The greatest RAF display ever? Where and when?

[MOD]

This is the running order.

Mass Flypast:

35 JPs - in formation
6 Victors
18 Vulcans
1 Shackleton
1 Nimrod
3 Argosies

Followed by a role demo:

8 Hunters
2 Hercules
1 Andover
1 Belfast
24 Wessex


Flypast PtII

24 Lightnings !!!
12 Hunters

The Falcons and the Red Arrows then closed the show.


Where and when?

Mod

[Ramshornvortex]

Royal Air Force Abingdon Open Day on 15 June 1968 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the RAF perchance?

The Flying Display
2.45 Flypast by 31 Jet Provosts in 'E II R' Royal Cypher formation.

2.46 Vintage Aircraft - Vickers Gunbus, SE5a, Hawker Hart, Avro Tutor, Gloster Gladiator, Hawker Tomit
Flypast by Spitfire, Hurricane, Mosquito, Lancaster.

2.58 Flypast by 6 Victors and 18 Vulcans.

3.00 'The Tomahawks', 3 Sioux helicopters from the Central Flying School.

3.05 Coastal Command demonstration of submarine hunting by a Shackleton and the soon to be introduced Nimrod.

3.11 Air/Land Demonstration. RAF Regiment parachutists drop from Argosies to clear the runway. 8 Hunter ground attack aircraft provide supporting fire. Ultra-low level drop of heavy equipment from a Hercules. Hercules, Andover and Belfast aircraft land and unload troops and equipment. 24 Wessex helicopters pick up troops, some with underslung vehicles.

3.27 Harrier display by the first production aircraft. Introduction into service is planned for 1969.

3.32 Flypast by 24 Lightnings, 12 Hunters and 4 Lightnings making a re-heat climb to condensation trail altitude.

3.35 'The Falcons', RAF free-fall parachute team.

3.42 Lightning solo aerobatics.

3.50 'The Red Arrows', RAF aerobatics team of 9 Gnats.



I'm not sure what happened to the 'other' two JPs though Ian?

[Mayfly]

Royal Air Force Abingdon Open Day on 15 June 1968 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the RAF perchance?

The Flying Display
2.45 Flypast by 31 Jet Provosts in 'E II R' Royal Cypher formation.

2.46 Vintage Aircraft - Vickers Gunbus, SE5a, Hawker Hart, Avro Tutor, Gloster Gladiator, Hawker Tomit
Flypast by Spitfire, Hurricane, Mosquito, Lancaster.

2.58 Flypast by 6 Victors and 18 Vulcans.

3.00 'The Tomahawks', 3 Sioux helicopters from the Central Flying School.

3.05 Coastal Command demonstration of submarine hunting by a Shackleton and the soon to be introduced Nimrod.

3.11 Air/Land Demonstration. RAF Regiment parachutists drop from Argosies to clear the runway. 8 Hunter ground attack aircraft provide supporting fire. Ultra-low level drop of heavy equipment from a Hercules. Hercules, Andover and Belfast aircraft land and unload troops and equipment. 24 Wessex helicopters pick up troops, some with underslung vehicles.

3.27 Harrier display by the first production aircraft. Introduction into service is planned for 1969.

3.32 Flypast by 24 Lightnings, 12 Hunters and 4 Lightnings making a re-heat climb to condensation trail altitude.

3.35 'The Falcons', RAF free-fall parachute team.

3.42 Lightning solo aerobatics.

3.50 'The Red Arrows', RAF aerobatics team of 9 Gnats.



I'm not sure what happened to the 'other' two JPs though Ian?

I have a photo somewhere of DT in that formation

[Ramshornvortex]

I have a photo somewhere of DT in that formation

You mean this one Pam?

[Mayfly]

I can't see it

[Nickolas]

Neither can I

[Dan4th]

I went looking on Yoo-Toob and
came up dry

Certainly there HAS to be some
kind of vid or photo of this......

Danf.

[Cluny]

All from Google

[Ramshornvortex]

I can't see it

Try this link Pam: http://www.linton-gin.com/misc/EIIR.html

[Mayfly]

Yeah thats the one - I think he was in the 'E'

[MOD]

These details were in an article which is in this month's 'Classic Aircraft' mag - but it was without any photos !!

Thanks for the photos Clunes. Apparently the AOC Transport Command didn't want it to be held at Abingdon due to its 'ageing facilities' and wanted either Wyton or Cranwell instead. Abingdon was chosen however due to its proximity to London and Buckingham Palace where the Flypast was 'reviewed' by her Majesty (as Charles says) on the occasion of the RAF's Golden Jubilee.

I would have loved to have been at Abingdon that day..

Doesn't Mr Mayfly look young. (Did you know him then Pam? Or were you much too young?? )




Ian

[Hydealfred]

And I thought I had it good in the 80's with the types of aircraft on the airshow scene. The shot of Abingdon shows me what I missed Is the Valiant the one that ended up on the dump at Abingdon then went to Brooklands ?

[Mayfly]

These details were in an article which is in this month's 'Classic Aircraft' mag - but it was without any photos !!

Thanks for the photos Clunes. Apparently the AOC Transport Command didn't want it to be held at Abingdon due to its 'ageing facilities' and wanted either Wyton or Cranwell instead. Abingdon was chosen due however due to its proximity to London and Buckingham Palace where the Flypast was 'reviewed' by her Majesty (as Charles says) on the occasion of the RAF's Golden Jubilee.

I would have loved to have been at Abingdon that day..

Doesn't Mr Mayfly look young. (Did you know him then Pam? Or were you much too young?? )




Ian

Ermmm...... I was still at school - but saying that remember DT was flying Vulcans when he was the tender age of 19.

[Mayfly]

I have a photo somewhere of DT in that formation

You mean this one Pam?

Only just seen this

OH MY GOODNESS - I've just fallen in love all over again!!!! I don't remember seeing that pic before but DT tells me he has a copy and I now have new wallpaper on my PC

Checking on DTs position!!

[Jigsaw]

I just LOVE this thread (thanks Ian and all). Great to see the variety of aircraft in Cluny's pics

Short clip on the link below:

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/abing ... bilee-year

And for Pam



Short but smokey V Bombers included

[Mayfly]

Thanks Jiggy -

according to DT's log book he flew XP628 which as he stated to me was in one of the 1s. However the title of that photo states it was the crew from the 'E' of the EIIR so I can only surmise that some Linton pilots flew to help out the other stations.

[Dan4th]

WOW!

Just think of the Planning involved..........

And the weight of responsibility on the
Planners!!!!!!!!

What a Great Occasion!!!!!!

Danf.

[Kermit]

WOW!!! This is just amazing ! What I would give to see such a show.....
and as for DT, Pam, you lucky lady