Spent a brilliant weekend at Eggesford airfield in Devon at Richard Webber’s Auster fly-in. First time i’ve ever been anywhere near this part of the country and was great to see it from the air. Was (extremely) lucky enough to get flights in, in order of flight;
Auster III (my favourite aircraft)
Auster AOP 6
Aeronca 7AC
Beagle Terrier
Auster AOP 9
Cheers to everyone I met and made me welcome at the weekend, too many to list but especially Martin (T6flyer), Derek (ChampMagic), Dave (Dave T) and Richard Webber, plus all of the pilots and owners of the aircraft I was taken up and had the privilege to take control of/take photos from.
Here’s some photos I took at the weekend, given the opportunities I got I really wish I had a proper digital SLR with me, maybe next year…. 🙂
Was surprised to see the Vega Gull there, beautiful aircraft
Ex-656 Squadron Auster Mk III MT438, served in the Far East in WW2 and looks great in her SEAC markings, lovely to fly as well
Next up I was in the observers seat in the back of the AOP 6 which flew in the 1959 Kings Cup Air Race. Was a bit of a struggle taking this photo showing the main hangar and some of the aircraft because of the G in the tight turn
Derek’s 1946 Aeronca, lovely little aircraft but the controls are bit too far forward for a short guy like me, plus I can’t see a thing in front of me!
Good views out of the side though, probably the best photo of the airfield I was able to get (looks a lot flatter than it does on the ground!)
This BA Sparrow was another interesting visitor, absolutely massive wings
An unusual Auster J1-A Crofton, one of two on the CAA register, interesting in that it doesn’t have perspex in the roof or the top of the fuselage, plus the side windows are similar to those of the J2 Arrow (according to the CAA it was built in 1995!)
MT438 wasn’t the only war veteran – this Piper AE-1 was used at Pearl Harbor and Guam for casualty evacuation
This Yak 52 flew in on Sunday afternoon, another aircraft I didn’t expect to see
One of four complete Auster AOP 9’s at Eggesford, finished off my weekend with a flight in this one, doing vertical stall turns was something I never thought i’d experience in an Auster, and according to those on the ground something they’ve never seen before!
Have more photos of resident aircraft and visitors if anyone is interested (have a ton of photos of the Auster Mk III)
By: ChampMagic - 10th August 2006 at 21:55
The Aeronca may not be there as there is an Aeronca Club fly-out to France over the bank holiday weekend. But I have Henstridge in my diary as a back up in case the weather prevents the French trip.
By: T6flyer - 10th August 2006 at 16:57
Now are all you Auster guys going to bring your aircraft to Henstridge on 26th? I hope to be there in anticipation of seeing the Auster Crofton, Chrislea Skyjeep and Aeronca. :rolleyes:
Think its a date marked on the Eggesford calendar!! We all went last year from what I can remember (weather wasnt that good and for some reason went in one aeroplane (G-AMMS) and came back in MK.III G-AREI!
Martin
By: ALBERT ROSS - 10th August 2006 at 13:16
Now are all you Auster guys going to bring your aircraft to Henstridge on 26th? I hope to be there in anticipation of seeing the Auster Crofton, Chrislea Skyjeep and Aeronca. :rolleyes:
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 8th August 2006 at 17:43
BTW Martin – always been tempted to ‘do’ an airfield diorama myself….never got round to it though –
Have you seen this little lot – I hear the flightpath stuff is excellent
TT
http://www.matadormodels.co.uk/yairfield2%2072nd/lists%20airfield72nd.htm
http://www.scalemodelaccessories.co.uk/page6.htm
http://home.clara.net/djparkins/fltpath/fp72_wwii_airfield_acc.htm#Control%20Tower%20Fittings%20Set
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 8th August 2006 at 17:39
A great example of forum co-operation by the sounds of things – well done all for making the young’un feel welcome, will give him a clip round the ear for playing with things with inline engines though…..radials rule!
Naval Encounter and Texan Tomcat will be most disappointed Mr Langham!
TT
By: T6flyer - 8th August 2006 at 17:14
Yeh, i think you can, but depends what era the diorama is.
Wartime ?
Well 1960s film ‘wartime’. Mr ChampMagic very kindly suggested that as I had all those Harvard kits and knowing my love for the aeroplane, I could build a replica of the ‘Where Eagles Dare‘ snowplough scene. Somehow I dont think I could bear wrecking so many kits! 🙂
Martin
By: T6flyer - 8th August 2006 at 17:12
The Crofton is based at Henstridge in Somerset.
Martin
By: Rlangham - 8th August 2006 at 11:05
Don’t know where the Crofton is based, hadn’t seen one before the weekend, I think they might be new builds using old parts, apparently the other one on the CAA register was built in 2005. Yeah I did mean Swallow, I knew it was named after a bird beginning with an S so I was nearly right! Had never seen/heard of one before the weekend so that was a nice surprise.
By: ALBERT ROSS - 8th August 2006 at 09:31
Great shots Rob, thanks for posting them! The Auster J-1A Crofton was a great surprise!! Do you know where it is based? Re the BA ‘Sparrow’, I think you mean ‘Swallow’? Loved this posting as we rarely get aerial shots like this in a lovely rural setting.
By: Dave T - 8th August 2006 at 09:26
As to the Diorama, ChampMagic is kindly asking about, I’m not sure as dont know if you can get a 1/72 scale snowplough kit.
Yeh, i think you can, but depends what era the diorama is.
Wartime ?
By: Canpark - 8th August 2006 at 09:02
I like the Auster Mk III:D:D
By: T6flyer - 7th August 2006 at 20:43
Whoops, forgot to add photo’s of my ‘Airfield Clearance Service’ :diablo:
God, that was quick, it was only a few hours ago that I was talking to you at Eggesford and here we are looking at the photos!!
Was very glad to meet everyone and hope that Mr Langham enjoyed himself. Here’s to next year.
As to the Diorama, ChampMagic is kindly asking about, I’m not sure as dont know if you can get a 1/72 scale snowplough kit. (Dave T and myself swapped a few kits on Saturday and I became the owner of a lot of Harvards. Someone (I cant remember) suggested I build a replica of that sad sad scene from Where Eagles Dare. I think not).
Just returned about 20 minutes ago, as stayed an extra night and boy, didnt it rain during the night. Stayed at the airfield all day and was rewarded with a flight in the Phoenix Duet (bit of a struggle to get in and out) and in a Auster Autocrat (my 11th).
It was a brilliant weekend and like everyone else here….here’s to the next one!!
Best wishes to all,
Martin
By: ChampMagic - 7th August 2006 at 20:07
It was very nice to meet Rob and DaveT the weekend at Eggesford, I feel the odd one out now not having an Auster frame!
Good pics Rob particulary considering the camera you use, I am sure you would do very well with an SLR ( you can quote me on that if it helps you get one).
We will have to find a cushion to put behind you Rob, next time you are flying me around in the Champ, so you can reach things easier. Cannot do much about the forward view though, as I am not getting out!
Nearly forgot to say it was nice meeting Martin (T6-flyer) as well, hows the diorama coming on?
Regards,Derek
By: Dave T - 7th August 2006 at 18:13
…..although did pop up again today to collect XK421….
Whoops, forgot to add photo’s of my ‘Airfield Clearance Service’ :diablo:
By: Dave T - 7th August 2006 at 18:08
Indeed good to meet you Rob’ and the others Martin (T6flyer) and Derek (ChampMagic) also.
I’d love to have stayed longer but maybe next time, although did pop up again today to collect AOP.9 XK421 😀
Here’s my photographic contribution, including the lovely Skyjeep.
Cheers…….
By: Manston Airport - 7th August 2006 at 17:13
Very nice pictures there, it looks a great fly-in.
James
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August 7, 2006 at 4:25 pm