Waddington 2007 - Sunday 1st July

[simi_av8r 0]

just back from Waddo fellas - The RAF are usually an extremely well thought out bunch, but today was an utter farce!

Arrived bang on gates opening at 0800, went in and parked up no problems on the air field. Grass a little wet but nothing major, certainly not the 'mud bath' the local news and 'Air Show FM' had reported it as! At 0815 me, with the gaffer and our little one, walked over to the static area's entrance barrier only to be stopped, along with a hundred or so others, by a number of marshalls asking us to return to our cars due to cancellation of the air display.

most hung around the gates, myself and crew included, to see if the static park would be open for a while, at the very least. The answer was no. Again we were asked to return to our cars, but a few asked again to see the statics and stalls, again it was a no go. Still hanging around (staging a silent protest in effect) the marshalls got on the radio and, 20 minutes later, up went the barrier and we were given about 30-45 mins to visit the statics and stalls before being asked to leave and vacate the airfield before we got bogged in - fat chance of that considering the state i'd seen the field in - Waddos drainage is, of course, second to none, its a shame the RAF/Police didnt stick it out!

So, in to the static park we went and I managed to take a few pics (will post them in here or in another thread if anybody's interested) and then it was back to the car to formulate Plan 'B' - well, that was our Sunday wasted in Skegness!

Having spoken to a few of the marshalls and staff at the info point before leaving, i'd been told that all monies paid for Sunday tickets can be claimed back but refunds are not guaranteed - mine are already in the post to the Waddo Air Show office with a very critical letter requesting refund in full!!

Also, I'd been advised by the marshalls at the event that cancellation of the show was not soley due to forecast bad weather, but the very heavy rain last night causing the airfield to become waterlogged (although it seemed mostly fine to me!), and it was apparantly the police who had actually demanded to the organisers that it be called off due to threat of more rain and possible flooding of the airfield and bogging down of visitors vehicles that lead to the cancellation for "public health and saftey reasons".

[Martyn 9]

A real shame, Waddo has always been an air show highlight for me. Hopefully the weather will clear up for RIAT

[allardjd 1,853]

Is there any chance that the cancellation was really a reaction to the terror events and the officials didn't want to advetise it as such?

By the way, what's a "gaffer"?

John

[mutley 4,497]

That's bad luck Simi, I would be very interested to see the statics, see you at RIAT

[mutley 4,497]

Is there any chance that the cancellation was really a reaction to the terror events and the officials didn't want to advetise it as such?

By the way, what's a "gaffer"?

John

Hi John,

I think Simi means his wife (Gaffer=Boss )

You could be right about the reason for cancellation, but unlikely as they let Simi and his family in perhaps they have honest faces!

[mulletman 0]

That would ruin my day! Im sorry to hear about that. I suppose it was better to call it off due to the reasons they gave, but surely with all that RAF weather equipment about they could have openened it for a while.

Send a nimrod over to watch the WXR.

[simi_av8r 0]

....... suppose it was better to call it off due to the reasons they gave, but surely with all that RAF weather equipment about they could have opened it for a while.

Send a Nimrod over to watch the WXR.

i really wish they had done to be honest as the weather was lovely all day. I think there were two or three showers all afternoon! But because of the boggy airfield i think their main concerns were the entrance and exit of visitors to and from the airfield.

i'll be pushing for my refund mind you, no way i'm paying £30 for 2 tickets that didn't get used!

as for RIAT Mutley, i'll not be attending this year sadly. I am, however going , come hell or high water (very fitting for this months weather!), to be at the very first flight of the restored Vulcan, XH558. Soon as i know when and where it is I'll have booked a day off either side of it, and a tent put up at the entrance gate!