Whoosh!

Bournemouth Airshow 2015. A view from our spot, and the booms of the beach assault could be heard. We couldn't see the tank on the beach, or the Royal Marine Commandos doing their stuff, but from the speakers a great story was told by the commentator.

The weather was very hot, and with suncream on, and water bottles at the ready, we settled for the show. Around us were many more families, awaiting the show to start in the skies. The Sea Vixen opening the display with an almighty whoosh.

It's twin tail boom makes this plane so distinctive and it's roar through the sky is still a wonderful, goose-bumping causing moment, still able to do amazing speeds, even at it's ripe age, but it still has the power to make any person smile like a child, delighting at the whole experience of seeing this plane fly.


Sorry the pictures aren't closer, but with so many around, and the action so fast, i'll be honest, i was lucky to get the shots i did.

When we got home, it was quite a lot of heads, clouds, or sun-glare. Some of them, may be spot the plane but for us, these pictures are memories of a day we will never forget. A day when both my son and me had to get over both our fears of people, each of us being brave for the other.

After the Sea Vixen was the RAF Black Cats Helicopters , a stunning display which the crowd were delighted to watch. Two very skilled pilots did things with amazing "stunts" and maneuvers, some of which they use in combat.

Next were the favourites for so many, The Red Arrows . A firm favourite and they didn't disappoint. Hearing Red 1 give command before each maneuver was an added delight. It just showed how hard this talented pilots worked to get the show right.

By now we'd moved from our first spot, and were entering much more crowded places. Families and friends together, enjoying the sun and the show above. As well as the usual commentary, were the facts of how they made the smoke change colour, and which of the pilots were the new guys.

Next were the Matadors, a display team i freely admit we missed, due to making our way down to Bournemouth Pier, but sadly their display was cut short to allow the Air Ambulance entry after a small boy was injured falling out a tree. Hope he recovers soon.

Next was the Chinnock helicopter display. 12 Tonne of helicopter in angles that amazed. As you can see from the picture the crowds were a lot more, masses enjoying the weather and show. The Chinnock makes an amazing double throb in the air, it's blades cutting the air as it moved from angle to angle, and knowing these amazing craft are still very much in use for military purposes, you can see why these pilots are so skilled.

After this was the Sally B a 1940's Flying Fortress.  She is a wonderful plane , a long gone era, still much remembered. I managed to get a couple of shots, not perfect but a great memory.

After the 40's plane came the surprise, the Avro Vulcan . A surprise visit as it passed from one air display to another, Bournemouth between the two. So many people delighted to see this most beautiful plane.


Next was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight , a Spitfire, a Hurricane and a Dakota  . Planes from the 40's again delighted everyone, be they young or old. The fact we had spoken earlier to the ground crew who repairs and maintains the Spitfire was an added delight.  My son even got a badge for saying the Spitfire was his second favourite, first being the Red Arrows. ( I just enjoyed the eye-candy, lol)

We had reached our limit, both heat, crowds and tiredness finally took a toll and with sadness but delighted hearts we headed for the bus stop. A long slow journey home due to the volume of traffic, all having the same idea, as well many more still trying to get the the remainder of the air show. I'd wanted to see the Eurofighter Typhoon but exhaustion took over. Luck would have it on the way home we saw the Mig 15, and then the Typhoon flew straight over our home, not once, but 3 times. I was delighted.

A day of memories and today we relax, too tired to go again, and so happy with the day we'd had.

Note: It wasn't until we got home we heard about the terrible loss of life at Shoreham Airshow. Our thoughts are with those injured and killed and their families.