RAF Waddington Air Show's Blog

We have just received the great news that the Turkish Stars F5 aerobatic team of the Turkish Air Force will be making the Waddington Air Show their only appearance in the UK this year. This will be the first time they have ever visited us and we are very excited to have them here. We can also announce that the Royal New Zealand Air Force will be returning with the fantastic display of the Boeing 757. For those of you who have never seen a large aircraft put through its paces this is one display not to be missed.

We have just had confirmation of the Royal Naval flying participation in this year’s show. They will be appearing in greater numbers than for some years. Expect to be thrilled by the Merlin, the Lynx, a pair of Jetstreams and the appearance of the Royal Naval Historical Flight. This is an amazing variety of Naval aviation and is one not to be missed.

You will have noted the change of aircraft on the home page from the F-111 to the Czech Air Force Gripen. It is with great regret that we have to announce that the F-111 from the Royal Australian Air Force will not be appearing at the show. We had approached the RAAF with a proposal to bring the F-111 on a farewell tour of the UK prior to its retirement from service later this year. We had a favourable response and we were just waiting for the final approval. Unfortunately, the aircraft suffered a major problem whilst attending the Singapore Air Show earlier this year and the fleet is now grounded. We have been informed by the RAAF that, reluctantly, they will not now be able to appear here at the show. It is disappointing, but we are still in negotiations with a number of other Air Forces and we hope to have news of more great flying displays in the near future. Do keep a close eye on the website for further great additions to the show.

We are delighted to announce that the Vulcan will be teaming up with the Breitling Jet Team on Saturday 4 July and flying past as a not to be missed one off formation. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this fantastic feature.

Not to be out done, the Red Arrows will also be flying with the Vulcan over the Air Show weekend, this time on Sunday 5 July. Another fantastic opportunity to see these all time favourites gracing the skies over Waddington.

This year the Breitling Jet Team will make their Waddington debut and their first appearance in the UK.  This great team, with an international reputation, is not to be missed. Flying the L-39 Albatros in a vivid blue and gold livery they are a wonderful photographic opportunity. Don’t miss this rare chance of seeing one of only a few civilian jet display teams.

Welcome
Welcome to the RAF Waddington International Air Show blog.  It is now 15 years since The RAF At Home Day moved to Waddington from RAF Finningley following the closure of that base in the Defence cuts of 1994.  The Air Show was marketed from the outset as the “RAF Waddington International Air Show” and normally attracts in the region of 120,000 people over the weekend.  All proceeds from the Waddington Air Show are donated equally to the two RAF charities, the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), with a small percentage of the proceeds going to local worthy causes.  Since the first event in 1995 the Air Show has raised a total of £2,253,000, of which £280,500 has been donated to local charitable causes and the remainder divided equally between RAFA and the RAF Benevolent Fund.  The air show team is led by Colin Reeves who has just left the RAF following his tour as OC Operations Wing at RAF Waddington.  Danny Mellor, who recently retired from the RAF is the new Commercial Manager and Katerina Greenlaw is the Advertising and Reservations Manager.  Pat Bland is the Display Co-ordinator although he will retire after the 2009 Air Show and be replaced by David Thomas who was the 2008 Vulcan Display Pilot.

2009 Air Show
This year’s air show will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the formation of NATO and we plan to include representative aircraft from all NATO Nations whether flying or in the static display.  We are also hoping that the Indian Air Force will return with their Mig 29′s.  The Polish National Display Team – The Orliks – will be making a welcome return and we hope that the Patrouille De France will also attend.  Many of you will have seen the web article concerning the Saudi Hawks.  We have been working with the Team since March 2008 trying to get them to the Show and we are keeping our fingers crossed that we will be successful.  Subject to serviceability, we will also have the Vulcan and the newly restored Constellation from Holland. On the ground, we have themed all of our enclosures to represent famous people or aircraft from the history of the RAF and our centre-piece will be an RAF Village featuring recruiting, operational and leisure activities.  We will be expanding our hangar displays with the Youth Hangar, concentrating on Science and Technology, occupying all of No 5 Hangar.  No 3 Hangar will, as always, feature our main display.  There will also be over 200 trade stands, 2 craft marquees, a funfair and a classic car display.

Our new website www.waddingtonairshow.co.uk has just been released – feel free to browse through our new image gallery, enter our photo competition, find out about 2009 participating aircraft or purchase your air show tickets.  Our partnership with East Midlands Trains will give you the opportunity to purchase a joint rail and air show ticket from anywhere in the UK, at a discounted rate.  A new section of the website, dedicated to air show visitors with disabilities, lists all useful information in one place.  We hope that you find our new website exciting and much easier to use and look forward to welcoming you at the 2009 RAF Waddington International Air Show on 4th & 5th July!