Southport Airshow 2008
07th September 2008
This year's Southport Airshow took place over the weekend of the 6th and 7th September. I'd been looking forward very mush to this event, as other airshow's I've been to have always been inland. I'd not been to one on the coast before. The weather forecast was not good, and got worse as the week went on. This was the week of bad flooding in many parts of Britain.
Driving up on the M6 was horrendous, with all the spray and heavy rain. fortunately after leaving Staffordshire and most of Cheshire behind, conditions became drier, though still dull. After finding the parking, I was escorted by a couple of air cadets to the VIP tent, where I met up with other photographers. Refreshments and lunch were available, during which we discussed the afternoon ahead.
We headed off to the pier, from which we would shoot the display. Unfortuantely, due to the appalling conditions that day, including strong winds, the World War I planes would not appear. The same fate befell the Vulcan bomber - it wasn't due to appear in any case, then it was, then it was uncertain as it had have an inspection and recieve a certificate. Having got that far, it couldn't actually take off from the airfield (Brize Norton, I believe) because of the weather. It's not surprising the wing walking display was cancelled either.
Nonetheless, there was plenty of action!
The Typhoon gave a super display. the moistness in the air adding to the spectacle.
We saw the Red Arrows make a flypast of Blackpool as we stood on Southport Pier on thir way to a display in Ireland.
A Grob Tutor training aircraft made an appearance, as did a glider which landed on the beach.
Helicopters included the Lynx, Chinook and Apache, the latter two appearing in the mock battle later in the day. that battle also included three RAF Tornados, and an AWACS. Troops stormed up the beach towards the crowd, and there were some huge fireballs let off when the Tornados launched an attack. Given the dull moody weather, this mock battle looked so much more impressive than if it had been on a warm, bright sunny afternooon.
Finally, the Red Arrows came and gave a superb display, which for me at least, was made more spectacular against the dramatic backdrop of a stormy sky.
That was just the Saturday, though I hear the Sunday was just as good. I'm looking forward to next year already.
A mock attack on the beach.
