Held at the picturesque Shoreham Airport, framed beautifully by the Sussex Downs with the unique backdrop of Lancing College and lying just a stone’s throw from the English Channel, this is truly one of the airshows that offers something for everyone.
‘Something for everyone.’ In truth, that’s a bit of a cliché, but it sums up Shoreham’s appeal quite nicely I feel. As something of a “catch all” event – combining aircraft from all walks of aviation, be they helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, warbirds, display teams, parachutists, classic jets or modern military assets, with extensive ground displays including military vehicles, pleasure flights, dozens of stalls and a large funfair for the children – Shoreham provides entertainment to enthusiasts and the general public alike.
To give you an idea of the sheer variety, this year’s flying programme spans from the likes of Christian Moullec with his superb ultralight and geese formation (which has to be seen to be believed!) to the ever-popular Avro Vulcan; more on that later.
The airshow has always had a strong Battle of Britain flavour, given its position on the airshow calendar, and this theme has historically generated a strong warbird contingent. 2011 is no exception, with the vintage element topped by Shoreham’s famous centrepiece airfield attack, scramble and dogfight re-enactment.
This year, the ‘Shoreham Scramble’ will include three Spitfires (from the Historic Aircraft Collection, Aircraft Restoration Company and Peter Monk), two Hurricanes (from the stables of HAC and Peter Vacher), a Messerschmitt Me-108 and the Duxford-based Hispano Buchon, alongside a host of groundside troops and vehicles from the local Home Guard supporting the Royal Air Force in their fight to defend Shoreham from the dastardly Hun.
It’s all very good fun with plenty of drama provided by pyrotechnics, strafing runs, formation flypasts, tailchases and dogfights. If previous years are anything to go by – and the organisers and pilots have really turned this set-piece into a terrifically slick, fast-moving affair – the big RAF vs. Luftwaffe showdown over the Sussex Downs will be one of the high points of the weekend.
Further 1940s' warbirds will include a double dose of Peter Teichman, with the Hawker Hurricane IIb BE505 and Spitfire PR.XI PL965 scheduled to appear. Representing the US forces will be Maurice Hammond’s two beautiful P-51D Mustangs, joining airshow stalwart B-17 Flying Fortress ‘Sally B’ and the B-17’s fellow Duxford hangar-mate, the elegant Catalina. On the nautical side, the Royal Navy Historic Flight's Fairey Swordfish also makes its long awaited return to Shoreham after several years’ absence.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will also fittingly be in attendance with its classic trio of Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane. Warbirds of a different era will also take to the skies for more aerial theatre, courtesy of the Great War Display Team, which should be bringing eight aircraft to Shoreham headed by a quartet of SE5as.
Adding some noise to the proceedings are a handful of classic jets that includes the mighty Avro Vulcan, the Folland Gnat pair from North Weald and Jonathon Whaley’s Hawker Hunter ‘Miss Demeanour’. The latter will be particularly welcome in the absence of any modern military fast jet displays.
So, what of the aforementioned Vulcan? Well, as reported in local newspaper The Argus, plans are afoot to formate the Red Arrows with the Vulcan for a very special, seldom seen flypast that, if it comes off, will surely be one of the highlights of both the show and the 2011 season. While it isn’t confirmed at present whether this flypast will definitely take place, it’s certainly one to keep an eye on. Extra points to those who can get Lancing College in the photograph too...
Bringing things right up to date are the RAF trainer solos, with Shoreham this year seeing the Tutor, Tucano and Hawk representing the progression of a student pilot up the Air Force ranks. Additionally, and in support of the Shoreham Airshow’s celebration of Search & Rescue history is a rare appearance by a RAF Sea King HAR3 from 22 Squadron’s B Flight, though recent news via the Shoreham Airshow Facebook page has suggested that this demonstration is not yet set in stone, pending the Sea King’s other commitments.
At the lighter end of the spectrum, an impressive raft of high-performance aerobatic types will enthral the crowds, including Extra 300L, the SWIP Team, gliderFX with the Pawnee and Fox Glider, the Richard Grace-led Pitts Pair, the Breitling Wingwalkers with four Boeing Stearmans, the Yakovlevs, the Blades and, last but by no means least, Brendan O'Brien in his Piper J3 Cub. A veritable selection of airshow favourites, I’m sure you’ll all agree.
The flying display programme will be complemented on the ground where there will be a large static aircraft park, dominated by a RAF Chinook HC2/3 and Aces High’s Douglas C-47 Skytrain. Other aircraft to be found on the ground include Pembroke, five Auster, Jungmann, Miles Messenger, Stampe, Tiger Moth, Chipmunk, Piper Cub, Harvard and a smattering of light aviation types and vintage gliders from across the UK.
It’s this blend of popular civilian acts, aerial battle re-enactments, special formations and excellent all-round variety that makes Shoreham so popular. Add to that a relaxed, almost garden-party style atmosphere and the Art Deco airport setting, and you have an event that ticks all the boxes and then some.
With flying due to commence at around 10.30am, an early start is essential in order to beat the crowds and secure a slot on the crowdline, as it does become very busy during the peak period of the flying display.
2011-08-16 - steve
The Vulcan will not be flying for at the next 2 weeks,as copied from XH558's Facebook page "We have to announce, with great disappointment, that due to a problem with no.2 fuel tank, XH558 will not be flying for at least two weeks. It’s only a small leak, but safety must come first so the decision has been taken to remove the tank for inspection. Our apologies to everyone who was looking forward to seeing XH558 over the coming two weekends and to the airshow organisers."
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