I almost feel a little embarrassed that I haven't been to Dawlish before but circumstances have conspired against me in recent years and I'm very much looking forward to putting that right next week!
It's one of those events that ticks all the boxes. A sizeable audience that must be the envy of many other comparable events, a broad range of participation that truly does provide something for everyone and, due to its unique location, some stunning opportunities for the photographers among you.
Much of that, other than the geography of course, is due to organiser Kev Wills and his team. Kev is a GAR colleague these days and we well know just how hard he has worked to make the Dawlish Air Show what it is; a credible and popular date in the diary for enthusiasts, holiday makers and local people alike. It's not always been easy, far from it, and securing funding is, as every organiser knows, usually a battle. But Kev seems to have overcome the worst of that not insignificant issue, and this year's event is looking like a cracker.
The event's biggest participant, certainly in terms of size at least, will be Avro Vulcan B.2 XH558. Confirmed just yesterday she's a stellar addition to an already strong line up and one which Kev was understandably delighted to secure. It is to TVOC's great credit that she can be there as part of a four day jaunt down south which will also take in Shoreham and Bournemouth, and her appearance sees Vulcan pilot, Flt Lt Bill Ramsey, returning to a venue he last visited in the RAF's diminutive Grob Tutor basic trainer. '558's Dawlish display will undoubtedly make for a fantastic sight and sound.
Flt Lt Shaun Kimberley is on Tutor duty this time round and he heads up an impressive array of RAF participation which demonstrates clearly the value of the event to our armed forces and the status it has achieved. 'Kimbo' will be joined in the flying programme by a number of his RAF colleagues including Flt Lt Dan Hayes in the Shorts Tucano, Flt Lt Jules Fleming in the BAE Systems Hawk, Flt Lt Leon Creese in the King Air and a pair of XV(R) Squadron Tornado GR.4s for its role demonstration; giving Devon a chance to see for itself an aircraft currently serving on operational duty in both Libya and Afghanistan.
The RAF's rotary arm isn't forgotten either and, all things being equal, 22 Squadron will be providing a Sea King HAR.3 for a SAR (Search and Rescue) demonstration. Always impressive and perhaps even more so at a seaside event where the aircraft are such a familiar sight as they carry out much of their vital, lifesaving work.
Completing the RAF line-up in the air will be the unmistakeable sight of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane and of course the Red Arrows. Dawlish is not just one of the Team's favourite venues but also a significant nod to the event's history for it actually started out originally as an annual carnival display from the Reds alone, and then, largely thanks to Kev Wills, grew in to what it is today. Huge crowd favourites of course, Dawlish is once again looking forward to welcoming the BBMF and the Red Arrows, both of which will be highlights for many of those in attendance.
There is further support from the UK's armed forces at Dawlish this year both in the air and on the ground. First up is the Royal Navy which will be providing its own SAR demonstration courtesy of 771 NAS and a Sea King HU.5SAR and this, along with the RAF's aforementioned HAR.3, will hopefully both be on static display prior to flying in the show.
It is also hoped that a Search and Rescue Training Unit (SARTU) Griffin will appear on static display while an Army Air Corps Lynx from 671 Squadron is a possibility but yet to be confirmed. One other helicopter, a Squirrel from the Defence Helicopter Flying School will also be heading to Dawlish with Red 10, Sqn Ldr Graeme Bagnall, on board, the Red Arrows' manager and commentator. Baggers moves on to pastures new at the end of this season and we all wish him the very best of luck and would like to thank him for the great support he and the Team have given Dawlish during his tenure.
The Vulcan is not alone in terms of civilian participation either and she'll be joined in the flying display by some real crowd pleasers. The SWIP Team with its two Silence Twister aircraft put on a thrilling aerobatic routine which will see Pete Wells and Guy Westgate return to Dawlish having supported the local May Ball so ably earlier this year.
The Breitling Wingwalkers will provide colour and precision from their wonderfully noisy pair of Stearman biplanes with grace and flair from the girl atop the wing of each one, and The Blades, with its four Extra 300 competition aerobatic aircraft, fly a routine befitting the Team's status as being made up of ex Red Arrows pilots. Finally, and very much from the Vulcan era, a solo Hawker Hunter courtesy of Team Viper, based just down the road at Exeter Airport, brings a true classic jet to Dawlish in what is the aircraft's 60th anniversary year.
Finally, and vitally, there will be a whole host of activities on the ground - too many to list here but certainly more than enough to keep the whole family happy for the day and including of course the static helicopters and a fairground. What's more, the Dawlish Airshow is FREE to attend and you can't ask for much more than that!
If you do go along you are guaranteed a cracking day out by the seaside with a host of excellent aircraft both in the air and on the ground with plenty to do besides. The show relies hugely on the generosity of those who attend so we'll close by asking you to throw a few quid, or whatever you can afford, in a fundraising bucket during the day. Kev and his team have done a great job putting together the line-up for 2011 and those donations will go straight in to the pot for 2012.
See you there!
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