Blue Eagles

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

Blue Eagles Team Displays – Goodwood Festival of Speed – 6th, 7th and 8th July 2001

Regular visitors to the Blue Eagles site may well be asking; what on earth has happened to the standard British summer air display weather? Week after week on the site we have been reporting flawless displays in ideal conditions, admittedly a little lumpy and windy on some days, but nothing yet that would stop a display. Well, to answer your unspoken question, we’ve found it! The dawn of Friday 6th July broke to reveal fog, mist, low cloud and occasional heavy showers embedded in the general clag. The departure to Goodwood was delayed, and on the first attempt that morning, aborted, for safety reasons as the cloud was simply impenetrable, and the ground rose to meet it in a solid wall! Richie successfully threaded his way back to Middle Wallop, where the Team waited for an hour and a half, witnessing the general improvement in conditions. On the second attempt, the wall of the south downs was breached, and the Team burst out into brilliant sunshine and broken cloud, but alas, too late to display on the Friday, much to the frustration of all. After a brief landing at Goodwood airfield, then the Team left to display at Ashe Park at the International Polo Championships as scheduled, but were bitterly disappointed not to be able to make the first day of this prestige event. However, the weekend looms fine, and the aircraft are already positioned, so stay tuned here for the top cars, news, celebrities and of course, the display highlights, throughout the weekend.

Friday 6th July

The view across the dispersal at Middle Wallop in the murk of the early morning.	Julie explains how she does bunts to Mike as the Team wait for the weather to clear.

The first lift from Middle Wallop, this shot of Terry’s Gazelle shows how poor the initial visibility was.	A view across the cockpit of Bill’s Gazelle shows the lack of view!

Kav and Julie’s Gazelles began to disappear into the gathering gloom, and at this point the flight was aborted.	In total contrast, the second flight emerged into bright sunshine and the Team landed at Goodwood airfield in fine style.

The Gazelles baked in the mid-afternoon heat at Goodwood….	….as did the hardworking groundcrew who had readied the aircraft for the next display in blistering sun.

The aircrew also got a roasting as they walked through the display prior to departing for Ash Park.	Goodwood not only attracts vintage cars to the Festival of Speed, but also superb aircraft such as this de Havilland Leopard Moth.

The Lynx departing for Ashe Park from Goodwood….	….followed by one of the Gazelles, shillouetted in the bright summer sky.

The ground display at Goodwood was a real tour de force of Army Air power, the mighty Apache drew a huge crowd all day.	The Army Historic Flight was also present, the Allouette….

….the Sioux….	….and the Scout were in the public area and attracted many visitors, including young Aden and Albert here, who had brought their own helicopters!

Annabel and Alex found an ideal new form of transport for the air show circuit!	Much kudos to Mobex who supplied a huge new display trailer specifically for the prestige Goodwood Festival. The huge stand was a real attraction and added a great deal to the Team’s prescence at the show.

Click here to see the highlights from the display on Sunday 8 July.

Click here to see the highlights from the display on Saturday 7 July.

Archived news is available by clicking here.

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