The weather was spot on today (Sat 25.9.10), Steve had just arrived back from the Saint-Malo ferry and by 11.30 we were off to the show at Rennes.
En-route we spotted the Red Arrows warming up to the North-West of Rennes and as we were about 3km from the exit to St Jaques on the periphique they were on downwind and into finals at the airport - so I guess our air display started early!
Exiting at St Jaques we duly drove towards the airport and were delighted to see that there were actually signs for the Airshow (unique in France to have signs!) The main entrance to the airport was blockaded by Gendarmes, no entry. Then the signs disappeared (no suprise there then) We carried on along the dual-carr and, as we passed the turn, realised we should have turned off to the Expo Centre car parks - oopps. At this point we had a UK reg car on our tail. We U'd and drove back to the Genarmes stationement, UK car still in tow, and U'd again to get back to the Expo Centre car parks and parked. The UK reg car parked within a few metres and when we said 'hello' he was suprised we were English (35 plate on us) and yes, he had followed us thinking that we knew where we were going oopps hah! Hello to Barry if you are looking in. Barry turned out to have lived within 30 minutes from us in the S of Eng, had a twin-rating PPL and flew from Bournemouth, whereas I flew from Southampton, Popham and Sandown IOW. Needless to say we gelled
We arrived at 12hr20 and were at the gates by opening time of 12hr30 along with a couple of hundred others waiting to be allowed in. They were late opening the gates! Quelle suprise.
The show today was fantastic. The airfield, as they mostly are, is pretty exposed so good warm clothing needed. But what a show.
I was there mainly to see EP120/AE-A/G-LFVB which is only one of 4 Mk 5 Spitfires flying today, however, on the apron there was no sign of VB. Noted that MH434/ZD-B/G-ASJV was there instead, ZD-B is a Mk 9b.
Here's a few photos of ZD-B taken today:
(Please note that although the weather was pretty good at the time the cloud cover behind sometimes prevented good sunlight so some pics aren't as sharp as I'd like - Nikon D80 with 18-55mm for the close shots and 55-200mm for the sky shots )
and in a dive..........
Luckily Steve persuaded me to run fast and meet ZD-B as she landed and taxied in, we were so lucky to meet Paul Bonhomme who was her pilot. I asked of the whereabouts of AE-A (the Mk 5) and he said that he'd had a call on Friday to say she'd 'broken down!' and would he fancy a trip to France for the weekend, so he prompty brought over the replacement. Both are at Duxford.
Paul Bonhomme is incredible, here is is story (in short):
Red Bull Air Race Pilot Paul Bonhomme is relishing the thought of another year of flying OFMC's Spitfire and P-51D Mustang.
It all began for Bonhomme as a “hangar rat”, cleaning planes as a boy in an Aero Club, and by the time he was 17 he had a flying licence and he started training in aerobatics immediately. His father was a pilot in the British Army Air Corps and later an Airline Captain, and his brother is also in the aviation industry as an Airline Captain too. It’s little wonder then, that the youngest member of the Bonhomme family also ended up as a professional pilot flying as Captain on the Boeing 747.
Paul, who enjoys motorcycling (when he can find spare time!), likes to focus his off-duty hours in pursuit of his calling. He has flown in over 500 airshows since 1986.
Here is Paul Bonhomme who piloted ZD-B today and who was very kind to spend a couple of minutes with us when he landed....
The Airshow was, of course, more than just the Spitfires (thats my love). The Red Arrows were there in full (as mentioned earlier) and my gawd they make yer blood tingle. It must be said also that this season the Red Arrows are featuring their first ever FEMALE pilot (Red 3) Flt Lt Kirsty Moore flying with the team from May this year:
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8350286.stmA couple of Red Arrows photos from today:
A classic shot:
and Red1 on the way back in....
100% totally enjoyed today, got cold, feet hurt but so very much enjoyed the experience.
If anybody can make it tomorrow (Sunday) I'd say go for it.
