Blue Eagles

Associated sites:
Army Historic Aircraft Flight | The Museum of Army Flying | Army Air Corps Recruiting

Blue Eagles Team Displays – Shoreham RAFA Air Display – 28th to 29th August 2004

The annual air show at Shoreham is a rather special event, not just because of the size and scope of the excellent display, but also because all the proceeds from the day go to the RAF Association charity. The local branch of the Association, the members of which are all ex-servicemen and women, are also the organisers of the show, which gives the Shoreham show a very special feel. An unusual selection of aircraft included the Great War Display Team’s Nieuport 17, Sopwith Triplane and SE5as, an unusual pair from the 1940’s in the shape of an Avro Anson and Hunting Percival Pembroke, all the way through to the modern Harrier and of course the Blue Eagles. As well as the much-varied delights of the air display, there was a fun fair and a huge ground display including vintage and veteran cars and a plethora of stands and shops ranging from car manufacturers to steam engine restorers. Taken all together, Shoreham’s RAFA display really does have something for everyone! Saturday’s display took place under clear skies ina light wind, almost perfect conditions. Sunday however, was a different proposition. Low cloud and a blustery wind made conditions difficult for everyone in the display, but the Team managed to pull off a near perfect display, as captured below.

The stand was busy with visitors all day…..	….as was the Army Air Corps stand next door, the Apache information attracting a lot of interest.

Kieran hard at work!	Al and Richard were interviewed by local radio.

The Avro Anson….	….Hunting Percival Pembroke….

….and a Spitfire duo of a Mk XIV and XVI flown by John Romain and Al Walker were just a few of the other display attractions.	A new competition for the site! What did Adrian blag this week! Last week a P-51 Mustang, this week the mighty AC Cobra!

The display in the strong wind was hard work, as evinced by the smoke from the crossover break.	Despite the gusts, the four-way cross was right in the centre.

Al Scott pulling up and going….	….clean….

….round the bend!	Graham and Ed had to be very careful in the vertical manoeuvres due to the gusts.

Nige and Stewart at the bottom of the heart.	The Lynx chase in shillouette in the stormy skies.

Two views of Ed and Graham in the vertical, first in a loop….	….and second, pulling up for a pedal turn.

As the Lynx extends out the right, the Gazelle pairs run in for the bunts.	Al and Al going up….

….and coming down in the bunts.	There was something about the light that made Graham and Ed’s Eagle Roll….

….even more dramatic than usual.	The wind effect tightened the finale Elphinstone loops.

The static park was set in from the crowd line….	….giving a dramatic perspective on the landings from the centre of the display line.

Another close pair in the display, the P-51D Mustang and the Spitfire Mk XI.

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