Vulcan

During a weekend of mixed weather the sun shone for the return of the AVRO Vulcan XH558 to the airshow scene at RAF Waddington International Airshow 2008.

The Aircraft's full display on Saturday and 3 practice displays on Thursday were filmed by our team for the official Airshow DVD.

British Aerospace at Woodford and Bruntingthorpe airfield in Leiscestershire are now inextricably linked by the birth place and retirement home of the RAF's last Vulcan bomber. She no longer flies (though we include a clip displaying at Woodford on her 30th Birthday), but its still a treat to hear her power up and scream into a fast taxi.

In addition ot the regular airshow scene, Aviation review of this year is a compilation of the highlights from 1993. The maiden flight of the rebuilt Blenheim, the airshow debut at Biggin Hill at the source classic jet flight's Venom and Vampire team, the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Royal Air Force and the last flights of the Lightning, Victor and Vulcan are all covered in this specially commisioned video for FlyPast and AFM magazines.

"Salute the Vulcan" was produced in conjunction with the Vulcan Display Flight and takes a long nostalgic look at the mighty Avro bomber in its last display year.

Drawing on material from 8 public shows during 1992 including the emotional last display at Cranfield, the entire display sequence is shown in a variety of weather conditions making for some thrilling viewing.

The British Aerospace airfield at Woodford in Greater Manchester is the legendary home of Avro and their June airshow always presents an exciting line up. This year, Avro's history was well presented and included the Avro 504 - the first aircraft ever to make a planned bombing mission. Avro's most famous bombers are also included - the Vulcan (its 25th Birthday display at Woodford in 1990) and the Lancaster, featuring the event surrounding its emotional poppy-drop for the V.J. celebrations.

RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk is operated by the United States Air Force and hosts a big military airshow over the two days of the Spring Bank Holiday.

1991 was the 15th annual event and included rare displays by the heaviest metal in the USAF inventory including the B1 and B52 bombers, the C5 Galaxy and C141 Starlifter transports and Mildenhall's own KC135's tankers.

Fast Jets included the F15,F16, Tornado and Mirage 2000.

The RAF's Shackleton made one of its last ever appearances contrasting poignantly with displays by the E3A AWAACS and Nimrod.

The annual Mildenhall Air fete is the UK showcase for modern American might and muscle and this bumper length video features the most dramatic action from the 1988 to 1995 shows.

American types dominate particularly the 'heavies' for which "The Hall" is so famous but rare and spectacular contributors from a dozen other air forces are included too.

Airshow aficionados have long held Woodford's June show in great regard for both the variety and the rarity of the display items assembled. For hundreds and thousands though, it's been the Vulcan, the Lancaster and, recently, the Flankers of the Russian Test Pilots that have attracted them to Avro's famous historic site near Manchester.