Seaside airshows are a big part of the British airshow summer. This year there will be no fewer than fourteen of them around the British coastline - that's nearly as many as there are events at landlocked airfields.
And they're some of the best-attended events. Little wonder when they combine one of Britain's public's favourite pastimes - spending time beside the sea - with an exciting, and for many people, a somewhat different day out.
Southport in Merseyside hosts one of the longest-established seaside shows. The Southport Airshow began in 1991 with the flying display run by ex-Red Arrows manager Ray Thilthorpe. Ray's company TSA Consulting still manages the flying display today. This weekend's event therefore marks 20 years of the Southport Air Show, and it's set to do it in style with a big, varied flying display.
For the uninitiated, Southport is somewhat different to other seaside shows. The north-west coast's flat, expansive sands mean this a 'beach airshow' in the truest sense. Spectators can park on the beach and watch the show from their cars - something of a rarity at airshows now. The vista of big, wide sands stretching out into the distance also creates a very different photographic backdrop - especially as those sands enable light aircraft and helicopters to operate from temporary runways on the beach prepared specially for the show.
Southport's also different from the other seaside venues in that it charges for admission. This is a long-standing policy by organisers Sefton Council, who took the decision a decade ago to charge for entry to help the show's long-term sustainability. However, with tickets only £7 per person in advance (they're £9 on the gate) getting a family into the airshow is still reasonable. Certainly it compares favourably with other more 'traditional' airfield-based airshows. Plus, the family is getting a day out on the beach.
So what can you expect to see? In this writer's view airshows are at their best when they're varied. Southport has always been that (it's even had airliners participating in the flying display programme in the past), and this year's line-up maintains the tradition. Fast jets, parachutists, warbirds, helicopters, biplanes, aerobatic teams and a certain V-bomber will all take their places in the flying display programme.
Vulcan XH558 will be displaying on Saturday only. It's fitting the Vulcan should display at the biggest airshow in the region of its birthplace. The Vulcan won't be the only classic jet on show - Jonathan Whaley's dazzling Hunter F.58A Miss Demeanour will be making another appearance at a venue where Jonathan's display in this most recognisable jet always comes across effectively.
Naturally the armed forces take Southport very seriously as a venue to meet the public and that continues this year. The RAF's Tornado GR.4 Role Demonstration, Hawk, King Air, Tucano, Tutor and Sea King HAR.3A (Saturday only) will all be appearing. The Red Arrows will be there on both days (at 17.15 on Saturday and 14.00 on Sunday), and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be bringing the Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane - the 'Lanc' making it's first Southport appearance in six years. A Merlin HC.3 from RAF Benson will be on static display, operational commitments permitting.
But it's not just the RAF. The Scottish Infantry's Golden Lions parachute team will drop onto the beach on a rare appearance south of the border, complementing a big army presence in the airshow village on the ground. The Royal Navy's Black Cats and Merlin HM.1 will perform and the Fleet Air Arm's heritage will be marked by the Royal Navy Historic Flight's Swordfish LS326 and Naval Aviation Ltd's Sea Fury T.20.
The Swordfish's appearance is significant. LS326 is named 'City of Liverpool' in honour of that city's part in the Battle of the Atlantic in which the Swordfish of course played its own part. With Southport being Liverpool's local airshow, LS326's presence will be very appropriate. LS326 will not be the only local aviation connection. A number of light historic types will fly into the beach to recall Southport's days as a licensed airfield - Norman Giroux's Giro Aviation was renowned for operating pleasure flights from the beach.
In contrast to those aircraft will be the high performance Hangar 11 P-51D Mustang and P-40 Kittyhawk, both displayed by owner Peter Teichman. There'll be a good crop of aerobatics and barnstorming, too - the RV-8tors, The Blades, GliderFX, the SWIP Team, Gerald Cooper flying his new Sbach 300 and the Breitling Wingwalkers will all perform.
But it's not just about the flying displays. On the ground there will be a range of attractions including interactive military displays, stunt shows, mini-tanks, vintage vehicles, trade stands and exhibitions (including one by the North West Aerospace Alliance aimed at encouraging young people into aerospace). The aim, as with all airshows, is to provide a rounded day out for the family. And with a pleasant seaside town alongside the display venue with many coffee shops, tearooms and restaurants, Southport certainly does that.
2011-07-20 - Mark Broadbent
Plot has changed a little since this was published yesterday. Sea Fury is no longer attending, and the Golden Lions parachute team have been replaced by the Tigers Parachute team. A Royal Netherlands Air Force AB412SP helicopter will also display on a fairly rare visit to the UK.
Basing - the Red Arrows and BBMF will be at Blackpool, fast jets and RAF aircraft at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (a show sponsor), with helicopters and 'lighter' participants at RAF Woodvale.
2011-07-19 - Peter Fleetwood
Thanks for the run-down on my local show. The information on the official website is a bit thin, so this is a useful and well-timed article. I'm just trying to sus out where a few characters will be based locally....
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