UK - Southport Airshow 8-9 September

[Trugga]

Anyone here going, or more inportantly, anyone here been before.

I've not been to an airshow for at least 30 years, so when a frend suggested it I thought why not - something different to point the camera at.

Event website: http://www.visitsouthport.com/whats-on/air-show

Aircraft Displays here: http://www.visitsouthport.com/whats-...t-and-displays

I'm particularly interested in seeing/photographing:

• Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster three-ship formation
• The legendary Vulcan bomber

Advanced ticket price £7 + £6 park on the beach on the day.

The sun looks to be in a reasonable position for the 12:00 start.

Any comments from previous antendees ?

Lawrence

[sandpiper]

Well, I live in Southport and like to shoot airshows, so it would be pretty odd if I hadn't done my local show.

Having said that, whilst it is a nice show and you are right the sun is nicely positioned for most of the event, I don't actually go most years.
However, the reason probably won't be an issue in your case.

The main reason I don't usually go, is that it isn't as big as some shows and the participating aircraft are "the usual suspects" that visit most airshows, and I have plenty of photographs of them all already. I have actually driven all the way to an airshow at Duxford on the same day as Southport airshow (about £60 petrol for the round trip plus a quite steep entry fee) because of the better selection of aircraft displaying. I will only now go to Southport airshow if the weather is perfect for photography (blue skies and fluffy white clouds), although I will tend to sit out in my garden and watch the aircraft from there.

However, as you haven't been to an airshow in 30 years, all the aircraft will be new to you and it is quite a nice place for photography (aircraft passing over the pier for example). I would think you would enjoy the show, and get some great shots. Yes the Vulcan is awesome, both in sight and sound (I have seen it performing at least a dozen times now at various shows). The Red Arrows, Typhoon, etc., all put on really good shows, the Tornado display with simulated ground attack mission and pyrotechnics is great, it's just that I have seen them all before many times so have got a bit jaded.

The BBMF can be a bit hit and miss as to what might actually turn up on the day. They are very fussy about weather conditions etc., with the Lancaster and won't fly it if there is too much wind, and for some reason (considering the budget they must work with, compared to many of the privately owned WW2 warbirds) their aircraft tend to "go tech" quite often (i.e. have technical problems which ground them on the day). This means that it is by no means unusual for one of the three to be replaced by the teams Dakota (which is pretty bulletproof and flyable regardless). So, you may not get the 3 ship formation you want.

If attending, I would recommend the beach parking and get there early to get a good spot near the flightline. That way, you can hang near your car (and coolbox, food etc) if you wish, with a bit more space. It is also worth taking a small set of steps, one of those three step jobs, that can also double up as a seat. Very handy for climbing up to shoot over the heads of those who are packed in tight along the edge of the flightline. Although the main event doesn't start until lunchtime, there is entertainment during the morning (radio control aircraft put on a quite nice show for example).

For somebody who hasn't been to other airshows recently, it should be a very enjoyable event though.

[Trugga]

Thank your for your reply.

I started to read it and though, hmm. Then contunied to read and your enthusiasm for the subject started to emerge.

I appreciate the sentiment that Southport is a "lesser" show, but I think, from your comments, it is suitable for my needs.

My local show is Cosford, but I refused to pay the entry price, so deciced to stay home. As it happens, I have friends in Kirby, so we should make a day of it.

Weather permitting.

Many thanks
Lawrence

[sandpiper]

Originally Posted by Trugga

Thank your for your reply.

I started to read it and though, hmm. Then contunied to read and your enthusiasm for the subject started to emerge.

I appreciate the sentiment that Southport is a "lesser" show, but I think, from your comments, it is suitable for my needs.

My local show is Cosford, but I refused to pay the entry price, so deciced to stay home. As it happens, I have friends in Kirby, so we should make a day of it.

Weather permitting.

Many thanks
Lawrence

Yeah, my lack of real enthusiasm for my local show is simply the lack of much different to shoot, Cosford show I enjoy, but the one I have really enjoyed down your way is Kemble, on more than one occasion. That is because they have displays by the local cold war jets, which don't tend to do other shows (Vampires and Venoms etc.) so I get something to point my camera at that I haven't shot a dozen times before.

The Southport show is pretty good entertainment and, as you point out of course, Southport is much cheaper than the bigger shows.

Hope you get the weather for it.

[Trugga]

Just a quick post to say I had a fantastic day out.

Weather was sunny (and hot, with a little breeze), although there were no clouds to speak of.

Parked on the beach, abour three rows from the front. Had a walk around the "show village" that I thought a little dissapointing for an airshow, but added to the atmosphere all the same.

Spent the first couple of hours of the flight show up on the sea wall, where I was sat next to a guy who lives all of 10 miles from me (I'd travelled 100 miles to be there) - he was most knowledgeable and a Canon shooter to boot.

Spent the last couple of hours back with the car and my friends, either in the camping chair or stood on the back of my truck.

For my first modern airshow, I thought it a fantastic day out.

Here's some quickies, I might post more later.











Lawrence

[sandpiper]

Glad you had a good day, and got some great shots, did you get to see the Vulcan and bbmf?

I was planning to go on the Sunday, but ended up going to a grass track meeting instead.

[Trugga]

Yes, I did see the Vulcan and the bbmf and fantastic they were too; a few more larger images posted here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...9#post14973049


IMG_5171 by Trugga, on Flickr

Lawrence