviation Company, used by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during World War II.
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engine heavy bomber developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC).
The B-25 Mitchell Bomber
The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a carrier-based multi-role tactical fighter and attack aircraft.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter. The Typhoon was designed and is manufactured by a consortium of Alenia Aermacchi, Airbus Group and BAE Systems that conducts the majority of the project through a joint holding company,
Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight - Spitfire & Hurricane
The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, is the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force based at RAF Scampton.
Watching them perform is always exciting and I never tire of seeing them.
The teamwork shown by the pilots in the air is reflected in the dedication and professionalism of the support staff on the ground. The support team’s success results from their Royal Air Force training, the pride they take in their work, and their determination, motivation, and, very often, sheer hard work. Without them, the Red Arrows could not function.
This team is made up of a Team Manager, a Supervisor (Red 10), a Public Relations Manager ,two Engineering Officers, an Adjutant and approximately 85 engineering technicians and other support staff.
The latter are known as ‘The Blues’ because they wear distinctive royal blue flying suits during the display season. The Blues represent nine out of the Royal Air Force’s broad range of more than 65 technical and non-technical trades. Every team member has undergone intensive training in their particular specialisation throughout their Royal Air Force career.
A really great day - thanks folks!!
Comments