Mildenhall Airshow 1986 SR71, English Electric Lightning,F4 Phantom

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  • čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
  • Footage of the Mildenhall Airshow 1986 in cluding SR71 Footage, plus many other 'Classic Aircraft' such as the English Electric Lightning, Starfighter, B52, Phantom F4, F15 Strike Eagle.Mildenhall Air Fete was one of the best Military Airshows in the world and always had a wide range of aircraft in its displays.

Komentáře • 499

  • @lowtech5380
    @lowtech5380 Před 6 lety +155

    OMG!!! Could you imagine going to an airshow and seeing the SR71, a B-52, a F-15, a F-104, a F-4 phantom a F-111, a Tornando, the Redbirds, and the British Lightning!!!??? I think my head would explode! Airshows now, pale in comparison to this. #BRING BACK THE GOOD AIRSHOWS!

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 6 lety +19

      Thanks Low Tech, Mildenhall was always one of the best Airshows of the year, with a variety of top Aircraft on Display.......its all a but 'Tame' these days..........cheers Barry

    • @ZedNinetySix_
      @ZedNinetySix_ Před 4 lety +5

      The golden age of jets is over...

    • @jasonfernee2401
      @jasonfernee2401 Před 4 lety +6

      Low Tech, if I right as I was there, the Vulcan was there too along with many other aircraft. You will never see Airshows like this again, especially with all the health and safety killjoys out there.

    • @davidbaker8483
      @davidbaker8483 Před 3 lety +2

      The mighty F1-11, they were based at Mildenhall I believe. Wasn't 86 the year they had an outing to Tripoli?
      Reminds me of the late 70s at Biggin. Everything flew in on a friday over school. Hard to do quadratic equations when a Starfighter is beating up the playing field.

    • @charleigh195
      @charleigh195 Před 3 lety +1

      Still can buddy at Duxford brilliant museum and once a year they have the show you might even meet one of the pilots of the SR71 alas it doesn’t fly.

  • @ThePstorm
    @ThePstorm Před 2 lety +67

    Wow, I was there with my dad. I was 15. We went every year through the 1980's. I remember the displays being very close to the crowds, the deafening sound of the jets. Pushing your fingers hard into your ears, it was still so loud you could feel it in your body. Great times, great memories. RIP dad.

    • @markhowarth2469
      @markhowarth2469 Před 2 lety +2

      My god, me too, RAF Mildenhall. Went with my dad, we had a great time with the polish hotdogs, cheeseburgers n bottles of bud, the sr71a doing a touch n go was most memorable. My dad's gone now but those were the best times with him

    • @markhowarth2469
      @markhowarth2469 Před 2 lety +1

      Remember the Vulcan bomber ???

    • @jimduffy1967
      @jimduffy1967 Před 2 lety

      You are so lucky to have been there,just for the EE alone which could have out climbed or out flown every other plane there.

    • @jimduffy1967
      @jimduffy1967 Před 2 lety +2

      The EE lightning did actually fly higher than the U2 spyplane and probably would have flown as high as the SR 71, recorded height for lightning was 88000 feet.

    • @ThePstorm
      @ThePstorm Před rokem +1

      @@markhowarth2469 Apologies for the delay. Yes I do. The F-104 was the only plane there that scared my dad. So low and so fast.

  • @martinchamberlain542
    @martinchamberlain542 Před 2 lety +15

    I remember going to the Mildenhall air shows , I really used to love it. Apart from the amazing variety of aircraft on display, the American servicemen and women wers so friendly and welcoming. They went out of their way to make your day a great experience. Good times!

  • @truthhurts9241
    @truthhurts9241 Před 5 lety +2

    I was there. I stood against the metal fence around the SR71. Yes it was a bit breezy. Just me & several hundred men being stared at by German shepherds and US airfolk with loaded M16s. Listening to the tinkle of titanium vanes on the engine covers being sucked in and out by the wind. Then two "Astronauts" came out and sparked her up. Today's temporary deafness has been brought to you courtesy of USAF.
    Thanks chaps, enjoyed every moment and the photo's were marvellous.

  • @xx6489
    @xx6489 Před 3 lety +3

    I was there in 86. I'de only ever been to the Biggin Hill airshow before which was good. But Mildenhall was just WOW.
    34 years ago!!!... God I'm getting old

  • @jonathanwilkins6071
    @jonathanwilkins6071 Před 3 lety +7

    I was there on that very day in 1986...I remember the F111 and always waited around to see the English Electric Lightning.
    The burgers were fantastic and the American beer was ok..
    Great times that sadly will never happen again..
    Mildenall was one of the best airshows in the UK at that time..
    🤠👍

  • @paulmooneyes4181
    @paulmooneyes4181 Před 2 lety +2

    One of many Air fetes at Mildenhall I was lucky enough to see.
    With all the CAA restrictions, the cost of running and insuring shows, health and safety, etc.... for me airshows are dead in the water, compared to these. The golden age has well and truly gone.

  • @fleetwarrior75
    @fleetwarrior75 Před 8 lety +74

    The Blackbird is still one of the most sinister looking aircraft ever!!!

    • @KernowekTim
      @KernowekTim Před 2 lety +3

      It is the colour of Death, the Black Mamba of the skies: and the C.I.A do possess a propensity for being sinister.

  • @scottbutler5489
    @scottbutler5489 Před 6 lety +79

    Echoes of a time when British airshows were actually worth attending!

    • @grahamjordan1040
      @grahamjordan1040 Před rokem

      American air show in England actually

    • @dmoder1019
      @dmoder1019 Před rokem +3

      @@grahamjordan1040 I’m well aware of that, having attended multiple times. Alconbury, too! But my statement was referring to a time when air shows in Britain were worth attending. You can jump down off your box now and get back in it, there’s a good chap.

    • @markblackman2542
      @markblackman2542 Před rokem +2

      yes, and didn't cost a bomb to get in and £15 for a bloody program

  • @GJones462-2W1
    @GJones462-2W1 Před 7 lety +38

    I was stationed at Lakenheath in the late 80's - early 90's, and the Mildenhall airshows were the BEST! If my time machine wasn't broke down, I'd go back there to see the Lightning, and those sweet F-104's! I do miss my F-111F's, though. Was a weapons systems specialist at the 'heath. I miss glorious England just as much. Was the BEST time in my life. Great footage, Barry. Very Jealous.

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 7 lety +6

      Many Thanks Jonsey....well Im sure my footage brought back a few memories for you from back in the day........Lakenheath and Mildenhall are still going strong, but of course we no longer have an annual Air fete which is a real shame....you lived the dream Jonsey, your time was some of the best for USAF personel serving in the UK...........we had some great days back then, thats for sure.....thanks for your comment......Regards Barry

    • @Lazarus1095
      @Lazarus1095 Před 6 lety +1

      Remember the donut rings?

    • @paulbunch8388
      @paulbunch8388 Před 10 dny

      I bet you know my dad

  • @noelwallis8774
    @noelwallis8774 Před 3 lety +2

    when airshows were the best , tiny rope keeping you away from the runway . brings back so many happy memories of my childhood . thanks for sharing .

  • @lordofbore
    @lordofbore Před 8 lety +51

    Mildenhall was a fantastic show ,cheap to get in ,a fantastic air display ,and ,oh the taste of those burgers !!!

    • @TheBarnem13
      @TheBarnem13 Před 8 lety +4

      don't forget the Bud too

    • @TheOmanJam
      @TheOmanJam Před 8 lety +2

      In the old oil drums filled with with ice water!

    • @TheBarnem13
      @TheBarnem13 Před 8 lety +2

      +TheOmanJam yea there the ones I remember leaning on the Sunday and they were selling 12 packs of Miller and bub for $2.00 or £1.50 at the end of the show well why not be ruce not too!

    • @brain8484
      @brain8484 Před 7 lety +1

      lordofbore and the smell of the fuel , mainly mildenhall was a fuel dump for refueling aircraft

    • @anotherdave5107
      @anotherdave5107 Před 7 lety +2

      r u crazy? convincing our host country guests that overcooked overpriced beef pucks dipped in bbq sauce was the way we yanks liked our burgers?

  • @dhtelevision
    @dhtelevision Před 6 lety +5

    My dad went to Mildenhall as a teen in the mid 80s and I quote: “The burgers there were godlike, the Blackbird was so loud it set off car alarms over whole car park, and I enjoyed every bit of it.”

  • @chris-rfs
    @chris-rfs Před 5 měsíci +2

    I went to a Mildenhall airshow in the 90s...best airshow i ever went to.👍

  • @patrickwcowley
    @patrickwcowley Před 3 lety +10

    It made my heart race to see the SR-71... ♥️ My Dad was an aerospace engineer for Rockwell and he took me to see the SR-71's flight flight in Burbank when I was just a little guy... That was really mind-blowing... I was quiet for a long time, and then it was so loud and so fast it was mystifying. When I asked my Dad where it was going, he said to Edwards Air Force Base. I asked him how long would it take to get there, and he said it could get there very soon because it's the fastest plane in the world. and it just blew my mind to think of this plan I just saw going so fast getting to a far-off destination very quickly. LOVE YOU DAD!!!! 💕

  • @martinbayliss3868
    @martinbayliss3868 Před 3 lety +3

    Back when air shows were interesting and worth going to.

  • @stealthtech9765
    @stealthtech9765 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Used to go to Air Fete every year through the 80s… as a kid I remember seeing an F15 do an unrestricted climb from take off, it still gives me goose bumps thinking about it. Fell in love with that aircraft forever, right there and then!!!

  • @robertmarsh3588
    @robertmarsh3588 Před 3 lety +8

    Fabulous airshow, something we took for granted at the time. My enduring memory is sadly of the collision and subsequent crash of the 50s vintage pair and watching an aircraft drop out of the sky like a stone for the first and hopefully last time. RIP to those that lost their lives that day.

  • @gsoup7850
    @gsoup7850 Před 7 lety +55

    I can't say I took mildenhall for granted because I loved it. But you'd have f16, f18, f4, f15, f14, A10, tornado, jaguar, B1, then something like a jet provost and it would be like 'boring, let's get a hotdog'. Nowadays the jet provost is a treat! So spoilt back then, an age of man and machine that will never be repeated and the irony of the beauty and magic of machines made to destroy other human beings. I guess the huge paradox of human kind is encapsulated within these aircraft; the fantastic achievements of man fused with fearful, selfish and evil intentions. Wonderful times. Thanks for sharing.

    • @ianedmonds9191
      @ianedmonds9191 Před 6 lety +7

      Nailed it.
      They are at once graceful and beautiful in form but also repugnant and shameful in intent.
      The contrast makes them somehow appealing. It appeals to both sides of our minds.
      Luv and Peace.
      Edited:
      As an afterthought: We're leaving a very important time here.
      These planes elicit emotional responses by the pilots flying them, ground crew working on them and people that see them at shows like this.
      When was the last time you heard someone wax lyrical about an ICBM or and AA missile.
      Airshows are on their last legs.
      I don't think anyone will pay to see the government's latest autonomous long range stealth drone perform a low altitude flyby or an automated aeronautic display.
      No-one cares about how much faster an AA missile can intercept an incoming autonomous drone bomber beyond stats about our safety.
      It's all a bit fucked now isn't it?

  • @jasonfernee2401
    @jasonfernee2401 Před 4 lety +10

    I was there. The best airshow I've been to and never will be surpassed for the size alone and array of aircraft seen.

  • @rnichol22
    @rnichol22 Před 10 měsíci +3

    This was a great time to be alive if you liked air displays

  • @richardharris7214
    @richardharris7214 Před 23 dny +1

    Halcyon Days indeed...gone forever now, but your video a reminder of the best of airshows. In the whole history of mankind and of his venture into the air we were very lucky to be have been around during these few brief glorious years and witness the pinnacle of military aviation.Thanks for posting.

  • @robertzeurunkl8401
    @robertzeurunkl8401 Před 3 lety +7

    The F-4. Still the most classy looking jet of all, IMO.

    • @jimduffy1967
      @jimduffy1967 Před 2 lety

      Nah mate f4 is class but not a patch on the EE lightning.

  • @micheltangy2725
    @micheltangy2725 Před 7 lety +26

    How relaxed life was in these days.....

    • @emperorgrant
      @emperorgrant Před 6 lety +5

      Relaxed? It was the permanent threat of nuclear annihilation that made the airshows so good!

  • @patthewoodboy
    @patthewoodboy Před 2 lety +1

    a film from 1988 and the B-52 is still rocking

  • @andrewbeeton9621
    @andrewbeeton9621 Před 5 měsíci +1

    this going to this airshow every year through the 80's!
    Remember Walking through the C-5 Galaxy thinking it was as big as a football pitch inside ... absolutely gobsmacked!
    A Sevicemen directing the cars into the carpark with a gatoblaster on his shoulder😂
    And i can still remember on the food stall...
    "Hotdogs hamburgers ribs corn..weve got all the food from where youll born"
    Grat days 😊

  • @dodestier1756
    @dodestier1756 Před 3 lety +6

    Now that was an airshow! Just looking at the footage of an SR71 gave me goosebumps.

  • @Lil_Thick
    @Lil_Thick Před rokem +1

    Imagine going to an airshow, seeing an SR-71 along with all of those other amazing planes all while eating good bbq grilled from a 55 gal drum cut in half. What a time to be alive!

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před rokem

      There's nothing to compare with it these days airshows have been 'Watered down' over the years

  • @TheBarnem13
    @TheBarnem13 Před 8 lety +47

    Great times when we had propper airshows in this country! nice video btw

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 8 lety +4

      Cheers TheBarnerm13......yes can't do Mildenhall without a bath tub full of Ice and bud's!

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 8 lety +1

      Cheers TheBarnerm13......yes can't do Mildenhall without a bath tub full of Ice and bud's!

  • @fingerhorn4
    @fingerhorn4 Před 2 lety +4

    I remember this and many air shows in the uk going back to the 1960s. I can understand why current air shows are now so innocuous - as there were some really risky aerobatics, very low altitudes and numerous crashes which eventually they had to stop through safety measures. I even remember the red arrows when they were the Black Arrows. I saw many Lightnings pulling up into a 90 degree climb and reaching amazing altitudes in seconds, and several low passes at or even beyond the speed of sound. They were spectacular shows.

    • @Stibsyt
      @Stibsyt Před 2 lety +1

      Agree! The Black Arrows were Hunters - and remember the Red Pelicans? Provosts. I saw a Lightning break the sound barrier at one show in the 60s over a residential area at around 400ft, possibly lower. Completely unthinkable now!

  • @acolby69
    @acolby69 Před 2 lety

    I was NCOIC of the Physical Exams Section at RAF Mildenhall from 1977-1980. What a great assignment!!

  • @paulpark1170
    @paulpark1170 Před 4 lety +5

    Can’t believe how close you can get to the planes in those days! They even flew right over you. Wow.

  • @alastairjones7359
    @alastairjones7359 Před 7 lety +1

    Fantastic era for air shows in Britain....no h&s to worry about proper displays...takes me back to my teens.

  • @ianedmonds9191
    @ianedmonds9191 Před 6 lety +1

    Just seeing an SR-71 in flight would have been worth the ticket price alone.
    The highlight of my local airshow (Leuchars, Scotland) was seeing the old Vulcan bomber strut it's stuff.
    Absolutely Awesome. What a plane.
    SR-71 is an awesome thing too. I hope someday I see one even in a static display.
    Luv and Peace.

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 6 lety

      Thanks Ian......an amazing aircraft the SR-71.........if you want to see one up close, they have one in the American Air Museum at Duxford.....Regards Barry

  • @tommyd5238
    @tommyd5238 Před 4 lety +2

    Its just a shame there`s nothing like this anymore, fantastic aircraft and actually being able to afford to get in, so glad I was there on that day, did always enjoy the fighter meet at North Weald as well !

  • @gargk999
    @gargk999 Před 5 lety +5

    Brings back great memories! The aircraft were so much lower and closer back then, and many really took risks. I remember the 'Slivers' Belgian F-104s at Leuchars in 1972, hugging the runway and belting towards each other at 600mph (or at least it looked like that!). Also, the Lightning - doing an alert scramble and heading up almost vertically. Those were the days... Also, we will never see the numbers, nor the eclectic variety of aircraft that we saw back then. Greenham Common 1973, my first IAT, had everything from a KC-97 Stratotanker, a C-121 Constellation and OV-10A Bronco to the usual assortment of fast jets and huge transport aircraft. I still enjoy airshows, but they seem a little tame nowadays.

  • @Rich77UK
    @Rich77UK Před 8 lety +73

    I had almost forgotten what a proper airshow was like (where you can see the aircraft and not just a spec 5 miles away due to H&S).

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 8 lety +4

      Hi Rich, yes its all a bit 'in the wind' at the moment with the new rules for airshow displays.......i just hope we can keep them going and keep the 'dynamics' going.........loved the Mildenhall Air Fete the best show on Earth for me......Cheers Barry

    • @Mike-01234
      @Mike-01234 Před 7 lety

      Why would they change the rules not like 1000 people a year are getting killed at airshows.

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 7 lety +5

      The CAA changed the rules after the Shoreham Airshow crash last year killing 11 people and injuring many others...........whether you agree with the changes or not the rules were reviewed and changes were made.

    • @Mike-01234
      @Mike-01234 Před 7 lety

      Barry Price What were the rules changed did it ruin the airshow you have to use telescope to see the aircraft flying over head at 10k feet now?

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 7 lety +1

      The display line has been moved back and they display slightly higher, its not so bad if you just watching the airshow, but for Photographers id makes it a bit more challenging.......Cheers Barry

  • @user-dk1pn8mv3j
    @user-dk1pn8mv3j Před 4 měsíci +1

    I was a firefighter stationed at Mildenhall. This airshow was my first. I remember it like yesterday.

  • @briankay4713
    @briankay4713 Před 4 lety +1

    Memories ...
    Was a regular at the Mildenhall air shows from the mid 70s to the mid 80s with my late father and brother.
    Was a fantastic event with amazing hospitality from the American residents.
    And the aircraft!!!! MY GOD ... F104s, F111s, F15s, always a great contingent from the US Navy with A6s, A7s, EA6Bs and the mighty F14s as well as F4s from Germany, UK and USA and to top it all a display from the SR71 ... wasn’t this the only place in the world where they did a flying display ?

  • @thestig8133
    @thestig8133 Před rokem +1

    To be that close while these AWESOME!!!! aircraft flypast would make my day in everyday possible.

  • @KirbyLWallace
    @KirbyLWallace Před 7 lety +4

    I used to live at RAF Mildenhall in the 60's, as a kid. They used to do proper airshows all the time. Good memories.

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 7 lety +1

      Glad you enjoyed the footage Kirby......it was a very special show and the organisation by the USAF was 1st Class...we really miss it over here in the UK it was the highlight of the Airshow season for many..........Regards Barry

    • @KirbyLWallace
      @KirbyLWallace Před 7 lety +3

      Barry Price At RAF Chicksands, I actually got to see an F-104 do a supersonic pass, with sound boom and all! This was in the 70's though.

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 7 lety +3

      That sounds good Kirby......I remember going to Chicksands once for an airshow and it was very good.......no sonic booms though........we used to hear sonic booms quite alot when the Lightnings were in service..........Cheers Barry

  • @cambridgemart2075
    @cambridgemart2075 Před 6 lety +3

    I was there in '86, the SR71 was an incredible sight and sound and the B52 was just so large. This was also the year that the heritage pair tragically had a mid-air collision.

  • @MarsFKA
    @MarsFKA Před rokem

    Thirty-seven years later, the decibel levels are out of this world!

  • @turnerthemanc
    @turnerthemanc Před 2 lety

    I used to go to Woodford Airshow with my uncle around 1970. The smell of wet muddy grass and echoey tannoy. I remember concorde being really new and doing a fly past. It got me building Airfix models. I feel like I know these planes inside out.

  • @simonwinn387
    @simonwinn387 Před 11 měsíci +1

    The airshows of the 80s were amazing, used to go to farnborough and greenham every time they were on. Seen some amazing stuff including SR71 flying. I remember the crowds were much nearer the runway then too . I saw concorde taking off so close you could feel the heat coming off of it .

  • @tomdennison1467
    @tomdennison1467 Před 3 lety +2

    I was at this airshow, the weather was pretty bad but it was still a great show, shame that we'll never be able to see most of these aircraft fly again and even visit places like RAF Mildenhall.

  • @xxxxxxxxxxhardy
    @xxxxxxxxxxhardy Před 9 lety +6

    Thank you very much for this footage.1986 was my first trip to Mildenhall and I went every year then until the displays sadly ended.The loss of the vintage pair and the SR71 display that year will always stay with me.

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 9 lety

      +xxxxxxxxxxhardy Thank You Hardy yes I have alot of memories from the Mildenhall Air Fete Years.....it was a very special show........Regards Barry

  • @bowser515
    @bowser515 Před 9 lety +8

    I was in the midlands with 4 months left to go inside the womb... I'm pretty sure even I heard that SR-71 and Lightening on this day. The 4 ship at 07:14 is especially nice.

  • @Marc85147
    @Marc85147 Před měsícem

    Great selection of Aircraft both Flying and static, this took place a year after i was born.

  • @Polarskates
    @Polarskates Před 6 lety +2

    Great show, I remember all the car alarms going off when the SR71 went past...epic.

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 6 lety +1

      Hi Barry....yes the SR71 was 'Epic' as you say.....amazing aircraft.....regards Barry

  • @robw7676
    @robw7676 Před 5 lety +1

    I worked at the Mildenhall air display a couple of times in the early 1990s when I was a teenage ATC cadet. We were basically unpaid stewards.
    The USAF were great, they let us see behind the scenes and get in their aircraft.

  • @707liner8
    @707liner8 Před 2 lety +1

    Fabulous! That's what you call an airshow!

  • @andyoz1168
    @andyoz1168 Před rokem +1

    I was there too!! Brilliant!! SR71 was the star!!

  • @Goldenives
    @Goldenives Před 8 lety +1

    The days when air shows truly were a spectacle!

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 8 lety

      +Goldenives Sure was, some iconic aircraft on display........a great weekend at Mildenhall........wish it was still going......Regards Barry

  • @Derek_S
    @Derek_S Před 2 lety

    Where we live in Cambridgshire is surrounded by airbases. Mildenhall and Lakenheath to the east, Wyton and Alconbury nearby. In the 1980's most of my friends and neighbours were USAF airmen based at RAF Alconbury. My next door neighbour was an A10 Warthog pilot and over the road a TR1 technician. All four bases used to have airshows in the 1980's but Mildenhall's were the best. I was there in 1986 and the SR71 and Lightning were the highlight of the day. I had a large poster of an SR71 flying high over the clouds on the wall at home for many years. Unlike most people, my favourite BBQ food was the Polish sausage coated in BBQ sauce. Of course the downer of the day was the collision between the Vampire and the Meteor. If I recall correctly, I think we saw two parachutes and everyone cheered, only finding out later that they both came from one of the planes and there were none from the other.

  • @dawdawes
    @dawdawes Před 2 lety

    I was there, Mildenhall always was a super show and the squadron burgers even better. In the late 70s even F14 Tomcats came along if a carrier was near Southampton

  • @apocalypticweasel9078
    @apocalypticweasel9078 Před 2 lety

    Nice i was there that day and miss the Mildenhall air shows they were always epic days, plus working airside on the base during the 80's we got to see the build up great days so sad when they announced they would not be doing anymore shows. The food was great to and the beers

  • @derekporter7658
    @derekporter7658 Před 2 lety +1

    The variety alone is mouthwatering!! Airshows were my happy place!! Boy do I miss them despite the lack of variety these days!! Thanks for sharing 👍

  • @77Stringer
    @77Stringer Před 3 lety

    I actually looked for myself in these clips. 9 years old and we went ever year. Wet burgers with bbq sauce were amazing. The sr-71 is a bird that people say they’ve seen once. Literally stood by it and spoke to the pilots!

  • @KernowekTim
    @KernowekTim Před 2 lety +1

    The howl of those Pratt & Whitney J 58's cuts to the marrow: pure power. That signature, "booom BOOM" in the far distance gave me a feeling of 're-assurance'. The 'eyes in the skies' of those great black 'birds' were the least reasurring, to some.

  • @simonrl
    @simonrl Před 8 lety +2

    I flew the RN Seaking AEW at Mildenhall that year. It was a great show, marred by the tragic Meteor/Vampire crash (we were actually tasked to get airborne in the immediate aftermath to try and help with recovery, ultimately unsuccessfully)

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 8 lety +1

      Hi Simon, thank you for your comment.Yes it was tragic event with the Meteor & Vampire crash, very windy that day if I remember correctly.......that said Mildenhall was always a big favourite each year and always huge crowds to see some amazing displays of aircraft at that time.......great memories for sure........Regards Barry

    • @zoltonthemagnificent88
      @zoltonthemagnificent88 Před 5 lety

      Saw that happen and snapped a photo seconds before it happened. RIP.

  • @johnbarrert3732
    @johnbarrert3732 Před 4 lety +2

    I just went in a time capsule back to my childhood, thanks for that.

  • @psiben99
    @psiben99 Před 8 lety +2

    I miss airshows like this, which I attended frequently when I was a child. My father has worked for Lockheed for 30+ years and has had a front row seat to some of history's most amazing machines. He made it a priority to expose me and my brother to these from a very young age and they are some of my fondest memories. Seeing the SR-71 doing its flyby made me tear up. I still go to airshows with my dad but they are not nearly as impressive these days, as there simply aren't that many airframes flying as there once were. Thank you for posting this video!

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 8 lety

      +psiben99 Thank You for your comment, the SR71 was always the highlight of the Mildenhall airshow.Along with many other Ionic aircraft.One of the best airshows in the UK for many years at Mildenhall.........I agree that todays shows do not have the kind of aircraft line up that they used to have in the 1980's...........regards Barry

  • @Jaysbee1
    @Jaysbee1 Před 7 lety +1

    Agree with the comments.....takes you back to when airshows were airshows.........fav bit @7:36 with the English Electric Lightning flyby :-)

  • @swingmanic
    @swingmanic Před 6 lety +1

    I remember this one and watching an American with his mouth open catching flies as the Vulcan opened up with a roar and stood on its tail! - In the words of Mary Hopkin, "Those Were The Days" that we thought would never end!

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 6 lety

      Thanks Swingmanic......yes the Vulcan sure put on a spectacular display back then,.......Cheers Barry

  • @johndavid5618
    @johndavid5618 Před 10 měsíci +1

    What a beauty of show of war birds.

  • @TheLarkymarky
    @TheLarkymarky Před 8 lety +9

    Wow, thanks for sharing, I was there with my mate James. I was only talking to my other half today about Mildenhall airshow (she's losing her airshow virginity this year at Eastbourne). This has brought back great memories and as what another guy says 'those burgers!'. Great atmosphere, the 'Yanks' were so friendly. I remember they had bath tubs full of ice so the cold drinks were proper cold! I just wish digital cameras were about in those days, I must have spent a small fortune on Kodak film back then. Todays airshows are o.k. but they're a bit sterile and cost a ruddy fortune, especially RIAT!!

  • @scottbutler5489
    @scottbutler5489 Před 8 lety +5

    Back when airshows really were something to shout about!

  • @nigelmurphy4053
    @nigelmurphy4053 Před 7 lety +5

    Best air show in it's time great memories such a shame the world around us has changed so much this isn't the norm

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 7 lety

      Thanks Nigel........Probably the best show I have been yo over the years........airshows are not quite as spectacular as the Air Fete used to be.............some amazing aircraft on display back in the day............cheers Barry

  • @Danbutch24
    @Danbutch24 Před 8 lety +5

    I think I was there! I would only have been 7 though but I definitely remember seeing the Blackbird!
    I even got a cool t-shirt that had a picture of it and the words "Alone, Unarmed and unafraid"

  • @JohnKuridala
    @JohnKuridala Před 7 lety +8

    wow, that made my night. Lightning and Phantom look absolutely awesome !

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 7 lety +1

      Thnaks John....glad you enjoyed the footage from the Mildenhall Aire Fete............Regards Barry

  • @Audio456
    @Audio456 Před 8 lety +2

    I used to love going to mildenhall air show in the 1980 as a kid. I remember all the pilots used to really push their planes very close to sound barrier and there was so much jet action, not like air shows today which tend to have a few jets and probably less now with shoreham. Also never seen so many burger stalls by all the American service men in such an area, big barrels of Coke and beers. very American hospitality feel. If I'm not mistaken 1986 was the weekend when the vintage pair crashed - a vampire and meteor. Both doing a barrel role they clipped wings and huge fire ball. My dad still has picture in his photo album.

  • @polyphonics557
    @polyphonics557 Před 2 lety +2

    The current generation of jets are amazing machines but the Cold War Jets in an era of less Health & Safety was a much greater spectacle.

  • @redvanman10
    @redvanman10 Před 9 lety +2

    that brought back a lot of memories ...i have a load of slides that i need to scan but no video. you caught what the show was all about. great seeing the vikings and the raf 4 ship...cheers for sharing

  • @jetshows
    @jetshows Před rokem +1

    Awesome Air Fete….I was at the event. Best airshow ever….

  • @tutts999
    @tutts999 Před 2 lety +1

    Went there in 84 and this one. Couldn't beat the Bud n Burgers. Or the SR71.

  • @patrickrabion9473
    @patrickrabion9473 Před 2 lety

    What an awesome airshow! I bet your ears would be ringing for days after watching this sheer POWER!!

  • @pauledwards465
    @pauledwards465 Před 2 lety

    I was here in this day. SR 71 was fantastic

  • @mrwideboy
    @mrwideboy Před 9 lety +5

    Great video, I can remember the Vulcan when I was a boy, I still see the one at wellsbourne occasionally.

  • @Draxindustries1
    @Draxindustries1 Před 4 lety +1

    I was there on that day. The best airshow ever especially seeing one of the very last flights of the blackbird. Was tarnished though with the coming together of two 50's jets, one a vampire doing a barrel roll and the death of two pilots. The planes crashed a couple of miles away in the forest..

  • @deanwallis6962
    @deanwallis6962 Před 6 lety +1

    I remember this was the last airshow my father went before he died of cancer.mildenhall was the best airshow in the uk at that time .
    The show , the commentor's , the air crews were so helpful and seemed to be enjoying them self 's as much as the public.
    We have to do with the air tattoo these days 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • @dannymiester5825
    @dannymiester5825 Před 4 lety +1

    So near to the flightline, I loved mildenhall airshow. Greatly missed

  • @SeegzB
    @SeegzB Před 2 lety

    I was at this air show as a 13 year old Air Cadet… best airshow ever!

  • @PaulSmith-pl7fo
    @PaulSmith-pl7fo Před 4 lety +1

    Hi Barry. Yes, I agree with you that the Mildenhall Air Fetes were brilliant. I was there over the same weekend and bought a framed print of English Electric Lightnings signed by the pilots who flew their last display.

  • @johnklockyer
    @johnklockyer Před 2 lety

    I was there. I was with the Lightning support crew. I was the one who put a protestor who approached our aircraft in a bin( trash can) . Sad seeing the Vampire and meteor colliding. Especially as we knew the occupants. Xxx

  • @davidsmiths5471
    @davidsmiths5471 Před 2 lety

    Brings back great memories at air shows and open houses at the refueler and transport bases @ KMKE

  • @angryfurrball
    @angryfurrball Před 9 lety +3

    Hi Barry. Lovely footage there of some classic planes, that we just don't see anymore! I was too young to get to airshows in the 80s but started going in the 90s. Never seen the Blackbird and F1-111 fly before. They looked great. And the lightning! That has to be one of my favourite planes of all time that I've never seen fly. They must have been great airshows in the 80s with all those wonderful aircraft.
    As an air cadet in the 90s, I did go to a lot of RAF bases around the country and remember seeing Phantoms, Buccaneers, Tornados and one time got so close to an F-16 take off, that it felt like my chest was going to explode lol

  • @nitroexpress2438
    @nitroexpress2438 Před 6 lety +1

    Wow! even a B52. what a great airshow.

  • @novasixty5808
    @novasixty5808 Před 5 lety

    Witnessed the blackbird fly low level back in the late 80,s over my grandparents house escorted by 2 f4 phantoms going to kingsly Air Force base in Klamath falls Oregon my brothers and I will never forget it. It was in the paper the next day

  • @andrewlowes9123
    @andrewlowes9123 Před 3 lety

    These really where the best airshows ever, and cheap, glad i got to see the SR71 fly. and foriegn airforces selling their beers out of cargo planes. Had a nice Chech pilsner in an Antonov 24

  • @paulboyle6857
    @paulboyle6857 Před 9 měsíci

    They don,t do 'em like this anymore!I Remember seeing an SR-71 on finals into Mildenhall while at Snetterton race cicuit.

  • @chathamabs2011
    @chathamabs2011 Před 2 lety

    Reminds me of when I went to a show at North Weald in the early 90s. Getting up close to the aircraft you appreciate it a lot more. It definitely made them more interesting. Thank you for the upload.👌

  • @jackclayson7887
    @jackclayson7887 Před 2 lety +1

    Excellent footage, I was lucky enough to be there...those were the days!

  • @johnwiesen4440
    @johnwiesen4440 Před 4 lety

    I was there on the Saturday Mildenhall was one of the best air shows in the world.
    You had a 7+ hour flying show and very good static line up. You wold have aircraft from WW1 to the present day.
    Shame its gone very sad. One of the best display teams other than the Red Arrows was the two F104 from the Vikings from the West German Marineflieger.
    One year I watched the Vulcan do a display the Americans looked up in amassment how a plane so big could fly like a fighter.

  • @markrayton6385
    @markrayton6385 Před 9 lety

    Happy days, i remember it like it was yesterday. When airshows were airshows. I remember this year at Milnenhall in particular as i witnessed the unfortunate crash of the vintage pair Vampire and Meteor. Thanks for sharing Barry. Bring back the 80's.

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 9 lety

      Mark Rayton Thanks Mark.....Yes Mildenhall was special show and we had some great weekends there......yes it was a shame about the Meteor and Vampire I witnessed that myself but did not film it......great show from back in the day....for sure.......Regards Barry

  • @blueleeorig
    @blueleeorig Před 2 lety

    I had a ladybird book back then about airmen in the royal air force, it contained images of both the Lightning and Vulcan, fell in love with both, must have drawn them a hundred times from those pictures. These airshows were a different animal back before health and safety went all nanny on us. Thanks for the upload and fond memories.

  • @wilkiandrew
    @wilkiandrew Před 2 lety

    Stumbled on this, I actually went to this air show,

  • @rollingthunder4
    @rollingthunder4 Před 8 lety +3

    Thanks for posting, so many aircraft types now gone out of service, i don't bother with the shows since about 2005 - halcyon days, thanks again👍

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 8 lety +2

      Thank Laurie......yes the Mildenhall days really was the 'Golden Era' for airshows in the UK.......so many different aircraft on display..........cheers Barry

  • @gerald8641
    @gerald8641 Před 7 lety +1

    Heard what sounded like a Vulcan howl on the SR-71 there. Awesome, thanks for posting.

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 7 lety

      Thanks Simon.......glad you enjoyed the footage of Mildenhall Air Fete..........Regards Barry

  • @stevieosyka
    @stevieosyka Před 9 lety +4

    Great camera work and great to see so many iconic planes doing flypasts!

    • @BarryPrice1959
      @BarryPrice1959  Před 9 lety +1

      Steve Osyka Thanks Steve.......yes there was some 'Classic' aircraft still in service back then and the Mildenhall air fete was a very special show........regards Barry