Sunday 26 June 2008

The RAF Merlin 

A new Air Arann ATR-72-500 makes a look level pass to open the show

With agility and speed the RAF Eurofighter Typhoon F.2  left its mark on the spectators .. setting off lots of car alarms !

a Yak-52 on the display line

Air Corp CASA  253 arrived in over the Galway bay after a fishery Patrol around the Coast , the weather broke but did not dampen a great display !

The display by the Air Corp pilot in EC-135 "270" was excellent and displayed the helicopters capability 

2 USAF A-10 Thunderbolts fly along the display line

A Yak-50 makes a slow flypast as the heavens open and a down pour rains down..

The RAF Shorts Tucano is used as a trainer , they are similar in appearance to the Air Corps Pilatus PC-9's , as usual it was a flawless display.

The rain starts as the Air Corp AW 139 "276"  flys in over the display line. 

Making a final appearance at Salthill Air Corp Alouette 111 "Alpha 214" makes a impressive low level pass over the display line , a fine testament to the Air Corp ground and flight crews , who have been operating these fine machines for over 40 years. Sad to see them go..

Air Corp "276" the latest addition to the Air Corp 

Flypast by a USAF C-21( Learjet 35 )

Coming to Bray in 2008...

The weather picked up for the Blades display , ex Red Arrow pilots in 4 Extra 400 aircraft arrived in from the South ,  the display was one of the highlights of the show for me and was a great crowd pleaser , they are coming to the Bray Airshow in the Summer .. can't wait !

The Shannon based s61n Coastguard helicopter EI-GCE arrives over Salthill for a display sporting the new livery that will be adopted by the rest of the SAR Fleet around our coast in the future.

As usual the display was flawless , and the helicopters capabilities were displayed to the full. At the controls was a very experienced Wicklow Pilot !

Display with Galway lifeboat

The Thunderbirds arrive .. 

Music played from a PA system along the beach as the Thunderbirds performed .. it was an experience

Great display loud and fast

LE CIARA was the guard ship , in the background is the Tanker FORTH FISHER for Galway.

The Royal Navy AEW Seaking leaves Salthill for Galway airport.

The Airshow was very enjoyable , and even the weather could not dampen it , it's unfortunate that the Air show will not take place in 2008 but thanks to Brian and the organising committee for a great show and a excuse to visit Galway over the last few years. And hopefully it will return in 2009 !

STELLA ORION at Galway

26 June 2008

The Irish Research vessel CELTIC EXPLORER at Galway.

27 June 2008

Photo's Tommy Dover

-To visit the offical Salthill Airshow website click here-

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