By: OLLY - 12th May 2004 at 13:03
The Warbirds show of 1983 was the last full airshow to be held at Halfpenny Green / Wolverhampton.
At that time I didnt quite seem to capture the imagination of the general public and I belive it was a bit of a financial disaster for the promoter. Im sure if it had been held in todays climate where there seems more enthusiasm for historic types it would have been a completely different story.
Some of the participants included – Fairchild Argus III, Nord 1002, Westland Lysander III, DH Chipmunk, SE5A Replica, Avro Anson, Percival Provost T1, Fokker S11-1, Pilatus P2, FW190 Replica, P-51D, Spitfire XIV (G-FIRE), Vampire T11, DC3, Tiger Moths and B17 Sally B. It was on return from this show that the Lysander force landed in a field by Shipton on Stour and flipped on to its back. (Cant be sure as I cant locate the pics, but I think the incredible display by the Fiesler Storch was at the 1981 display. This show had less of a theme and included light civil, current military, aerobatic and historic types as well as the revolutionary (at the time) NDN Firecracker)
Hope this is of interest.
From 1983 there was no real show or display until 1990 or 91 (Im not sure) when there was a ‘Spitfire Sunday’ with 5 Spitfires appearing at a Sunday Market for a charity event.
By: Nige - 11th May 2004 at 23:23
I attended all of the shows in the seventies as a marshall and general dogsbody – I was in the air-scouts at the time and they were always used as hired help. I dont have many pics of the shows, but I’ll try and fish out what I have got and post it.
I’ve got many happy memories of the era – Pushing PA474 and the RNHF Swordfish and Firefly into the hangar for overnight stay, Neil Williams in the Spitfire, helping Comper Swift G-ABUS taxi out, A Jaguar doing a touch and go and many others… And I also the sad loss of Prince William of Gloucester in a racing accident 🙁
Regards
Nige
By: kodak - 11th May 2004 at 23:19
Show in ’81 was a pretty low key affair – the Reds, vintage Pair etc etc.’83 had a few warbirds and a Vampire was the only jet.Got listings and poor shots somewhere if your interested.
BUT… The 70s !! regularly had Lightning, Phantom, Buccaneer, Vulcan, Nimrod, Brittannia, Comet, Belfast and JP teams plus other stuff like air races, Ray Hanna in MH434, BA4B Great days -nice and close and personal!!
Kodak (also ST24)
By: danohagan - 11th May 2004 at 18:19
Excellent. Would love to see some pictures, for nostalgia’s sake!
By: SPIT - 11th May 2004 at 18:17
If you give me some time I attended with a friend who was ATCO for a display in the 80s and I have a few photo’s for you. I do remember photographing (please excuse the spelling) a lovely Fi Storch who did FIVE T/O and Landings on the field. I tried to scrounge a flight but no luck.
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May 11, 2004 at 3:56 pm