dteagles

Hi,
We (wife and kids) are off to Fairford on Saturday to see the Royal International Air Tattoo.

It would be nice to know what to take/look out for as it's supposed to be a massive show.

I have a scanner (but don't know what frequencies to listen to) and a pair of small binoculars, anything else I should take?

Cheers,
Darren.

Richard Askew

Suncream
Cap
Sunglasses
ear protection for the kids (depending on their ages)
camera
plenty of water cos its chuffing expensive to buy there

mad_dr

Something to sit on: Chair or Rug. Sunblock (You never know!) Waterproof jacket. Sunglasses. Food (very expensive). Loads to drink (Also expensive). Camera+ batteries. Earplugs for the littluns. Something to amuse the kids in the car - the queues sometimes reach to the bottom of my estate - about 8 miles away!

Make sure that you get a good spot near the runway to see most of the action. Try to get halfway down if you can - that's the point that most of the aircraft get airborne and touch down. If the Harrier's there - make sure you're near the front for that!

Have fun! I'm looking forward to seeing most of it from my back garden! Let's hope the weather's OK!

drumsterphil

iTrader: (1)

The last time I went was about 15 years ago and it was the best air show that I'd ever been to! Was the final flight of a F104 Starfighter at a british show and the pilot broke the sound barrier during the display at low altitude Must go again at some day.

Have fun!

mad_dr

Almost forgot! Comfortable shoes for everyone! You'll do a lot of walking (the runway is 3 miles long and has static displays along most of it). Even the distance from the car park to the ticket gates can be almost a mile depending on which direction you're approaching from.

For a few quid, you can park in Swindon and get the bus in - can often be quicker...

Last year, to save hassle, a few friends and I were contemplating paying for the Jumbo Jet ride in from Heathrow. That would have been a 70 minute drive to Heathrow and a 25 minute flight to Fairford which is 6 miles from our starting point. As it turned out - it would have been much quicker!

Oh - and don't aim to leave when the Flying Display finishes - you'll be queuing for hours - leave either an hour before or an hour after...

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

When I was at Waddington Air Show a few weeks ago there were plenty of scanner anoraks there and they gave me some good frequencies, the rest I got from the UK Scanning Directory. There's a list of Fairford freqs here

dteagles

thanks to all for the advice!

Iwan

Yup, as said before you can park in Swindon and get a bus there pretty cheaply. Not sure exactly where from (probably the bus station) but i assume it's on the RIAT website.

If you drive, aim to get there super early (like before 7am) as the traffic is a nightmare through the villages surrounding Fairford - even with the one way system running.

I live about 3 miles from the airfield so usually just cycle there, although these days they make you lock your bikes up outside the gates in case you have a bomb hidden in the frame.

If you have a scanner, go to groups.yahoo.com and do a search for the South Scanner or Scan Proma UK groups, they have all the comms frequencies including military police and support services etc.

DRUNKNORGY

My kids going with her school on friday as a freebee for good attendance. Take lots of money as the entry fees have gone up loads since i went there in 2000

Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th July

Admission Tickets

Advance - Adult (16+) £29.95
On-the-Day - Adult £35.00
Children (15 & Under) FREE when accompanied by an adult
Car Parking FREE


Heres a useful link http://groups.msn.com/RAFFairford/_whatsnew.msnw

BOB.T

I can't recommend highly enough getting rattled to bits by Tornados at max chat! At Waddington we got stood right up close to the barriers at the end of the run way, the planes taxi round, wait at the end of the runway and sit there at full throttle with the afterburners lit It's soooooo noisy you can feel it, then they let the brakes off and shoot off, it's deffo worth doing

Plus if it's a crap day you get a warm blast off them

mad_dr

Hi Iwan - where abouts do you live matey?

Iwan

Small town called Highworth, Fairford is about 3 miles away if you go via bridleways. I presume you're local then?

Iwan

mad_dr

Yeah - Cirencester. Not too far away!

SteveLegacyToo

A map to find any route that avoids going in through Lechlade. I live in Witney, and thats the recommended route, but always go through Cirencester and save at least an hour!
Oh yes, and someone else to drive home so you can hit the beer tents!

greg.g

I went 4 years ago and we got there really early in the morning.
We were able to walk round loads of the static displays before the crowds turned up.
When it came to leave it went all pear shaped
We deceided to let some of the crowds leave first and made our way back to my car.
The problem was that we were one of the first ones in and so furthest from the exit.
The car park was still solid, and we were at the back.
Another mate had approached from a different direction, so was in a different car park.
He had a barbie and a beer with some mates before he set back.
Once home, he gave me a call on his mobile.
We were still queuing in the other car park
It was actualy 11:30pm when we got out of the car park

Franx

Have you a blue classic WRX? My sister lives in Fairford - lived in Highworth until saturday in fact, and I noticed...erm..heard one drive past the window
Could it be you?

I should go to the air tattoo one day. Huge event, and looks bloody good as well.

Iwan

Maybe

It's got a WRSport exhaust on it which is a bit burbly so could have been me.

Where was i spotted, in Highworth or Fairford? I live in Highworth but often go for a blat round Fairford/Whelford/Kempsford/Marston Meysey as the roads are blinding and pretty quiet most of the time.

I'm moving out of Highworth shortly to a house in Abbeymeads, but looking to buy somewhere in Kempsford/Fairford within the next year...

Graz

I bought my Scoob from Highworth

I'm also going to the air tattoo this weekend so thanks everyone for the advice thus far. I'll be coming along the A417 from Cirencester, sounds like the better route

MattW

Nice one Iwan - I'll send "toecutter" round!!!

Iwan

Actually, it's in St Andrews Ridge not far from the Jovial, and not far from the MattW mansion.

What, or who, is "toecutter"?

MattW

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=344618

Iwan

Eek, i forgot about him. I stopped following that thread when it was moved to muppets. Nah, don't send him round here mate - or i'll tell him where you live and send him round to see you too!

I'd just like to clarify, although i'm aware of the existance of the 'Cricketers Arms' and the 'London Road Club', i've never been to either - honest!

MattW

I have to confess, it was I. My mate stupidly let me use his PC whilst he failed to supervise my activity.

Franx

Fairford - just going past the Bridge veterinary surgery.....
Pair of shiny mirrored sunglasses....

Nice car there Tis a small world

Richard Askew

Just got my freebie tickets today

Richard Askew

ps just heard the B2 is flying in on a 10,000 mile round trip with twin F15 escort