The UK is blessed, both in terms of the number of and variety of airshow venues that fill a calendar spanning almost half of the year, and it's true to say that few are able to offer the photographic opportunities that Dawlish can.
Located between Exmouth and Teignmouth on Devon's south coast, Dawlish's rise to prominence came about in 2006 and 2007 when sets of images from those respective events appeared on various aviation forums, literally stopping photographers in their tracks. Amongst other things, they depicted head-on shots of the Red Arrows, almost at eye level as they performed the synchro pair routine, and a series of dynamic helicopter images. Quite simply I - and plenty of other people - decided that we had to experience it for ourselves, and so in 2008 and 2009 my family and I loaded up the car and made the 231 mile drive to Dawlish in search of those same opportunities.
The loss of the much vaunted RAF Role Demo and the ban on Typhoon performing at airshows in the week unquestionably hurt the show in 2009, but, undeterred, Kevin Wills has ploughed on regardless in these trying economic times and has still managed to amass a flying display line-up featuring the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Tutor, Hawk, King Air, VC10, 771 NAS Sea King and, possibly uniquely, an Air Southwest Dash 8-300!
"It's been tough", admits Kev. "With the on-the-day collections in 2009 producing a paltry £1600 from the estimated 100,000 attendance, it was clear that we needed to come up with a new method of extracting some cash from at least some of those taking in and enjoying our show.
"Where we have been fortunate this is year is with the support we've received from the Town Council and its staff. They've been absolutely brilliant and threw their weight completely behind the Friends of Dawlish Air Show scheme, where a fee of £10 entitles the bearer to receive a limited edition enamel badge and a certificate of membership. 1000 packs were produced and, as things stand, around 500 are still to be claimed, which is a bit of a shame as it's almost entirely clear profit for us and goes directly into the pot to pay for display acts. By selling the remaining 500, we would have an additional £5000 to pay for flying display items."
I'm sure 99% of those attending the show wouldn't have the first idea about exactly what it costs to stage an event like this, even before you start talking about participation. The numbers are scary, and clearly there's a significant outlay that has to be covered too.
"Sainsbury's has once again been our main individual financial contributor this year, and we're eternally grateful to them for the support they've afforded us over the years.
While Sainsbury's input did make a significant dent into the event's overheads, they were unfortunately unable to match the figure the organisers were looking for in return for the title of 'Headline Sponsor'.
"Times are tough, we all know that. We're all feeling the pinch on a personal level and as a nation, so it's perhaps not that surprising that no-one's come forward to match our target figure, but there's still time for that, though I concede that we are getting to the stage where we would be cutting it extremely finely!
"If someone was to offer us £10,000 now I think it's fair to say that we'd snap their hands off! We've got so many display acts - and good display acts at that - waiting in the wings, and that's a figure which would pretty much mean we could book them all.
"To give you some idea of the people who have offered us their services on the day itself - subject to funding being found - we have, in alphabetical order, the Breitling Wingwalkers, Gerald Williams' Hunter FGA.9 XE601/G-ETPS, Kennet Aviation's A-1D Skyraider G-RADR, the Royal Air Force's Tornado GR.4 Role Demo, the Twister Duo and the Vampire Preservation Group's Vampire T.11 WZ507/G-VTII."
There's no disputing that £10K is a lot of money, but with attendance figures expected to once again be in the region of 100,000 it's a great opportunity to gain some large-scale exposure and at the same time lots of positive goodwill - an almost saviour like status in actual fact!
As Kev continues, "Without someone coming forward we are going to be reliant upon selling the remainder of the Friends of Dawlish Air Show packs AND collecting a significant amount in donations before the day in order to put on the line-up we want and hope to be able to - we've been quite clear with everyone that we're not prepared to commit to any participants unless we already have the funding in place to pay for their attendance.
"Anyone planning to donate on the show day itself should be aware that their contributions will go into the coffers for the 2011 event and NOT towards paying for participation at this year's show. That means that if you wish to see the flying programme expanded that you'll need to contribute ASAP, either as a donation online through the website www.dawlishairshow.co.uk , by handing in cheques made payable to Dawlish Air Show at Lloyds Bank in Dawlish, Swiftprint, Dawlish Taxis or at Dawlish Town Council. You can of course download, print and send off your application forms to become a FoDAS member from the website too."
While it could be argued that all 'groups' attending the show have been far too frugal with their financial support of the event, it has become something of a bugbear with Kev that the same group of people who have descended upon the town in search of the photographic opportunities that he and the show provide are few and far between in what they 'give back'.
"Looking down the list of donators and Friends, there are hardly any photographers' names at all. It does annoy me - particularly given the way the show is structured to give them the best photographic opportunities possible. You can guarantee that if we can't afford to get everything on the list that they'll be the ones first to complain too!"
"On the positive side, I must also make mention of our new found association with Air Southwest. I was absolutely delighted - and more than a bit surprised - to find an email in my inbox from their Chief Pilot offering us a Dash 8 display if we wanted it! I spoke to him and had it confirmed that the intention is for them to put on a proper display, rather than just a flypast, so it could be very good indeed! It's a particularly eye-catching colour scheme and should provide lots of nice photographic opportunities - weather permitting! It's definitely a relationship that we'll look to nurture going forward."
Of course, Dawlish is not just about displays in the air. There are two static areas at opposite ends of town. Currently, the plan is for Dawlish Warren to feature a Griffin from the Search & Rescue Training Unit (SARTU) at RAF Valley and, subject to serviceability, the plan is for it to be one of the grey examples more commonly found plying its trade in Cyprus with 84 Sqn. Joining it there will be a 22 Sqn Sea King HAR.3. Meanwhile the field next to the Smugglers Inn is expected to be home to a 78 Sqn Merlin and 33 Sqn Puma from RAF Benson and a 771 NAS Sea King from RNAS Culdrose. Arrivals at both sites are planned to take place on the day itself, providing additional photographic opportunities to those that way inclined.
Come what may, we'll once again be returning to Dawlish this year. It's a beautiful part of the world and it would be fantastic to think that the funding required to firm up the bookings for the outstanding acts could be found, by whatever means possible. If it's not, it won't be for a lack of trying on the behalf of the organisers…
Dawlish Air Show 2010 will take place on Thursday, August 19th. For more information or to donate, please visit www.dawlishairshow.co.uk
GAR wants to interact with its readers so if you have a question for the author or a comment to make on this feature, please click on the button below. The best comments will appear right here on GAR.2010-08-03 - mike hardy
Hi, I've been coming to this show for 10 years or more and never forget to put £20 in the pot. If everyone put a £1 in we would see things like F-16s, perhaps an F-15 and things like that. I'm sure the Vulcan people want to come back too, and there are other things like the French Alpha Jet, and even Rafale.
I may even give a couple more pounds this year. Lovely air show, lovely place, superb friendly donation collectors; what more could anyone want?
I travel round the country to air shows and the cheapest is £20 or more. Looking forward to this year.
My thanks go to Kev. Keep up the good work fella :)
2010-08-03 - Mike Pittendrigh
I have been visiting Dawlish to the past 13 years. I have witnessed the best shows in the world (I must qualify this as an Ex RAF Airman I have seen some amazing Battle of Britain Day displays too). Kevin is a miracle worker who seems to be able to make the weather brilliant for airshow day. His ability to secure the most wonderful participants is amazing (this year will be a good one for me as the Puma on display at the Smugglers Landing site is from my old Squadron (33). I cannot believe the the amount raised in 2009 was so small. If everyone who attended simply chipped in a couple of pounds Kevin would be able to secure the best for the following year. Keep up the good work. Karl, a fantastic piece and I think we need to nominate Kevin for something in the New Years Honours List!!
2010-08-03 - Jacko
Donation made last weekend, best of luck with the funding Kev. Great article Karl.
2010-08-03 - Team Merlin
Great article chaps. As regular visitors to Dawlish, it never ceases to amaze that this fantastic seaside show doesn't attract bigger investment. The contribution by the 100,000+ crowds must add a huge booost to the local economy but still Kev and his team struggle against the odds to produce a 1st class FREE air show every year. We have certainly been encouraging people to join the FoD scheme. At £10 it's pretty good value to help ensure some headline acts appear (and you get a badge :-) In fact, if you wear your badge and come and see us, we will give you an up close and personal look around the Merlin! Regards TM.
2010-08-03 - Dunk
Great article, and good luck to Kev and the Dawlish Airshow.
Donation sent last night!
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