The Yorkshire Airshow - Elvington 2005 (2/2) By Tony

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Photograph Gallery   Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3.

The Hawk, built at Brough, is the mount of the Red Arrows. Again The Reds with a nine ship formation thrilled the crowd with the perfect display, as they have since way back in 1965. Not always in the same aircraft type but always with the same result; an extravaganza of slick movement and interchanging patters that brought excited applause from the 2,000+ crowd.

Settle down now, let's look around the site, get a burger and chips, there's plenty of choice here. How about a dough nut and cup of tea, three sugars, please. Lots of stalls selling gifts and mementos, plenty to amuse the kids too but you must have enough spending money.

Back to the display by the Hunter and Harrier. The Hunter was without doubt the most successful post-war British fighter and on of the most versatile, confirming the old adage If it looks right, it flies right. This is Elvington's very own aircraft and flown today by Squadron Leader Chris Heames.

The Harrier is a very different beast, the first flying in 1966 and still the world's only operational Vertical/Short take off and landing combat aircraft; The Yanks love it. The aircraft was blooded in the 1982 conflict with Argentina, being a vital element in the Falklands victory.

The Pilot today was Flight Lieutenant C Rogers from RAF Wittering, who did justice to an outstanding aircraft, with hover and bow; it never fails to thrill the crowd. The Royal Navy Historic Flight showed us the Sea Fury, this being the Fleet Air Arms last front line piston engined fighter. And then the Sea Hawk produced in 1953 and one of the most attractive of early jet fighters.

Now bring on the girls - twins, in fact. Introducing Poppy and Libby Dover, two beautiful and smart 19 year olds with engaging personalities and daring nerve. These are the wing walkers in the Utterly Butterly team that evoke the dare devil atmosphere of the roaring 20's.

The aircraft are Boeing Super Stearman's, an old American trainer aircraft and are flown by Mike Dentith and Martyn Carrington with smoothness and precision. We loved your performance. Next, the big noise of the fast modern jets, the Tornado GR4 fitted with two Rolls Royce RB199 engines, capable of taking the aircraft to twice the speed of sound. Flight Lieutenant Pete Griffiths was the pilot with navigator Matt Bressani.

We got plenty of noise and vibration in the air that tells you this is raw power with a lot of punch. Only complaint was from the many car owners having their car alarms bleeping madly. Not to be outdone, the latest aircraft to enter RAF service, the Eurofighter Typhoon gave us a show to be remembered.

This was the aircraft we all were eager to see, it's been a long time in putting in a n appearance. First flight in 1994, finally into full RAF service in September 2003, the display pilot for the 2005 season is Squadron Leader Matt Elliott. No doubt about it, this was the highlight of the day; powerful, sleek and very agile, I'm sure this aircraft will go on to be one of the best designs and please Airshow crowds for many years.

A great Airshow and a credit to the organisers. Thanks to all, I'll be back for more next year. What about you, readers? Come and see for yourself. Tony

Photograph Gallery   Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3.

Photographs courtsey and Copyright © Tony thisisUll.com

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