Then its the turn of the Hurribomber. As it fitting for its debut at Shuttleworth, it gets the best of the light.
The Demon and the Gladiator make use of the light as well, putting on a nice formation.
Before solo slots
The wind is too strong for the Edwardians, but its just within limits for the Dagling.
And then the reverse of the mornings operation begins. The aircraft are pushed up the hill and the jigsaw game of getting them back into the hangars is begun.
Finally, after 30 years at the collection, George Ellis has retired from flying. Always a gentleman, always willing to stop and talk George will be greatly missed. A small presentation was held after the show finished
Thanks George
Finally the Hurribomber in twilight
On departure a minor problem was found in the undercarriage. It meant it couldnt depart that evening. It was 10pm before it was safely away in the Hangar.
Its just before 1am as the car lights are switched off after a long journey back up the A1. Its been a long but very rewarding day. 5 hours before the alarm clock goes off for work and only 7 months until the first show of the 2010 season. See you there!
This thread is dedicated to all the staff volunteers and SVAS members who make the Shuttleworth collection shows happen. They come from all over the country every 2 weeks during the summer months, to make the airshows happen. Be they groundcrew, pilots security guards, raffle ticket sellers, Photo Section guides, without them all the shows wouldnt happen.
The work never stops. Winter maintenance on the aircraft starts now, planning for next years shows started weeks ago. Its the finest airshow venue on the planet and long may it continue.
Thank you one and all.
The Sea Hurricane goes off on patrol
The beautiful Miles Falcon
The air raid siren wails at the base of the tower. The Me108 has arrived to be shot down again!
Its ok, the Sea Hurricane arrives to save the day
there is a bit of a dogfight and then the inevitable happens
(I thought there was no smoking in the cockpit!)
to the victor the spoils
Without trainers you have no combat types. The mid part of the display was dedicated to the two seat wonders that put up with endless abuse by their pupils. first a couple of visitors
3 aircraft, all Gypsy powered in various marques
Post war, its the Provost’s turn
The largest aircraft based at Old Warden is the Avro Nineteen. Buts it puts on a spritely display
The based Dragon Rapide comes out for its first show since its arrival. We had to park Mark Millers immaculate example next to it. Both a beautiful but I think the camo just shades it.
The display was superb
Its WW1 time
Starting the rotaries, and for that matter any WW1 engine, is an art form.
First you have to oil the rockers and prime the cylinders
(the film will be available from the shop soon)
Then pull the prop to start the engine
warm it up, always an art form in a Rotary engine
Pull the chocks
and we’re away!
The smell of the castor oil from the engine is unmistakable. The displays are superbly flown, The whole process of starting the aircraft takes 4 engineers and means they are away from the main flightline for up to an hour. Managing the engineers, making sure the right people are in the right place at the right time isnt easy and as ever its a plan that only lasts the first 30 seconds of combat. Lose concentration and aircraft miss their slot, which has knock on effects for the whole show. There’s always time to watch the displays for a moment though.
When they land the engine is shut down (assuming its still running!) in order to reduce wear. Another team of ground crew is dispatched to retrieve the aircraft
A final few from what was a marvellous day
George Ellis in the Gladiator
Big sky small plane!
Its a race!
What a wonderful day it was.
Shiny Tomtit
Obligatory moon shot!
Dusk is when Old Warden comes alive
The Edwardians in perfect conditions
It doesn’t get any better than this at an airshow anywhere on the planet. A very big thanks to everyone who worked particularly hard at this event to make it so special, but credit has to go to Andy Preslent for the inspiration.
The wind was too strong for the Edwardians and the Dagling, so we had to make do with a rather nice Prefect instead.
Evenings dont get much better than this!
On with the rest of the show, with a number of visiting acts. Starting with the Hunter and the Gnat, XE601 continued the bluenote theme.
I couldn’t resist these two
The Vacher Hurricane made a welcome return visit
ever get the impression that one is a target? (one feels violated)
Dangling in the Dagling (can one say “in” when talking about this aircraft?)
Finally, after a short gap to allow the wind to drop the Edwardians came out, its been a while since they were flown and we were treated to some superb flying in almost perfect conditions.
From Lightning to Mosquito to Comet Racer to… well you get the idea! George Ellis gets the “hammer down” in his pursuit of the Boxkite! Thanks George
How high!
And finally the Blackburn
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