On Sunday August 31st, the worst day of the festival in terms of weather forecast, five adults and five children undertook the short journey to watch the last day of this the first four day Bournemouth Air Festival sponsored by More Buses, in association with Excelsior Coaches. It was publicised as the town’s biggest free four-day event celebrating all things aviation.
The organisers estimate that over 750,000 people flocked to the resort over the four days with possibly 380,000 on the Saturday alone.
We parked the cars on Southbourne clifftop and walked down the zigzag path to the beach promenade below and then took the 30 minute walk to the far side of Boscombe pier to obtain the best view of the flying display.
AND WHAT A DISPLAY IT WAS!
Despite the overcast sky and the low cloud base it failed to put a damper on the final day of the festival. The programme schedule was altered but the only items that had to be cancelled were the Team Guinot Wing Walkers and the RAF Falcons parachute display. Both cancelled because of deteriorating weather conditions.
Amongst the highlights were the Blue Eagle helicopter display with fantastic maneuverability and upside down stunts.
The de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen a 1950s/60s British two-seat jet fighter of the Fleet Air Arm (the air component of the Royal Navy) designed by de Havilland.
The Blades, a four man team made up of ex Red Arrow pilots gave some of the most impressive stunts and precise formation acrobatic moves.
At the slower end of the scale was a Catalina, a US flying bomber boat from the 1930s/40s, used in WWII as an anti-submarine aircraft, and search and rescue aircraft, the impressive Lancaster bomber, one of only two in the world, a DC-6 and a towed glider performing eight-barrel rolls.
The event the crowd were waiting for however were the fantastic Red Arrows. They did not disappoint as usual performing several new stunts.
Incredibly the rain held off for the entire display until the Eurofighter Typhoon appeared out of nowhere.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is the fastest aircraft in the world today and is the newest addition to the RAF as it marks its 90th birthday. The aircraft can travel at speeds of 1,300 mph and can fly to an altitude of 65,000ft.
If you saw the film "Top Gun", forget that, this plane is awesome. I doubt the pilot even got into top gear.
He tore across the sky in what appeared to be serene silence and moments later an ear splitting roar, that made kids cry, showed off the planes elegant display of its abilities.
The organisers estimate that over 750,000 people flocked to the resort over the four days with possibly 380,000 on the Saturday alone.Hotels were doing a roaring trade with their rooftop dining, offering a birds eye view of the whole event. The festival was not confined to just the flying displays, the Lower Gardens had a carnival atmosphere with several events going on during the day and evening.
It has already been announced that the festival will take place in 2009 and I for one, with more time on my hands will definitely pay a return visit on more that one day.
