Biggin Hill.

[Lester]

Anyone going this weekend and want to meet up? I'm going to go, but as I was too late to order a ticket, I'm going to wait to see what the weather will be like to decide what day. At the moment I'm probably going on Sunday, unless the weather is far better on the Saturday.

Biggin Hill link (http://www.bigginhillairfair.co.uk/)

[Paulie-W]

I'll be watching from the back garden. But heres a link to the met office biggin hill... clicky (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/se/biggin_hill_forecast_weather.html)

[deadkenny]

Forgot about Biggin Hill! Thought it was in July for some reason.

Might go tomorrow. Can't go Sunday. Saturday may be better for being not so damn hot!

Take sun protection. Seriously! Even on less hot cloudy years I always get burnt.

[tdodd]

I'm also interested in this and can go either day (at the moment) but have an inexplicable preference for Saturday. I guess if we plan for Saturday and the weather turns out to be dodgy, for whatever reason, then Sunday makes a good Plan B for those of us who can make it on Sunday. However, if we plan for Sunday and then Sunday's weather turns out to be a bit unpleasant we are stuck with Hobson's choice.

I don't know how BH is laid out with respect to spectators vs aircraft vs the sun, but I don't fancy shooting backlit planes all day long, especially against brilliant white clouds. Does anyone know how things are set up there?

[kev sly]

i will be there but with a load of scout's as it's there weekender , friday eve to sunday , it should be a good one , bring your sun tan lotion to .i will keep my eye open for you guys ,

[n1kcy]

I hope to get to an airshow this year, but tomorrow is our work's summer party and Sunday we're off-roading.

Anyone fancy the Bournmouth airshow next month?

[tdodd]

Lighting should be OK - I just found this little appetiser from last year....

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=jVklJckStcU&vq=hd720

Mind you, the heat haze looks pretty evil and if it's like that this weekend then long distance stills shots are probably going to look pants. As for the crowds..... :gag: It's going to be a long old day to stand around in the heat, and I don't really want to lug a seat around with me, as well as water and a long lens. Why on earth would they put on an air display within a week of midsummer's day? :thinking:

I'll have to give this some more thought before deciding whether or not to go.

[Paulie-W]

Don`t know if this will be any help to those going, buy advertised in our local paper.....

Highams Farm (http://www.highamsfarm.com/), park and view £8 per car. Sheepbarn Lane CR6 9PQ tel 01959 572 323 :shrug:

[deadkenny]

Crowd is on the right of the runway and you're going to be shooting west to north west so can be into the sun later in the day, but usually it's not too bad.

Best spot I find, at least if you don't want to fight for a place with the rest of the crowd, is to go towards the north end of the runway. A lot less crowded and there are spots around there where you can get a great view and don't even need to be right up to the fence and still get the runway in without heads. There's also a fantastic view of the London skyline from there, if it's not too hazy.

It's a great day out. No Vulcan this year though I think?

[Roguet]

Wasn't any Vulcan when I went last year either as it did not fly on the Sunday :(. Which is a good reason for going on the saturday as 2 or 3 planes pulled out on the sunday due to mechanical problems, which was a shame.

Am tempted to go tomorrow but did not get a ticket in advance this year as was in 2 minds whether to go or not. Also got Duxford Flying Legends and RIAT in a few weeks time :)

[Lester]

I'm going tomorrow, as England is now playing on Sunday. I forgot to get an advance ticket this year. I went last year for the first time and I reserved a grandstand seat then, which I think I will do again this year, to save lugging a seat around with me and I don't have to rush to get a good spot. I will be arriving ealry though, so I can get a seat. I'm going to aim to get there for about 8:30 - 9ish.

If anyone wants to meet up my mobile is 07703261471

The Vulcan will not be there, as it having major work at the moment. The first time this year for the Vulcan is at the moment planned for Waddington on the 3rd and 4th July.

Both the Lancaster and Vulcan had problems on the Saturday last year and did not fly on the Sunday. I went on the Sunday last year, as the Virgin 747 and together the Red Arrows was only on the Sunday.

[tdodd]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I'm still undecided whether or not to go on Saturday, but I think I probably will. The weather forecast for Saturday looks better than Sunday to me from this site....

http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/today.asp?zipcode=Biggin+Hill

Lester, I have your number so will give you a bell if I make it there. If anyone else goes then hopefully we will meet up. My avatar is about right and I shall be sporting a 7D and 100-400.

[Lester]

Ok Tim. I do plan on getting a seat in the grandstand providing any left. The seats are asigned, so I think we need to meet up before either of us gets tickets if you want to go in the grandstand. I found this easier, as I can put my bag on the floor and relax for the afternoon. Not sure if this would any good with regards to the sun position though, but I don't remember having too many problems last year.

I took this and others last year. Please don't critisis, as I know they're bad as this was my first time out a dslr and I shoot in jpg and auto all day.

Albums on the left (http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/lester16v/Biggin%20Hill%20Airshow%202009/)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/lester16v/Biggin%20Hill%20Airshow%202009/Boeing%20747-400%20and%20The%20Red%20Arrows/DSC_1843.jpg

[tdodd]

Lester and I are travelling together and will be aiming to get grandstand seating

[deadkenny]

Also got Duxford Flying Legends and RIAT in a few weeks time :)
And Farnborough later in July. A380 and Vulcan hopefully will be there. A400M too I think.