RAF Leuchars airshow - 15th Sep
Discussion
ApexJimi said:
Who's going?
Anyone had a look at the flying display list on the website? Looks like the Dutch guys with the F16 won't be there this year, or the various MIGs and Saabs of previous years...
Might be riding down with a few friends from Aberdeen.Anyone had a look at the flying display list on the website? Looks like the Dutch guys with the F16 won't be there this year, or the various MIGs and Saabs of previous years...
Has it changed much? Haven't been for about 5 years or so.
Better read this if you are going:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-ea...
Also, Leuchar's website doesn't load...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-ea...
Also, Leuchar's website doesn't load...
EC2 said:
Anyone help me with traffic. Needing to drive past Leuchars at about 2pm but not going in. Will it be busy or will everyone be in then?
I imagine 2pm would be a quiet time - starts in the morning and finishes late afternoon IIRC?AndrewEH1 said:
Better read this if you are going:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-ea...
Also, Leuchar's website doesn't load...
That article doesn't mention 'riders' been turned away, only 'drivers'... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-ea...
Also, Leuchar's website doesn't load...
Edited by MarkRSi on Friday 14th September 09:37
Motorcycles are being given access to the base. If you manage to see the website, it mentions this in the section about "going by road". Amongst all the stuff about park and ride for cars, there is a wee bit about bikes.
I had an issue with the show organisers a couple of years ago, when they forgot to mention bike parking at all, so it's good to see that they have remembered to do so this time, even if it takes a bit of finding.
"Access and Exit (On-base)
Pre booked ticket holders/Disabled badge holders only. Only vehicles displaying on-base passes (YELLOW) or disabled blue badge holders will be permitted on site. Motorcycles should follow this route (no passes required). For easy and safe access to and from the event please follow the AA signs and the directions from Fife Constabulary and RAF Personnel. Before 2pm, priority will be given to inbound traffic and early leavers may be delayed. After 2pm, access to the Station by cars is not permitted due to the change in traffic flow. Persons driving by car after this time must use the Park & Ride facilities. Please be aware that you may exit RAF Leuchars via a different exit from entry however by following the AA signs, you will be directed to your correct destination."
Base access has been allocated to disabled and blue badge holders and some cars with a "high tarriff" parking pass, whatever that means. The only other vehicles with direct access to the base will be motorcycles.
I will therefore be making full use of this, and in so doing will avoid having to sit in my car for a couple of hours waiting to get to the Park and Ride, another half hour waiting to get on a bus, sitting next to God knows who, and be able to get out and away from Leuchars and onto the M9 without any delays at all.
The latest news on the website is that there will be a B52 flying in for the show.
http://www.airshow.co.uk/news/2012/sep/sentry
I had an issue with the show organisers a couple of years ago, when they forgot to mention bike parking at all, so it's good to see that they have remembered to do so this time, even if it takes a bit of finding.
"Access and Exit (On-base)
Pre booked ticket holders/Disabled badge holders only. Only vehicles displaying on-base passes (YELLOW) or disabled blue badge holders will be permitted on site. Motorcycles should follow this route (no passes required). For easy and safe access to and from the event please follow the AA signs and the directions from Fife Constabulary and RAF Personnel. Before 2pm, priority will be given to inbound traffic and early leavers may be delayed. After 2pm, access to the Station by cars is not permitted due to the change in traffic flow. Persons driving by car after this time must use the Park & Ride facilities. Please be aware that you may exit RAF Leuchars via a different exit from entry however by following the AA signs, you will be directed to your correct destination."
Base access has been allocated to disabled and blue badge holders and some cars with a "high tarriff" parking pass, whatever that means. The only other vehicles with direct access to the base will be motorcycles.
I will therefore be making full use of this, and in so doing will avoid having to sit in my car for a couple of hours waiting to get to the Park and Ride, another half hour waiting to get on a bus, sitting next to God knows who, and be able to get out and away from Leuchars and onto the M9 without any delays at all.
The latest news on the website is that there will be a B52 flying in for the show.
http://www.airshow.co.uk/news/2012/sep/sentry
Edited by Mad Jock on Friday 14th September 08:10
Lumpyuk said:
What time you heading from Aberdeen I am thinking 7 would be OK? I have bought a yellow pass - bit confused with the routes as it’s not really clear where to go for the yellow pass but I guess I should just head to the base?
We're leaving 9am, not sure if that's the best time TBH but that's what we've agreed 
Are you heading down on a car or bike?
Lumpyuk said:
Heading down in car, st2 
yourself? Seeing to many horror storys of cars being stuck in taffic all afternoon.
Black Street Triple, you'll hear me before you see me with the new exhaust I fitted yesterday yourself? Seeing to many horror storys of cars being stuck in taffic all afternoon.
I'll give you a wave while we filter past
(I assume you mean a Focus, and not one of these http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ducati_ST2)Cracking day - slept in this morning but took the bike and got on base for 1130 with no delays whatsoever. Great lineup, although not getting to see (and hear!) the Vulcan taking off was a bit disappointing.
Shame leaving the show wasn't as trouble free as getting there. The traffic was well managed and the one-way system on the single-track roads worked well. Except for the selfish, selfish morons who were deliberately moving across to stop bikes filtering past. Encountered this at least 4/5 times, one idiot was so far over to the right that 5 of us had room to pass him on the left - and I had panniers on!
Another idiot kept closing the gap on us forcing us to hold back, then forced a bloke on a Pan into the verge as he tried to pass. Nearly took the guy's foot off.
Disappointing end to a good day.
Shame leaving the show wasn't as trouble free as getting there. The traffic was well managed and the one-way system on the single-track roads worked well. Except for the selfish, selfish morons who were deliberately moving across to stop bikes filtering past. Encountered this at least 4/5 times, one idiot was so far over to the right that 5 of us had room to pass him on the left - and I had panniers on!
Another idiot kept closing the gap on us forcing us to hold back, then forced a bloke on a Pan into the verge as he tried to pass. Nearly took the guy's foot off.
Disappointing end to a good day.
'To be fair', bikes are narrow. The majority of cars had no problem whatsoever with sharing the road, and were thanked accordingly where possible. A few mindless feckwits tried to impose their "I'm in a queue so you can be too" mentality for no other reason than, well, being feckwits.
I'm not talking about marginal gaps on properly narrow bits of road. These were cars actively moving left and right to block bikes where there was acres of space.
Anyway, getting off topic. Shame about the Vulcan not taking off from Leuchars, I wanted to hear that!
I'm not talking about marginal gaps on properly narrow bits of road. These were cars actively moving left and right to block bikes where there was acres of space.
Anyway, getting off topic. Shame about the Vulcan not taking off from Leuchars, I wanted to hear that!
Edited by BonzoG on Saturday 15th September 21:09
ApexJimi said:
Super day today!
Air displays were brilliant, even if not quite as varied as previous years.
Anyone else sunburnt?!
+1 Pity there wasn't any Russian stuff, but first time I've seen a B52, Vulcan (GREAT noise when it gave it the beans!) and a Chinook in the air! Air displays were brilliant, even if not quite as varied as previous years.
Anyone else sunburnt?!
And yes I'm pretty red...
BonzoG said:
Shame leaving the show wasn't as trouble free as getting there. The traffic was well managed and the one-way system on the single-track roads worked well. Except for the selfish, selfish morons who were deliberately moving across to stop bikes filtering past. Encountered this at least 4/5 times, one idiot was so far over to the right that 5 of us had room to pass him on the left - and I had panniers on!
Another idiot kept closing the gap on us forcing us to hold back, then forced a bloke on a Pan into the verge as he tried to pass. Nearly took the guy's foot off.
Disappointing end to a good day.
Yeah, we found it quite amusing getting out Another idiot kept closing the gap on us forcing us to hold back, then forced a bloke on a Pan into the verge as he tried to pass. Nearly took the guy's foot off.
Disappointing end to a good day.
Many thanks to the overwhelming majority of car drivers who kept left to keep the traffic flowing (I'm sure you were one of them Lumpyuk 
). Sadly there were a few who didn't so had to take the verge, or in the case of black Audi estate a cheeky overtake in the passing place on the left 
Btw I spotted someone in a wheelchair with a black PH fleece/jacket on, anyone here?
Edited by MarkRSi on Saturday 15th September 21:50
I was working the Park and Ride sites today. Can't believe the impatience of some people. After 2pm I was on the "White" site at guard bridge. People arguing and being abusive simply because they have no patience. We had close to 2800 cars in the field, leaving through one exit. Of course it is going to take some time.
Also, if the Glaswegian that was wearing the orange T shirt that squared up to the office who was on the traffic point and ALLOWING the cars out of the field is reading this, I'm surprised the copper kept his cool with you as much as he did. Didn't seem such a hard man when the RAF bloke got involved..
Also, if the Glaswegian that was wearing the orange T shirt that squared up to the office who was on the traffic point and ALLOWING the cars out of the field is reading this, I'm surprised the copper kept his cool with you as much as he did. Didn't seem such a hard man when the RAF bloke got involved..
few pics from today
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427406@N05/sets/721...
someone using an ipad with a monopod!! trying to take a picture of a typhoon as it flew past at 500+mph
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427406@N05/sets/721...
someone using an ipad with a monopod!! trying to take a picture of a typhoon as it flew past at 500+mph
AMD87 said:
someone using an ipad with a monopod!! trying to take a picture of a typhoon as it flew past at 500+mph
Haha, just like the spectators at the Olympic games holding iPads in front of their faces Here's the photos I took (apologies for the myface link)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.45873003...
Not great, but not bad considering I was using a slow, crappy compact camera (wished I took my Pentax SLR, or even my Panasonic bridge camera). And it ran out of power, but at least I could just focus on watching the displays
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