RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2003, Somerset - 20th September

This years Air Day was opened by HRH Duke of York, Prince Andrew, himself a disguished Lynx Pilot who served with the British task force during the 1982 Falklands Campaign. As well as opening the show he presented the Royal Navy Historic Flight with an award for technical achievement in front of their pride and joy, the Fairy Swordfish. Visitors to the show were also rewarded by a glimpse of the Hawker Sea Hawk which is nearing the end of a prolonged restoration to flight. The show itself nearly fell foul of the weather. The early morning very dull foggy conditions which all but wiped out the vintage aircraft fly-in. Only two aircraft made it out of the expected twenty. One of these aircraft made a particularly poignant visitor in being the Piper Cub often flown by Lt Cdr Bill Murton, tragically killed at Flying Legends in the Firefly accident.

The static display again, like 2002, was really mediocre. With little new or rare and very few UK military types it offered the enthusiast little. Standing out from the crowd however were the US Army's SHAPE Sikorsky UH-60A Blackhawk returning for another year, two German Navy Westland Lynx Mk88 and Martin Baker's glorious black and gold Gloster Meteor T7 1/2.  Thankfully, the flying display was absolutely first class with a variable and entertaining program. By the start of the flying display, the weather hadn't improved much and many of the first few items were off in the haze left by the fog. Slowly through the morning and afternoon the haze lifted into some fine spells of sunshine. The show featured a number of impressive formations including one deatiling the history of 801sqn with examples of a Sea Hurricane, Hellcat, Sea Harrier FA2  and a Harrier GR7/9 showing the future of the squadron. Stand out display however was the Germna Navy's Panavia Tornado IDS in it's brand new display scheme which was shown off to great effect. Also drawing applause from the crowd were Yeovilton's own Lynx Pairs display team showing just why they have one so many awards over the season. Finally you simply can't be Yeovilton's finale of the Commando Assault with massed helicopters and Harriers along with all the purotechnics.

Well done and thanks to Yeovilton for another great show, long may it continue.

Thanks to Ralph Patel of AHA Events and to all of HMS Heron/RNAS Yeovilton

 copyright Flightline UK 2003