Clacton Airshow 2015

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I've never been to the Clacton Airshow, but I must get to see the Vulcan display. So it's either Clacton or Eastbourne.
Or maybe both :)

Any advice on the best way to go to Clacton for the airshow ? (from Southend) I know how to get to
Clacton, but is there a way to avoid the worst of the traffic, or maybe go by train ?

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Depending where you live of course but I think that Clacton is one road access, whereas Eastbourne offers several options with arguably better viewing places and much better access.

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Agreed. We went to Eastbourne last year, getting the train from Tonbridge. The only problem being stuck on the
platform at St Leonards for over an hour on the way back.

We'll probably do the same again this year, as it's a couple of weeks before Clacton. If we go there too, we would
probably get the train from Colchester, it's only £7.60 return.

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Sounds like a good plan, Alan - does your wife not mind the seaside show throngs as much as the airfield shows?

With a few enforced changes to my plans it will now be Headcorn and Dunsfold for my Vulcan experience this year!;)

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Sounds like a good plan, Alan - does your wife not mind the seaside show throngs as much as the airfield shows?

Well I would go on my own if it came to it :) The seaside events have more space to move around, so are not quite so claustrophobic.

What is Dunsfold like for getting in and out of ?

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I go early so no problems but there are certainly queues once people have woken up and I think it was last year when only those arriving later with advance tickets were admitted.

Leaving about half an hour before the end of flying I'm usually clear onto the main road within 45 mins. It is a very popular show and to mind deservedly so, especially if you enjoy cars and bikes as well.

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When I first considered Clacton, it was really to see the Vulcan fly. Then it didn't appear on their flying programme,
so Eastbourne is was.
Now I see that XH558 is flying on the Thursday of Clacton, so it looks like another early start :)

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It was marvellous to see her near home at Herne Bay last Saturday so I'll round off the season at Wings and Wheels Dunsfold!! Hope you get good weather at Clacton.:)

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Not really my thing :)

At the moment, Thursday's weather doesn't look too bad (touch wood)
Went there Sunday to have a look at possible parking areas. By mistake, we ended up in Jaywick.
Strewth, it was what I imagine it must like driving in downtown Beirut on a bad day.
Keep you windows up and head down, Made worse with my Sat-Nav playing up.

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Friday even better if you have the choice. Hope you enjoy it anyway.:)

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Friday even better if you have the choice. Hope you enjoy it anyway.:)

No Vulcan Friday :(

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Aah!! Fingers crossed....:)

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Red Arrows operating out of Norwich, and the BBMF Spitfire and Hurricane are at Southend.

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How was the show today, Alan?:)

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No idea how the show was, but it was great to watch the Tin Triangle with an F15 escort do a series of passes over Lakenheath this afternoon.

Moggy

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No idea how the show was, but it was great to watch the Tin Triangle with an F15 escort do a series of passes over Lakenheath this afternoon.

Moggy

Of course, you got some pictures ?

Clacton wasn't too bad Charlie. It was a bit fresh first thing, with rain threatening. Thankfully it stayed dry.
We got there quite early, and managed to park without any trouble (for free). with a 15 minute walk to the pier.
Display centre was a little further on. Had a walk around the various stalls, bought a Red Arrows/Vulcan T-Shirt
(which I put on over my other T-shirt to keep warm :) ) Sat on a bench to eat some rolls we'd taken, and had
an interesting chat with a chap who used to be on HMS Hermes.
Found a nice position to watch the flying, without any obstructions for photography. Took more video than stills,
although I'm not that happy with the results :(
There were a few aircraft I hadn't seen before (or for a long time).
The Raven display team flying the Van's RV4 & 8s
Auto Gyro, put on a very good display
Sally-B, ages since I've seen her display
Interesting to see the parachutists land in the (shallow) water. Not sure of the reason for this ?

Most of the others we'd seen at Eastbourne.

The Vulcan did an impromptu display at Walton before flying in. I had a job seeing her at times, must have been sand
blowing off the beach, into my eyes. :)

I can't say I'm that keen on Clacton, although from a spectator point of view it beats Eastbourne hands down.
Far more places to photograph from, without the risk of getting someone's head in shot. More toilets too.

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A report from the heart!;)

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Of course, you got some pictures ?

No, I'm afraid not. I long ago decided that viewing the aircraft I love to watch through a little electronic window, and only seeing them secondhand on a monitor later wasn't for me.

But I did video one pass for posterity, this is a capture from that

[ATTACH=CONFIG]240133[/ATTACH]

Moggy

Attachments

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Saw these and just had to buy one:
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr141/Deetektor/Clacton%20Airshow%202015/C%208_zps63bjlmjj.jpg

Probably my very last view of XH558 :apologetic:
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr141/Deetektor/Clacton%20Airshow%202015/C%207_zpsmu4suq42.jpg