VHS Footage: Ards Airshows - 1989-2007

[causeway74]

Here's some footage to enjoy from recent digitisation projects from the Ards Airshows starting from 1989 right through to 2007 (with some gaps). Stay tuned for more!

What do you remember from trips to the Ards airshow?

1989:

1990:

1992:

1993:

1995:

1996:

1998:

1999:

2000:

2005:

2007:

[causeway74]

Some BBC reports from the 1989, 1990 and 1991 events. I think it's fair to say some lovely machines visited over the years. I wasn't at any of it, but I think the A10s flypast is definitely an unusual one as far as the fast jet movements go.

1989:

1990:

1991:

[rookie]

Back in the day when local airshows were brilliant before all the red tape got involved.

[causeway74]

Back in the day when local airshows were brilliant before all the red tape got involved.

Exactly, I was never at any of these myself, but was amazed at the variety that they got onto the lineups back then. Some really decent stuff.

[JasonT1981]

A lot more Varity back then rather than the same displays at every show now.

In regards to the A10s, memory might be wrong, but didn't they display at the wrong airfield (Bishopscourt?) and ended up only having enough fuel for a flypast?

[causeway74]

A lot more Varity back then rather than the same displays at every show now.

In regards to the A10s, memory might be wrong, but didn't they display at the wrong airfield (Bishopscourt?) and ended up only having enough fuel for a flypast?

Didn't know that!

[angry turnip]

Wow,you have been busy,I will take some time to watch all these,I videoed a few of the shows late 1990's.
The A-10  (had them twice,once as a two ship,once as a three ship )story is true,they just had enough fuel for a flypast at Ards, then back to base after displaying at Bishopscourt by mistake.I think it was the two ship that displayed at Bishopscourt in error but I'm not certain.
One year at Farnborough the B-52 did it's display over a nearby airfield called Blackbushe,sack the navigator.

[causeway74]

Wow,you have been busy,I will take some time to watch all these,I videoed a few of the shows late 1990's.
The A-10 story is true,they just had enough fuel for a flypast at Ards, then back to base after displaying at Bishopscort by mistake.
One year at Farnborough the B-52 did it's display over a nearby airfield called Blackbushe,sack the navigator.

Enjoy! You might want to fast forward past the wing walkers in just about every video - I didn't want to edit out the boring stuff so it's very much a case of raw footage. Some real nice machinery overall though.

[casper]

I see you made the 'news'

https://flyinginireland.com/2025/09/history-of-the-ulster-airshow-newtownards/

[causeway74]

I see you made the 'news'

https://flyinginireland.com/2025/09/history-of-the-ulster-airshow-newtownards/

Hitting the big time now 

[JasonT1981]

Would you be ok with me sharing these to Newcastle FoF and AirshowsNI FB pages?

[angry turnip]

Back in the day several UFC members had made good contacts and were not afraid to ask from different sources. I remember talking to Gary Numan (Harvard painted as  Japanese Zero G-AZSC) for a while and he signed a heap of his records I brought with me.
Also commentator Angelo Cunningham had plenty of contacts to get interesting aircraft across.
One of the most impressive was the USAF F-111 which was mid 80's maybe 1985 or 86,that thing could shift.

[causeway74]

Would you be ok with me sharing these to Newcastle FoF and AirshowsNI FB pages?

Absolutely - share away at the YT links. Keen to share the memories.