Portrush airshow. What time Saturday. Best place to go

steveymp

caz2703 wrote: »

Well I've been told that the Red Arrows aren't due on until very late in the day and will be up in the air for an hour before heading back. I think given this it would be a very long day and a 6 hour return trip for a 1 hour slot for the Arrows.

Thank you for the advice everyone but I think I'll watch highlights on the news or YouTube instead.

Your travelling from North Down ???

My Uncle drives Bangor to Portrush in 1hr 30mins, less in light traffic which Saturday morning should be:o he is no rocket pilot either he drives a 25ft motorhome;)

Traffic coming into Portrush will be probably hectic enough thou:o but hey the sun is gonna shine (fingers crossed) and its gonna be a great day;)

There is a lot more to the show than the Red Arrows (although they are the highlight for me too) I only wish they would bring the Tornado back again seeing it breaking the sound barrier across Portrush Bay was unbelievable, as was the sound when it caught up with the plane:D

flogthedog

The Red arrows website quotes their display starting at 17 30 on Saturday. The times are accurate to the minute judging by Newcastle a few weeks ago. The link is http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teamnews/index.cfm?storyid=D2CD9942-5056-A318-A843B37FD499AA13

caz2703

steveymp wrote: »

Your travelling from North Down ???

My Uncle drives Bangor to Portrush in 1hr 30mins, less in light traffic which Saturday morning should be:o he is no rocket pilot either he drives a 25ft motorhome;)

Maybe you can drive it in that but when we were thinking of going it was going to be good old trains from Bangor which according to the timetable would take 2hr 38min IIRC plus travel time from the station home.

flyer64

caz2703 wrote: »

Well I've been told that the Red Arrows aren't due on until very late in the day and will be up in the air for an hour before heading back. I think given this it would be a very long day and a 6 hour return trip for a 1 hour slot for the Arrows.

Thank you for the advice everyone but I think I'll watch highlights on the news or YouTube instead.

I stand to be corrected but I thought the longest routine they flew was around 25 minutes? so if you don't fancy it for an hour you'd be bitterly disappointed with 25 minutes!!

kltoddie

Long train journey with kids & pram - I'd advise against. I always travelled from Ballymoney to Belfast for work on the train and any time anything was on, e.g. bank holiday weekend, North West, it was a disaster. I got the train one Saturday (free with my monthly train ticket - how MSE) up to my Mum and Dad's instead of driving but it was packed though someone eventually gave me and the wee'an a seat (and I didn't even contemplate bringing the buggy - only time I ever did was when I took DD1 on the train from Ballymoney to Coleraine to go to the shoe stop - just wanted to take her on a short train journey so she'd been on a train, and that time did bring the buggy, the tiny Quinny one which I was able to stash at my feet). If you bring the car you can fill it with bits & bobs for the kids, picnic, etc etc.

Have been to the air show a couple of times - always went on a Sunday as not quite so packed. We've always gone when it's underway and been quite flukey with the parking - 1 year got parked sort of near the fire station, other times managed to get parked on the grass at the big car park (if you do this, be sure and park where you won't get blocked in - we saw others parking up after us and they just abandoned their cars anywhere).

KT

steveymp

caz2703 wrote: »

Maybe you can drive it in that but when we were thinking of going it was going to be good old trains from Bangor which according to the timetable would take 2hr 38min IIRC plus travel time from the station home.

Ahhh yes good old NIR:eek: the train journeys in our wee country are crap, I used to travel from stroke city to Lisburn and that journey could take over 3 hours one way sometimes:eek: having to change trains twice didn't help:o

The trains have improved since then and the lines are being upgraded slowly but surely, but as others have said the trains will be packed tomorrow so maybe not the best if you have children with you.

Forecast has changed for tomorrow now:mad: looks like its gonna be wet:mad: tried telling my son we will go Sunday instead (which has better forecast) but he is having none of it:o I'll take me brolley;)

And the Red arrow show is 20-25 minutes tops, but it is worth it:T:T:T

caz2703

flyer64 wrote: »

I stand to be corrected but I thought the longest routine they flew was around 25 minutes? so if you don't fancy it for an hour you'd be bitterly disappointed with 25 minutes!!

Sorry my bad. There is a 50 minute gap between their departure and arrival back at Aldergrove so taking into account flying time to Portrush then yes, 25 mins sounds about right.

Maybe another time but I fear it's just too long a day with the kids for all they'll see and care!

flyer64

Did anybody go to this today and get a program?! What time is everything happening at tomorrow?! The website for the show is useless - I'd like to know what time the Eurofighter is supposed to fly at - and what else is appearing. Can anyone help?!

caz2703

flyer64 I wish I could help you but unfortunately I only got the times for the Red Arrows.

Like you said, the website is fairly useless and didn't confirm what day the Eurofighter or Red Arrows would be on. I had to rely on people in the know to find out for me. I would hazard a guess that it will probably be the last display of the day but don't quote me on it. With the Arrows being on so late and the journey being closer to 3 hours for us we decided against it.

Hopefully someone who did go will let you know with enough notice.

flyer64

caz2703 wrote: »

flyer64 I wish I could help you but unfortunately I only got the times for the Red Arrows.

Like you said, the website is fairly useless and didn't confirm what day the Eurofighter or Red Arrows would be on. I had to rely on people in the know to find out for me. I would hazard a guess that it will probably be the last display of the day but don't quote me on it. With the Arrows being on so late and the journey being closer to 3 hours for us we decided against it.

Hopefully someone who did go will let you know with enough notice.

Thanks, I suspect the Eurofighter will close the show, and to be honest it's the only thing I'm dying to see. But I'd be gutted if I left late and the bloomin thing opened the show! I don't want to end up parked on the hard shoulder taking photos while standing through my sunroof!:D