ISnAP Magazine – August 2019

(Nancy Kaufman) #1

I discovered Cosford purely by accident a couple of years back. While in
England for the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) I had a few days to
kill before the show and drove up to Wales to spot at the Mach Loop. On
the highway I spotted a sign for the RAF Museum and was “Well, how
can I pass THAT up?” It turned out to be one of the best diversions I ever
had as I spent the rest of the day surrounded by British Airpower through
the ages.


The next year was the Royal Air Force’s 100th Anniversary and Cosford
was the site of the RAF official airshow. It was full of the things that I fly
to Europe for - getting the chance to see aircraft that are extremely rare,
if not down and out impossible to see in the States.


This year was no exception. Along with the Czech Air Force Gripen and
a pair of ALCA L-159’s there was also a German Navy P-3C Orion and the
F/A-18C of the Swiss Hornet Display Team. Of course the RAF displayed
their own aircraft, including the Typhoon, the Battle of Britain Memorial
Flight with a Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire, and of course the ever
impressive Red Arrows.


And when planes are not flying, which during the day is pretty rare, the
base is well stocked with vintage static displays, and a glimpse into the
working of the base the rest of the year. When there isn’t an airshow
in progress Cosford is a joint maintenance and technical training base
for the RAF. The base is dotted with various out of service aircraft for
training, including SPECAT Jaguars, Tornadoes, and Harriers. And there’s
a Vintage Village which takes you back to how areas of England would
have looked like during World War II with Spitfires, Hurricanes and mili-
tary reenactors having a spot of tea before the call to scramble.

Plus of course the is the RAF Cosford Museum, which is worthy of a day
all on its own.

This was my second trip here for the airshow, and I am already making
plans to be back next year!

Story and photos by Michael Bellinger

2019 RAF Cosford


AIRSHOW

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