Scampton Air Show 9-10 September 2017
Header image: Scampton Air Show from the air.
After three years without a major air show in Lincolnshire, crowds totaling some 50,000 braved inclement weather for the inaugural Scampton Air Show on 9th and 10th September. Held at the famous air base, now the home of the Red Arrows, this was the airfield from which the legendary ‘Dams Raid’ was launched in May 1943. The new air show was eagerly anticipated and generally much enjoyed by those who attended, despite the weather. The event, which will now be an annual feature of the air show calendar, is run by the same team that organises the Royal International Air Tattoo to raise funds to support the RAF Charitable Trust.
The BBMF had been obliged to temporarily pause flying operations by its Merlin-engine aircraft, including the Lancaster, for three weeks leading up to the Scampton air show. However, some magnificent work by the BBMF engineers meant that the Lancaster, Hurricane Mk IIC PZ865 and Spitfire PR Mk XIX PS915 were able to perform the Flight’s classic three-ship display for the crowds on Saturday 9th September. This demonstrated to everyone that the engine problems were being overcome and the response from those present showed their delight. “She made it!” trumpeted the air show web page, “It is a testament to the dedication of the Flight's engineers as all the stops were pulled to ensure Lancaster PA474 led the flypast in tribute to those aircrew that flew from RAF Scampton in the Second World War, many not to return.”
Some of the comments posted on the BBMF Facebook page also showed what it meant to the Flight’s loyal supporters, such as: “What a wonderful sight to see the Lancaster, supported by the Spitfire and Hurricane, flying over Scampton today. We had a fabulous time at the air show and this was the icing on the cake! We were keeping our fingers crossed that she would be ready in time to be at the show. Many thanks to the BBMF team for working so hard to get the Lancaster back into full working order. So good to see her!”, “The air display was just fab & seeing the Lancaster made our day”, and “It was great to see you fly over RAF Scampton today and put on a magnificent display. Thank you so much for all your hard work in correcting the Merlin engine problems and getting the old girl flying again with a Hurricane and Spitfire too.”
The BBMF PR Team that represented the Flight on the ground at the air show said, “We had brilliant feedback from attendees; everyone said to pass on their thanks to the team for all their hard work to make it possible.”
Unfortunately, on the Sunday of the show the surface wind was out of limits for the BBMF aircraft and they were prevented from taking off from Coningsby and, therefore, could not display at Scampton that day. Nonetheless, with their successful appearance on the Saturday, the point was made. The BBMF was back!
