RNAS Yeovilton Vs. Flying Legends Duxford 2019?

[duncanc]

Due to a change in schedule, appears I may be able to take my family to a UK airshow this year and am having much difficulty choosing between Yeovilton & Duxford.
They're both on the same weekend! Must say I really want to see the Lancaster flying, but the aircraft at Duxford are looking awesome too.

If anyone who has been to either (or both) of these airshows could give suggestions either way I'd be hugely grateful as trying to work out which one is doing my head in.
Would especially appreciate discussion around how crowded either show is likely to be for a family of 5 (the boys are 8,10 & 12)

thanks in advance...

[duncanc]

LOL... by a very slim margin of 2 votes, Duxford is in the lead!

[planecrazy]

Can't speak for Yeovilton but did attend legends last year, thinking of the kids
here, there is lots to see and do behind the scenes, trade stalls, museums,
model aeroplanes etc. Plus if it's hot like it was last year there is shade and
areas where you could escape the crowd a bit, it will be crowded but there
is lots of space away from the flight line. If it looks like it will be a hot day
good hats and water!





A PS on getting in and out, don't know how you are getting there but if you are
driving I'd get in early and leave early. The traffic will be full on, I got a really
good tip as follows, thanks Gavin.

You don't want to miss the mass Balbo as it is a sight to see, it takes a while
for the mass formation to get formed up. While they are doing this they have
"the joker" entertaining the crowd, this was a Sea Fury for 2018. During the
jokers display I made my way to the exit, I then watched the balbo from the
car park and was out of there quick smart, on leaving there where quite a few
people doing the same even cars parked on the side of the road watching.

I had no traffic issues, would imagine if you stayed at the show till the end the
traffic getting out would be horendous! Hope this helps, it's an awesome show!

[11SQNLDR]

I attended both last year and would return to both in a heartbeat- Yeovilton is extremely well organised and with a good mix of aircraft types from a number of air arms.

But Legends has a magic of its own so if I had to choose between the two it would get my vote.

RIAT gets my vote as best overall UK airshow and Farnborough the worst

[campbellbox]

I’m lucky enough to have a mate getting married in France the weekend prior to Legends. I said I’d go to the wedding well before I had a look to see if there were any worthwhile side trips. To be honest Legends has been a bucket list item for me forever so as soon as I saw I could be there I didn’t check to see if there were alternative shows on.

[duncanc]

Thanks very much for the replies! esp the useful info around Duxford - much appreciated. Lots to think about as we haven't finalised where we will be staying.

[madmac]

Only done Duxford, transport was pretty simple, train to Cambridge, then grabbed the bus they run for the airshow.

[duncanc]

Thanks - that's the way we're leaning at the moment.

[patmurphy]

Regular at Legends, it's the best Warbird show in the UK by far. The only thing I would add is if you are attending for one day, I would get there V.Early and leave V.Late. You won't have enough time to get around the museum properly and do the Flying Display justice and if you leave at the end, the traffic has usually dissipated quite quickly. If it has one issue apart from being a bit crowded, it's the direction it faces...Due South, which is fine if you are in NZ but straight at the Sun up here, so photgraphy can be challenging. I tend to go to the Western end to keep the sun on my right as the afternoon develops. There is nothing quite like a Tailchase of P51's or Spitfires barreling down the runway at Duxford, a true spectacle

If you have enough time, over the days around the show, try and make some time to get to Old Warden for the Shuttleworth collection. it's not that far away and they have a magnificent collection of early aircraft. They have an evening show a week later.

HTH
Pat

[Mustang51]

I can say that I have been to both and enjoyed them immensely. However, there is nothing like the sound of all those Merlins and Griffons to start the blood running at the start of Legends or the Balbo at the end. If you could attend the briefing and see just how much planning goes into that one aspect of the show you would be amazed. Duxford for me !

[Bruce]

Flying Legends is awesome - I went in 2013. I would strongly recommend a good pair of comfortable shoes as you will tend to spend a lot of time standing on hard pavement. What grass there is gets pretty full very early - when I was there the trend was for various groups in the crowd to secure their spot with large and intrusive beach windbreaks (The kind you see in every picture of a stereotypical English beach holiday). Not having a camping seat with me (remember to take one!) the only option was to stand on the very hot concrete and I ended up with significant blisters, which haunted me through Oshkosh a few weeks later. Its a well run show with suitable time for breaks to look at the various stalls etc. If you get there early enough, pay the 5 pound (or whatever it is now) for the flightline walk - the photos you can get are well worth it! I would also strongly suggest visiting the air museum separately from the airshow (I did it the day before) since there is so much stuff on display you cant do it justice without missing most of the airshow. Shuttle buses from Cambridge are great - I had a rental car, but used the park and ride from West Cambridge services. Theres a bit of a queue getting out at the end, but all pretty orderly and everyone seems to be a friendly aviation enthusiast so its not too bad. Have fun!

[11SQNLDR]

My other bit of advice.... if it's a once in a lifetime experience pay the extra few quid and do it in style & get a gold pass.

If you're travelling 12,000 miles for an airshow don't faff about, that's my motto

[flyinkiwi]

Apr 27, 2019 19:57:08 GMT 12 madmac said:

Only done Duxford, transport was pretty simple, train to Cambridge, then grabbed the bus they run for the airshow.

Definitely stay in Cambridge if you can. We stayed at Whittlesford Parkway which is about a 5 min drive/15 minute walk away, but the downside is there is nothing to do outside the show hours.

[typerated]

I will buck the trend and say go to Somerset.

I think it will be much easier with a family at Yeovilton than Duxford -Legends will be crowded - not a place I'd take kids I think.
Legends is an enthusiasts show - Yeovilton is much more general but a world class show - now 2nd only to fairford in the UK!

You will see some top quality military stuff - the French Navy display (if they come) is out of this world!
I guarantee the kids will prefer Yeovilton - hands down!

[typerated]

and just to add to that.

My favorite day at Legends is the Friday!! Of course many less people and probably more flying!!

And lots of people go Yeovilton on the Saturday and Duxford on the Sunday - quite doable!

[flyingpom]

Flying Legends is fantastic and as someone mentioned there is lots for the kids to look at and you can walk the flight line and get quite close. The finale with 20+ aircraft is pretty amazing too. We take a group every year but sadly are not going this year due to low numbers. If you take up the advice for Gold Passes I have 20 spare now that I am happy to let go for $60 each instead of face value $85. Gold Pass is sold out for Saturday. Enjoy it!

[typerated]

Not too shabby

still a lot more to come..

AIR DAY PARTICIPATION LIST

Aircraft are subject to serviceability and operational commitments.

ROYAL NAVY

(Flying Display)

Merlin HM2

Wildcat HMA2 x 2

BRITISH ARMY

(Flying Display)

Apache AH1 – Army Air Corps

ROYAL AIR FORCE

(Flying Display)

Hawk T1 x 9 – The Red Arrows

Typhoon FGR4

Lancaster – Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Spitfire – Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Hurricane – Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Tucano T1

F-35B Lightning

FOREIGN MILITARY
(Flying Display)

39ZA - Lithuanian Air Force

Extra 330LX x 4 Royal Jordanian Falcons - Royal Jordanian Air Force

F-16AM Fighting Falcon - Belgian Air Force

T-6A Texan II ‘Daedalus’ Demo Team – Hellenic Air Force

Br.1050 Alizé - Association Alizé Marine

CM.175 Zéphyr - Association Zéphyr 28

MS.760 Paris - Armor Aéro Passion

(Static Display)

Mi-8 'Hip' - Lithuanian Air Force

C-27J Spartan - Lithuanian Air Force

P-3C Orion - German Navy

C-17A Globemaster III – United States Air Force

Alouette III – Belgian Air Force

CLASSIC MILITARY & COLD WAR ERA

(Flying Display)

Wessex HU5 XT761 – Historic Helicopters

Strikemaster x 2 - Strikemaster Display

Wasp HAS1 (XT420) - Navy Wings Heritage Flight

Wasp HAS1 (XT787) - Westland Wasp Historic Flight

(Static Display)

Meteor T7 x 2 – Martin Baker

Whirlwind - Historic Helicopters

VINTAGE & WARBIRDS

(Flying Display)

Swordfish I – Navy Wings Heritage Flight

Sea Fury T20 - Navy Wings Heritage Flight

(Static Display)

Auster x 11 – Privately-owned

Nanchang CJ-6A – Privately-owned

L-3B Grasshopper - Privately-owned

O-1A Birddog - Privately-owned

Swordfish II – Navy Wings Heritage Flight

Sea Fury FB11 - Navy Wings Heritage Flight

Avro XIX - BAE Systems

CIVILIAN

TBC

[11SQNLDR]

Add 2 x Spanish Navy AV-8B Harrier II's to the above list, 1 x flying & 1 x static. Also appearing at RIAT

Loved seeing this beauty fly at Farnborough last year

[Mustang51]

Still don't know what the Legends special guest aircraft is as yet

[planecrazy]

May 26, 2019 1:32:29 GMT 12 Mustang51 said:

Still don't know what the Legends special guest aircraft is as yet

Wonder if the CR42 will be ready, not a guest as she is a resident but would be special all the same!