shuttleworth

I think Moggy summed up the place pretty well in post 2. You certainly won’t regret making the effort to visit. It is a very special and unique place and long may it remain so.

The October show also means the Edwardian’s will be in the air earlier owing to the earlier sunset! It seems to be a good time of year for still evenings, so a good time to see them going up tiddly up up.

Adrian

Phantom II,

I do hope you make it to Shuttleworth. It is a wonderful place to see these special aircraft and it is very different to a Duxford show. I would second the idea of trying to visit on a non-flying day as well as catching a display. Never mind the photographs, the SMELL of the WW1 types as you enter the Hangar is really something to be experienced!

Peter

All of the responses have been enjoyable to read, and I appreciate the info. I’m really looking forward to heading over there sometime soon. Odds are I’ll be able to make the show in October provided life/work doesn’t get the way though sometimes those things happen. I look forward to seeing that Hurricane (& the other wonderful birds they have) soon though!

Yes. None.

The last spectators killed at a British airshow was when the DH.110 crashed at Farnborough in 1952!

I know what you have described is their usual attitude, but in the specific incident I was referring two there were a couple of people who were way away from their group, wandering around one aircraft when their guide and the others in their party had moved at least three aircraft further on and the guide had her back to them for quite a few minutes. As they were looking closely at one aircraft, another next to them was being prepared for a test flight.

Obviously I was not there but from what you describe there does not seem to be much danger. Children running around unsupervised represents a much great risk than meandering adults. I know our current “elf & safety” culture finds it hard to comprehend but most folk are able to look out for their own safety quite effectively.

Does anybody happen to know how many spectators have been killed or seriously injured at a British airshow within the last say, 10 years?

I have to confess the one thing I’m the most excited to see is their Sea Hurricane. Does it make regular appearances at their shows? .

Yes

Quote (I was surprised to see visitors who were on a tour wandering all over the place on the flight line away from the guide so I am not sure if it is as well policed).

In my experience the tour marshals will give you a little freedom providing there is no danger of aircraft movements or mechanical activity, and they can see you are responsible and aware. I always ask permission to move a little way out of the group for a shot and then immediately return.

John

I know what you have described is their usual attitude, but in the specific incident I was referring two there were a couple of people who were way away from their group, wandering around one aircraft when their guide and the others in their party had moved at least three aircraft further on and the guide had her back to them for quite a few minutes. As they were looking closely at one aircraft, another next to them was being prepared for a test flight. I watched as I thought it quite unusual

Keep a eye on their website as they usually post what they are hoping to fly well in advance…

Strangely neither the Sea Hurricane nor the Hawker biplanes (I really must learn to identify these: Hind / Nimrod?) were mentioned on the website for last Sunday…

…the listings of the other flying collection aircraft and visiting aircraft was highly accurate.

I must warn you that Old Warden is a place you can’t go to just once. You’ll find yourself returning time and again as there isn’t anywhere else quite like it.
Anne

Very true, the only other airshows like these that I remember were at Strathallen and that is long gone now….. October weather can be fickle but if its is good the atmosphere of the place will stay with you for a long time.

Quote (I was surprised to see visitors who were on a tour wandering all over the place on the flight line away from the guide so I am not sure if it is as well policed).

In my experience the tour marshals will give you a little freedom providing there is no danger of aircraft movements or mechanical activity, and they can see you are responsible and aware. I always ask permission to move a little way out of the group for a shot and then immediately return.

John

… with everyone milling around and getting in the way of other photographers and busy Shuttleworth ground crew.

From my observation it’s often the ‘photgraphers’ who get in the way of the ground crew in their eagerness to get yet another shot that will languish, unseen, on a hard drive somewhere.

Moggy

The price for tours went up when the Collection took over their running from the SVAS photo section. For an admittedly single event look from the other side of the fence last Sunday, I was surprised to see visitors who were on a tour wandering all over the place on the fllightline away from the guide so I am not sure if it is as well policed.

Edit: I didn’t mean this to sound like a complaint, it was just an observation-I am fully aware why the Collection made the decsison to take over the tours and I guess they might be finding their feet.

Rob68, yes bird strike marking still there on port side just below the forward cockpit framing, looks like a pigeon to me. M

£8 !!!! In one sentence you have stated the reason a ‘photo tour’ uneccessary. You are so close to the aircraft on the ground at any time, so why spend another £8 on top of the £25 gate price?

The cost has gone up this year from the former £5.00. I’m a model kit designer/manufacturer, so on a photo tour for the cost of an Airfix kit I can take close up or wide detail reference pictures as I wish, without the restrictions of people or barriers. Yes you can get close when they are moving the aircraft from the sheds with everyone milling around and getting in the way of other photographers and busy Shuttleworth ground crew.

Shuttleworth is a gentle, idiosyncratic, esoteric place where even the car park is interesting and my spaniel is welcome. If you have not been then you really don’t know what you are missing. The sight and sound of two, wing tip to wing tip, Silver Hawker biplanes hurtling past at low level is worth every penny.

John

Has the Hurricane still got the “bird” kill markings on the other side?

Whatever you do just go, its more than worth it! Get as close as you like to the Sea Hurricane, this shot was taken last visit. Went to see the four airworthy Miles Magisters, a sight I have never seen before and I’ve been going every year since 1979!

Always something worth seeing at Old Warden………………….

I must warn you that Old Warden is a place you can’t go to just once. You’ll find yourself returning time and again as there isn’t anywhere else quite like it. Keep a eye on their website as they usually post what they are hoping to fly well in advance. The Hurricane is a frequent performer as it is not as affected by the weather some of the other aircraft in the collection.

Anne

To help keep the collection going?

What?, are you saying these wonderful aircraft cost money to fly and operate? I thought it was all the rage to stand outside OW and Duxford airshows these days and watch the displays for “free”…..

Well said Oxcart, succinctly and well put, many people seem to forget these things take a lot of money and volunteer time to happen.

Another way to get close to the aeroplanes is to hang around after the flying is over when they put them all back in the hangars.