The Air displays UK community take in the second drive-in!
Second acts are always tough gigs. In cricket, how does a bowler follow up a wicket-taking delivery? At the theatre, how does a playwright follow up a first act? And, more fittingly for the theme of the show, at the movies how does a director follow a blockbusting first instalment?
When we all filed into The Shuttleworth Collection on 18th July for the world’s first drive-in airshow, none of us knew just what a real treat we were in for. A perfectly well-observed social distanced airshow, with some fantastic flying. How would The Shuttleworth Collection stand up for a second drive-in airshow? And, with an arguably harder task running a longer day versus the shorter evening show, how would the site handle the paying punters? Another sell-out, no less. With the theme for the show being ‘At the Movies’ the organisers had managed to produce a stellar cast.
Despite the gates opening at 11am, the queues were forming from as early as 8:30am – spectators eager to bag their 5x5 box on the front row. Arriving around 11:20am, a little after the gates opened, I found myself about five rows back in the second paddock (what once upon a time would have been referred to as the overflow).
Having established catering options in our Welfare Hub – and having been impressed at the well-observed socially distanced queue at the time of joining – it was back to the car to wait for the display to start, bacon sandwich and brew successfully procured. Food options appeared to differ from paddock to paddock, but there was something for everyone.
Before the flying began, the Miles Magister took to the skies with a photographer on-board, whilst the Super Cub also departed, swung round, and picked up a banner reading “Remove Before Flight” – much to the delight and amusement of many around.
As the 2pm mark neared, the unmistakable noise of a turboprop aircraft filled the air – the BAe Jetstream 31 from Cranfield University had arrived. It had been many years since it last displayed at Old Warden and was a tantalising addition to the line-up. At 2pm on the nose, the Jetstream flew in from the right to open the show, with Dodge Bailey at the controls. Displaying with such restrain for a powerful aircraft in a tight box, the Jetstream was put through its paces in an immaculate routine. It was as though Dodge was flying the aircraft on a string.
Making full use of the bend offered by The Shuttleworth Collection on a few top-side passes, the throttles were cracked open to give a flavour of the raw power offered by the two Garrett TPE331 engines. Finally, to round off the routine, a fantastic low-level head on, being brought in from around the trees at the far side of the airfield, before breaking high left to exit the circuit - we were off and running for the day.
As soon as the Jetstream had cleared the circuit, the skies were filled with the unmistakable whump of the Bell-47 helicopter – G-MASH. The type is synonymous with the Korean War and, unsurprisingly enough from its civilian registration, ‘M*A*S*H’. It was only fitting then that as the helicopter was wound up and let loose, the iconic theme tune from the TV show – Suicide is Painless – should be played out across the airwaves. The display itself demonstrated what an agile helicopter the type is, flying a series of passes along the flight line, whilst coming back down it performed a 360-degree turn, before ending with a perfectly executed bow to the audience. It’s always a treat to watch the Bell-47 display, and it reminds me how lucky we are to have one on the display circuit in the UK.
A late addition to the show was a firm favourite – Supermarine Spitfire PL983, or to give it its more recent moniker, The NHS Spitfire. As we all know, the aircraft has been touring country paying thanks to the front-line staff helping to fight this dreadful virus, and the aircraft had been displaying at Silverstone ahead of the Formula 1 the same day. Calling in on its way back to base at Duxford, we were treated to a typically sublime John Romain display. Banking around the base from the right to begin the slot at crowd centre, ‘L’ was pulled straight into the vertical to display the ‘Thank U NHS’ motif underneath. The display itself had echoes of 2018 when, in late Autumn sun, ‘L’ gave perhaps one of the greatest displays I have ever witnessed. Graceful and elegant, and this display was just the same - sublime.
So how do you follow a high-octane opening? With some WWI rotary action of course! Despite a ticklish crosswind blowing across runway 20, the Avro 504K managed to get up quite well from the far side, and after a couple of passes was joined in the skies by the Sopwith Pup. The Pup, being flown by the Collection’s chief engineer Jean Munn, delivered a sprightly display alongside the 504K, both of which handled remarkably well in the breeze. The 504K is itself a movie veteran, having featured in ‘Reach for the Sky’, whilst the Pup has a couple of TV credits to its name – most notably in a 2014 documentary fronted by Tony Robinson.
As Scott Butler brought the 504K in for a full stop, the Nieuport 17 replica got aloft to join the Pup. This particular example, which had a film role in the 2006 film ‘Flyboys’, is owned and displayed by John Gilbert. It was built as a full-sized reproduction between 1992 and 1997 and is powered by a Warner Scarab 7-cylinder radial engine delivering 165hp. Although a more recent reproduction, this example gave a lovely display alongside the Pup, before the Pup returned to land, coming in up the hill on runway 30. With the Nieuport 17 just holding in a downwind pattern, the Sopwith Triplane got airborne. As is the way with the Triplane it was up like a lift, needing hardly any of the grass at all. Coming in from the right, ever so slightly throttled back, Rob Millinship gave a tremendous account of rotary engine flying with a fantastic spirited display.
Once the WWIs were safely back on the hallowed turf, the Lysander and Gladiator departed to await their slot, swiftly followed by the Super Cub towing the Fauvel glider into the air, and Bob Morcomb in the Parnall Elf which filled in the ‘Joker’ role as the Fauvel climbed to height. The afternoon sunlight started to beam through, bouncing magnificently off the cream and green of the Elf and, within a few passes, the Fauvel was overhead at height ready to cut the cord.
As ever with the Fauvel, it was an elegant display. Supremely relaxed, matched only by Fleetwood Mac’s iconic Albatross on the commentary frequency. The routine showcased its fantastic handling performances, pulling tight loops all in the space of its own wingspan. Smoke canisters on the wingtips still streaming as it came in to land, Graham Saw opened the canopy to be met with rapturous applause from an audience held entranced and spellbound by the display – and quite rightly it was a strong contender for display of the day.
Next up was a slice of some Mercury Magic, with the previously holding Westland Lysander and Gloster Gladiator now making their arrival known with a series of formation fly-bys, before being brought round head-on for the break. The duo then performed a series of opposition passes; first with the Lysander low down and the Gladiator overhead, before the roles were reversed. All the while, the Bristol Mercury radial engines were simply purring along in the front of both aircraft. Not only are the duo famous for their exploits during the Second World War, but both are stars of the screen too – the Gladiator with an appearance in the 2016 BBC feature ‘The Marvellous World of Roald Dahl’ whilst the Lysander has appeared in a number of productions, including ‘David Jason’s Secret Service’ back in 2017.
Then time for a complete change of pace, as the adrenaline levels were ramped up a notch with some Extra 330 aerobatics – the first of four adrenaline-rushing performances across the course of the day. Kicking off the routine by pulling into the vertical, rolling it round, pulling it over the top of the loop and flicking it back round on the downhill run, the display was flown with great precision. What made the display even more impressive was the fact this was the first display given by the pilot! As Tim Calloway said on commentary: “To say he was nervous before the display was an understatement” – well, he truly nailed it.
Following the rushes of aerobatics, we were treated to some more biplane action in the form of the deHavilland DH-51 and DH-60X Moths, as well as the Avro Tutor. There is something inherently beautiful about the Moth series of aircraft, perhaps something that isn’t encapsulated by others, and with the afternoon sun rolling around the Moth pair – along with the Avro Tutor – just seemed to radiate class. The trio flew in a three-ship formation, before breaking off and giving the crowd a series of flypasts in line astern.
Once the trio were suitably back on the ground, it was back to the chopper action. Having started in Korea with the Bell-47, we were now being transported to Vietnam with the delightful Huey UH-1 Iroquois. And what better soundtrack to have to accompany that unmistakable noise than the Ride of the Valkyries from ‘Apocalypse Now’. The display itself more than ably demonstrated the terrific performance of the Huey, with the routine consisting of several crabbing manoeuvres, as well as some 360 degree turns.
With the Huey on its way back to base (and the Bell-47 departing as well) it was time for a firm favourite at Old Warden airshows, the Barnstorming. This week’s contestants were the Tiger Moth, the Super Cup, the Southern Martlet, the Miles Magister and the deHavilland Chipmunk.
The Barnstorming opened with the flour bombing, which featured what appeared to be an AA road sign as a target. A few close shaves to the target, but nobody was able to score a hit - the Speedboat prize is safe for another week.
Next up was the limbo; two limbo bars to get under, spread out along the flight line. All aircraft did remarkably well in the gusty winds, and each aircraft – except for the Maggie – went through three times. Some even achieved both bars in one pass!
Then, as the other four landed on, Chris Huckstep in the Chippie broke ranks and climbed for height, as the years were rolled back with another Old Warden classic – the ribbon cut. As Chris banked round to the right, out went the ribbon, alas the conditions were not to be on this occasion, as Chris only achieved a single solitary swipe on both attempts. All the while, the volunteers were setting up a pole with a ribbon attached to it. The object? Pick the streamer up on the wing. Could Chris manage it? You bet your bottom dollar he could!
With the Barnstorming complete, the adrenaline levels were ramped up for the second time with the Wings Parachute Display Team. Their first display of the year, the team are made up of servicemen – and treated us to a fantastic stomach-churning spectacle. A couple of the parachutists came in at such a rapid rate of knots you’d have thought they were late for their dinner – a truly brilliant display. Two of the jumpers came down with flags attached; one with the Shuttleworth logo on, and a second with “Heroes Vodka” on it – I sure would need one or three of those if I were jumping with them.
As an aperitif to the parachute team, Pete Kynsey began to display the Bucker Jungmann with a series of gentle aerobatic manoeuvres, in a graceful display befitting of a multiple aerobatic champion. Running in from high crowd left with the smoke on, Pete pulled into the vertical with a stall turn, before continuing through with a loop, as well as a series of slow barrel rolls and more arching loops. I’ve often thought that these routines work a lot better at venues such as Old Warden, when pilots are able to display closer to the crowds, rather than places such as Duxford where small aircraft are often lost against a big sky.
With the Jungmann clear, it was time for some speed machines in the form of a pair of Mew Gulls and the Miles Hawk Speed Six. The trio began in a tight formation, before breaking to play a game of tail chase, all the while the Gypsy engines purring like a cat who’s learnt to use a tin opener. The two Mew Gulls broke to land, and the Speed Six came in from the left to begin a solo display, with some nice top-side passes. As it broke to land, the two Aerosuperbatics Stearman aircraft departed with smoke on with the two wing walkers inverted and outstretched on the upper wing. I’ve never really worked out whether you’d call it bravery or madness to strap yourself to the upper wing, but the girls make it look effortless.
The two Boeing Stearman biplanes were certainly not hard to miss, partly because of the noise of the aircraft but mostly because the orange paintwork bounced marvellously against some grey cloud which had formed directly in front. After a couple of formation loops, the two aircraft broke and undertook a series of opposition passes, each time the girls in a different position. Breath-taking from start to finish, and of course did indeed finish with the wing walkers climbing down into the cockpit before both aircraft broke into the circuit to return to land.
Adrenaline flowing, it was time for the Little and Large display – that being an Extra 300s flown by Chris Burkett and a 40% scale model. This display slot always has me smiling, as technically it’s quite tricky to execute and relies heavily on trust between the pilot of ‘Large’ and the man with the controls of ‘Little’ – and every time I’ve seen it, they’ve nailed it. This was no exception either. The pair flew with fantastic synchronicity, with a series of loops, rolls, and a coupe of stall turns thrown in for good measure. Perhaps the greatest manoeuvre of the routine involved ‘Little’ hanging it off the prop and effectively hovering in place, whilst ‘Large’ flew a knife-edge pass directly underneath. The entire routine demonstrated fantastic airmanship skills.
Time to slow it down once more, and this time with the BE2C. This particular aircraft was built at Sywell in 1969 using Tiger Moth components for the Biggles film ‘Biggles Sweeps the Skies’ (which was not completed) and featured in the TV series ‘Wings’. By this point in the day, the afternoon sun had started to drop, and shadows were lengthening, but it provided some great photo opportunities with the light bouncing off the fabric, with Matthew Boddington at the helm.
With the penultimate act of the show, it was time for something a little bit different. Time for the DH-88 Comet Racer – or as I like to affectionately call it The Red Bullet, on account of its pace and the fact it’s, well, red. This time, however, she had a new friend to play with – a Piper Pawnee. A somewhat interesting choice to have a crop duster alongside a thoroughbred, but the link was to the 2013 Disney film “Planes”. The pair ran in together, with the Pawnee travelling at quite the lick to keep up with a throttled back Comet, and soon after the Comet broke off to allow the Pawnee centre stage with a solo display. It was quite a clean display in all fairness, stripped back and quite graceful. The Comet however is just another level; I have no words that can describe the aircraft– she just oozes elegance and class from every angle on every pass, in any light at any time of the day. A couple of solo passes after the Pawnee later, she was on downwind to land, but with the wind a little capricious a go around was necessary before getting down safely.
How else to round out a display? The sound of a Merlin. Or in this case two Merlins – the Collection’s Hawker Sea Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vc. With the darkness starting to fall ever so slightly, the pair put on a delightful duo display before coming in head on to break into solo demonstrations, dancing across the evening skies like mayflies. The sound of freedom. Even the commentators took a break to allow the audience to savour the noise. Curiously, I have often thought that the Merlin in the Collection’s Spitfire sounds different to that at other bases with different operators. It feels as though it has more of a snarl, and that snarl was being beautifully shown off. What’s more, not only is the Collection’s Spitfire a movie star in ‘Battle of Britain’, but seemingly also had a starring role in ‘Pearl Harbour’ too.
Closing the routine with a slow underside pass from left to right, with a captivated audience watching and listening on, that would prove to be the final action of the day. The wind had proven too much for the Edwardians, so there would be no link to ‘Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines’ sadly.
Once again, The Shuttleworth Collection have proven themselves to be world-beaters. The first drive-in evening show felt structured and regimented as everyone wanted to observe correct social distancing protocol. Although social distancing measures were followed just as stringently a second time around, something about this show just felt normal. The chance to have the commentary as an optional extra is also a welcome benefit to the show, for those who would rather listen to the aircraft (such as myself, in all honesty).
Once again, Shuttleworth delivers with a format that works for everyone – and I for one would be glad to see it continue in this way.
Words by Dominic Ward
Photos thanks to Harrison Whitham, Chris Burkett, and George Aldrich
