Post by viscount on Aug 8, 2010 20:17:41 GMT 1
Rhyl Seafront Air Display, Sunday 8th August 2010.
A dry afternoon, with a gentle on-shore breeze from the north west. Cool, but not cold. For much of the time cloud (around 3000') overhead and to the west, clear with occasional sunshine coming through gaps from out to sea and to the east.
On the ground the recuitment team had the Chinook altered-profile scale model, and a Typhoon nose section, both in 'plastic'.
Air Display
1300-1322 The Red Arrows x 9 Full display dispite wisps of lower cloud. Immaculate as always
1329-1334 G-IIFM Edge 360 Gerald Cooper, UK Aerobatic Champion. Finished his display early.
1342-1357 N707TJ & N74189 Stearman 'Brietling Wing Walking Team' Polished display.
1505-1516 (G-YAKU) 'Red 49' Yak 50 & (G-YAKN) 'Red 66' Yak 52 . 'The Yakovlevs'. (NB UK regn no longer worn underwing)
1519-1530 (G-RADR) 126922/402:AK AD-4NA Skyraider in markings of VA-176 USS Intrepid.
1532-1541 PT462/SW-A Spitfire T.9 'Dragon Spitfire' Anthony Hodgson
1552-1618 G-DLAA Cessna 208 black/red cheats & upper wing, drop aircraft for the RAF 'Falcons' parachute display team. Drop delayed while a low patch of cloud moved out of the way to allow a 3000' drop.
In my opinion not as slick or enjoyable as last year, which somehow managed with no gaps. Without the promised Hawker Hunter there was no jet act after the Red Arrows. The substituted Skyraider was excellent being that bit larger than most single engined aircraft. The Yakovlevs with two aircraft are nothing like as impressive as they used to be with four.
There were several long gaps in the display - one of the longer beind when 'Red 10' departed in a helicopter from Rhyl Golf Course - but why, oh why, did it not depart along the beach and give the crowd something to look at! At one point it looked as if the display would be called off due to a speed boat entering the 'display box' from the east. They were chased off by the RNLI inshore boat.
Anthony Hodgson in his Spitfire was immaculate, truely excellent - and worth going to watch.
The para drop was delayed as the crowd waited for a particularly low patch of cloud to clear. A successful drop was made though. Never seen them use a Cessna 208 before, made a change.
Enjoyable, but really did miss the "Vulcan factor" - the show desperately needed some size and noise. Why can the only North Wales show not make a successful bid to attract the North Wales based Hawk solo. (Yes, I know it should have appeared on the Saturday, but did not show), it should surely be in the main display, after all the disturbance they make over Clwyd all year.
Incidently, while I'm on a moaning 'roll', why do solo airshow acts no longer incorporate a slow pass with undercarriage and flaps down - it always provided a photographer with time to frame a decent shot?
Having mentioned the Saturday, it would appear the Lancaster did display and the Red Arrows overflew in formation. The Hawk Cancelled and the wind was just too great for the RAF Falcons drop.
A dry afternoon, with a gentle on-shore breeze from the north west. Cool, but not cold. For much of the time cloud (around 3000') overhead and to the west, clear with occasional sunshine coming through gaps from out to sea and to the east.
On the ground the recuitment team had the Chinook altered-profile scale model, and a Typhoon nose section, both in 'plastic'.
Air Display
1300-1322 The Red Arrows x 9 Full display dispite wisps of lower cloud. Immaculate as always
1329-1334 G-IIFM Edge 360 Gerald Cooper, UK Aerobatic Champion. Finished his display early.
1342-1357 N707TJ & N74189 Stearman 'Brietling Wing Walking Team' Polished display.
1505-1516 (G-YAKU) 'Red 49' Yak 50 & (G-YAKN) 'Red 66' Yak 52 . 'The Yakovlevs'. (NB UK regn no longer worn underwing)
1519-1530 (G-RADR) 126922/402:AK AD-4NA Skyraider in markings of VA-176 USS Intrepid.
1532-1541 PT462/SW-A Spitfire T.9 'Dragon Spitfire' Anthony Hodgson
1552-1618 G-DLAA Cessna 208 black/red cheats & upper wing, drop aircraft for the RAF 'Falcons' parachute display team. Drop delayed while a low patch of cloud moved out of the way to allow a 3000' drop.
In my opinion not as slick or enjoyable as last year, which somehow managed with no gaps. Without the promised Hawker Hunter there was no jet act after the Red Arrows. The substituted Skyraider was excellent being that bit larger than most single engined aircraft. The Yakovlevs with two aircraft are nothing like as impressive as they used to be with four.
There were several long gaps in the display - one of the longer beind when 'Red 10' departed in a helicopter from Rhyl Golf Course - but why, oh why, did it not depart along the beach and give the crowd something to look at! At one point it looked as if the display would be called off due to a speed boat entering the 'display box' from the east. They were chased off by the RNLI inshore boat.
Anthony Hodgson in his Spitfire was immaculate, truely excellent - and worth going to watch.
The para drop was delayed as the crowd waited for a particularly low patch of cloud to clear. A successful drop was made though. Never seen them use a Cessna 208 before, made a change.
Enjoyable, but really did miss the "Vulcan factor" - the show desperately needed some size and noise. Why can the only North Wales show not make a successful bid to attract the North Wales based Hawk solo. (Yes, I know it should have appeared on the Saturday, but did not show), it should surely be in the main display, after all the disturbance they make over Clwyd all year.
Incidently, while I'm on a moaning 'roll', why do solo airshow acts no longer incorporate a slow pass with undercarriage and flaps down - it always provided a photographer with time to frame a decent shot?
Having mentioned the Saturday, it would appear the Lancaster did display and the Red Arrows overflew in formation. The Hawk Cancelled and the wind was just too great for the RAF Falcons drop.
10/10
