RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire hosts the major RAF Airshow, which is very popular, and usually held in late June or early July. The display includes many RAF aircraft, foreign aircraft, and display teams.
RAF Waddington is the main operating base for airborne intelligence systems including the Sentinel R1 and the E-3D Sentry. It is currently home to 5(Army Cooperation) Squadron (Sentinel R1 ASTOR), 8 Squadron (E-3D Sentry AWACS), 54(R) Squadron, and 2503 (County of Lincoln) Squadron RAuxAF Regiment. By December 2013, 51 Squadron will operate the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft which will be called Airseeker by the RAF and replace the Nimrod R1. 39 Squadron are currently operating the Reaper unmanned aircraft at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, USA, and may be based at RAF Waddington in the future.
Click here to visit the official Waddington Airshow website.
Held annually over the first weekend of July at Royal Air Force Waddington, Lincoln, the RAF Waddington International Air Show is the largest of all RAF air shows, regularly attended by over 125,000 visitors. The show offers a truly unforgettable family day out as well as providing some outstanding corporate and private hospitality packages. The main purpose of the event is to increase public awareness and understanding of the RAF and its role today. All proceeds from the Air Show are donated to RAF and local charities each year. The spectacular 7-hour flying display features the fabulous Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and many more military and civilian aircraft from the UK and abroad. Ground displays include 2 exhibition hangars, funfair, classic cars display, pleasure flying and much more.
2013 Themes:
95th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force - The Royal Air Force formed on 1st April 1918, the 95th anniversary will be celebrated at the RAF Waddington International Air Show over the weekend 6-7 July 2013. The Air Show will be the only major event of the celebration and we will be going all out to showcase the RAF over the ages. From aircraft displays to ground exhibitions, Waddington will be the place to be to see your Air Force history.
70th Anniversary of the Dambusters Raid - 2013 will see the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid on 16 May 1943 and this will be commemorated at the Air Show. The BBMF’s Lancaster, PA474, has already been given a new nose art and identity to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of 617 Squadron. It is now to be called DV385, Thumper Mark III, to match the identity of one of the Lancasters posted to the squadron in November 1943, to replace those lost on both the Dams Raid and the disastrous September attack on the Dortmund Ems Canal. Along with the flying display of the Lancaster we will also be mounting ground displays enhancing the commemoration.
Combat ISTAR - On the modern battlefield, information, particularly accurate and timely information, is vital to any force commander. To supply this resource, the RAF operates a variety of aircraft equipped with world-leading reconnaissance systems.
Provisional Participating aircraft at RAF Waddington 2013:
Participating aircraft at RAF Waddington Air Show on 06 July - 07 July 2013:
Army Air Corps:
Apache AH1, TBC (P) (F)
Wildcat, TBC (P) (F)
Belgian Air Force:
F-16 Fighting Falcon (P) (F)
Czech Air Force:
JAS39C/D GRIPEN, 211th Tactical Squadron, Caslav AB (F) CON
L159 ALCA. 212th Tactical Squadron, Caslav AB (F) CON
French Air Force:
Patrouille De France, Salon De Provence (F) CON (Saturday 6th July Only)
Royal Netherlands Air Force:
F16 Fighting Falcon, 312 & 313 Sqn, RNLAF, Vokle (F) CON
AB412 , 303 Sqn, Leeuwarden, (F) CON
Turkish Air Force:
F-16 Fighting Falcon (SOLOTURK), 141st Sqn, Ankara (F) (P)
Civilian:
Vulcan XH558, Vulcan to The Sky, (F) (P)
Royal Jordanian Falcons (F) CON
The Blades aerobatic display team (F) CON
SA Bulldog, Rod Dean (F) CON
Gnat Pair, Red Gnat Display Team (F) CON
Static Display:
Royal Air Force:
E3D Sentry 8 / 54(R) Sqn, RAF Waddington (S)
Sentinel R1, 5(AC) Sqn, RAF Waddignton (S)
Typhoon FGR4, 41(R) Sqn, RAF Coningsby (S)(P)
Hawk TMk 1, 100 Sqn, RAF Leeming (S)(P)
Tornado GR4 x3, 617 Sqn, RAF Lossiemouth (S)(P)
Hawk T Mk1A, 208(R) Sqn, RAF Valley (S) (P)
Typhoon FGR4 3(F) Sqn, RAF Coningsby, (S) (P)
Typhoon FGR4 6 Sqn, RAF Leuchars (S) (P)
VC10 K3 101 Sqn, RAF Brize Norton (S) (P)
B200 King Air 45(R) Sqn, RAFC Cranwell (S) (P)
Typhoon FGR4 1(F) Sqn, RAF Leuchars (S) (P)
Tutor TMk1 115(R) Sqn. RAFC Cranwell (S) (P)
Czech Air Force:
JAS-39C/D GRIPEN, 211th Tactical Squadron, Caslav AB (S) (CON)
L-159 ALCA, 212th Tactical Squadron, Caslav AB (S) (CON)
CASA C295, 242nd Transport & Special Squadron, Kbely AB (S) (CON)
Royal Netherlands Air Force:
CH47F Chinook, 298 Sqn, Gilze-Reijn (S)
Do228, 334 Sqn, Eindoven (S)
Swedish Air Force & SAAB Group:
SAAB 340 AEW&C, TBC, (S) (P)
SAAB 340 MPA, SAAB GP (S) (P)
SAAB 2000 MPA, SAAB Gp (S) (P)
Qinetiq:
RJ70, ETPS, Boscombe Down (S) (P)
AW A109S, ETPS, Boscombe Down (S) (P)
Tucano , ETPS, Boscombe Down (S) (P)
In Advance:
Adult (16+ years): £22
Child (5-15yrs): £12
Child (under 5): Free
Family (2 adults/2 children): £57
On the Day:
Adult: £29
Child (5-15): £13
Under 5: Free
Family: N/A
Click here for ticket information and booking via the official website.
Programme
0800
Gates Open
All ground attractions open
Helicopter Pleasure Flying Begins
0930 (Sunday)
Ecumenical Church Service in No 5 Hangar
1000
Flying Display Begins
1730
Flying Display Finishes
All ground attractions continue to be open
Helicopter Pleasure Flying continues
1930
Gates Close
Air Show Radio
Tune into our very own Air Show Radio on TBC FM. Air Show FM broadcasts 24 hours a day within a radius of 15 miles from the base, starting on Monday 24 June 2013.
Listen to the shows presented by RAF personnel, classic oldies and today's best music, news and interviews. Our show presenters have 10 free family passes for the Air Show, one to giveaway for each day!
On the days of the Air Show get up-to-the-minute travel information on your car radio, and even listen to the flying display commentary live on your portable.
RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire hosts the major RAF Airshow, which is very popular, and usually held in late June or early July. The display includes many RAF aircraft, foreign aircraft, and display teams.
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