Meet a Pilot – Jim Schofield
Jim is the Newbie, he joined the Collection this year and is currently working on the introduction of the F-35 to RAF service. Previously he has flown the Harrier in RAF Service before training at ETPS eventually running the Fixed Wing Course after flying with FJTS as project pilot for the Harrier GR9.
He flew the Tiger Moth in the display
Tutor and Magister
All in all an excellent day was had by all, helped by the commentary team of Dan Taylor (if you are in New York tune into WCBSFM for his morning radio show on 101.1FM, its really rather good), Tim Callaway and the legend that is George Ellis.
All that was left to do was put the aircraft away (there was still a queue at the Sea Hurricane at 7pm, no-one was disappointed)
A big thank you as ever has to go to the ground crews and especially on this occasion to the Engineers whose cunning plan it was. Thank you also (and apologies in advance for any inaccuracies in this report deliberate or otherwise) to the pilots, sorry that I couldn’t include all of them.
Finally
The season ends next week
The display continued with the Sea Hurricane in the capable hands of Trevor
And the Storch making a surprise entrance flown by Dodge
A turning fight ensued
Where Dodge reckons he could have had a shot if he had a forward facing gun!
Speaking of the Storch its high time we met Peter Holloway
Ex Copper from the Isle of Sheppey Peter, International Man of Mystery and all round good egg , Peter has based his collection at Old Warden for a number of years. In addition to the Storch he currently has his Magister and Miles Falcon at the Collection. He flew the former in the display.
The Red Plane and the Blue Plane had a race!
Two Chiltons, one old one new. Flown by Anna Walker and Clare Tector. The blustery conditions and the nature of the aircraft, they are racers not really display machines, meant that formation was tricky. They did rather well considering the blustery conditions.
Meet a Pilot – Rob Millinship
Mr Pitts, is an aircraft Engineer who has forgotten more about Pitts Specials than than I will ever know. Ntn Military trained and never lets himself forget it, he recently converted to the Hind and until recently was the worlds highest timed current Bristol F2B pilot
He flew the Hind in formation with the Demon flown by Stu Goldspink
The Hucks in action
The view across the field.
Meet a Pilot – Keith Dennison
Another early Glider, this time from 12. RAF Phantoms then ETPS and an ex CO of Boscombe Down. Keith retired as an Air Commodore and is now a freelance consultant on aviation matter and will fly for food!
Keith flew the Se5a and was supposed to fly the Lysander but he broke it (seriously it suffered a Mag Drop so was taxied instead)
The queue for the Hurricane didn’t seem to drop much until well after flying was finished.
Meet a Pilot – Tracy Curtis-Taylor
Tracy bases her PT22 and Super Cub at the Collection and flew the former in the display. She flies as a formation pair with the other PT22 based at Old Warden and owned by Steve Roberts, on this occasion it was a solo display.
Hawkers and a Gloster, all the same company really!
There behind a glass is a real blade of grass
Be careful as you pass.
Move along! Move along!
Speaking of rare, when was the last time a Storch and Lysander shared the air
together?
Speaking of even rarer, the one of a kind Parnall Elf and Chilton DW1
Pup and Bristol
And a glorious couple of passes by PA474
“I can see (for) Miles and Miles!”
Next upon the stand will you please extend a hand
To Alexander’s Ragtime Band
Dixieland, Dixieland!
Two aircraft with a Tommy Sopwith connection, in the air together at the same time! Get away! Sopwith Triplane and Hawker Sea Hurricane flew in the same segment together and a superb job was done by the pilots to display them together. It was as if they were dancing!
Performing on a stool we’ve a sight to make you drool
Seven virg…….ok better not. But if the Hind and Gladiator doesn’t have the drool factor then what does?
And then it was time to put everything to bed. The Dorothy’s pulling power came into its own.
We would like it to be known the exhibits that were shown
Were exclusively our own,
All our own. All our own.
Come and see the show! Come and see the show! Come and see the show!
See the show!
The picture says it all. If last year is anything to go by it should be a bit special. See you there.
A final few in no particular order.
I love the Great War Display Team, they just fill the sky with aircraft, there is always something happening.
Then a superbly choreographed formation of Lysander, Gladiator and Hind.
The display was closed by the Sabre
Finally, after the display had finished these guys came and said hello. They got a good round of applause and were most welcome. We all know what they are training for and out best wishes go with them.
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