Su-27 Flanker

Even as the cold war drew to an end, no-one could have predicted the fantastic sights of awesome Soviet technology that we were destined to be seen at forthcoming airshows. The Bear and Backfire epitomise the dark threat that the West lived with for forty years whilst the Russian Knights team with six Flankers and the Rolls Royce powered Tu 204 herald a new era of friendship and co-operation.

Military Airshow presents the highlights from 6 of the UK's premier events in a 90 minute feast of spactacular action. A massive range of military metal from 10 countries including Russia appear in an all action style that will bring hours of pleasure to any aircraft enthusiast.

Narrated by Jerry Mead.

British Aerospace at Woodford Aerodrome, Manchester, play host every year to a major airshow by the Royal Air Forces Association. The 1993 show attracted the customary large crowd despite damp and dismal weather.

They were not to be disappointed with spectacular displays by the "Russian Test Pilots". In their Sukhoi SU27 'Flankers', the first ever appearance in the UK by the giant Beriev 'Mermaid' jet flying boat and the beautiful sight of 6 Hawker Hunters of the "Patrouille Suisse" aerobatic team.

Military Airshow '92 is a compilation of the very best airshow action featuring a whole range of fighters, bombers, helicopters and transport displayed in the UK in 1992 introduced by David Oliver, editor of Airforces Monthly.

The oldest and newest are featured, so whilst saying goodbye to types like the Phantom, Buccaneer and F-111 we thrill to the sight of Rafale, Gripen, F--17 Stealth and new derivatives like the Harrier GR.7 and F-15E Strike Eagle.

Farnborough is perhaps the worlds's most famous aviation trade event and attracts the biggest, best and newest, plus some significant historic types on the public days. 1992 as no exception. Fabulous weather and a tremendous variety of types, particularly from the former Soviet Union, made this show a truly vintage event.

The '95 Biggin Hill International Air Fair witnessed one of the biggest gatherings of Russian aircraft ever to appear in the West. The astonishing Russian Test Pilots team and their state-of-the-art Sukhoi Su27 "Flankers" contrasted with the nine Yak 52's of the Red Stars Racing team. The Su29 duo tore up to aerobatic rule book whilst the Mig 29 'Fulcrum' simply tore the sky apart.

"Woodford Airshow is one of the best in the UK. It is organised by the Royal Airforces Association and hosted by British Aerospace who build the ATP airliner at Woodford. BAe types therefore feature but so do the Vulcan and Lancaster, with Woodford being the site of the former AVRO company. Other historic types included locally owned and flown Cirrus Moth, BAe's Mosquito and a Lightning F6 (for static display) on a rare outing from BAe Warton. This years stars though were heavy metal.

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.

Aviation Action cameras attended over 20 events in 1995 and this video draws on the very best action to present a huge variety of hardware from military inventories - East and West.

The most potent front line jets from the worlds premier airforces share the stage with 8 formation teams, airlifters, trainers, helicopters, and all manner of specialist role aircraft. Rare and spectacular displays include only the second ever UK appearance of the F117A 'Stealth' fighter.

Biggin Hill Airfield is a famous Battle of Britain fighter station. The Spitfire and Hurricane featured at the 1996 International Air Fair but the centrepiece of the event was 'The wat that never was.'

The 'Cold War' in the 50's threatened to escalate into global conflict and the Hawker Hunter was our front line of defence at the time. The show managed to assemble no fewer than 7 flying examples and the dramatic scramble to intercept the intruder Mig is captured by an airborne camera.