Southport Airshow 2016

[John.R]

Hi,

Just one photo for the time being, as I'm still getting to grips with the 70D and aviation:

BBMF Lancaster by John Rooney, on Flickr

Thanks for looking & I'll be updating this frequently

John

[Paul Bradley]

Very atmospheric!

[Airgunner]

Oh. My. Word. Great shot of a beautiful plane.

[stevej60]

And what a superb photo it is too!

[John.R]

Hi,

As with previous years I had booked the tickets well in advance without knowing the full confirmed display line up, in the run up to the show though with acts being announced it was looking as if it was going to be the same type of line up as over the years.

With the announcement of the Sea Vixen being confirmed and the likes of the Bronco display team, Mig & Vampires etc it was good to see the organisers branching out and getting a variety of acts from across Europe in, sadly the Bronco, Mig & Vampires plus BBMF Fighters and the second JP couldn't display on the saturday due to the weather.

Although the weather as mentioned above was quite bad wind wise on the Friday night, the organisers had to cancel the show on safety grounds which I could fully understand, the reports had given it to be cloudy but getting brighter on the Saturday and cloudy on the Sunday.

Saturday display:

The weather started out quite cloudy but also fairly warm and on arriving at the gate by the pier at 8:30 there was 5-6 people in the queue already, and although with previous years by 9am people have been let in, the gate didn't get opened till 9:15am.

After managing to get in the same position as the previous 6 years and meeting up with a few friends and catching up, the R.C Aircraft where flying about the skies. Although a few of them where small they put on a varied display as well as the larger R.C Aircraft, including a Super Decathlon, Extra, Jet Glider & a Lancaster.
1. Jet Glider by John Rooney, on Flickr
2. RC Extra by John Rooney, on Flickr
4. Avro Lancaster ED906 by John Rooney, on Flickr
3. G-INGS Bellanca 8KCAB Super Decathlon (model) by John Rooney, on Flickr

Due to the weather system along the south-east the Mig & Vampires, Bronco and from the north the BBMF Fighters couldn't make the display so it was delayed to 13:40. Roughly 10 minutes earlier though a Squirrel bringing in Red 10 and one of the Engineer's arrived from Warton, where the Red Arrows based themselves for the show.
5. Eurocopter AS-350BB Squirrel HT1 ZJ275 by John Rooney, on Flickr

At Exactly 13:40 Peter Teichman appeared in his Immaculate Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk "Lulu Bell", for a several years now the aircraft was down to display but unfortunately hadn't made it this was the year that it had. Peter's display consists of gentle Barrel Rolls, Sweeping turns, Loops and his trademark Topside passes each designed to show you the maneuverability of the aircraft, once the display had finished he departed towards RAF Woodvale where he landed the aircraft, ready to display later in the flying program
6.Hanger 11 Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk G-KITT by John Rooney, on Flickr
7. Hanger 11 Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk G-KITT by John Rooney, on Flickr

Shortly after the display Hannah who is the commentator for The Blades came on the air, to announce the imminent arrival of the display team which fly 4x Extra 300's. The team are made up of former Red Arrows Pilots and always display with precision.
The display this year consisted of numerous maneuvers including the Twinkle Rolls, Hammerhead, "Crazy" and Goose & Gatling.
8. The Blades Aerobyte Turn by John Rooney, on Flickr
9. The Blades Crazy by John Rooney, on Flickr
10. The Blades Goose & Gatling by John Rooney, on Flickr

During the Blades display, the three members of the Tigers Free Fall Team started to prepare for there display, and once they had finished a Bell Jetranger approached from the left to pick them up for the jump, from memory they jumped at 4000ft, and once they landed safely those on the beach gave a great applause to them.
11. Tigers Free Fall Team by John Rooney, on Flickr
12. Tigers Free Fall Team by John Rooney, on Flickr
13. Tigers Free Fall Team by John Rooney, on Flickr
14. Tigers Free Fall Team by John Rooney, on Flickr
15. Tigers Free Fall Team by John Rooney, on Flickr

Within a few minutes "Ollie" had run in from the right in the Hunting-Percival Jet Provost T.3 XN637 into a 540 ½ Cuban, followed by gentle Loop's and wingovers with a few topsides thrown in for good measure too.
16. Hunting Percival Jet Provost T3 XN637 G-BKOU by John Rooney, on Flickr
17. Hunting Percival Jet Provost T3 XN637 G-BKOU by John Rooney, on Flickr
18. Hunting Percival Jet Provost T3 XN637 G-BKOU by John Rooney, on Flickr
19. Hunting Percival Jet Provost T3 XN637 G-BKOU by John Rooney, on Flickr

Next was a very sedate display from the Fireflies, consisting of two Vans RV4 home built aerobatic aircraft, the display included close formation aerobatics, opposition and synchro work. I'll be honest the display was fantastic, although I like the grace & power of the Vintage and Modern aircraft the display was a delight to watch and photograph.
20. Fireflies Display Vans RV-4 G-SPRK G-SPRX by John Rooney, on Flickr
21. Fireflies Display Vans RV-4 G-SPRK G-SPRX by John Rooney, on Flickr
22. Fireflies Display Vans RV-4 G-SPRK G-SPRX by John Rooney, on Flickr

The next display was something a lot of people where waiting for, and starting the display from the rear the Red Arrows ran in, there is not much that can be said about the display apart that year after year they never cease to put one hell of a display, although halfway through the display a lone spectator walked onto the beach and past the stewards until apprehended by a steward and a RC aircraft flyer.
23. Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team Red Arrows by John Rooney, on Flickr
24. Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team Red Arrows by John Rooney, on Flickr
25. Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team Red Arrows by John Rooney, on Flickr
Team Raven ran in from the right shortly after the Arrows, and given that they came straight after and displaying in a six ship, I was surprised how polished the display was with a mixture of opposition passes, formation loops
26. Team Raven by John Rooney, on Flickr
27. Team Raven by John Rooney, on Flickr
28. Team Raven by John Rooney, on Flickr

From Woodvale came the Squirrel to pick up Red 10, and unusually it landed towards the front of the crowd instead of the left side, and then departed to Warton to re-group with the rest of the team.
29. Eurocopter AS-350BB Squirrel HT1 ZJ275 by John Rooney, on Flickr

Next was a solo display by the Wildcat, due to aircraft being unable to display due to the weather it provided a welcome display.
30. Royal Navy Wildcat-HMA2 ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr
31. Royal Navy Wildcat-HMA2 ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr
32. Royal Navy Wildcat-HMA2 ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr
33. Royal Navy Wildcat-HMA2 ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr

Arriving from Woodvale a International visitor this time the Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight North American TB-25N Mitchell PH-XXV, powered by two Radial engines it showed its graceful lines throughout its full display.
34. Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight North American TB-25N Mitchell PH-XXV by John Rooney, on Flickr
35. Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight North American TB-25N Mitchell PH-XXV by John Rooney, on Flickr

In the distance you could just make out three shapes, two being the Wildcat Helicopters from the Black Cats display team and one being , before they flew off to wait for the swordfish display which displayed the slow speed characteristics fo the aircraft perfectly.
36. Fairey Swordfish Royal Navy Historic Flight Fairey Swordfish II W5856-4A and Wildcat-HMA2 ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr
37. Fairey Swordfish Royal Navy Historic Flight Fairey Swordfish II W5856-4A by John Rooney, on Flickr
38. Fairey Swordfish Royal Navy Historic Flight Fairey Swordfish II W5856-4A by John Rooney, on Flickr

Once the swordfish had departed the black cats ran in to display, unfortunately the photo's I have were taken from the queue for the loo, but It was good to see them back as a pair.
39. The Black Cats AW.159 Wildcat HMA.2 ZZ535 & ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr
40. The Black Cats AW.159 Wildcat HMA.2 ZZ535 & ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr
41. The Black Cats AW.159 Wildcat HMA.2 ZZ535 & ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr
42. The Black Cats AW.159 Wildcat HMA.2 ZZ535 & ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr

Those eagle-eyed would have seen the next display running in from crowd centre, but those who didn't hear the trademark sound of Peter Teichman's P-51D Mustang Tall-In-The-Saddle pulling up into a vertical climb displaying the newly repainted scheme. Peter always displays his aircraft gracefully.
43. Hanger 11 North American P-51D Mustang Tall-In-The-Saddle G-SIJJ by John Rooney, on Flickr
44. Hanger 11 North American P-51D Mustang Tall-In-The-Saddle G-SIJJ by John Rooney, on Flickr
45. Hanger 11 North American P-51D Mustang Tall-In-The-Saddle G-SIJJ by John Rooney, on Flickr

Next filling another gap due to aircraft not being able to make it due to the weather or technical problems the Blades once again displayed, although in a stark contrast to earlier in the sun.
46. The Blades Extra 300L G-ZXLL by John Rooney, on Flickr
47. The Blades Extra 300L by John Rooney, on Flickr

Almost immediately after the display to the right side of the beach you could make out the RAF Typhoon Display aircraft, whose display was full of Afterburner and showing the extreme envelope that the display, before running in at 600mph and pulling vertical to 8000ft to end the display.
48. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZK354 Coded BY by John Rooney, on Flickr
49. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZK354 Coded BY by John Rooney, on Flickr
50. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZK354 Coded BY by John Rooney, on Flickr
51. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZK354 Coded BY by John Rooney, on Flickr
52. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZK354 Coded BY by John Rooney, on Flickr
53. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZK354 Coded BY by John Rooney, on Flickr
54. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZK354 Coded BY by John Rooney, on Flickr

Next was the last act on the schedule, and that was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Avro Lancaster PA474 when it arrived there was a loud applause from many of the spectator's, due to the weather the and Hurricane couldn't make it from Conningsby but for the duration of the display the crowd was almost silent in appreciation.
55. Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight Avro Lancaster PA474 by John Rooney, on Flickr
56. Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight Avro Lancaster PA474 by John Rooney, on Flickr

Sunday Display

Once again an early start led to being in the same spot as the day before, and again we were treated to various R.C aircraft flying about entertaining the crowd, as well as a High Flypast by two Woodvale based Grob Tutor's.
1. RC Trojan by John Rooney, on Flickr
2. Grob Tutor G-CGKL & G-CGKU by John Rooney, on Flickr
3. Jet Glider RC model by John Rooney, on Flickr
4. Jet Model by John Rooney, on Flickr
5. Ooops that wasn't meant to happen on landing by John Rooney, on Flickr

Much to the delight of everyone the BBMF fighters had made it across from Conningsby that day to join up with the Lancaster, they sent a Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb AB910 and a Hawker Hurricane PZ865 (Mk IIc). Unusually the Spitfire broke off half way through the formation to allow the Lancaster and Hurricane to formate together, and from crowd centre the Spitfire ran in for its display, then followed by the Hurricane and Lancaster before forming up for a final fly past, watched by LCPL Will Forbes of the Tigers Display Team.
6. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Avro Lancaster PA474, Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb AB910, Hawker Hurricane PZ865 (Mk IIc) by John Rooney, on Flickr
7. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Avro Lancaster PA474, Hawker Hurricane PZ865 (Mk IIc) by John Rooney, on Flickr
6. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb AB910 by John Rooney, on Flickr
8. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hawker Hurricane PZ865 (Mk IIc) by John Rooney, on Flickr
9. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Avro Lancaster PA474, Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb AB910, Hawker Hurricane PZ865 (Mk IIc) by John Rooney, on Flickr
10. Tigers Free Fall Team LCPL Will Forbes by John Rooney, on Flickr
11. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Avro Lancaster PA474, Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb AB910, Hawker Hurricane PZ865 (Mk IIc) by John Rooney, on Flickr

An international visitor was displaying next, and it was the Polish built WSK-Mielec SB Lim-2 also known as the Mig 15 UTI which is painted and marked as “RED 18” to represent Russian-Soviet pilot and cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin’s MiG-15. When this started its display many didn't spot the aircraft till it was very close in due to its size, and displayed gracefully with arching turns, loops and topside passes.
12. Norwegian Airforce Historical Squadron WSK-Mielec SB Lim-2 N104CJ (Mig 15 UTI) by John Rooney, on Flickr
13. Norwegian Airforce Historical Squadron WSK-Mielec SB Lim-2 N104CJ (Mig 15 UTI) by John Rooney, on Flickr

The Mig then exited to the left while to the right the Vampire Pair ran in, to be joined by the Mig shortly for some formation flypasts.
15. Norwegian Airforce Historical Squadron de Havilland Vampire FB.52 LN-DHY & de Havilland Vampire T.55 LN-DHZ & WSK-Mielec SB Lim-2 N104CJ (Mig 15 UTI) by John Rooney, on Flickr
The Vampire pair consisted of a De Havilland Vampire FB.52 and a De Havilland Vampire T.55 who's display consisted of tight Formation Loops, Rolls and passes.
14. Norwegian Airforce Historical Squadron de Havilland Vampire FB.52 LN-DHY & de Havilland Vampire T.55 LN-DHZ by John Rooney, on Flickr
15. Norwegian Airforce Historical Squadron de Havilland Vampire FB.52 LN-DHY & de Havilland Vampire T.55 LN-DHZ by John Rooney, on Flickr
16. Norwegian Airforce Historical Squadron de Havilland Vampire FB.52 LN-DHY & de Havilland Vampire T.55 LN-DHZ by John Rooney, on Flickr

Once they had finished displaying, the Bell Jetranger landed to pick up the Tigers Free Fall Team once again, but this time instead of carrying out the same routine as the day before, they carried out The Long Drag.
17. Tigers Free Fall Team Tiger Aviation Bell Jet Ranger G-TGRZ by John Rooney, on Flickr
18. Tigers Free Fall Team by John Rooney, on Flickr
19. Tigers Free Fall Team by John Rooney, on Flickr
20. Tigers Free Fall Team by John Rooney, on Flickr

Next in was Peter Teichman in his P-51D Mustang, once again he displayed with the grace and elegance that he is known for in his aircraft. This year it has been repainted as Tall-In-The Saddle, as flown by the Tuskegee airmen in the 332nd Fighter group and 477th Bombardment group of the USAF.
21. Hanger 11 North American P-51D Mustang Tall-In-The-Saddle G-SIJJ by John Rooney, on Flickr
22. Hanger 11 North American P-51D Mustang Tall-In-The-Saddle G-SIJJ by John Rooney, on Flickr
23. Hanger 11 North American P-51D Mustang Tall-In-The-Saddle G-SIJJ by John Rooney, on Flickr
24. Hanger 11 North American P-51D Mustang Tall-In-The-Saddle G-SIJJ by John Rooney, on Flickr
From the right Team Raven started there display, albeit a Five ship display. Once again they carried out opposition passes, formation loops and breaks with precision.
25. Team Raven by John Rooney, on Flickr
26. Team Raven by John Rooney, on Flickr
27. Team Raven by John Rooney, on Flickr
Shortly after came the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse "Loach" from Blackpool way, usually they also bring the Huey to display with them but this was a very welcome addition to the display. Displaying to Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries".
28. Huey Hughes OH-6A Loach 69-16011 by John Rooney, on Flickr
29. Huey Hughes OH-6A Loach 69-16011 by John Rooney, on Flickr

As with yesterday the Fireflies team displayed with the same grace as yesterday, not too many photo's as I really enjoyed the display that they put on:
30. Fireflies Display Vans RV-4 G-SPRK G-SPRX by John Rooney, on Flickr
31. Fireflies Display Vans RV-4 G-SPRK by John Rooney, on Flickr
32. Fireflies Display Vans RV-4 G-SPRX by John Rooney, on Flickr
Running in from the left Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight North American TB-25N Mitchell - PH-XXV displayed once again, Hopefully they can return again next year with the aircraft as it would be something I'd like to see over the beach again, perhaps with a P-40 or P-51 in formation.
33. Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight North American TB-25N Mitchell PH-XXV by John Rooney, on Flickr
34. Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight North American TB-25N Mitchell PH-XXV by John Rooney, on Flickr

Following the Mitchell was Peter Teichman in his Immaculate Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk "Lulu Bell", you could tell he was enjoying himself at the display due to the graceful loops and passes he carried out during his display.
35. Hanger 11 Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk G-KITT by John Rooney, on Flickr
36. Hanger 11 Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk G-KITT by John Rooney, on Flickr
37. Hanger 11 Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk G-KITT by John Rooney, on Flickr

As with yesterday the next act's to display was the Swordfish and Black Cats, not much more can be said about this display though as I took the time to enjoy the display and only took a handful of photo's of the displays.
38. Fairey Swordfish Royal Navy Historic Flight Fairey Swordfish II W5856-4A and Wildcat-HMA2 ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr
39. Fairey Swordfish Royal Navy Historic Flight Fairey Swordfish II W5856-4A by John Rooney, on Flickr
40. Fairey Swordfish Royal Navy Historic Flight Fairey Swordfish II W5856-4A by John Rooney, on Flickr
41. The Black Cats AW.159 Wildcat HMA.2 ZZ535 & ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr
42. The Black Cats AW.159 Wildcat HMA.2 ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr
43.The Black Cats AW.159 Wildcat HMA.2 ZZ535 & ZZ528 by John Rooney, on Flickr
44. The Black Cats AW.159 Wildcat HMA.2 ZZ535 by John Rooney, on Flickr

After the two displays yesterday I also took the time to enjoy the Blades, the precision which they carry out the maneuvers is testament to how long they have flown together.
44. The Blades Extra 300L Crazy Close up by John Rooney, on Flickr
45. The Blades Extra 300L Break by John Rooney, on Flickr
"Ollie" once again displayed in the Hunting-Percival Jet Provost T.3 XN637, although this was meant to be a pair's display, he still managed to wow the crowd with his display. Hopefully next year we'll see the pairs display or even the Jet Provost with the Strikemaster.
46. Hunting Percival Jet Provost T3 XN637 G-BKOU by John Rooney, on Flickr
47. Hunting Percival Jet Provost T3 XN637 G-BKOU by John Rooney, on Flickr
48. Hunting Percival Jet Provost T3 XN637 G-BKOU by John Rooney, on Flickr
Next was an act that I have a great fondness over, the Autogyro. Having been missing for the past couple of years the display showed the maneuverability, and how much fun you could have displaying.
49. Rotorsport Calidus AutoGyro G-DISP by John Rooney, on Flickr
50. Rotorsport Calidus AutoGyro G-DISP by John Rooney, on Flickr
51. Rotorsport Calidus AutoGyro G-DISP by John Rooney, on Flickr

Closing the show was the RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, once again showing the power, agility & maneuverability of the aircraft.
52. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZK354 Coded BY by John Rooney, on Flickr
53. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZK354 Coded BY by John Rooney, on Flickr
54. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZK354 Coded BY by John Rooney, on Flickr
55. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZK354 Coded BY by John Rooney, on Flickr

Thanks for reading this report, comments and criticism welcome.

John

[Tango 1]

Great photo's ! Thanks for sharing!

[Paperback writer]

Superb shots, John. A free seaside show is the way to go, ask anyone who pre-paid thirty quid for a ticket to Duxford on Saturday to see next to nothing all day. Have they dried out yet?

[John.R]

Superb shots, John. A free seaside show is the way to go, ask anyone who pre-paid thirty quid for a ticket to Duxford on Saturday to see next to nothing all day. Have they dried out yet?

Hello,

Unfortunately the show isn't free due to Sefton Council charging for the show, although you can watch from many places around Southport, it was £8.50 in advance for the Sat/Sun £10 on the day and £6.50 for the Fri show which was cancelled due to the weather.

[spitfire]

Great photos, thank you for taking the time to post them all.

Cheers

Dennis

[Mike]

Lovely photos - I wanted to go, but didn't have the energy, sadly

[roys]

Saturday myself & the wife went on the train from Halifax -£55 return for two !

Journey back is a nightmare and a disturbing insight into the UK's drinking culture,

however at least it gave me a break from driving.

The pier wall & seat hogging all day, by the regulars, is tedious but the site was well managed & kept clean.

I was impressed to see the Swordfish which I have not seen for years, loved the Mitchell, and to think of the Toyko raiding force

taking off from carriers to do it !

Loved the parachutists & I got some similar shots of them high up.

I had not been to an airshow for 2 years so I also pleased to see the Red Arrows,Lancaster & Typhoon.

The flying of Pete Teichman is a joy to watch smooth & big open manoeuvres.

Last year we went to Proms in Hyde Park which was also somewhat wet this year so Southport was definitely the best place to be .

[toms111s]

All of the photos are fantastic but the one that gets me is No 50 of the Typhoon.