What a difference a week makes! The Shuttleworth season ended with a battle against the elements to put on an air display. In the end we’ll call it an honourable draw!
In Hangar 1 the Sea Hurricane has started its winter maintenance
Much has been said on TV of late, about the propensity of the Hurricane to catch fire when shot at, indeed most of the original Guinea Pig Club members flew Hawkers finest . What I didn’t realise is that the pilots feet actually sit under the forward fuel tank. You can see the rudder pedals in this shot
The rear view wasnt superb either
The Comper Swift’s wings have been removed and are being worked on
Elsewhere, someone has a new toy! And very nice it is too.
The flying programme was hastily re-written and the aircraft that could stand the rain were pushed out of the hangars
Its at times like this that its “all hands to the pumps” as they need careful handling on the wet tarmac and grass
The veteran vehicle parade took place, but they ran up and down the hard standing outside the hangars to avoid getting stuck on the grass
While the band played on
The flying started in the rain with the Jungmann
It soon stopped raining but the wind picked up, which made things interesting for the Tutor
By: RobY - 7th October 2010 at 18:34
I’m surprised the Hurricane caught fire, that looks suspiciously like asbestos in the second shot – although looks can be deceptive. 😮
By: wiseman - 7th October 2010 at 01:05
Great shots! I enoyed the free visit… the next best thing to buying an airline ticket and flying across the pond. Thanks.
By: low'n'slow - 6th October 2010 at 09:28
Nice one Nick, nearly blooming poetic mate! 😀
Perfectly sums up what Old Warden is all about. Rain or shine.
Long may it continue!
By: johnr - 5th October 2010 at 20:56
I’m one of those who ‘wimped out’. The thought of facing a wet and windy trip round the M25 only to end up with a grey, wet and windy OW was too much.
I like the second shot of the Blackburn. So far I have found it impossible to get a decent picture that shows the pilot’s presence. Well done (pix and narrative)
John
By: Manonthefence - 5th October 2010 at 18:50
Thanks for the comments chaps.
Slicer, you are indeed correct that the major issue was the tanks either side. I was just surprised at the close proximity of the pilots feet to the tank. Mainly I must admit because I havent been paying attention when looking at and sitting in it before.
By: slicer - 5th October 2010 at 17:12
Nice photoblog again. I wimped out at the weather forecast, but all credit to those who flew (and attended!) That last picture just makes you want to nip in for a hot cuppa. Lovely.
Re the Hurricane’s tendency to catch fire…I understood the reason was that there is a sizeable fuel tank in each wing root, which effectively communicates almost directly with the cockpit floor, and they are vulnerable to hits from behind..the Spitfire’s single fuel tank is ahead of the cockpit and therefore relatively protected..albeit by the pilot and his armour plate.
By: Andrew-O - 5th October 2010 at 12:11
Well done Nick.
Impressed that so much took place since coming down the M1 from Sheffield on Sunday lunchtime the weather was terrible.
By: Lightningspirit - 5th October 2010 at 01:59
Brilliant report of the show & some stunning photography, I live just across from Rougham & they fared a lot worse, in fact their show simply didn’t happen. So looks like Old Warden was the place to go, despite the weather. Did turn out nice in the end though. I do like the Kestrel shot, what a beauty!
thanks for uploading all those wittyly commented pics
regards Martin
“A drench of engineers indeed!”
By: Manonthefence - 4th October 2010 at 22:23
And that was it. The wind and ground conditions put paid to any more flying. It just leaves me to thank all the staff, volunteers, engineers, kitchen staff, ground crews, Air Traffickers, vehicle drivers, parking staff, pay booth staff oh and pilots (just kidding), for all their hard work this year. Its been a privilege to work with all of you this year.
As I left I stopped opposite the airfield and too a couple of pictures. As I did so the resident Buzzards flew over from the copse and took a look at what I was doing, calling to each other as they did so.
That summed it all up for me, Old Warden is simply magical.
By: Manonthefence - 4th October 2010 at 22:23
Collective noun for a tractor load of Engineers? A Drench!
Piston Provost
The Ryan pair did superbly well considering the conditions, not surprisingly flying a tail chase rather than a formation.
First visiting act was the Nanchang CJ6, I presume the marking means the bird lost!
The Blackburn B2 flew an aerobatic display
Followed by the Tiger Moth and Chipmunk Barnstornimg
The ground crew had their work cut out walking the aircraft back with the wind at their backs
There was a slight gap in proceedings before the final act turned up. The local Kestrel took the opportunity to take centre stage. At least someone enjoyed the wind!
Finally, Peter Teichman rounded of the Display Season in fine style in the P51. Stonking!
The man himself
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October 4, 2010 at 10:22 pm