Airshow Reviews - Clacton 2005
The flying display commenced properly at 2.00pm with the Utterly Butterly Wingwalkers flying in formation once again, displaying their abilities as the only professional wing walking team in Europe. Operating two 1940's Boeing Stearman biplanes. The Utterly Butterly wing walkers have an extra special twist this year, not only are the Stearman identical - as they always have been, but the aero babes are twins! Based at Rendcomb Airfield set in the Cotswolds, they flew in to provide is with 15 minutes of colour, noise and action.
Royal Air Force's BAe Hawk T1, Sepecat Jaguar GR3 and Tornado GR4 came in force to present the current power that the RAF really have to their disposal. The Tornado GR4 is currently one of the world's most powerful combat aircraft dazzled the crowd with the sheer amount of power that the two Turbo-Union RB199s engines are capable of. With a top speed of 1,452mph, it makes the Tornado one of the RAF's most capable primary attack aircraft.
The Royal Air Force also provided a Hawk T1 from 100 Squadron based at RAF Leeming. Sponsored by Valley Farm Holiday Park, Clacton, the Hawk is also used by the Red Arrows and is one of the most successful aircraft in British Aviation history in recent history. The Hawk is fairly slow compared to the big bruisers like the Tornado but it's top speed of around 645mph is fine for the type of aircraft it is.
The Russian built Sukhoi 26, which I mentioned in my review last year as the world's most able aerobatic's aircraft, reappeared this year to show us what the small, remarkable piece of machinery can really do. With a roll rate in excess of 450 degrees per second, it makes it just about the most powerful aerobatics aircraft. At the forefront of advanced aerobatics technology, the 26 makes use of advanced fluid dynamics in it's wings which makes it even more able. I was rather disappointed with the Evening Gazette, which on Friday 26th August published a review of the first day of the airshow (Thursday 25th). It showed a photograph of the Sukhoi 26 displaying at Clacton - the description underneath was "Stunt Plane - a plane, above, goes through a manoeuvre to entertain the crowds at the Clacton Airshow." I was rather annoyed that they didn't even name the 26 in their description. I understand that quite a few people who would be reading their review wouldn't give a damn what was what and that the newspaper are limited to space, but I still feel that they could have utilised more description.
In terms of helicopters, there was a bigger selection than last year. Last year the Essex Air Ambulance was scheduled to appear, but it didn't - I'm guessing that it was out on a job at the time. It did not appear this year either, but wasn't scheduled to. The RAF flew in one of their Boeing-Vertol Chinooks. Just about the only helicopter that *everyone* can identify from it's twin contra-rotating rotors, the Chinook performed it's famous 45 degree stall - stopping in the air at 45 degrees. The Chinook is a large helicopter which can carry up to 10 tonnes of freight or 54 troops. The RAF operate the largest number of Chinook HC2 outside the United States. Primarily a support helicopter, the Chinook HC2 has a top speed of 185mph and is powered by two Avco Lycoming Turboshaft engines. RAF Oldham, Hampshire is the only RAF station to currently have Chinooks based at it. The Chinook first made it's debut but at Clacton back in 2004, and returned for a warm welcome this year. The Royal Navy provided a Westland Lynx MK8, which is primarily an anti submarine helicopter, however is used as an attack and utility helicopter throughout the Navy. All Westland Lynx operating in the Royal Navy are based at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset.
The Yakovlev display team attended the Clacton 2005 airshow and performed another of their dazzling displays. From what I saw, I could only see 3 Yak 52's, when in fact there are three Yak 52's and one Yak 50 - the "super Yak" which make up the 4 strong team. Anyway, the smoke came on for the 3.39pm appearance of the Yakovlevs once again this year, and was appreciated by all.
I would liked to have seen aerobatics pilot and stunt man Denny Dobson appear at Clacton in his Extra 300, however the 2 day event was still excellent. Both days also included fly pasts by the BBMF - the Battle of Britain memorial flight. Avro Lancaster PA474 is the one of only two airworthy Lancaster's in the world, the other being living in Canada. Two other BBMF, Hurricane LF363 and Spitfire P7350 accompanied PA474 to make up the flight.
Anyway, I hope it was what Clacton needed to get it off the ground again, after a quiet summer a sea side air show was just what the Doctor ordered. Again, the best part, however was the fact that it was all totally free...well apart from the programme, which were only £1.50 compared to the £4-£5.00 I pay every time I go to Duxford. A record number of 81 stalls on the ground defiantly made the 14th Clacton Air show a success.
