Tributes...

Photographed today, these are some of the floral and written tributes being left for Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging (Red 4) of The Red Arrows, at Bournemouth town hall.

The Facebook page set up to inform the local council of the townspeople's wishes to have a permanent memorial erected for the pilot appears to have had good effect, and they have responded positively. However, nothing will be decided upon until the council have consulted with the family and the RAF.



24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor.

© 2011

Bournemouth Air Festival, 2011: Day 4...

The final day of the Bournemouth Air festival, and despite the excellent weather the crowds are noticeably thinner than during the past two days. This is undoubtably due to the absence of The Red Arrows, such is their pulling power, grounded for the time being until investigators can determine the cause of yesterday's tragic accident.

As full a program as was possible took place after pilots and the RAF expressed a wish to continue, but rather than post photographs of today's displays, I include photographs taken over the 3 days of flying.

The Breitling Wingwalkers, Friday. The only formation wingwalking team in the world.

  One of (the four) Blades, Sunday

 The Tigers Parachute Display Team, Saturday.

De havilland Sea Vixen, Sunday, with undercarriage retracting and arrester hook deployed.

  Tornado GR-4, Sunday.

De havilland Sea Vixen and Hawker Hunter (aka Miss Demeanour), Sunday, flying in formation.

Although the fourth Bournemouth Air Festival can be considered a success - it is already set again for 2012 - events were overshadowed by the crash of The Red Arrows' Red 4 and the death of Flight Lieutenant Jon (Eggman) Egging, shortly after displaying in front of an estimated crowd of 300,000.  There was a minute of silence at 1pm on the seafront before today's events started, followed by a spontaneous round of applause from the spectators.

All images: 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with TC-14EII converter.

© 2011

Red 4...

In memory of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging - Red 4 (bottom aircraft) flying in the group known as "The Enid".                                                                                 

20th August, 2011 - Bournemouth Air Festival.

© 2011

Bournemouth Air Festival 2011...

Yesterday was a non-starter: a total wash-out due to atrocious weather conditions and flooding. Today, the second of four, was very different and normal flying was possible without interruption. Although sunshine brought back the multitudes (as well as the aircraft) there were several notable omissions from the usual lineup of crowd pleasers - the Avro Vulcan being the most notable - grounded for the time being due to a leaking fuel tank. Also missing this year was the Eurofighter Typhoon, currently flight restricted due to a spares shortage, but the Battle of Britain flypast comprising an Avro Lancaster escorted by a Hawker Hurricane and Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire helped to make up for missing displays.

There was, of course, the public's favourite - the Red Arrows (pictured) - this time able to give a full display (the first of 3 over the weekend) as opposed to last year's truncated performances, again marred by poor weather.


300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with TC-14EII converter. 1/2500 second at f/9.  -0.33 EV compensation. ISO 640.


© 2011