RAF Cosford Review

RAF Cosford Airshow has a history of misfortune with bad weather and 2012 proved to be no different. Not quite the onslaught of some years the rain was on/off the entire day. Despite forecasts crowds turned up in their droves for what was anticipated to be a great flying display.

Under a new organisation team the display on paper looked tantilising with something for everyone included. Naturally there was heavy RAF involvement coming from virtually every display team the force has.

The well laid out ground plan gave something of interest throughout the neat little airfield. From ground Jaguar hydraulic demonstrations to shops to static aircraft and, of course, the RAF Museum itself with it's exceptional collection of aircraft.

If there were to be any criticism of the display itself is that it was probably backwards! With the fast, loud and exotic coming towards the start to middle of the display and the climatic finale a rather bog standard affair that even the smallest of airshows can attract. Despite this the display had a little of everything from Warbirds, to a Tornado Role demo that made the heart pound, to wonderful aerobatics from numerous teams.

Order Of Appearance

Jaguar Taxi Run
Model Airshow
RAF Falcons - Parachute Display Team
RAF Typhoon
Royal Navy Black Cats - Lynx Solo
RV8ers - RV8 Pair
RAF Sea King
SWIP Twister Duo
Bucker Jungmeister
Great War Display Team
Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight - Lancaster & Spitfire
Belgian Air Component Augusta
Jet Provost Pair
Folland Gnat Pair
Sea Fury T.20 - Royal Navy Historic Flight
RAF King Air
RAF Red Arrows
Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk - Hanger 11
Hawker Hurricane I - Peter Vacher
Army Air Corps Apache
Tornado Role Demo
Aerostars - Yak Display Team
Vampire & Meteor
TRIG Display Team
RAF Grob Tutor
RAF Tucano
The Blades - Extra Display Team

With all this packed into a window from 12noon (except Jag taxi & Model Airshow) the show was fast paced unlike its local counterpart Waddington - which has a growing reputation for gappy shows. Despite the weather the majority of the crowd saw it to near the end with only a few people giving up and being escorted off the site at their request. With such an impressive line up the future of this show is secured and a big crowd can be expected again next year. There are some obvious avenues that could be explored to make this the UK's premier airshow (when you factor RIAT and Farnbrough rely on international input) with more Warbirds and Classic aircraft and less Civilian acrobatics - maybe a personal thought - there are many opportunities within the UK. Of course a notable absentee was the Vulcan and enthusiasts and none alike would agree she would make a great addition (despite having engine problems anyway she was not booked).

The organisers did not put a foot wrong with an exciting and interesting display which has left an excited taste in the mouth for how they can improve for next year! Well done must go to them! Just book better weather next year!