SOUTHPORT AIRSHOW 2015: VULCAN

Over the years I've put several of my photos of the magnificent Vulcan XH558 on the blog, but, as it's displaying days are coming to an end, I feel a tinge of sadness knowing that  these will be the last I'll take of this iconic aircraft  actually airborne.

 The Spirit of Great Britain

The bomb bay doors open.

Landing wheels being raised

 A last look at XH558  with Southport Pier in the foreground

SOUTHPORT AIRSHOW 2015: WESTLAND SCOUT

Like many other people at airshows, I always enjoy seeing veteran  aircraft, especially ones I remember seeing as a youngster, usually on TV or as an Airfix kit.

The Westland Scout helicopter is one example. I must have made half a dozen of these aircraft as Airfix kits during the sixties.

So, seeing the real thing at Saturday's airshow was a real buzz. Watching it hovering above me reminded me of times years ago when I'd have more plastic cement on my hands than the kit.

The Scout AH 1 was a land based general purpose helicopter, primarily used by the Army Air Corps throughout the sixties and seventies. A navel variant was also developed called the Wasp.

The Scout  also featured in the 1982 film, 'Who Dare's Wins', which starred  Lewis Collins.

SOUTHPORT AIRSHOW 2015: THE TYPHOON

The Typhoon, also known as the Eurofighter has become quite a crowd puller at airshows, since it's introduction in 2003.

It's described as an air superiority fighter providing the RAF with a multi-role combat aircraft. It's twin engines give it speeds of up to Mach 1.8.(approx. 1550 mph)

It's a great looking aircraft, and in my opinion it's futuristic canard-delta wing design wouldn't look out of place in any Gerry Anderson sci-fi series.

Even cruising at a respectable 700mph at the airshow it still manages to create vapour trails across it's fuselage.

SOUTHPORT AIRSHOW 2015: THE RED ARROWS

The famous Red Arrows, the RAF aerobatic display team, although formed at the end of 1964, began displaying in 1965. Since then they've been promoting recruitment in the RAF, developing business in the defence industry and enthralling crowds with their impressive aerial displays.

I was rather pleased that their appearance at this year's airshow was heralded by Barry Gray's theme tune to Thunderbirds, complete with Peter Dyneley's countdown! A nice touch, considering both The Red Arrows and Thunderbirds are in  their fiftieth year.

The 'Diamond Nine' team trademark.

Originally, the plane used by the team was a Hawker Siddeley Gnat, inherited from the previous Yellowjacks RAF display team. In late 1979, The Red Arrows changed to the BAE Hawk T1 trainer.

The  Hawk is powered by a Rolls Royce Adour engine, slightly uprated to give a faster responce time, and has a top speed of Mach 1.2

The smoke generation system pumps diesel mixed with coloured dye into the jet exhaust giving that distinct  vapour trail. This not only enhances the show for the audience on the ground, it is also used for flight safety reasons giving pilots information on wind speed and direction. 

A TRAILER FOR SOUTHPORT AIR SHOW

I've taken quite a few photos at this years Southport Airshow, and I'll be putting them up soon. But I just couldn't resist giving you folks a quick look at a couple of photos I took yesterday of the mighty Vulcan flanked by The Red Arrows.   Sadly, its a sight we'll almost certainly never see again, as this year is the swan song for The Vulcan XH558, before she is permanently grounded and put on display at the proposed Vulcan Aviation Academy and Heritage Centre at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.