Royal Air Force Waddington Air show
Avro Lancaster and Avro Vulcan. Photo by Ian Bracegirdle
Waddington International Air Show held at Royal Air Force Waddington in Lincolnshire. Considered by some to be the UK's top military Air show. RAF Waddington is home to a variety of Aircraft, such as the Nimrod R1, Sentinel R1, and the Boeing E-3D Sentry and soon to be the home of The Red Arrows Aerobatic team. Waddington has hosted the Air show since 1995 and offers a mix of both modern and vintage Aircraft as well as display teams and other Aircraft from around the World. With a large static park and numerous exhibitions in the Hangars.
Waddington Air show 3rd and 4th July 2010.
Waddington International Air show Website
Waddington Air show 2010 - Saturday 2nd July 2010
Saturday was the first day of Waddington's two day show, with almost unbroken sunshine for the whole day. As usual the static line-up was very varied, with over 100 aircraft on display. The flying got off to an early start at 10am, with the usual fly-past by base aircraft, with a Nimrod R1, Sentinel and E-3 Sentry. The flying programme included the Red Arrows flying an 8-ship formation due to one of the pilots being ill, a role demo by a pair of GR4 Tornados and a Spitfire, Hurricane and the Lancaster from the BBMF.
Also an interesting pairing of the old and the new, a BBMF Spitfire and a Typhoon. After many years absence it was nice to see the routine put in by the Turkish Stars and hear their well polished commentator describing the manoeuvres as they were performed. Probably one of the highlights of the Waddington weekend was the Avro Vulcan. The question was, was it going to get to Waddington or not? I am reliably informed that the Vulcan ground crew put in a tremendous effort to get the aircraft serviceable for this weekend, having disappointed so many people at last years show due to a paperwork error, but Vulcan fans were not disappointed as the aircraft turned up on time and put in a tremendous display, which was well worth the journey.
Images courtesy of Ross Cannon
Later in the afternoon it was the turn of the World War II fighters simulating dogfights overhead Waddington's runway. The sound of Merlin engines reverberating around the airfield brought back memories of the War time years.
Waddington Air show 2009 - Saturday 4th July 2009
The fifteenth annual Waddington Air show. Aircraft represented in the static part, VC10, C-130K Hercules, KC-135, a 41 R Squadron Harrier GR9, most RAF types and even the old faithful German F-4 Phantom. Representative Aircraft in the flying display were the E-3D Sentry, Sentinel R1 and Nimrod R1, the Blue Eagles Helicopter display team, the Blades and as usual the Red Arrows display. On the whole with reasonable weather conditions Waddington turned out as another successful Air show.
Images courtesy of Ian Bracegirdle
Waddington press day 2009 - Thursday 2nd July 2009
With almost a full day of unbroken sunshine Waddington press day got off with a stunning display by The Red Arrows. Whose pilots later in the day visited the press enclosure to carry out interviews for the media etc.
Throughout the afternoon Aircraft were arriving to be positioned for the static line-up, also a base Nimrod, Sentinel and E-3 Sentrys carried out their normal duties. There was also a steady arrival of other Aircraft that were carrying out their practice displays for the weekend. Including the Vulcan, The Blades, The Vipers, Team Guinot, a pair of Lakenheath F-15's, a Nimrod MR1
Images courtesy of Ian Bracegirdle
Waddington Air show 2008
With Waddington Air show severely restricted this year due to the bad weather the conditions were not nearly as bad as 2007. With low cloud and heavy showers it did have a knock-on effect on the flying and displays. One visitor to Waddington was the B-52H Stratofortress, which was scheduled to fly but due to weather conditions was not able to get airborne.
One thing that everybody had waited for was the sight and the sounds of the Avro Lancaster and Vulcan gracing the skies together overhead Waddington. Another interesting combination was the Red Arrows in formation with three Spitfires and a Hurricane.
Images courtesy of Bob Franklin
Waddington Air show 2008 - Saturday 5th July 2008 - Gallery 2
Images courtesy of Ian Bracegirdle
Waddington Air show 2006 - Saturday 1st July 2006
The twelfth International Air show to take place at RAF Waddington was blessed with fine weather. As usual the resident Aircraft from Waddington were taking part this weekend. This year there was a farewell to the Canberra, with Squadron Leader Terry Cairns demonstrating this versatile Aircraft. With not only the PR9 retiring this year, but also Terry is retiring in July when 39 Squadron disbands. Also on the subject of Canberras, Classic Aviation's B2-6 put in an appearance in the capable hands of another 39 Squadron pilot, Squadron Leader Dave Piper.
As usual there was a full flying program, with a spirited display by the Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 and P-3K Orion, as well as the Battle of Britain Flights Lancaster and a pair of Spitfires and finally the last display of the day the Royal Air Force Aerobatic display team the Red Arrows.
Images courtesy of Bob Franklin
Waddington Air show 2003
RAF Waddington Air show 2003 has gradually grown in size over the last few years, with rare and interesting visiting Aircraft arriving from around the World.
Waddington always attracts thousands of the visiting public over the two day period. With high quality flying and plenty of Aircraft on static display, and also many exhibits along the static line and in the hangars.
Images courtesy of Bob Franklin
Waddington Air show 2002
Images courtesy of Bob Franklin
Waddington Air show 2001
Lockheed P-3C Orion 285H-5820 3299
Boeing C-17A Globemaster III P-74/UK-1 ZZ171/00-0201
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker - Spirit of Salem County
McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) F-15 Eagle
Images courtesy of Bob Franklin
Waddington Air show 1997
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
Phantom deploying brake chute
Images courtesy of Bob Franklin
Waddington Air show 1995
In April 1995 RAF Finningley closed and the RAF Air show had to be relocated to it's new home in Lincolnshire. The Air show was renamed the RAF Waddington International Air show, which was Waddington's first Air show. This had now become a two day event, it's main purpose was to raise money for charities. Proceeds from the Air show are distributed to the RAFA Benevolent Fund and the RAF Waddington Charity Committee.
Images courtesy of Bob Franklin
Waddington Air show
Images courtesy of Bob Franklin