Cosford Airshow 2024 – A celebration of Aviation
Welcome to this latest edition of Aerodrome and our regular look at the fascinating world of aeroplanes and the historic aviation scene around the UK.
I don’t know if it’s just a case of getting that bit older, but the Airshow season seems to be taking much longer to come around each year these days, however, with the Royal International Air Tattoo hitting Fairford again this coming weekend, at least we’re very much in the thick of the action now. Over the course of the next few editions of Aerodrome, we will be attempting to catch up on the show review content we have managed to gather from events attended so far this year, with some proving so memorable that we may have to post double editions in order to fit all the good stuff in. For this edition though, we will be posting a slightly abridged version of the blog, partly because I’m rushing to join the rest of the team at Fairford, but also because we have some maintenance work currently taking place across the Hornby websites.
Our subject for this week is the RAF Cosford Airshow which took place just a few weeks ago in June, the show which now holds the distinction of being the only remaining RAF organised Airshow in the annual calendar. Always attracting large crowds of loyal local support, along with the support of the Royal Air Force and their aircraft, we will be taking a look at some of the highlight acts from this year’s show, including the overseas participants which thrilled the crowds at Cosford 2024.
As a unique Airshow venue, where can you see an internationally renowned Air Display held at the home of one of the world’s greatest locations for preserved historic aeroplanes – why, Cosford of course!
An Airshow like they used to be
Making its debut at a Cosford Airshow, Eurofighter Typhoon ZH590 (DA4) looked rather pleased to be at her new home, the centre of attention. An instructional airframe, she will be used to train the next generation of RAF technicians.
Those of us who have a few years invested in this hobby will remember the days when Airshows really were Airshows, when it seemed like everyone in a certain part of the country was shoehorned onto a military airfield to enjoy a day of unbridled aviation indulgence. In those days, it really did seem as if organisers were intent on cramming as many people and aeroplanes onto the same airfield at the same time, allowing everyone to thoroughly enjoy themselves, and worrying about traffic problems and clearing the airfield later on in the day.
Those shows were truly fantastic and whilst everything was conducted safely and sensibly, they were all about public enjoyment and boy how we did. Today, Airshows are very different events and it’s unlikely that we will ever see the numbers of people who attended classic Mildenhall’s, or the great RIAT shows of years past ever again, simply because of logistics and the many other concerns which now affect the running of large events. Having said that, we have to move with the times, but at the same time continuing to support our favourite events.
As always, most Airshows, particularly the larger military shows, tend to target three distinct visitor groups – enthusiasts, the local population and families/day trippers. If we’re being honest with ourselves, the most important people at any Airshow over the years have probably been the last group, despite what we enthusiasts might think, which is why shows will always arrange their showground attractions in a particular manner and not be completely aviation centric. How many times have you been at an Airshow and seen an absolute exodus of people and cars following the final manoeuvre of the Red Arrow’s display, even though the aircraft you’ve been waiting all day to see, has yet to put in an appearance?
How we miss the Tonka …. Has it really been five years already?
Undoubtedly, the success of any Airshow depends on the support of all three groups, plus the cadet force, volunteers and hired staff who all do their best to ensure the public have an enjoyable day and more importantly, will be looking forward to coming back again next year. Thankfully, our friends at the Cosford show team can always rely on strong support from local communities, and for as far back as I can remember, Cosford Airshow has always been a sell-out event. In fact, in the old days, prior to the need for advanced ticketing, the ability to pay on the day meant that this airfield was positively bursting at the seams, as the constant stream of traffic coming in was only replaced by the first cars going home in the late afternoon.
As far as show heritage goes, Cosford Airshow has long been regarded by the county of Shropshire and the wider Midlands region as ‘their Airshow’ and come rain, sleet or shine, the people turn up in their tens of thousands each and every year, determined to show their support for a show they hold dear and to do their level best to never give organisers an excuse to even consider not holding the show in the years to come. They’re proud of their Airshow and their links to the Royal Air Force, and these people walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
Although now an important training and engineering facility for trades within the Royal Air Force, Cosford is steeped in Royal Air Force history and is a fascinating place to visit for those with even a passing interest in aviation and the wider heritage of this region. Helping to maintain the future development of the Force, flying training operations are still carried out here under the control of No.6 Flying Training School, whilst the various disciplines of the Defence College of Technical Training prepare engineers and technicians for a future career in Britain’s armed services.
Cosford is now home to an impressive collection of former RAF SEPECAT Jaguar jets and on show days, it’s possible to see several of these beautifully maintained aircraft at various positions around the airfield and in the No.1 School of Technical Training hangars.
Cosford’s Catwalk. This impressive image is being shown with the kind permission of Rich Pittman. I was trying to find an angle to best capture this scene, when a noticed a chap walk past me with a camera mounted on the longest monopod I had ever seen. We got talking and Rich told me how he goes about capturing a succession of unusual images from this lofty vantage point, later removing as many distractions as possible in post processing. I think you’ll agree, he’s quite good at these shots – thanks Rich.
For many people though, the biggest draw to Cosford airfield is the magnificent aircraft collection of the Royal Air Force Museum, which occupies three huge hangars across this historic site, as well as the cavernous interior of the impressive National Cold War Exhibition building. Over recent years, Cosford’s collection of exhibits has been greatly enhanced by the addition of several truly historic aircraft which have re-located from the RAF Museum’s London site, making an annual visit to Cosford and absolute must for many thousands of people living right across the country. On Airshow day itself, a unique aviation benefit of taking your place amongst the crowds at Cosford is the possibility of seeing one or two of the collections incredibly rare aircraft being temporarily displayed in the open air for one weekend only and for aviation fans, this is an opportunity not to be missed.
As for the show itself, organisers will always serve up a varied and interesting display programme for the crowd to enjoy, that is if they can tear themselves away from the many distractions and attractions which make up the wider showground. Always boasting strong participation from the various Royal Air Force Display Teams, organisers have become rather good at securing one of two ‘special’ acts for show day, aircraft participants from overseas who in many cases, are making their only UK Airshow appearances of the year at Cosford.
Cosford Airshow 2024 review
One of the highlights of this show, this unusual formation is comprised of the Navy Wings Fairey Swordfish Mk.I in new D-Day markings and the Westland Wasp helicopter – just a little something we saw at Cosford.
This year’s event was very much in that same vein, with a wide and varied display programme to keep the vast crowd entertained and a heady mix of classic and contemporary, jet and piston powered acts, with more than a spattering of Airshow favourites. Many on the airfield would be looking forward to seeing a selection of WWII period aircraft types in view of this year’s D-Day 80th Anniversary commemorations, whilst others would have been excited to be catching up with the Red Arrows in their 60th display season, but with so much to see and admire, hopefully many people will have come away with a new favourite aeroplane, or after having enjoyed a display which set their pulses racing.
As is often the case when attending any UK Airshow, I can only describe the weather as being a tad on the changeable side, and whilst the airfield managed to avoid the worst of the threatened forecast poor weather, lighting conditions were less than ideal for photography. That being said, this proved to be a really enjoyable show and as always, any display no-show difficulties the organisers experienced were addressed in real time and with real professionalism – who on earth would want to run an Airshow and embrace everything Murphy’s Law will undoubtedly throw at them each and every year? Surely, they would be better of having Virgil Tracy and International Rescue on standby as display acts, just in case.
Anyway, getting back to this year’s show, please enjoy this selection of photographs which were all taken at RAF Cosford Airshow 2024.
The Helicopter acts
A little bit of rotary culture first, with this delightful little Westland Wasp, a helicopter which could hardly have a more suitable name considering its appearance and how it sounds.
I’ve had a flight in this beauty. The Gazelle Squadron are an extremely polished act and for this year’s Cosford show, they came as a four ship. They also did a good job and blowing the freshly mown grass around, making their own atmosphere as they went along.
Current naval air power in the shape of this Wildcat HMA2.
Always a crowd-pleaser, the RAF Chinook gave us a tactical demonstration of its capabilities and an illustration of why these are some of the most versatile aircraft in service today.
The Heavies
We had three RAF Atlas C.1 transporter’s starring at this year’s show, including a pairs pass from these two aircraft who just managed to dodge an approaching shower.
This beautiful RAF Voyager has ended up with a new boss over the past couple of weeks.
Classic aeroplanes
Whenever you get to see this graceful lady, you know you’re in the presence of aviation royalty. Boeing B-17G Sally B serves as a flying memorial to all the young American pilots who flew from British bases during the Second World War.
This beautiful and impressively historic Hurricane served during the Battle of Britain and has at least one victory to its name.
One of the most popular historic aircraft on the European Airshow circuit, Catalina ‘Miss Pickup’ is presented in the markings of a rescue Catalina which flew from Halesworth in Suffolk towards the end of WWII.
Couteau Delta of the French Air Force
Adding a little Gallic flair to this year’s proceedings, The L’armée de l’air’s Couteau Delta tactical demonstration team were making their only appearance at a UK Airshow at Cosford this year and they were as spectacular as ever!
The Royal Air Force
Although the Grob Tutor may be a training aeroplane and it might not be as noisy or thrilling as a Typhoon or F-35, this is where pilots of those aircraft all start out and that being the case, this year’s Tutor display pilot was determined to remind us of that fact.
I was so looking forward to meeting Moggie for the first time, but dark clouds and a threat of rain ensured that these first images were not my finest hour.
Representing the future of Britain’s stealthy strike capability, the Lockheed Martin F-35 performed a role demonstration routine for the first time at this year’s Cosford Airshow.
Happy Birthday Red Arrows – 60 glorious seasons
The first time many in the crowd had seen the Red Arrows displaying in this their 60th display season, we had to bring this review to a close by featuring them and by wishing then a happy anniversary season from Aerodrome readers the world over.
I’m afraid that’s all we have for you this time, but we will be back again in four weeks’ time with more news and pictures from the world of aviation. Thank you for your continued support and as always, if you would like to comment on anything blog related or suggest a subject you would like to see covered in a future edition of Aerodrome, please do drop us a line at aerodrome@airfix.com, where we would be delighted to hear from you.
Should you wish to continue the aviation discussions between editions, you will always find something of interest over on the Airfix Aerodrome Forum and if social media is more your thing, please use the respective official social media icon links at the foot of the main Airfix and Corgi website homepages to access our official sites.
The next edition of Aerodrome is scheduled to be published on Friday 16th August, where we will hope to be bringing you another feature linked to the fascinating world of historic aviation.
See you all back here then.
Michael
