SHOW WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
BARREL roles, pyrotechnic explosions, picnics, stunt car drama and, of course, the Red Arrows, were among the highlights mentioned by some of the many thousands of visitors to the 40th anniversary Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford this weekend.
Emma Alexandra, 20, from Filton, Bristol, was eagerly awaiting the Eurofighter and Avro Vulcan display.
She said: "I have been wandering around and having a look at everything. The Eurofighter is my favourite because it is one of the loudest and one of the most impressive aircraft here.
"I also watched the stunt car display, which was amazing because the driver did a trick where he went around on two wheels. The weather has been fine, in fact it's actually been much better than I thought it would be."
Judy Macey, 55, from Swindon Village, Cheltenham, arrived at 6.30am with husband Chris, 63, and nine-year-old grandson Connor. Mrs Macey, who was enjoying a picnic near to the Breitling enclosure with her family, said: "It has been good. We haven't been for a long time and it is quite different now; there are a lot more stalls and things.
"We are here to see the Red Arrows and the Vulcan and I really liked the Battle of Britain village at the end with the things from the '40s; that was very good."
Mark Hansen, 55, from South Wales visited the air show for the first time this weekend and was busily looking round the static displays of some of the multi-engine aircraft.
"I have always wanted to come here," he said. "I really like the Eurofighter and the Spitfire and I have been impressed with it all really. I'm ex-Armed Forces and I just like anything that flies.
"The weather could have been better but we are Brits; we put up with it. Out of all the airshows I have been to this is the best."
Jamie Chaloner, 22, from Swindon, saw his first full Red Arrows display at this weekend's air show.
He said: "I haven't been to the Air Tattoo for a couple of years. "I see a lot of planes flying over my house and often think I would like to come. This year I had the opportunity to come and thought it would be cool to have a look around.
"The Reds are my favourite; I have seen them fly by before but I have never seen a full display so I'm looking forward to it."
And Elaine Syms, 50, from north Swindon, said: "I have had a very nice day; it has been good fun. I'm here to see everything but the Lancaster is my favourite and I managed to get a signed poster for my grandson when I was at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight stand.
"It was wonderful to meet the pilots because I really wasn't expecting to and I wasn't expecting them to be signing. The weather has been fine: we did get wet but it was okay and I've dried off now anyway!"
.July 17, 2011
