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The Blue Eagles displays at Lowestoft, Shawbury and Blenheim – 31st July to 2 August, 2003

The second day of the Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival, Friday 1st August, was a very different kettle of fish to the first! Murk, and buckets of it, filled the sky, ruling out any chance of flying during the early part of the scheduled display time. Eventually, it did clear a little to allow some flying to take place, but sadly, by that time, the Team had had to leave in order to fly halfway across the country to display at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire. The transit took place in relatively clear weather, improving all the time as the Team got farther from the east coast. By the time they arrived overhead Shawbury, conditions were once again ideal for display flying. RAF Shawbury is home to the Defence Helicopter Flying School, so the audience is made up of a great many military helicopter pilots and instructors, a critical crowd indeed!

Friday 1st August

Friday’s weather was a far more challenging proposition than Thursday.

Friday’s weather was a far more challenging proposition than Thursday.

 If you compare - this (Thursday)....

If you compare – this (Thursday)….
....with this - (Friday). You can begin to understand the difference!!!!!!!

….with this – (Friday). You can begin to understand the difference!!!!!!!

 This young chap was definitely unhappy with the weather.

This young chap was definitely unhappy with the weather.
Due to the extremely poor weather conditions the team were only able to manage a flypast.

Due to the extremely poor weather conditions the team were only able to manage a flypast.

 They then departed to North Denes for a quick refuel before hot-footing it to the Welsh borders for a late afternoon show at the RAF Shawbury Families Day.

They then departed to North Denes for a quick refuel before hot-footing it to the Welsh borders for a late afternoon show at the RAF Shawbury Families Day.
The weather soon improved.

The weather soon improved.

 By the time the team arrived at Shawbury....

By the time the team arrived at Shawbury….
....conditions were near perfect.

….conditions were near perfect.

 A nice sequence showing SSgt Neil O’Brien in action....

A nice sequence showing SSgt Neil O’Brien in action….
....pulling up and around....

….pulling up and around….

 ....the Elphinstone loop.

….the Elphinstone loop.
Before switching to Majors Ray Turner and Chris Whipp in the Lynx....

Before switching to Majors Ray Turner and Chris Whipp in the Lynx….

 ....doing what the Lynx does so well!!

….doing what the Lynx does so well!!
Capt Sam Pickering and WO1 Dave Bentley pulling up at the start of the heart.

Capt Sam Pickering and WO1 Dave Bentley pulling up at the start of the heart.

 At last a picture showing the whole heart....just!

At last a picture showing the whole heart….just!
The four Gazelles run in for the crossover break, the smoke staying dense in the low wind.

The four Gazelles run in for the crossover break, the smoke staying dense in the low wind.

 With the Lynx performing a final backflip above.

With the Lynx performing a final backflip above.

Click here to see the Lowestoft display on Thursday.

Click here to see the display at Blenheim Palace on the Saturday.

Archived news is available by clicking here.

 

  

 

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