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.
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
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
+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!
@@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.
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.. 🤠👍
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!!!! 💕
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.
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
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.”
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!
+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
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!!
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!!!
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.
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
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
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 !
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.
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
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 ?
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.
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
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.
+Airshow World Thank You, Mildenhall Air Fete was a bit special, not only because of the great aircraft line up they used to have, the SR71 was a big favourite to many, but also the atmosphere there too.|I had many a great weekend at the 'Hall' but it only when you look back you appreciate just how good it was...........Regards Barry
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.
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!
Thank You Oscar.....Yes great memories of the Best Airshow in the UK back in the day........Never to be seen again im affraid but we had some great weekends at the Air Fete and watch some terrific action from some Classic Aircraft.......Regards Barry
Thank Laurie......yes the Mildenhall days really was the 'Golden Era' for airshows in the UK.......so many different aircraft on display..........cheers Barry
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 .
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!
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
I went to so many Mildenhall Airfetes - living less than 20 miles away at Newmarket and being in the ATC. Then I went to many in later years with mates for the burgers and beers and the aircraft of course. Then I was in the Defense Fire Service stationed at RAF Mildenhall up to and after the 9/11 attacks and the end of the shows - funny thing is: once I was working in the Fire Dept and involved with aircraft all the time as work I lost my enthusiasm for them and the airshows. Now, after 15 years out of the service I do miss it and this video not only brings back great memories but also starts me thinking that it's about time I went to a big airshow again. Thanks for the upload.
Thanks Karl, Always a good weekend at the Air fete even if not just to watch aircraft displaying.Burgers and bud's was something to enjoy..........the airshow scene is all a bit 'tame' these days and I only go to a couple each year now.......seem to have the same aircraft at all the show's which makes them a bit repetative.....but always enjoyed Mildenhall............Regards Barry
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.
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.
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.👌
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.
Mildenhall and Farnborough used to be the best airshows. Those planes made your soul shake. So glad I got to see them. Standouts for me were SR71 and English Electric Lighting. Thanks for uploading and for having a very expensive camera.
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)
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
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.
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
Mildenhall was by far the best AIRSHOW, sad how times have changed, Great footage many memories for me and my dad, I remember the 3 mile turn around for the blackbird and the lighting always setting off the car alarms -thank you Mr price
Thanks pbdaytona, yes good to look back at times past, and yes times have changed.......I suppose they call it 'Progress'..........still have some great memories of Mildenhall back in the day....tey can't change that......cheers Barry
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.
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
The anticipation before Mildenhall was amazing. Ahhh the burgers and Mountain Dew...great memories. I remember all of your video as if it was yesterday.....thanks for posting this :-)
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.
Brilliant footage Barry, thanks for sharing. I went to SA earlier this year, but due to the very sad death of Dave Stock we could not see the Lightning fly as Thunder City had been closed down, what a sad ending. Like many others I'd love to see this plane fly again.
+murdenis Thanks Murdenis, Its a real shame that Thunder City has closed and the Lightning no longer fly's out of there.....it was an amazing aircraft and I was lucky to see it display a few times........Mildenhall Air Fete was always a special show...........regards Barry
Whoever shot this video my hats off to you I missed 86 my first mildenhall was 87 my last 98 an AMAZING weekend of. AWESOME aircraft and the Americans the Best.🇺🇸❤️🇬🇧
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"
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.
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
Remember the Vulcan bomber ???
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.
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.
@@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.
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!
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
The golden age of jets is over...
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
Remember the donut rings?
I bet you know my dad
This was a great time to be alive if you liked air displays
Mildenhall was a fantastic show ,cheap to get in ,a fantastic air display ,and ,oh the taste of those burgers !!!
don't forget the Bud too
In the old oil drums filled with with ice water!
+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!
lordofbore and the smell of the fuel , mainly mildenhall was a fuel dump for refueling aircraft
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?
Echoes of a time when British airshows were actually worth attending!
American air show in England actually
@@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.
yes, and didn't cost a bomb to get in and £15 for a bloody program
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..
🤠👍
IIRC it was the biggest air show in Europe.
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 .
I was there. The best airshow I've been to and never will be surpassed for the size alone and array of aircraft seen.
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!!!! 💕
The Blackbird is still one of the most sinister looking aircraft ever!!!
It is the colour of Death, the Black Mamba of the skies: and the C.I.A do possess a propensity for being sinister.
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.
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
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.
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?
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.
+xxxxxxxxxxhardy Thank You Hardy yes I have alot of memories from the Mildenhall Air Fete Years.....it was a very special show........Regards Barry
Now that was an airshow! Just looking at the footage of an SR71 gave me goosebumps.
Great times when we had propper airshows in this country! nice video btw
Cheers TheBarnerm13......yes can't do Mildenhall without a bath tub full of Ice and bud's!
Cheers TheBarnerm13......yes can't do Mildenhall without a bath tub full of Ice and bud's!
What a beauty of show of war birds.
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.
I went to a Mildenhall airshow in the 90s...best airshow i ever went to.👍
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.”
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!
+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
I just went in a time capsule back to my childhood, thanks for that.
How relaxed life was in these days.....
Relaxed? It was the permanent threat of nuclear annihilation that made the airshows so good!
Can’t believe how close you can get to the planes in those days! They even flew right over you. Wow.
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!!
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 👍
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!!!
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Happy days! thanks for sharing. Fantastic displays.
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 !
Great show, I remember all the car alarms going off when the SR71 went past...epic.
Hi Barry....yes the SR71 was 'Epic' as you say.....amazing aircraft.....regards Barry
a film from 1988 and the B-52 is still rocking
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.
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
Back when air shows were interesting and worth going to.
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 ?
wow, that made my night. Lightning and Phantom look absolutely awesome !
Thnaks John....glad you enjoyed the footage from the Mildenhall Aire Fete............Regards Barry
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.
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
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.
I was 23 Mildenhall was one of the highlights of the air show year, loved the place and the burgers too.
Fantastic era for air shows in Britain....no h&s to worry about proper displays...takes me back to my teens.
Very Nice Barry, Your video captures what Mildenhall was all about, I wished I did more airshows in the 1980's.
+Airshow World Thank You, Mildenhall Air Fete was a bit special, not only because of the great aircraft line up they used to have, the SR71 was a big favourite to many, but also the atmosphere there too.|I had many a great weekend at the 'Hall' but it only when you look back you appreciate just how good it was...........Regards Barry
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.
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!
WOW thanks for posting - Never again will see the or hear anything like that - A fantastic piece of history - Regards and kudos.
Thank You Oscar.....Yes great memories of the Best Airshow in the UK back in the day........Never to be seen again im affraid but we had some great weekends at the Air Fete and watch some terrific action from some Classic Aircraft.......Regards Barry
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👍
Thank Laurie......yes the Mildenhall days really was the 'Golden Era' for airshows in the UK.......so many different aircraft on display..........cheers Barry
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 .
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!
Great camera work and great to see so many iconic planes doing flypasts!
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
I was a firefighter stationed at Mildenhall. This airshow was my first. I remember it like yesterday.
I went to so many Mildenhall Airfetes - living less than 20 miles away at Newmarket and being in the ATC.
Then I went to many in later years with mates for the burgers and beers and the aircraft of course.
Then I was in the Defense Fire Service stationed at RAF Mildenhall up to and after the 9/11 attacks and the end of the shows - funny thing is: once I was working in the Fire Dept and involved with aircraft all the time as work I lost my enthusiasm for them and the airshows.
Now, after 15 years out of the service I do miss it and this video not only brings back great memories but also starts me thinking that it's about time I went to a big airshow again.
Thanks for the upload.
Thanks Karl, Always a good weekend at the Air fete even if not just to watch aircraft displaying.Burgers and bud's was something to enjoy..........the airshow scene is all a bit 'tame' these days and I only go to a couple each year now.......seem to have the same aircraft at all the show's which makes them a bit repetative.....but always enjoyed Mildenhall............Regards Barry
Awesome Air Fete….I was at the event. Best airshow ever….
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.
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.
You guys were so lucky back then.
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.👌
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.
I was NCOIC of the Physical Exams Section at RAF Mildenhall from 1977-1980. What a great assignment!!
Thank you for this great video! Brings back some great memories! Cheers!
Ted Liddiment Thank You Ted.....Yes some great memories indeed........Cheers Barry
Thanks for sharing this film.
I was there it was fantastic!!
Andy
Thanks, great video, few memories relived, the Lightning was always my favourite jet 👍👍👍
What a treat that was! Thanks for uploading!
Fabulous! That's what you call an airshow!
The days when air shows truly were a spectacle!
+Goldenives Sure was, some iconic aircraft on display........a great weekend at Mildenhall........wish it was still going......Regards Barry
Mildenhall and Farnborough used to be the best airshows. Those planes made your soul shake. So glad I got to see them. Standouts for me were SR71 and English Electric Lighting. Thanks for uploading and for having a very expensive camera.
i would have been there in '86, great to see it again, awesome jets and nostalgia. thanks for posting a truly brilliant vid.
Thanks Regorsmith....it sure was a special show at Mildenhall.....glad you enjoyed the footage,.........regards Barry
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.
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)
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
Saw that happen and snapped a photo seconds before it happened. RIP.
Heard what sounded like a Vulcan howl on the SR-71 there. Awesome, thanks for posting.
Thanks Simon.......glad you enjoyed the footage of Mildenhall Air Fete..........Regards Barry
Professional standard camera work there Barry! Incredible shots of the SR71 and and EE Lightning, wowser!
Excellent footage, I was lucky enough to be there...those were the days!
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.
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
The F-4. Still the most classy looking jet of all, IMO.
Nah mate f4 is class but not a patch on the EE lightning.
Great video, I can remember the Vulcan when I was a boy, I still see the one at wellsbourne occasionally.
Brilliant video! thank you for uploading it...and not putting music over it.
Jon Schleif Thanks Jon...........yes Im not ever going to music over Jet Noise!!.......Cheers Bazza
Thank you for posting this video.
Great selection of Aircraft both Flying and static, this took place a year after i was born.
What an awesome airshow! I bet your ears would be ringing for days after watching this sheer POWER!!
I was at this air show as a 13 year old Air Cadet… best airshow ever!
Mildenhall was by far the best AIRSHOW, sad how times have changed, Great footage many memories for me and my dad, I remember the 3 mile turn around for the blackbird and the lighting always setting off the car alarms -thank you Mr price
Glad it brought back a few good memories Jazz, it sure was an amazing show at Mildenhall.......cheers Barry
Thanks for posting this.I worked in the MAC Terminal then and met some great people.Sad how times have changed.
Thanks pbdaytona, yes good to look back at times past, and yes times have changed.......I suppose they call it 'Progress'..........still have some great memories of Mildenhall back in the day....tey can't change that......cheers Barry
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.
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
Great footage...brought back many memories..thank you ✈
The anticipation before Mildenhall was amazing. Ahhh the burgers and Mountain Dew...great memories. I remember all of your video as if it was yesterday.....thanks for posting this :-)
Glad you liked the Video footage Iain....great memories for sure......Cheers Barry
Mildenhall was always my favourite. I miss it. Nice footage.
Thanks Mikey, yes my favourite too........only really RIAT compares these days...Regards Barry
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.
To be that close while these AWESOME!!!! aircraft flypast would make my day in everyday possible.
Thanks for showcasing some real classics.
Brilliant footage Barry, thanks for sharing. I went to SA earlier this year, but due to the very sad death of Dave Stock we could not see the Lightning fly as Thunder City had been closed down, what a sad ending. Like many others I'd love to see this plane fly again.
+murdenis Thanks Murdenis, Its a real shame that Thunder City has closed and the Lightning no longer fly's out of there.....it was an amazing aircraft and I was lucky to see it display a few times........Mildenhall Air Fete was always a special show...........regards Barry
Brilliant footage ,well done mate.SR71 and Lightning fantastic.
Whoever shot this video my hats off to you I missed 86 my first mildenhall was 87 my last 98 an AMAZING weekend of. AWESOME aircraft and the Americans the Best.🇺🇸❤️🇬🇧
BP many thanks for sharing the video. I lived there 85-89, and absolutely loved Air Fete
Great footage capturing aircraft we will never see fly again...
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"
Thirty-seven years later, the decibel levels are out of this world!
This is incredible footage!
Amazing video my friend thanks for uploading and sharing your memories of one of the greatest aircrafts ever built love it Thanks.