Brands Hatch 1982 - Cars and aircraft
Discussion
Not sure where to post this - F1 forum or here - but anyway...
Last night I discovered this old video from the British GP in 1982 at Brands. It was shot by me on a borrowed JVC video camera, one of those early cameras that had the tape transport separate from the camera itself. Parts of the the air display are later in the video. What's staggering is how low/close the aircraft were allowed to fly in those days. The Concorde flyover is very loud and low as you'll see!
If it's the wrong forum I apologise, but it's planes so I figure it's OK.
Last night I discovered this old video from the British GP in 1982 at Brands. It was shot by me on a borrowed JVC video camera, one of those early cameras that had the tape transport separate from the camera itself. Parts of the the air display are later in the video. What's staggering is how low/close the aircraft were allowed to fly in those days. The Concorde flyover is very loud and low as you'll see!
If it's the wrong forum I apologise, but it's planes so I figure it's OK.
That’s brilliant. Never went to Brands Hatch, but some of the aerobatics displays at the Silverstone Grands Prix in the ‘70s and ‘80’s seemed pretty marginal, especially comparing them with todays displays. IIRC the Marlboro Pitts Special display from ‘79 or ‘81 - over the centre of the circuit - was heart stopping, at least from a vantage point of directly underneath.
I’ve got a 1983 Airfix Magazine with a ‘Brands Hatch Harrier’ on the front cover - I think it was part of a BGP photo special inside.
Thanks for posting.
I’ve got a 1983 Airfix Magazine with a ‘Brands Hatch Harrier’ on the front cover - I think it was part of a BGP photo special inside.
Thanks for posting.
Google some of the air displays from the ‘50s and ‘60s 
With each incident, over the years, display regulations have become ever more protective of spectators.
The 1988 Ramstein mid-air collision was a particularly notable turning point for restricting the proximity of displays to public areas.
With each incident, over the years, display regulations have become ever more protective of spectators.
The 1988 Ramstein mid-air collision was a particularly notable turning point for restricting the proximity of displays to public areas.
The most legendary Brands air display ever was the year the Vulcan went vertical at full thrust over the South Bankalthough some would argue it was the year the Red Arrows in their Gnats did their crossing pass at what seemed like below eye level in the bowl
Edited by johnnyreggae on Wednesday 8th November 05:52
My son reminded me recently of the time we were in the grandstands at the end of the pit straight as a Harrier hovered over the track in front of us and "bowed" to the crowd, like in the video above. Twas a little noisy! That would have been some time later than '82 as he was born in '83.
Edited by -Cappo- on Wednesday 8th November 11:19
It’s funny.
I’ve been told, on this forum, that I’ve remembered air shows I saw as a kid through rose tinted glasses, and there was no way aircraft did those things.
Almost every air show I went to from around 1969 to the early 80s ish had at least one moment that scared the spectators, and there’d be at least one fast jet that would pass at low level, down the runway, at just under Mach 1… quiet quiet quiet BANG!
I’ve not paid to go to an airshow in about 15 years, I think. Free tickets kept me interested for a while, but they really are, for the most part, yawn-inducing for people of my era who went to them as often as possible for the incredible thrill they gave.
Imagine it now: a scary, thrilling air show, and F1 cars with manual gearboxes, and drivers’ elbows visible! All gone.
I’ve been told, on this forum, that I’ve remembered air shows I saw as a kid through rose tinted glasses, and there was no way aircraft did those things.
Almost every air show I went to from around 1969 to the early 80s ish had at least one moment that scared the spectators, and there’d be at least one fast jet that would pass at low level, down the runway, at just under Mach 1… quiet quiet quiet BANG!
I’ve not paid to go to an airshow in about 15 years, I think. Free tickets kept me interested for a while, but they really are, for the most part, yawn-inducing for people of my era who went to them as often as possible for the incredible thrill they gave.
Imagine it now: a scary, thrilling air show, and F1 cars with manual gearboxes, and drivers’ elbows visible! All gone.
Eric Mc said:
Great video. I remember seeing some people using this early home video technology at the time. The recorder was in an over the shoulder satchel. I thought it was so sophisticated.
Not that sophisticated Eric! - It belonged to a mate of mine who suggested I should take it to Brands. I actually regretted taking it all day.The camera was like a hair dryer, and the tape transport was in a sort of satchel as you say. Cutting edge technology at the time though
The tape I just digitised is the actual VHS tape that was in the machine on the day.
WelshChris said:
Not that sophisticated Eric! - It belonged to a mate of mine who suggested I should take it to Brands. I actually regretted taking it all day.
The camera was like a hair dryer, and the tape transport was in a sort of satchel as you say. Cutting edge technology at the time though
The tape I just digitised is the actual VHS tape that was in the machine on the day.
First generation copy. It’s not bad quality at all.The camera was like a hair dryer, and the tape transport was in a sort of satchel as you say. Cutting edge technology at the time though
The tape I just digitised is the actual VHS tape that was in the machine on the day.
Eric Mc said:
Great video. I remember seeing some people using this early home video technology at the time. The recorder was in an over the shoulder satchel. I thought it was so sophisticated.
My father had one of those. I remember him lugging it around everywhere as a kid. We were probably one of the very first generation to have a catalogue of childhood moments recorded like that.6 years ago today, Jonathan Whaley/Miss Demenour shared this on Facebook:
“ Epilogue
Probably not the last post I’ll make on Miss Demeanour’s FB, but enough to call this an epilogue.
Miss Demeanour has now been sold and will go to Canada to Lortie Aviation Inc.
I’m saddened that no one came forward to continue displaying her and I know from the people and numbers who frequent her FB, there will be many who will be disappointed she will never display again.
Because I had flown her for 16 years flying over 300 displays, I knew how easy she was to operate and couldn’t fathom why nobody serious came forward, not even to ask how I managed to operate a Jet warbird at a profit and could they do the same with her.
With all the big engine single seat Hunters being snapped up to return to a working life, the opportunity to fly such a high performance yet benign aircraft for the shear pleasure of it, is vanishing or has vanished, forever.
Those lucky enough to have flown in a two seat Hunter, baby or not, will know what a delight a Hunter is to fly but will not know how much greater the feeling is when flying a single seat Hunter. Imagine a street legal F1 and no speed limits or traffic.
Perhaps one day there will be Hawks available. I’ve never flown a Hawk but the performance differences put them miles apart. So I doubt that there will ever be another high performance single seat jet available that a PPL could aspire to fly in the UK or EU. It’s something to fly an aircraft at sea level + 50' when the limit becomes a Mach figure, pull the stick back to vertical and top out at 20,000'+
I never had any doubt that Miss Demeanour would succeed on the display circuit but the ultimate level of success and number of years did surprise me.
A snippet of the journey. The normally way of getting in to a Hunter is to clip a Hunter specific ladder on the side. In the early years when there was no ladder, I would run at the side of the cockpit, jump and place my left foot in to the spring flap covered recess for the ladder and grasp the cockpit rail so the other leg could reach over in to the cockpit. People were amazed not at my agility but that my left foot always found the roughly 6" square flap. There came the days when the jump wasn’t high enough and I did a fair impression of the Road Runner slapping in to the side and sliding to the ground!
I'm proud of what I did to turn Miss Demeanour in to a glass cockpit 21st Century aircraft. This meant I could spend most of the time looking out for other bits of wood or aluminium sharing the sky with me. The only thing she lacked was an autopilot for the long transits where holding a flight level ± 50' took concentration. I’m forever grateful for the London & Scottish Military radar services, who, outside the Radar Corridors, would give me a 1000' box and freedom to take in the view of all the UK from 45,000'. At that height, it’s a very small country.
Annie, my wife, whilst not exactly jealous of my other lady, almost broke my heart when, after I had stopped displaying Miss Demeanour, said she played and sang along to Caro Emerald’s song “Stuck”, when I was away displaying. The line “Why am I sitting in the middle of nowhere, standing here with nothing to do, wondering if I really love you, oh oh, I guess that I do”
The world is changing and for me, many of the things I used to do are now forbidden or lack the freedom of expression. I quote from something I wrote for an article Richard Paver put together:-
The display world has changed dramatically in my almost 30 years of displaying. As at today's date, post Shoreham, has safety really improved? For display pilots, yes it has. For them, Rules have made display flying safer, they have not made it safe. The sad truth is that reading the AAIB's findings, had all the new rules been in place in August 2015, they would not have prevented the crash, just that the location might have been 220 metres further away.
Western society is ever increasingly risk averse but all that seems to have done is breed Risk Assessments so that should something tragic happen and say the pilot was amongst the fatalities, given a lack flight recording or obvious aircraft problems, others can be lined up to take the blame. Is displaying the fun it used to be? no it isn't but I have no doubt that human nature will endure and what today seems unburdenable, will become routine. Was I lucky enough to have displayed in the best period? No, the ones I used to watch before I started displaying had the best period and I sure that they said and each further iteration of display pilots will say the same about their period!
I look back on the past almost 20 years of owning Miss Demeanour as a tremendous privilege more than an achievement.
All the people I’ve met that I would never have met.
The obvious pleasure Miss Demeanour has given to many hundred of thousands.
Finally, all the Display Organisers that made it possible and understood that not everyone wanted to see yet another drab military aircraft flying. In particular, thanks to the late Jock Maitland who gave us our first big break at Biggin Hill, TSA Consulting’s Ray Thilthorpe, Ian Sheeley and latterly Dave Walton who with their whole team, recognised Miss Demeanour was designed for air shows as did Brian Lewis with his shows. Thanks also to the engineers throughout the years, from Jet Heritage, the short period at Delta Jets and finally with John Sparks and his engineers at Exeter and then St Athan. In the 16 years of flying her, I can only recall two displays I was unable to attend or complete due to serviceability.
So, thank you all again for being on the journey with me and your love and enthusiasm for Miss Demeanour.
For 2018, I’m planning on producing a “coffee table” book compiled of the photos I’ve had taken or sent to me. Primarily of Miss Demeanour, but also other photos that are just too good to remain on my hard drive or hanging on my wall. Where I can, I will credit the photographer but some I simply don’t know who took them. To those, I thank you.”
How right he was.
“ Epilogue
Probably not the last post I’ll make on Miss Demeanour’s FB, but enough to call this an epilogue.
Miss Demeanour has now been sold and will go to Canada to Lortie Aviation Inc.
I’m saddened that no one came forward to continue displaying her and I know from the people and numbers who frequent her FB, there will be many who will be disappointed she will never display again.
Because I had flown her for 16 years flying over 300 displays, I knew how easy she was to operate and couldn’t fathom why nobody serious came forward, not even to ask how I managed to operate a Jet warbird at a profit and could they do the same with her.
With all the big engine single seat Hunters being snapped up to return to a working life, the opportunity to fly such a high performance yet benign aircraft for the shear pleasure of it, is vanishing or has vanished, forever.
Those lucky enough to have flown in a two seat Hunter, baby or not, will know what a delight a Hunter is to fly but will not know how much greater the feeling is when flying a single seat Hunter. Imagine a street legal F1 and no speed limits or traffic.
Perhaps one day there will be Hawks available. I’ve never flown a Hawk but the performance differences put them miles apart. So I doubt that there will ever be another high performance single seat jet available that a PPL could aspire to fly in the UK or EU. It’s something to fly an aircraft at sea level + 50' when the limit becomes a Mach figure, pull the stick back to vertical and top out at 20,000'+
I never had any doubt that Miss Demeanour would succeed on the display circuit but the ultimate level of success and number of years did surprise me.
A snippet of the journey. The normally way of getting in to a Hunter is to clip a Hunter specific ladder on the side. In the early years when there was no ladder, I would run at the side of the cockpit, jump and place my left foot in to the spring flap covered recess for the ladder and grasp the cockpit rail so the other leg could reach over in to the cockpit. People were amazed not at my agility but that my left foot always found the roughly 6" square flap. There came the days when the jump wasn’t high enough and I did a fair impression of the Road Runner slapping in to the side and sliding to the ground!
I'm proud of what I did to turn Miss Demeanour in to a glass cockpit 21st Century aircraft. This meant I could spend most of the time looking out for other bits of wood or aluminium sharing the sky with me. The only thing she lacked was an autopilot for the long transits where holding a flight level ± 50' took concentration. I’m forever grateful for the London & Scottish Military radar services, who, outside the Radar Corridors, would give me a 1000' box and freedom to take in the view of all the UK from 45,000'. At that height, it’s a very small country.
Annie, my wife, whilst not exactly jealous of my other lady, almost broke my heart when, after I had stopped displaying Miss Demeanour, said she played and sang along to Caro Emerald’s song “Stuck”, when I was away displaying. The line “Why am I sitting in the middle of nowhere, standing here with nothing to do, wondering if I really love you, oh oh, I guess that I do”
The world is changing and for me, many of the things I used to do are now forbidden or lack the freedom of expression. I quote from something I wrote for an article Richard Paver put together:-
The display world has changed dramatically in my almost 30 years of displaying. As at today's date, post Shoreham, has safety really improved? For display pilots, yes it has. For them, Rules have made display flying safer, they have not made it safe. The sad truth is that reading the AAIB's findings, had all the new rules been in place in August 2015, they would not have prevented the crash, just that the location might have been 220 metres further away.
Western society is ever increasingly risk averse but all that seems to have done is breed Risk Assessments so that should something tragic happen and say the pilot was amongst the fatalities, given a lack flight recording or obvious aircraft problems, others can be lined up to take the blame. Is displaying the fun it used to be? no it isn't but I have no doubt that human nature will endure and what today seems unburdenable, will become routine. Was I lucky enough to have displayed in the best period? No, the ones I used to watch before I started displaying had the best period and I sure that they said and each further iteration of display pilots will say the same about their period!
I look back on the past almost 20 years of owning Miss Demeanour as a tremendous privilege more than an achievement.
All the people I’ve met that I would never have met.
The obvious pleasure Miss Demeanour has given to many hundred of thousands.
Finally, all the Display Organisers that made it possible and understood that not everyone wanted to see yet another drab military aircraft flying. In particular, thanks to the late Jock Maitland who gave us our first big break at Biggin Hill, TSA Consulting’s Ray Thilthorpe, Ian Sheeley and latterly Dave Walton who with their whole team, recognised Miss Demeanour was designed for air shows as did Brian Lewis with his shows. Thanks also to the engineers throughout the years, from Jet Heritage, the short period at Delta Jets and finally with John Sparks and his engineers at Exeter and then St Athan. In the 16 years of flying her, I can only recall two displays I was unable to attend or complete due to serviceability.
So, thank you all again for being on the journey with me and your love and enthusiasm for Miss Demeanour.
For 2018, I’m planning on producing a “coffee table” book compiled of the photos I’ve had taken or sent to me. Primarily of Miss Demeanour, but also other photos that are just too good to remain on my hard drive or hanging on my wall. Where I can, I will credit the photographer but some I simply don’t know who took them. To those, I thank you.”
How right he was.
johnnyreggae said:
The most legendary Brands air display ever was the year the Vulcan went vertical at full thrust over the South Bankalthough some would argue it was the year the Red Arrows in their Gnats did their crossing pass at what seemed like below eye level in the bowl
Ah! The "good old days"! I can remember being at Brands Hatch and feeling as though I was looking down on the Red Arrows as they flew through Edited by johnnyreggae on Wednesday 8th November 05:52
I'm sure I also remember an air display on the South Coast (Folkestone?) a lot more recently when a Tornado went by below the cliff the crowd was standing on above the beach.
Another time I saw the USAF Blue Angels flying at what seemed to be a much lower altitude than the UK teams and certainly very much closer together
Happy days! (Or rose-tinted memories?!)
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