I was back at my folks place and was clearing up in the garage a bit, when I came upon a box of slides, all of which were marked “Jul 62”. I noticed a few of them were pictures of aircraft and scanned them in. They are – as you can see – in very poor condition, but I thought it might be worth posting them just to see who knows what about the aircraft. The airshow is probably in the West country, but more than that I don´t know. The last pic seems unrelated, but I think its a Sycamore. (Or dirt on the slide!)
Do I win the prize for “Worst old airshow pics yet unearthed”?
JD
By: James D - 7th May 2007 at 13:56
It is quite clear to me where these slides were taken, as I recognise all these from the “50th Anniversary of Military Aviation Air Show” that was held at RAF Upavon on 16th June 1962. I was there at the age of 12 and had just started ‘spotting’ . It was a fantastic air show and I remember seeing everything you have shown. I think this was one of the last times the Fulmar flew before it was grounded and put in the FAA Museum. The Sea Vixens are “Fred’s Five” aerobatic team from 766 Squadron. The entire Shuttleworth Collection machines were there and the Sycamore was from 118 Squadron RAF doing traffic patrols during the day.
Hope this helps.
Wow, hows that for a coincidence! Thanks so much for clearing up the mystery.
I´m guessing you don´t have any photos?
JD
By: Bager1968 - 5th May 2007 at 23:05
ok, 24 days before I was born, then.
By: ALBERT ROSS - 5th May 2007 at 15:52
It is quite clear to me where these slides were taken, as I recognise all these from the “50th Anniversary of Military Aviation Air Show” that was held at RAF Upavon on 16th June 1962. I was there at the age of 12 and had just started ‘spotting’ . It was a fantastic air show and I remember seeing everything you have shown. I think this was one of the last times the Fulmar flew before it was grounded and put in the FAA Museum. The Sea Vixens are “Fred’s Five” aerobatic team from 766 Squadron. The entire Shuttleworth Collection machines were there and the Sycamore was from 118 Squadron RAF doing traffic patrols during the day.
Hope this helps.
By: Lindy's Lad - 5th May 2007 at 15:43
having just read this month’s flypast, some of the aircraft in these pics are listed – I think it said that the 504 now is in hendon – don’t quote me, but read it yourself – my memory is shot…..
By: James D - 5th May 2007 at 15:35
You need a zoom lens on your box brownie… I love old photos like this.
These were in fact taken with a 1938 Leica, one of the finest cameras know to man (then!) 😉 They have just deteriorated horribly due to prolonged storage in the garage. They actually look slightly mouldy.
Thanks for all the info everyone. I had no idea Shuttleworth had been going so long. When was it founded?
I note on the Fulmar link that the cetificate of airworthiness expired in 1959, but it was still (obviously) airworthy until the end of 1962. Strange.
My Mum thinks this could be Fairford, but its a guess at best.
By: JDK - 5th May 2007 at 09:06
I had no idea that that any Fulmar flew ‘post-war’.
Indeed. Only one, but not just any one – it’s the Prototype of both the Mk.I and Mk.II versions.
See:
http://www.fleetairarm.com/exhibits/planes.asp?plane=70
Fairey Fulmar (N1854)
Only known existing example1939 – Built at Heaton Chapel construction number – F.3707; 04/01/1940 – First flight at Ringway (pilot – Duncan Menzies); 05/05/1940 – To Boscombe Down (C Sqdn) for trials and onboard HMS Illustrious; 12/1940 – Returned to Faireys for conversion to MkII (with Merlin 30 engine); 13/07/1945 – Noted at Church Broughton; 29/07/1946 – Registered as G-AIBE, and retained by Fairey Aviation as a company hack during the 1950’s; 06/1959 – Repainted in camouflage scheme; 06/07/1959 – Certificate of Airworthiness expired; 1961 – Noted at White Waltham, still airworthy; 18/12/1962 – Last recorded flight to RNAS Lossiemouth on return to Royal Navy; Non airworthy at RNAS Lossiemouth; 22/09/1972 – To FAAM
By: contrailjj - 5th May 2007 at 04:56
WOW!!
regardless of condition, I’m amazed…. I had no idea that that any Fulmar flew ‘post-war’. I’m really intrigued by the Vixen formation… any one else hace any input? It’s not in the time-frame fore ‘Simon’s Sircus’…
JJ
By: Bager1968 - 5th May 2007 at 02:11
Nice to see what was going on “across the pond” the month I was born! 😀
By: Lindy's Lad - 4th May 2007 at 12:56
The Sea Vixen dispaly team shot is interesting. I have a black and white photo from the same time, taken at Farnborough, or so I’m lead to believe. It shows two diamond formations consisting of sea Vixens and something which resembles scimitars… If I manage to dig it out, I’ll post it.
I also have a good photo of the Fulmar at RAF Acklington air day, and others from the same place including Hurricane, Gladiator, Wellington, Swordfish and Javelins. The bottom photo definately looks like a sycamore. You need a zoom lens on your box brownie… I love old photos like this.
By: JDK - 4th May 2007 at 11:52
Very interesting, and remarkably bad condition! 😀
You’ve got an Avro 504 in two shots and Fairey’s own (prototype) Fulmar G-AIBE (now on show at Yeovilton, sadly, but sensibly grounded). It’s in the FAA colours, which it wore after its Fairey blue and silver civil scheme, which could help with dating the shots.
AFAIK, only Shuttleworth’s 504 was airworthy in the UK in the 60s, but I might be wrong there.
Sign In
May 4, 2007 at 11:42 am