Flypasts, old and new.

[RubyRoo]

I have a few questions which I hope some of the more experienced enthusiasts among us may know the answer to.

In terms of UK flypasts, whether it be for a Jubilee or other occasion, does anybody know:

- The largest flypast in terms of the number of total aircraft.
- The single largest formation element of any flypast. (the Hawks in the EIIR formation with 27 aircraft springs to mind).

Any help much appreciated.

[Thunder]

RNAS Lossiemouth Air Day 1971, a mix of based Buccaneers and Hunters totalling 36 a/c. They flew in cells of four but the cells were so close to one another I think it would warrant being a single formation.

[Nighthawke]

Probably the Coronation review 1953 at Odiham.

[plmc135]

Also the VE-Day flypast on 8th June 1946 made up of 307 aircraft.

[slogen51]

The Finningley flypast in 1977 was probably the biggest I have personally seen

I had just started mil spotting the year before so it helped to kick start the RAF types

[Captain Haddock]

50th D Day flypast over Weymouth and Portland would be the most I've ever seen. Then a race back to Yeovilton to see them land.

[slogen51]

Oh yes forgot that one

And also the review at Lee on Solent - wasps galore!

[Phixer74]

It has to be the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain flypast in 1990, traveling between airfields to catch up with all the aircraft including spares, and then watching them come over Abingdon 1990 Battle of Britain airshow will live long in my memories.

[roughcutter]

Probably the Coronation review 1953 at Odiham.

https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/ ... edir_esc=y

[sschofield]

It has to be the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain flypast in 1990, traveling between airfields to catch up with all the aircraft including spares, and then watching them come over Abingdon 1990 Battle of Britain airshow will live long in my memories.

I was also at Abingdon that day, 168 aircraft in the flypast I seem to recall?

[Nighthawke]

In more recent times yes, but the 1953 one was 600+.

The RAF 75th was 140+ although that was the final rehearsal as rain stopped play for the actual day.

[iainpeden]

An interesting thread. My personal memory is the Battle of Britain Flypast at Abingdon in 1990 and I always enjoyed the opening station flypast at Finningley.

My late father-in-law witnessed the largest flypast in history. He was a stoker on HMS Whelp, moored in Tokyo Bay at the signing of the Japanese surrender. 400 B-29s and 3000 carrier aircraft.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flypast#: ... rticipated.

[sschofield]

Probably the Coronation review 1953 at Odiham.

https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/ ... edir_esc=y

Interesting! I wasn't aware Eric had written this, albeit a while ago. For those that don't know him, Eric Bucklow is/was the guy the organised the tours around the BAEs facility at Warton in recent years, as well as being one of the former Tornado test pilots for many years. He's well into his 80s now but can still be seen out and about spotting from time to time!

[22A]

Probably the Coronation review 1953 at Odiham.

1' 35" in for the aircraft; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOD3gmcVQlI&t=94s
with the flying at 4' 45"