Southport - 7th September 2008

Having spent the early part of the day at RAF Woodvale with Flt Lt Russ Norman and the Chinook Display Team , I was furnished with a pass for the pier for the airshow itself, a handful of miles further up the coast.

I probably missed half of the display but arrived in time to catch the majority of the Royal Air Force's contribution.

First up was Flt Lt Andy Preece, displaying his Grob Tutor, resplendant with its new blue stripes on the top surfaces and RAF Roundel on the underside. Andy had waited a long time to get these markings applied to the aircraft, and as it turned out it finally happened just in time for what would end up being his last public display in the type.

While I'd been making my way to the pier Guy Westwood and the Swift Glider Team had been displaying, and it was now their turn to depart. They'd been operating from the beach itself.

After Flt Lt Stew Campbell had displayed the Tucano it fell to Flt Lt Dave Davies to put the Hawk through its paces next, producing some rather unusual sights as he did so.

As it transpired, the Southport organisers ended up with the three most eagerly awaited display items at the backend of the show. The first of these was the 2008 RAF Role Demo. Unlike the previous day, all of the intended players were present. On each occasion I've seen the set piece performed this year the crowd's reaction has always been hugely positive and Southport was no different.

Following hotly on the heels of the Role Demo was Flt Lt Charlie Matthews in the 29(R)Sqn Typhoon T1. In such damp conditions the Typhoon is a real 'steam' generator, and Charlie spent most of his routine with an almost ever-present 'cloud' in tow. Pulling up out of the final manoeuvre you could really see the rainbow effect.

Originally scheduled for much earlier in the afternoon and assumed cancelled due to the weather down south, it had come as a huge surprise during the Role Demo to see a big, delta-shape off holding in the distance. Sure enough, the final rights of the 2008 Southport airshow were read by Vulcan XH558. The routine may have been shorter than usual, but how many times have you seen a Vulcan with its own cloud?!? It was certainly a new one on me.

Judging by the traffic trying to leave the beach and the huge numbers of people present, the show has to go down as being very successful once more.

From a photographic point of view it's a shame the location's not angled another thirty degrees or so to the north as by the end of the show the sun is very much in your face. That said, the coastal conditions still make for some rather unusual shots.

Sincere thanks are extended to Flt Lt Russ Norman and to Sqn Ldr Andy Pawsey.