incorporating UKAirshows
and EnglishAirshows

Airbourne - Eastbourne International Airshow 2004

This is a review of the 2004 show. There are links to reviews of other shows, including more recent Eastbourne airshows, in the box on the right.

The weather was not kind to Airbourne this year. Thursday started a bit overcast and, with the exception of some sunny breaks on Saturday, the weekend stayed a bit dull, culminating in a downpour on Sunday that curtailed the flying programme.

This may have been more serious for weaker shows, but Airbourne is big enough to rise above weather issues and to provide an excellent show regardless.

With the Red Arrows billed to appear three times, a very strong contingent of contemporary British, Belgian and Dutch military aircraft, a smidgeon from the USA and a pick from the private sector, there was plenty to draw the crowds on all four days.

Two RAF helicopter teams demonstrated their skills in role plays that mirrored their day jobs.

Puma - job done

Their Puma HC1 chased a speedboat and captured the 'drug smugglers' and a Chinook HC2 from Odiham lowered a crewman onto a dinghy and later recovered him from the local lifeboat.

The Chinook crew were not a special demonstration team, but as co-pilot Hannah Brown told britishairshows before Thursday's demonstration - 'It's no problem - it's what we do all the time'.

Chinook HC2 over Eastbourne pier

Still with the helicopters, the Army Air Corps Blue Eagles thrilled with their flips, loops and synchronised display flying a Lynx and four Gazelles.

Eastbourne's Grand Hotel under no threat from the Blue Eagles Lynx

The F16 Fighting Falcons from the Belgian and Dutch air forces never fail to impress - the Dutch one turning most heads, mainly due to its chevron colour scheme rather than any marked difference in the displays.

Royal Netherlands Air Force F16

UK's largest civilian display team, the Aerostars, flew a very impressive aerobatic display in their 6 Yak 50 / 52 craft. The timing of their Saturday display was particularly fortunate as the scarce sun provided a spotlight for their rainbow of colours.

After a couple of no-shows because of a technical hitch, Peter Metcalfe brought along his Pitts Special for the weekend. Props were also represented by Will Curtis performing his amazing aerobatics in a Sukhoi Su-26, Denny Dobson in his Extra 300XS and a pair of Boeing Stearman biplanes with Utterly Butterly wingwalkers aloft.

Utterly Butterlys fly in all weathers

Ukairshows asked Butterly Marie Duguid whether there were any conditions in which the Butterlys would not fly. Not many, she said, as she waited at Shoreham for take-off. As long as there is enough visibility they fly. The cold and rain do not stop them. Sometimes it gets extra bumpy but that's all part of the fun. Well done them!

Red Arrows at Airbourne 2004

The Red Arrows displays provided some of the highlights but also some of the disappointments at Airbourne 2004. On Friday, the Arrows completed the first part of their display but atrocious visibility caused Red 1 to call off the second part for safety reasons.

Red Arrows in the mist at Airbourne 2004

Conditions were fine on Saturday and the display would have been complete but for a stray Cirrus CR22 light aircraft. The pilot must have thought he was Red 6 flying an opposition pass and headed east along the coast straight through the Arrows' display line. The Red Arrows had to clear to safety whilst the rogue aircraft dawdled off. Although the Arrows did return for another part of the display, they had to abort before the end because holding off had cost too much fuel to enable them to complete.

Red Arrows on Saturday

The Sunday display should have been the highlight. The Arrows were due to arrive with a Gnat in Red Arrows livery as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations. However, the cloud base gradually lowered during the afternoon until even the top of Beachy Head was cloaked. Red 10 had arrived and everyone was ready. The Nimrod diverted from its display to check the weather but advised there was no likelihood of improvement - no chance of a display in those conditions.

Red Arrows leave in a Merlin

An alternative treat from the Red Arrows was their arrival in the arena aboard a Merlin for photos, interviews and autographs at various points amongst the ground displays. Thankfully, this was timed for Saturday when the weather did not interfere.