I was there in 85 looking after a Buccaneer that was on display. The SR71 was only cleared to do the display using only one afterburner as it was too loud using both. The days when Airshows were airshows
The one and only time I ever went to Mildenhall was for the 1987 air display.. as a 14-year-old aviation lover it was one of the greatest days of my life especially getting to see the blackbird.. Great memories
I was 21 by then - but 15 when I first went in 1981. Usually with my Dad and old schoolmates. Wonderful times. I was probably there in 1987. The last time was probably 1989 or 1990.
Thank you for sharing the footage! Brought back so many memories of the Air Fete that i attended with my Dad from the late 80s to the early 2000s. "Air Fete stickers!" They used to cost $1 or 50p (just shows you what the exchange rate was like back then!). I remember the cost being £12/car! The excitement of picking up the calendar and the flying order, then going to get some warm donuts before checking out the static displays. Hot May weekends, fantastic flying, the smell of jet fuel and BBQs, downing cans of Minute Maid and coming home with a sunburnt face! Epic epic times. Bring it back!!!
Looking out for myself and my Dad on this video. Likely the best airshow he took me to. Seeing the American cars brought over by the USAF staff, the BBQ's, and the sheer number of aircraft I'd not laid eyes or ears on before. SR-71 was obviously a highlight - the only time I have ever witnessed one in flight, but I also recall visitors not only being allowed inside a KC-10 but being encouraged to exit the over-wing door and walk around on the wing itself. No safety ropes nor staff out there to assist. Amazing day out.
Fantastic footage! Used to attend Mildenhall and Fairford from late 80s to early 90s. The "proper" airshow years. How I loved it! Miss those days so much
Thanks for a great video, a reminder of how good airshows were before we dumbed them down. That section with the Blackbird on a low level pass was great. Thanks again.
I was born in Mildenhall and attended all the air shows. They were fantastic and attracted fans in their 100,000's. My fondest memories were seeing the Blackbird display, the U2 which was based at Mildenhall for a time, the beer and burgers and the super friendly US people. It was a sad day when the Air Fete was disbanded....ps great footage...
I was at this and I was 12 years old. Still got the programme and pics of the SR71 that I took on my Zenith Russian SLR camera. Obviously all the aircraft were amazing, but the thing I remember most was that I could get a BBQ Burger and a can of Bud! The American guys cooking away in the half barrel bbq's. I was 12! I think I had three. God damn, the 80's was awesome.
Great video!! I was an airman there from 83-86. A 19 year old, that got to lay out by the flightline, in chemical warfare gear, and watch the SR take off and land. Last week, we went to the Air and Space museum, outside of Washington DC. And there it was, in all it's magnificence. It was almost emotional, to see it after almost 40 years. I could have sat there all day.
I was there on the Sat , rain in the morn. While the SR71 was great the M2000 really stood out for me in my mem from that day and seeing it here again what a cracking display that was , thanks for the video not easy to do in those days . Was in agony with my back that day coud hardly walk.
The Biggin Hill 'Battle of Britain' days of the 60s and 70s, the Greenham Common Air Fairs of the 80s and the Mildenhall Air Fetes of the 80s and 90s. So many types of military aircraft. Halcyon days which will live in the memory for ever! Thanks for the posting.
Wonderful! Were you one of those guys I used to see with a heavy video camera, a massive battery pack and a full size video recording machine strapped around your neck, standing on a stepladder on a boiling hot afternoon?🤣👍👍👍👍👍 Great footage.
Mildenhall was the best airshow in the uk and sadly missed ( very happy childhood going there ) What we have now is poor the Americans sure did now how to put on a show and atmosphere
It was just the hole atmosphere the show the Americans put on from the BBQ’s and the air show plans the Americans had to show off was a 100 times better
@@Artymorty_124The Milldenhall Air Fetes were simply the best UK airshows I've ever attended. Today, airshows in the UK are merely ok and a bit soulless in comparison. At Milldenhall it felt like you were attending a little bit of America. The atmosphere, food, organisation, hospitality of the Americans were all awesome. The kit on display was of the highest order, really we simply don't have anything left to compare it to in the UK sadly.
Things I remember about the mildenhall air displays apart from the great aircraft was the good food and friendly atmosphere put on by the Americans also the sunburnt face at the end of the day
I used to go to Mildenhall speedway most weeks then. And when the Air show was on. and the Announcer had the running order for the days flying, and tried his hardest to give the running comment on the speedway racing and which plane was flying overhead at the same time 🤣 great times still love watching the planes at Lakenheath and still follow the speedway.
Love the Blackbird look up this RUclips video of a pilot talking about a "FAA speed check" It is a wonderful story Major Brian Shul, USAF (Ret.) SR-71 Blackbird 'Speed Check
@spagsketti The burden of proof lies with the person asserting it. The LA Speed Check story has no proof it ever happened so it can be dismissed without proof. Thats basic logic. But ok. High level and low level airspace are different sectors with different controllers. A 737 asking for deviations around a thunderstorm doesn’t want to have to wait until a Cessna has had a speed check done to ask for it. Especially around very busy airspace that LA centre manages.
Probably over g’d it in the turn around 26:40. He was really cooking and in a climbing right bank >55 degrees. Of course, it could’ve been a few other moments, too
The last flight of AN SR-71 was 1999 (tail 980/nasa 844). The last flight of THIS SR-71 (tail 973) was a few weeks after this airshow, because of this performance: the jet was overstressed at the 715 line where the chine meets the wing. Her next flight was a one-time, subsonic flight from the UK to Palmdale, where she was retired as the extensive repair required would’ve been too expensive. She’s now on display at the Blackbird Airpark in Palmdale.
I was there in 85 looking after a Buccaneer that was on display. The SR71 was only cleared to do the display using only one afterburner as it was too loud using both. The days when Airshows were airshows
The one and only time I ever went to Mildenhall was for the 1987 air display.. as a 14-year-old aviation lover it was one of the greatest days of my life especially getting to see the blackbird.. Great memories
I was 21 by then - but 15 when I first went in 1981. Usually with my Dad and old schoolmates. Wonderful times. I was probably there in 1987. The last time was probably 1989 or 1990.
Thank you for sharing the footage! Brought back so many memories of the Air Fete that i attended with my Dad from the late 80s to the early 2000s. "Air Fete stickers!" They used to cost $1 or 50p (just shows you what the exchange rate was like back then!). I remember the cost being £12/car! The excitement of picking up the calendar and the flying order, then going to get some warm donuts before checking out the static displays. Hot May weekends, fantastic flying, the smell of jet fuel and BBQs, downing cans of Minute Maid and coming home with a sunburnt face! Epic epic times. Bring it back!!!
I was there! The blackbird went over and set off all the car alarms (which were a new thing in the UK at that time).
Looking out for myself and my Dad on this video. Likely the best airshow he took me to. Seeing the American cars brought over by the USAF staff, the BBQ's, and the sheer number of aircraft I'd not laid eyes or ears on before. SR-71 was obviously a highlight - the only time I have ever witnessed one in flight, but I also recall visitors not only being allowed inside a KC-10 but being encouraged to exit the over-wing door and walk around on the wing itself. No safety ropes nor staff out there to assist. Amazing day out.
Fantastic footage! Used to attend Mildenhall and Fairford from late 80s to early 90s. The "proper" airshow years. How I loved it! Miss those days so much
That Blackbird was an amazing plane and so beautiful a work of art.
was at the 1987 Air Fete with Dad those were great Airshows
They were indeed!
mildenhall airfete great airshow but more importantly great burgers and beer
The Yanks always did legendary burgers at Mildenhall !
Thanks for a great video, a reminder of how good airshows were before we dumbed them down. That section with the Blackbird on a low level pass was great.
Thanks again.
That was a fantastic airshow & still got my photos of the mighty blackbird on static display
Brings back great childhood memories with my Grandad 🥹
I was born in Mildenhall and attended all the air shows. They were fantastic and attracted fans in their 100,000's. My fondest memories were seeing the Blackbird display, the U2 which was based at Mildenhall for a time, the beer and burgers and the super friendly US people. It was a sad day when the Air Fete was disbanded....ps great footage...
I was at this and I was 12 years old. Still got the programme and pics of the SR71 that I took on my Zenith Russian SLR camera. Obviously all the aircraft were amazing, but the thing I remember most was that I could get a BBQ Burger and a can of Bud! The American guys cooking away in the half barrel bbq's. I was 12! I think I had three. God damn, the 80's was awesome.
That first landing of the B52 bomber was like butter. Flawless.
That 87 Blackbird display got to me quite emotionally brings back amazing memories. I remember attending the Air fetes from 86 to about 91-92.
Great video!! I was an airman there from 83-86. A 19 year old, that got to lay out by the flightline, in chemical warfare gear, and watch the SR take off and land. Last week, we went to the Air and Space museum, outside of Washington DC. And there it was, in all it's magnificence. It was almost emotional, to see it after almost 40 years. I could have sat there all day.
You are such a lucky Man sir. Im studying an aerospace engineering diploma and I seeing these planes just make me think what we are capable of today.
How good airshows were when the cold war was still warm!
I always remembered the oil drum barbecues at mildenhall lol I loved those airshows
Just the sound of that thing!❤ Fantastic. Brings back happy memories of going to Mildenhall with my Dad and old schoolmates.
I was there on the Sat , rain in the morn. While the SR71 was great the M2000 really stood out for me in my mem from that day and seeing it here again what a cracking display that was , thanks for the video not easy to do in those days . Was in agony with my back that day coud hardly walk.
Wow wow 😀 great airshow and sr 71 blackbird 👍 . Good old days
This is some of the best air show footage available! Thanks for sharing!
I wish I could have seen the SR71 flying, but I do remember how loud the Vulcan displays were!
The Biggin Hill 'Battle of Britain' days of the 60s and 70s, the Greenham Common Air Fairs of the 80s and the Mildenhall Air Fetes of the 80s and 90s. So many types of military aircraft. Halcyon days which will live in the memory for ever! Thanks for the posting.
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird😍😍❤
I was there with 1279squadron air training corps from Melton Mowbray,great show
Imagine going to an airshow and seeing the Blackbird & the vulcan fly! Makes you realise how pants they are these days compared to this...
Wonderful! Were you one of those guys I used to see with a heavy video camera, a massive battery pack and a full size video recording machine strapped around your neck, standing on a stepladder on a boiling hot afternoon?🤣👍👍👍👍👍 Great footage.
Watching this video here at Mildenhall
The SR-71A BlackBirds design is timeless / ageless. It might even look better as it gets older. Keeping that Sci-Fi look.
Mildenhall was the best airshow in the uk and sadly missed ( very happy childhood going there )
What we have now is poor the Americans sure did now how to put on a show and atmosphere
Wow you have me most intrigued-how would you say the average Mildenhall airshow compared to the average air tattoo today?
It was just the hole atmosphere the show the Americans put on from the BBQ’s and the air show plans the Americans had to show off was a 100 times better
@@Artymorty_124The Milldenhall Air Fetes were simply the best UK airshows I've ever attended. Today, airshows in the UK are merely ok and a bit soulless in comparison. At Milldenhall it felt like you were attending a little bit of America. The atmosphere, food, organisation, hospitality of the Americans were all awesome. The kit on display was of the highest order, really we simply don't have anything left to compare it to in the UK sadly.
Things I remember about the mildenhall air displays apart from the great aircraft was the good food and friendly atmosphere put on by the Americans also the sunburnt face at the end of the day
That’s when airshows were Awesome! Half those flown at this show are probably collecting dust in the Arizona desert. Such a shame
Great video and what a line up!
33:16 "Is it gonna crash?"
I used to go to Mildenhall speedway most weeks then. And when the Air show was on. and the Announcer had the running order for the days flying, and tried his hardest to give the running comment on the speedway racing and which plane was flying overhead at the same time 🤣 great times still love watching the planes at Lakenheath and still follow the speedway.
Great listening
Love the Blackbird look up this RUclips video of a pilot talking about a "FAA speed check" It is a wonderful story Major Brian Shul, USAF (Ret.) SR-71 Blackbird 'Speed Check
RIP Brian Shul 😞
It’s fake.
@@calvinnickel9995 Okay ya, prove it. Don't just say it is fake. Prove it.
@spagsketti
The burden of proof lies with the person asserting it. The LA Speed Check story has no proof it ever happened so it can be dismissed without proof. Thats basic logic.
But ok. High level and low level airspace are different sectors with different controllers. A 737 asking for deviations around a thunderstorm doesn’t want to have to wait until a Cessna has had a speed check done to ask for it. Especially around very busy airspace that LA centre manages.
Also Al Joersz-holder of the SR-71 speed record-says it’s fake for the same reason I do.
Awesome.
Ace mate.
Looks like a Great day out with some amazing Aircraft.... Happy New Year Barry.... :-))))
Many Thanks hopefully will be able to get out with the video camera to some more events in 2022........Happy New Year........Regards Barry
@@BarryPrice1959I bet the gear weighs a bit less than in the 80s!
Those 80s airshows were fatastic. Especially if you were a kid growing up.
Sr71 got cookin pretty good. About 25% of what it can do though!
I was born at K.I. Sawyer afb. B-52 was my first word. Dad worked on autopilot.
Gosh f111, the best
it must have been incredible...
What would the B52 be without the smoke?
i was there somewhere on my brothers shoulders
Those were the days proper air shows……….
No comparison these days
Sadly missed airshow,Airshows in uk are pathetic compared to years ago
Was that a bird strike from the Blackbird ?
The SR71 was over stressed on this display and was retired.
Thanks for the info I didn't know that TR6.......was always a highlight of the show when the SR71 displayed........Regards Barry
@@BarryPrice1959 Major Jim Jiggins was the pilot, cheers Barry.
Lmao! WRONG!! Last flight was 1999
Probably over g’d it in the turn around 26:40. He was really cooking and in a climbing right bank >55 degrees. Of course, it could’ve been a few other moments, too
The last flight of AN SR-71 was 1999 (tail 980/nasa 844). The last flight of THIS SR-71 (tail 973) was a few weeks after this airshow, because of this performance: the jet was overstressed at the 715 line where the chine meets the wing. Her next flight was a one-time, subsonic flight from the UK to Palmdale, where she was retired as the extensive repair required would’ve been too expensive. She’s now on display at the Blackbird Airpark in Palmdale.
Я не смена
Lol sr71