Are UK Airshows coming to an end.

Jimbuna · 07-25-14, 06:20 AM

Most worrying times in store for those of us in the UK who like to frequent airshows?

Quote:

The suspension of the RAF Waddington international air show has led to a full review of the Ministry of Defence's commitment to all shows.

Essential work to the Lincolnshire base means next year's event has been cancelled while RAF Leuchars, in Scotland, has moved to Lossiemouth.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed it is rethinking its role in national air shows and displays around the world.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28226410

Aktungbby · 07-25-14, 11:25 AM

A short lived concept I'll wager. We did the same here in 2013: sequester concerns- they're back again. From a 2013 article:
"The U.S. Navy on Tuesday announced it was canceling all the air shows its Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron had scheduled for the rest of the year. The Navy action follows the Air Force's April 1 announcement that its Thunderbirds team would not perform again this year.
"Recognizing budget realities, current Defense policy states that outreach events can only be supported with local assets at no cost to the government," said a statement Tuesday from the office of the Commander Naval Air Forces in San Diego. "This is one of many steps the Navy is taking to ensure resources are in place to support forces operating forward now and those training to relieve them."

TarJak · 07-25-14, 11:26 AM

Would be a shame to see the end of airshows anywhere. Let's hope you don't lose them.

Oberon · 07-25-14, 11:54 AM

They'd be shooting themselves in the foot in terms of prestige and arms sales....but, the MoD specialises in foot targeting...

Herr-Berbunch · 07-26-14, 04:30 AM

I don't see why it's not moved to Scampton for next year. Other runway-hosting airshows have been moved for resurfacing temporarily over the years. And moving Leuchars to Lossie is just ridiculous.

TBH most UK airshows have very little arms-industry sales off the back of them, except Farnborough which is basically an sales pitch with an airshow at the weekend.

Jimbuna · 07-26-14, 07:24 AM

What worries me is...

Quote:

While the number of Red Arrows displays is reviewed, the Prime Minister David Cameron has previously guaranteed their future.

That may well turn out to be his fallback position.

Oberon · 07-26-14, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

What worries me is...

That may well turn out to be his fallback position.

I doubt very much the Arrows will be axed, but they probably will have their flying hours cut, sadly.

It's incredibly stupid and short sighted, but also, sadly, rather likely.

Jimbuna · 07-26-14, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

I doubt very much the Arrows will be axed, but they probably will have their flying hours cut, sadly.

It's incredibly stupid and short sighted, but also, sadly, rather likely.

Rgr that...we should change our namr to Not So Great Britain to reflect the state we are in.

Oberon · 07-26-14, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Rgr that...we should change our namr to Not So Great Britain to reflect the state we are in.

Mediocre Britain?

Still, could be worse, could be a lot worse.

Garion · 07-26-14, 10:14 AM

MMmm let me see......... The missus and I just watched a Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane fly low over oor hoose. Got a wing-waggle too

Cheers

gary

Jimbuna · 07-26-14, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garion

MMmm let me see......... The missus and I just watched a Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane fly low over oor hoose. Got a wing-waggle too

Cheers

gary

BBMF (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)

The Red Arrows have just flown over my house on their way back to Newcastle Airport.

Garion · 07-26-14, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

BBMF (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)

The Red Arrows have just flown over my house on their way back to Newcastle Airport.

I do wish that I had remembered that the Airshow was today, it played havoc with my hangover

Cheers

gary

Catfish · 07-26-14, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Rgr that...we should change our namr to Not So Great Britain to reflect the state we are in.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/littlebritain/

Ok back on topic:

I do not think a public airshow says anything about a nation's real ability to attack or defend. Of course when it comes to "prestige" or trying to impress... is ths really important today ?

TarJak · 07-26-14, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Mediocre Britain?

Still, could be worse, could be a lot worse.

Really crappy Britain?

swamprat69er · 07-27-14, 05:32 AM

I think that if the safety factor isn't improved we will see the end of airshows in both the UK and North America.

07-25-14, 11:25 AM	#2
Aktungbby Gefallen Engel U-666 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: On a tilted, overheated, overpopulated spinning mudball on Collision course with Andromeda Galaxy Posts: 29,984 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	A short lived concept I'll wager. We did the same here in 2013: sequester concerns- they're back again. From a 2013 article: "The U.S. Navy on Tuesday announced it was canceling all the air shows its Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron had scheduled for the rest of the year. The Navy action follows the Air Force's April 1 announcement that its Thunderbirds team would not perform again this year. "Recognizing budget realities, current Defense policy states that outreach events can only be supported with local assets at no cost to the government," said a statement Tuesday from the office of the Commander Naval Air Forces in San Diego. "This is one of many steps the Navy is taking to ensure resources are in place to support forces operating forward now and those training to relieve them." __________________ "Only two things are infinite; The Universe and human squirrelyness?!!

07-26-14, 04:30 AM	#5
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	I don't see why it's not moved to Scampton for next year. Other runway-hosting airshows have been moved for resurfacing temporarily over the years. And moving Leuchars to Lossie is just ridiculous. TBH most UK airshows have very little arms-industry sales off the back of them, except Farnborough which is basically an sales pitch with an airshow at the weekend. __________________

07-27-14, 05:32 AM	#15
swamprat69er Aceydeucy Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 1,889 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	I think that if the safety factor isn't improved we will see the end of airshows in both the UK and North America. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That which does not kill us, makes us stronger. We the willing, led by the unsure, have done so much with so little, for so long, that we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.

07-25-14, 11:26 AM	#3
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	Would be a shame to see the end of airshows anywhere. Let's hope you don't lose them.

07-25-14, 11:54 AM	#4
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	They'd be shooting themselves in the foot in terms of prestige and arms sales....but, the MoD specialises in foot targeting...

07-26-14, 10:14 AM	#10
Garion Commander Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 452 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	MMmm let me see......... The missus and I just watched a Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane fly low over oor hoose. Got a wing-waggle too Cheers gary