RAF Waddington Air Show 2008

Whilst this was the highlight of the event there was also a number of other noteworthy aircraft and displays. I especially enjoyed the display by the French Air Force Mirage 2000C and the Spanish Air Force’s Display Team – Patrulla Aguila.

Unfortunately the weather wasn’t kind in the morning with spells of heavy rain, low cloud cover and strong winds. This caused problems with the displays and organisers did well to re-order the displays at the loss of only the RAF Hawk Display. Because of this some items from the event I either didn’t photograph or I didn’t get any usable photographs.

Starting with a few statics……

Once again I was able to catch The Sarang – the Indian Air Force’s Helicopter Display Team…..

The RAF Falcon’s turned up just as the weather started to improve allowing them to make their jump; good timing guys!

By the time the RN Merlin begin it’s display the grey dark clouds had broken, giving way to a blue sky…..

The next display was the RAF Typhoon and BBMF Spitfire flight. I had caught a display practice of this at RAF Coningsby so I knew what the routine would be but I still didn’t managed to get a good picture of both in the frame!

But I did manage to capture a nice vapour shot and a good underside shot…..

The Spanish Air Force’s Display Team – Patrulla Aguila displayed next and produced a very good performance. Their display involved a lot more inverted flying that other display teams and they also had a number of opposing passes.

The team commentator did a good job of explaining the team, the manoeuvres, a few heads up for the photographers and the odd little joke thrown in as well.

The French Mirage 2000C gave a fast flowing display and managed to set more than a few car alarms off!

Any car alarms that weren’t going off afterwards were soon sorted by the main event of the day…….

Two Avro design classics together in the sky. What a great sight!

I caught the RAF Role Demo display authorisation earlier, this time I got to watch it from the crowd line. The helicopter side of the demo was without doubt better on the crowd line but the fast jet action was better from outside the airbase…..