Iconic Aircraft Aviation Forum

by **Jigsaw** » Thu May 14, 2009 5:43 pm

Taken from East Anglian Daily Times.

Military chiefs have come under fire (no pun i guess) after it emerged an anniversary air show would this year be staged for the benefit of just a few hundred local dignitaries and the media.
Base commanders at RAF Mildenhall have not invited the general public to the invitation-only 75th anniversary event on friday (tomorrow) because of "operational requirements, security concerns and limited recources".

The one day show will include static displays by most of the planes flown by the USAF in Europe such as F-15's, F-16's, A-10's, KC-135's and C-130's.

The locals are up in arms about this.

No point me typing any more. I don't know when these aircraft will arrive (none seen today from work) just thought some of you may like to know they will be there.

More info here (feel free to shorten this someone lol).

http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=News&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=IPED12%20May%202009%2023%3A15%3A12%3A890

by **Saracenman** » Thu May 14, 2009 6:01 pm

i assume that, unlike RAF bases that have airshows and family days every year, Mildenhall is somewhat 'out of practice' to suddenly stage a public airshow at the drop of a hat.

i wonder if some of those invited guests are from the local community anyway - I'd be surprised if the USAF had the ability to be that 'rude' if not!

even so, the Murkins do seem to be a little more anal about security sometimes than we do.

a pity for sure, but there's probably a lot more to it i imagine

sm

by **Gaz** » Thu May 14, 2009 6:18 pm

Hmmmmmm, I don't have much on tomorrow.

What's the spotting like at Mildenhall?

by **Jigsaw** » Thu May 14, 2009 7:51 pm

Not sure if tomorrow will be worth it or not mate. Been a lot of traffic over Ely heading to Mildenhall this evening. Cloud far too low to see anything but not tankers or C-17's that usually come over.

There is a track leading to a good spot at the Mildenhall end of the runway (someone will know what it is called I am sure).
Parking is not easy but if you drive down Hampstead Avenue a short way you should be able to park down there and walk back.
Depending on which way you come in to Mildenhall it is either the first mini roundabout after you pass the end of the runway (there is a company called Eden on the right just before the mini roundabout ) turn right at the roundabout into Hampstead Ave.
If you come in the other end of Mildenhall it is the last roundabout (heading toward ely/lakenheath) and is literally straight after another mini roundabout with an Esso petrol station on the left.

Hope this helps lol I have had a few beers.

by **Gaz** » Thu May 14, 2009 8:46 pm

Jigsaw wrote:
Hope this helps lol I have had a few beers.

Snap!

I'll check the weather in the morning and make an informed decision.

Thanks for the info though

by **Dan4th** » Fri May 15, 2009 12:08 am

About all I can contribute to this discussion is that
the current mindset of the US military is very discouraged.
In all likelihood, they simply do not have the DOLLARS to
do any more than what they are tomorrow. Both YOU and EYE
know that the people at Mildenhall would love nothing more
than to pull-out all the stops and feed you and deafen you and
shake all of your hands and send you home with a smile on your
face and a kiss on your cheek!

Not THIS year, I'm afraid......

Dan4th

by **Gaz** » Fri May 15, 2009 9:21 am

I decided against it anyway. The weather's Dire!

by **Mayfly** » Fri May 15, 2009 9:36 am

there alot more to organising these things than most think - they believe all you need to do is have someone take money on the gate - if it was that easy Waddington wouldn't take a full year to organise theres

by **Gully** » Fri May 15, 2009 11:12 am

Just a shame that the US appears to have more flying in front of nobody at Mildenhall today than they are planning on having airborne at RIAT in front of thousands of paying spectators... ~x(

Gully

by **Gaz** » Fri May 15, 2009 11:16 am

Gully wrote:Just a shame that the US appears to have more flying in front of nobody at Mildenhall today than they are planning on having airborne at RIAT in front of thousands of paying spectators...

Gully

That said, you can spend a day spotting at Coningsby and see more than will be at RIAT this year.

The only thing I'm looking forward to at any airshow this year is the arrival of the F4 and Constellation at Waddington.

Oh, and 558

by **Mayfly** » Fri May 15, 2009 12:20 pm

and seeing me? :))

by **Gaz** » Fri May 15, 2009 12:20 pm

Mayfly wrote::-o and seeing me?

Erm.......Yeah, sure...........Why not?!?

by **Mayfly** » Fri May 15, 2009 4:36 pm

Gaz wrote:
Mayfly wrote::-o and seeing me?

Erm.......Yeah, sure...........Why not?!? :D

coz I've got Dexters SIGNED 607 book - thats why not :))

by **Jigsaw** » Fri May 15, 2009 4:40 pm

Mayfly wrote:
Gaz wrote:
Mayfly wrote::-o and seeing me?

Erm.......Yeah, sure...........Why not?!? :D

coz I've got Dexters SIGNED 607 book - thats why not

Hahaha