Alcock & Brown 90th Anniversary

Hayden Lawford · by **Hayden Lawford** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:04 pm

The Vickers Vimy NX71MY is expected to participate in the Clifden Airshow on 13 June. News from the team at Brooklands is that they plan to depart Duxford direct to EICM on 11th June. Press launch planned at EICM 12.00, 12th June. The Vimy will transit from EICM to Clifden for the Air Show , but will not be landing at Ballyconneely. Of course these plans will be subject to all the usual uncertainties such as weather etc, but hopefully a Vimy will grace the skies over Clifden on 13th.

More info on www.connemaraairshow.com
www.brooklandsmuseum.com

cubpilot · by **cubpilot** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:44 am

Any idea of the route she will take from Duxford ie crossing the sea and when where to be to get a glimpse. The Vimy is well worth seeing in flight and a superb reminder of how far aviation has changed in 90 years.

Hayden Lawford · by **Hayden Lawford** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:44 am

No details of the routing, just that it is planned be a non-stop flight. BHX airspace is on the direct track, so route could be either south over Welsh mountains if weather permits, or north along N Wales to Holyhead. By my reckoning that could mean landfall anywhere between Arklow and Dublin. This is all pure guesswork, I think conditions on the day will determine everything so the only source of info may be via ATC or a Scanner. The backup team will be in GWY, so maybe ATC at EICM will have up to date info.

mac1 · by **mac1** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:18 pm

Just a quick reminder.Connemara airshow this saturday 13th june.show starts at 14.00.get there early.large ground display by the army,bomb disposal unit to the armoured vehicles etc.heli rides,live music and a great [FREE] show.
Press launch friday 12th 11.00-1200 at EICM.

by **mark** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:41 pm

Hi guys,

Anyone know if the Vimy arrived in Galway today? I believe it had a successful test flight yesterday and was due to depart for Galway at 11.00 today.

Thanks,
Mark

by **mark** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:51 pm

Hi guys,

I've just heard it's on its way and due into Galway at 1800 local.

Mark

RV BLUE · by **RV BLUE** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:49 pm

Mark...anybody get any pictures....??

by **mark** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:43 am

Hi RV Blue,

I'm heading down to Connemara for the weekend so I'll post photos of it on Monday. Going to swing by Galway Airport on the way to see if I can get airside to take some pics up close.

For anyone thinking of going, weather is now looking good for tomorrow afternoon. (see http://euro.wx.propilots.net/)

Regards,
Mark

hum · by **hum** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:43 pm

DRAFT 4
1500- 1506 Aer Corps Casa
1508- 1523 Team Guinot Wing Walkers
1525- 1533 Aer Corps EC135
1535- 1541 Aer Corps PC 9 Formation
1543- 1551 Aer Corps PC 9 Singleton
1553- 1601 Viper 4
1603 -1613 RV7 Aerobatic Display
1615- 1625 S61
1627- 1638 The Blades
1640- 1648 Sukhoi 26
1650- 1700 Black Knights
1702- 1712 Team Viper
1714-1725 Vimy

Hayden Lawford · by **Hayden Lawford** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:21 pm

Vimy is at EICM after a 5 hour flight from Duxford. She flew during the press launch today with Tean Guinot formating with her - a great sight. Looks good for Clifden tommorrow.

EV97 · by **EV97** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:37 am

Heres a terrible pic from my phone, its pretty big, you can see me off to the left which gives an idea of its size

RV BLUE · by **RV BLUE** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 2:02 am

Good pic....looks good ! Geeez I'd give up flying if I had to wear one of thoes yellow jackets.......

EV97 · by **EV97** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:26 am

The HI-VIS and the like, is one of the many reasons why my microlight isnt based there!

StrikeCommand · by **StrikeCommand** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:09 pm

Good show put on by HUM in his flying Friesian on Saturday at Clifden. Low cloud base can't have helped. The Blades were excellent too. The Strikemaster aircraft (Vipers) also made the day.
Great to see the Vimy but is it really true that that is to be it's last appearance at any airshow and that it may be sold to a museum?
Had a look at the Alcock & Brown Memorial and also the landing site at Derrygimla and Marconi wireless station site. It seems like a major missed opportunity that these sites aren't better presented etc for tourists. The memorial site is fine. The access road to the landing site and wireless station is pretty rough with no turning circle/parking area at the end and there is a farm gate across it at one point. Presumably this isn't a public road and visitors are probably deterred by the closed gate (no doubt this is to keep the sheep in and not the visitors out!). Would be nice if Galway County Council/Bord Failte/Clifden Chamber of Commerce and any other relevant bodies etc etc could do something to improve it. The white cairn at the landing site has a simple sign showing an arrow and 500 m. The actual spot is not marked and there are probably trespass and safety issues about visitors on this land (who owns it?).
Anyone know how many people actually attended the airshow? My guess is about 3,000 max (down at the beach).

OSCAR BRAVO · by **OSCAR BRAVO** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:33 pm

Did vimy return home today? hopefully some photos of the show will appear. the weather was real hit and miss this weekend,there were some serious showers around both today and yesterday. btw, is that a new hanger going up at Galway airport for the club and private aircraft based there? badly wanted if it is.

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