After the handful of invalid votes were
deleted the final tally was 1062. This year was one of the biggest
responses overall, however there was an increase in the numbers
not voting in all categories.
Best Airshow
1st) RIAT
(384)
2nd) RAF Cosford Air Show (191)
3rd)
Shuttleworth Military Airshow (155)
RIAT - ‘A celebration of the World’s air power in Gloucestershire’,
was the headline for Airscene's 2023 review of this world beating
air show by Lee Chapman. RIAT stay on top for the second year in a
row... well done RIAT!
Best Free
Airshow
1st) Eastbourne (209)
2nd)
Bournemouth (103)
3rd)
Rhyl (66)
After being
ousted by Rhyl Airshow in the 2022 Award, both Eastbourne and
Bournemouth have staged a comeback this year, taking 1st and 2nd
respectively - Rhyl drops down to 3rd place.
Best Display
Team
1st) Red Arrows (330)
2nd) Saudi
Hawks (311)
3rd) BBMF (82)
While the Red
Arrows have made it back to 1st place this year, it is apparent
that the Saudi Hawks were very well received at RIAT and a few
more votes would have put them on top. I suspect this voting
reflects similarities in the routines rather than differences...
Best Solo
Display
1st) RAF Typhoon (307)
2nd) Pitts
bi-plane (Rich Goodwin) (193)
3rd) RAF
Chinook (162)
The RAF
Chinook has featured in every Solo Display Top 3 on Airscene, and
makes it onto the list in 3rd place again. The RAF Typhoon last
made first place in 2014, and didn't get into the top 3 at all
last year, so quite a bounce back this year. Rich Goodwin's Pitts
Special muscle bi-plane featured heavily in the voting and grabs
2nd place, making it onto the list for the first time.
And finally
Best Aviation Museum
1st) Army
Flying Museum (236)
2nd) RAF
Museum Midlands (202)
3rd) RAF
Museum London (142)
This is only
the 2nd year that RAF Museum
Midlands (Cosford) have not bagged the top slot,
but made a strong showing for 2nd place. This is the first time
RAF Museum London (Hendon) have made it into the top 3, this year
grabbing 3rd place beating Duxford by a small margin. Voters were
out in force this year for the Army Flying Museum, who have barely
featured in recent years, I think this is down to improvements and
growing interest in their calendar of events - such as the
"Wallop Wings & Wheels" event held in July (not an air show by the
way).
Just a few
words from one of the Army Flying Museum's voters this year:
"It is a great place for all ages to visit
and has a super little cafe with a balcony which enables
spectators to view the action on the airfield.
” – Jackie Grey |