RAF Waddington Airshow 29-30th June 2002

"It's big, popular, noisy, busy... and a long way to the nearest toilet."

The Waddington Airshow is the largest event organised by the MoD in the EMLRA calendar. If you have a dislike of aircraft in general and of loud noises in particular then this is one to miss - the place is crammed with aircraft of all ages form all parts of the world and, at this sort of event, Loud is Good but Ear Splitting is Even Better.

In some respects the size of the event can count against it. For example, it is the best part of half a mile from the display area to the camping area. But the advantage of having a camping area so far from the display is that it's quiet (well, much less noisy) and well away from the crowds. The big disadvantage of Waddington is the early start - displays have to be ready at eight, so a half-six alarm is required if you want to be fully fed and ablutioned in time for the convoy along the flight line.

Saturday's line-up was very much a park-in-the-order-you-arrived affair as the ground management was unsure as to how big any one Club was going to be. Even though we had been placed in the same location as last year, this year was better as there were other displays between us and the car park. By the time people had reached us this year, they had already been slowed down by other displays instead of walking straight through us in order to see the aeroplanes. Being more inclined to linger, the interest was therefore much greater. Better still, we were located right next to the children's playground, so none of us were short of things to play with.

Rex and Colin were best able to capitalise on this with Rex's radio display (complete with un-named assistant in the back of the 109 shown left). In order to engage both parents and children, Rex and Colin spent most of weekend weighing down target child with manpack radio, headgear, tin hat and Sten gun and then pointing out that lunch is forty miles away. Most parents would take a photo of this and, to their credit, add weight to the Army Benevolent Fund bucket cunningly located in front of them.

Right: Rex attempting to unscrew heads

Meanwhile it couldn't be ignored that some rather spectacular things were happening overhead as highly skilled pilots from all over the world proved to each other just how much they could do while keeping their breakfast in the right place, i.e. out of sight.

It's a Spitfire... erm, Hurricane? Or a - oh no, it's a Harrier then.

The flying programme didn't finish until 17:00, making it a long day. Those on the stand had a constant stream of public to deal with. Leaving the stand meant you had to deal with huge crowds and vast distances to get anywhere. Someone - who shall remain nameless for the moment - hit upon the perfect solution:

John Smith beating us all to the best idea

The convoy back from the flight line was uneventful despite some people becoming mesmerised by an approaching 101 Ambulance with blue lights leading a line of twelve other military Land Rovers. Uniquely, this is an environment where there is very little to distinguish us from the in-service vehicles and the real personnel. On three occasions I was asked questions by people who quite clearly thought I was someone who Knew Something. I was able to answer the query concerning the Rapier system and I even knew where the Corgi stand was. But I draw the line at dealing with toilets, thank you. Corporal, a word...

The Saturday Players: Mike Timlett was there, but missed the convoy back to the camp site. Then again, he missed the convoy from the camp site in the morning.

Wayne Davies suddenly remembers he was caught
washing up last year on camera... and this is the first
time he's done the washing up since.

Once the crowds have gone in the evening, a drive along the flight line can lead to some
much better views of the things you wanted to see earlier in the day. Yes, it's a Lancaster,
not a Land Rover.

Just look at all that space!

Davies modeling the rare Photo Recce Platform 101 -
otherwise known as an Ambulance.

By the Sunday things were a little more organised - Mike Timlett was up in time to join the convoy for a start. Now we knew how much space we had, overnight plans had been hatched and the netting came out to play.

Rex and Keith Harwood before the rush

Somewhere in that lot is Colin Carr and a manpack radio demonstration.
And another flaming Bouncy Castle. Is it a curse?

Given the success of the radio demo, the idea of having exhibits-within-exhibits is gaining favour; the James family and their SII 109 Ambulance are now giving thought to demonstrating field surgery. This could lead to other things. Consider:

Dave Simpkins demonstrates how to detect a mine - and how to loose a foot. The James family carry out a Casevac exercise while Rex and Colin radio a contact in Moscow for medical advice and static interference. Meanwhile, George Jackson booby-traps the exits, Mark Buddle arrests everyone for wearing the wrong hat and Steve Marsh sells everyone a Green Thing. No-one, Steve included, knows what it is, but they are all assured that it is vital and is a must-have article.

Airshow? What Airshow?

And finally, a special treat for those of you who have stood on the display at Waddington over the last few years and have had to listen to a certain film theme tune played endlessly all day by a genial old chap who won't stop waving at you as he drives (a) in circles and (b) everyone else mad...

I never thought I'd find myself saying it - but my thanks to the DVLA for sending me something in the post!