incorporating UKAirshows
and EnglishAirshows

Goodwood Revival 2009

Revival recreates the 1948 - 1966 era, when Goodwood was a prime UK motor racing circuit.

For airshow enthusiasts, the event is best described as a 'Wings and Wheels' but to leave it at that would understate the variety of events throughout its three days.

The major non-air event is classic motor racing, which starts at about 10am and finishes near dusk from Friday until Sunday. Friday's road events are official practice to select runners and grid positions, and the entry price to the grounds is lower to reflect the relatively reduced interest, but both of the weekend days are filled with finals - no fewer than 15 championships over the weekend as well as parades.

The extensive grounds are dotted with period displays including the inevitable Dad's Army but also police, the AA and others, all in uniform and with vehicles and other effects from the era. There are three music stands with a wide variety of music from the period, including rock, jazz, swing and wartime ballads. An old style car show has showroom condition classic cars complete with models - the way motor shows used to be. There is also plenty of catering and shopping around the track and in the central area with a free tractor ride to save you walking to the further points.

To qualify, everything at Revival has to date before 1966. All vehicles, all aircraft - even visitors are encouraged to attend in period dress. And the majority do. This adds hugely to the festival atmosphere, as do the little things. The catering and other staff dressed in period; the 'spy' wondering around the grounds with dark glasses and peering from behind a newspaper; the old couple and their pram, filled with their worldly possessions and clearly escaping the enemy or fleeing their bombed house.

The air theme is, also, pre-1966, so there are no Red Arrows, no Typhoon. However, the were a pair of Mustangs, a pair of Spitfires, and the BBMF trio including the Lancaster. A Messerschmitt joined in for the weekend. Goodwood's own Harvard was on view most of the time and flew occasionally. One of the highlights, as in many shows this year, was a display on both of the weekend days by the Vulcan. The other was the final public display by Goodwood's Vickers Vimy replica, before it goes on permanent display at the Brooklands museum.

The air displays started quite early. The first were before 9am each day. However, they were well spread and several were late in the afternoon. The weather was fair, bearing in mind that it was mid September, but it did get rather gloomy by the end of each afternoon. Dusk air displays work well earlier in the year, because the aircraft are well lit in the setting sun. However, in September it works a little less well. Although the flying itself was as excellent, as ever, from some of the best airshow pilots, the spectacle later in the day became less colourful.

It is evident that motor racing has first priority throughout the event. As the BBMF banked around the airfield the commentator was keen to let us know who was flying the craft so expertly, but the public address system was given over to a description of the mini - not even a race, just a eulogy that could surely have waited a few minutes. Even the Vulcan arrived unannounced and only a very brief commentary was allowed to interrupt the description of road racing. Frustrating for the airshow enthusiast but an example of how packed the days can be, with occasional action in the air and near constant action on the track.

The flying is more or less the same each day, but if you are coming on just one day, it is usually best to choose Sunday to reduce the risk of missing anything.

The Goodwood estate is owned by the Earl of March. His grandfather, a previous owner of the estate, was Freddie March, who flew aircraft he had designed himself. The static aircraft park is named, in his honour, the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation. As with the rest of the event, only pre-1966 aircraft are displayed. At most airshows with static aircraft parks, there is a fence that keeps viewers at a distance. At Goodwood the public can get up close and personal with the craft. There are 'wardens' to make sure nothing silly goes on, but within reason you can get right up to, touch, closely inspect and occasionally, when an owner or guardian attends, sit in the cockpit. Around 20 classic aircraft were on display including British, American, German and even a Chinese example - the 1966 Nanchang CJ-6A.

During the weekend a panel of distinguished judges decides which of the craft is best presented. The winner in 2009 was a Bucker BU133 Jungemeister.

As well as the static air park and air displays, air trips in a Dove or a Dragon Rapide could be taken as well as trial lessons in a Tiger Moth.

Many of the display aircraft, including the Messerschmitt, two Mustangs and Spitfires as well as the Harvard, were also on display in a separate area, some of them just 3 metres from the crowd line. You have to be a member of Goodwood's aero club to get any closer to them but it was easy for all visitors to catch the draft from the props, to see the craft prepared, fired up and taxi to the airstrip at much closer quarters than you expect at most traditional airshows.

Although Revival's focus is on motor racing, air displays and a static aircraft park come in a fair second place. There is not the variety or volume of air activity as some 'Wings and Wheels' events, but there is usually something unique that makes a visit well worthwhile. And if you like motor thrills as well, then there is really no other place that compares to Revival.