Old Warden Training Week through Elliott's lens

That was a bit good. I could only manage the Wednesday and Friday due to work commitments, but nonetheless, I had a Hell of a time. Wednesday was wall-to-wall action from about 9.30am ’til gone 5.30pm. As a vintage aircraft enthusiast, I can’t really ask for more! Friday felt colder, and the training week had pretty much wrapped up save for the ANEC displaying and a few passenger flights from the Chipmunk and Magister, but it was significant for the FW44’s last display in the UK before being shipped off to the ‘States. Indeed, it departed OW once Rob Millinship had wrapped up a lovely display (full of top sides and close passes) and will soon be boxed up, heading for sunnier skies. Also good to meet Nick, Rob and Ben for the first time.

Anyway, on with the pics. More at http://www.flickr.com/photos/esmarsh. In no particular order…

1. The beautiful Parnell Elf. A work of art, if ever I saw one.

2. Without the engineers, ground crew and volunteers, none of this would happen. My hat is off to all of them.

3. The lovely Pegs, without doubt my favourite warbird on the scene at present. What a treat it was to see her on Wednesday.

4. Paul Stone takes the Piston Provost for a spin.

5. The FW44 will certainly be missed.

6. Keith Dennison positively tore the house down on Wednesday evening with a storming, passionate Sea Hurricane display.

7. I’m rather fond of the ugly duckling that is the Pietenpol Aircamper. There’s a certain charm to it, I feel.

8. Peter Holloway in the Magister leads Steve Roberts and Tracey Curtiss-Taylor in a three-ship trainer formation routine.

9.

10. Old Warden always presents a nice back-drop for lower passes (or, in this case, a take-off).

11. Can we have some of that blue sky for the rest of the season, please?

12. Dodge Bailey escaping the Chipmunk.

13. Rob Millinship’s Pitts Special.

14. The ANEC returns after an absence of several years.

15. Jim Schofield (thanks Rob!) departing in the Tiger Moth. The houses over the far side provide an interesting back-drop to some take-off shots.

16. Sir John Allison brings the Elf back to Earth.

17. Just lovely!

18. The Chipmunk performing the popular ribbon pick-up routine.

19. I make no apologies for the amount of FW44 in these shots.