WADDINGTON WINS! - The Insight Online

The RAF WaddingtonInternational Air Showhas proved to be ahuge success andby every account,Britain’s largest airshow this year.The weather was been fantastic over theweekend attracting more than 145,000visitors from across 5 continents overthe two days, all intent on enjoyingthe spectacular displays and exhibitsat the RAF Waddington Air Show.This year’s themes were the 95thAnniversaryof the Royal Air Force, the 70th anniversary ofthe Dambusters Raid and ISTAR 13. The Battleof Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster PA474showed off its new nose art and identity tomark the 70th anniversary of the founding of617 Squadron. It is now called DV 385, ThumperMark III. The raid was marked by a flypast by theBattle of Britain Memorial flight with TornadoGr4’s from the present-day 617 Squadron.ISTAR 13 showcased the information that is vitalto every force commander on the battlefield. Tosupply this resource, the Royal Air Force operatesa variety of aircraft equipped with world-leadingreconnaissance systems. Number 5 Armyco-operation Squadron celebrated its centenaryin July 2013. With these themes in mind it wasparticularly fitting that the Waddington-basedE-3D Sentry of 8 Squadron and the Sentinelfrom 5 Squadron provided the curtain-raiserto both days in this year’s spectacular air show.5 Army Cooperation Squadron also showedoff its new tailart to celebrate its centenary.With its unique and eye-catching flyingdisplay, the RAF Chinook won first prize forthe most polished display - demonstratingthe power and surprising manoeuvrability ofthe aircraft followed by the Breitling Xtreme.In the Static category the Belgian F16 wonthe first prize followed by the LoachOH-6A.UK Airshow Review’s founder andwebmaster, Paul Osborne, noted:“the weekend that saw a seismic shift in thelandscape of the British Airshow... helped bythe inspired booking of the Swedish Air ForceHistoric Flight’s SAAB Viggen – hottest, and mostmust-see diplay item in Europe.Waddington hasshown it can think big, and be big – let this be alesson to other shows this season and beyond.”The bar is raised and see you July 2014!InsightMAGAZINE 21