The Little Gransden Air and Car show in support of BBC Children in need took place over the August Bank holiday on the 29th, a show which saw a culmination of vintage warbirds, formation aerobatics and representative displays from the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. The event was held under a high degree of normality as far as Covid procedures were concerned – with the option to show PCR or vaccine proof on the gate, the show was otherwise a standard affair. Little Gransden Airfield is a new venue for me, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much was worked into the showground, with plenty of stalls and stands for the aviation enthusiast to peruse. The static park was chock full of aircraft which formed either part of the fly-in element, or the actual flying display taking place later in the day. An unusual quirk of the venue is the curved display line which does not actually run along the runway like other inland airshow venues but runs around the static park in a curved axis - this meant sitting in front of the static area gave a good view of the displaying without the need to position oneself besides the runway itself. Some of the static area featured rare types like an Avro Anson wearing a wartime scheme, a brace of de Havilland Chipmunks, Tiger Moths, and many more – totalling around 35.
The flying display was billed to be a 4-hour extravaganza of aircraft displays, mostly of a vintage era, but a few changes came late on due to unserviceability and other issues – these included two of the highlights of the billed line-up, that of the de Havilland Vampire T.11 from Coventry Airport, and the Avro Lancaster from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. However other aircraft joined the display late on which made up for those losses. Opening the show was a unique formation of a Yakovlev Yak-50 in the hands of Mark Jefferies, joined by a Mudry CAP232 piloted by Mike Collett, which were put through a couple of formation flypasts before they split off to perform solo routines showing how both aircraft compare on the aerobatic side of things – the Yak held up well against its modern contemporary!
The show didn’t get the Red Arrows, but it did get the Red Sparrows, a formation of four de Havilland Chipmunks which displayed through a series of serene formation passes ending with a break at crowd centre – apt to see such a display of this type in its 75th anniversary year. Following the Chipmunks, came one of the best solo aerobatic routines in Europe, that of Richard Goodwin in his new ‘Muscle Pitts’; his highly modified Pitts Special – otherwise known as the ‘Jet Pitts’ – although it is yet to be fitted with the jet engines. The high tempo display began with Richard’s trademark knife edge pass with smoke pouring from the powerful system fitted to the aircraft, before launching into a roller-coaster ride of adrenaline pumping, high energy aerobatic manoeuvres which showcased not only the high capability of the aircraft, but the pilot at the controls – it undoubtedly caught everyone’s attention around the showground!
Following that trio of displays was a brief break from the flying as the traditional remembrance service took place, with a minute’s silence which was, poignantly, broken by the roar of a Rolls Royce Merlin, as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Supermarine Spitfire MK.IX ‘MK356’ flew through and gave a brief display to end the short service – this was the first of three very different Spitfire appearances throughout the day. Getting airborne next was one of the more unusual display acts, that of the Little and Large duo. The display consisted of a full size Extra 300S piloted by Chris Burkett, and a 41% scale model of the same type in the hands of Mike Williams. The aerobatics are similar to that of a pairs display, but the skillset being very different for the RC pilot following the full-size aircraft through loops, crossovers and breaks.
The next display was one which hasn’t been seen all that much around the UK for a number of years, that of the Rolls Royce Heritage Flight, first with their Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX ‘PS853’ in the hands of Chris Hadlow out of East Midlands Airport where the aircraft are based. The late mark Spitfire, with its massive Griffon engine, dragged the “Ultimate Spitfire” around the gloomy skies – It sure was a sight to see, given that most people are used to the typical Merlin engine and camouflage schemes on Spitfires. This particular Spitfire was a photo reconnaissance platform during World War Two and saw service during the late war period. The display concluded with a nice topside as the aircraft departed back towards EMA, whilst its stable mate, also on behalf of the Rolls Royce Heritage Flight, roared into the display area – a North American P-51D Mustang. This airframe used to be the infamous “Shark” Mustang ‘G-SHWN’ which frequented many airshows in that guise, before being repainted in 2020 in the colours of the 4th Fighter Group, the “Debden Eagles”- The aircraft purposely doesn’t carry any nose art or distinctive markings which are synonymous with American WW2 fighters of the time, due to the aircraft’s wartime pilot, Col. Donald Blakeslee not being a fan of such things. The aircraft is currently on lease with the Rolls Royce Heritage Flight. The display was probably the best solo Mustang display I have seen, in the hands of Eskil Amdal. The typical roar of the Merlin, with the howl/whistle created by the Mustang was spine tingling – truly epic display flying.
Paul Freeland was up next in a 1960’s type, the Ferrari of the skies as it has been nicknamed, the SIAI Marchetti F.260 ‘G-RAZI’ – of course. The diminutive aircraft is built for speed, and to look good doing it, as the display showcased in the capable hands of Paul. Powered by a Lycoming 0-540 engine, the sleek designed aircraft gave some wonderful topsides and light aerobatics which showed this vintage aircraft to its full. Following the fast and dashing F.260 was something of a new display this year, that of the Gypsy Pair. This display consists of a de Havilland Chipmunk, and a Taylorcraft Auster – both powered by the Gyspy major engine. This routine was flown by Kevin Hale in his Auster, followed closely by Simon Tilling in his Army marked Chipmunk. It was another display which took advantage of the unique curve at Little Gransden and gave an equally unique chance to see a few topsides from these slower aircraft – piloted beautifully throughout to give a demonstration of the engine they share, and the two types in contrast.
The Tiger club brought their Mudry Cap-10 for a solo routine during the flying programme, from Upminster in Essex. Flown through a series of gentle aerobatics over the grey skies, the wood and fabric aircraft in the yellow and red sunburst paint scheme was a very enjoyable little display in the hands of Christophe Simon - this was his debut and he certainly delivered a flawless demonstration in this diminutive aircraft.
Another pairs display was soon to follow, and one of the airshow favourites wherever they go – the Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers. They haven’t done as many shows as they would normally be due to the current climate, but it was a joy to see them back at an airshow, and for me personally to see them again for the first time since 2019. The two Boeing Stearman aircraft were put through their usual routine of dynamic formations, breaks and subsequent crossovers, all while the girls up top went from position to position in a highly polished routine from all involved. A word to the crew the following weekend when one of the aircraft which also took part in Little Gransden suffered engine failure at the Bournemouth Air Festival and ditched in the sea – a showcase of expert, calm-headed piloting in a tricky situation. Kudos.
Back to the flying display at Little Gransden and a surprise addition to the flying display came courtesy of the Navy Wings team at Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton – the Stinson Reliant. This aircraft is the newest airframe to join under the Navy Wings umbrella (although owned and operated by Paul Kehoe) and carries a distinctive yellow paint scheme of a Royal Navy machine in active service. The aircraft type served in a lease agreement during the second World War and was used by the Fleet Air Arm. The display was a short but sweet appearance in the packed flying programme. Following swiftly on was another American aircraft, this time an iconic trainer in the North American T-6 Texan. This one being a T-6 Harvard known as “Wacky Wabbit”, so popular is this aircraft it has its own Facebook group. The display was carried out in the hands of Andrew James, with plenty of smoke, plenty of topsides and aerobatics showing off every angle of the Harvard as the massive radial up front propelled the heavy machine through the skies above Little Gransden.
James Brown took to the skies next in Hawker Hurricane ‘R4118’ – his debut display in this airframe, following on from his airshow debut at Shuttleworth earlier in the year in a different Harvard. He had been working for many years towards this display, and it was a beautifully executed routine on the mount of his Hurricane. The display was a little high but is to be expected of a new display on the UK Airshow scene – this didn’t detract from the wonderful display he performed and had obviously worked towards for a while – a special moment for him, and everyone who got to see it. An aircraft I had expectantly wanted to see for a while was next into the air, that of the Miles Gemini. This aircraft, piloted and owned by Stu Blanchard, really did take full advantage of the curved display line offered at the Little Gransden show, as the entire display routine was formed of endless topsides and banked turns which showed the graceful and charmingly sleek lines of this late Miles production aircraft – the last true production aircraft from the famous marque. The aircraft is of a high rarity value, with very few airworthy airframes remaining, making the sight of a flying Gemini a very unique experience indeed. Stu piloted the aircraft brilliantly in what I would say was the best airshow routine, from a photographer’s point of view, you can ask for! (Special mention of the well-placed hat on the back seat which has been quickly noticed in many images since the show!).
American Airpower was put under the spotlight next when North American P-51D Mustang, ‘Miss Helen’ joined up with Supermarine Spitfire LF.XVIe ‘RW382’ for a formation flypast, before the pair split for their solo routines – on the surface not an unusual sight, but the factor which made It a bit special was that the Spitfire carried USAAF markings of the 309th Fighter Squadron of the 31st Pursuit Group – specifically that of Lt. Robert Connor. It is operated as the Suffolk Spitfire and was flown by Clive Denney - most unusual it was to see a American scheme on a Spitfire (perhaps a flight with the newly restored Russian Spitfire owned by Hangar 11 is on the cards?). Another RC display during the display was a pair of Red Arrows Hawks flown over the showground to music. The display was highly polished, and well executed as a RC flying display, very different to a full-scale display, with a different set of skills needed, but regardless, an enjoyable display which saw the next best thing to the full-size equivalent!
A wonderful solo display was given by the Spartan Executive 7W ‘N17615’, which is kept at Little Gransden Airfield, and owned by Nigel Pickard. The plan was for both resident Spartans to fly together, but due to a technical issue, only one was able to partake. The display was short, but made, like many, great use of the curved display line on offer. The sleek aircraft really did bring a element of class of the 1940s to its routine. The next display began with an unusual formation from the Yakovlev Yak-3UTI ‘F-AZIM’ piloted by Bob Davy, lead in by Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 ‘V7497’ flown by Neil Oakman. The formation then split, and Neil put the Hurricane through a lovely aerobatic routine with the Merlin Music singing from the engine up front. Once the Hurricane had completed its display, the aggressive Yak-3 roared through the display area full chat, before beginning in earnest the debut display for this airframe since rebuild – the display was high energy and thus produced a glorious sound with the huge Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp radial engine hard at work.
The centre piece of the Little Gransden Airshow was, of course, the Global Stars, made up of four Extra aircraft of different models, with Mark Jefferies (also one of the organisers for the show) leading in his Extra 300SC, with Chris Burkett in his 300S, Steve Carver in the Extra 260, and bringing up the rear was Chris Heames in the 300L. The routine consisted of a variation of box formations, line astern, breaks and solo routines – all with their special “dotty smoke” system controlled via an onboard WIFI system to ensure the dotty smoke is released in sync. The display was well polished, as you would expect from such experienced, and well-travelled pilots! The team also perform an evening, pyro, display which is, if anything, more dynamic – with how dull the skies were towards the end of the day, they probably could have performed that too! (The sun popped out when the flying ended, of course!) Closing the airshow was a late addition to the flying programme, and a barnstorming, light-hearted display (and commentary) from the Tiger 9 – made up of nine Tiger Moths also courtesy of the Tiger Club. The formation was beautiful, with the light breeze meaning a very tight sequence of formation passes could be performed before the nine aircraft broke in dynamic fashion and gave a couple of tail chase passes for the crowds to close the show – a truly wonderful way to end what had been a highly enjoyable flying display, at a lovely little venue.
Overall, the Little Gransden Air and Car Show was a wonderful day out, it had a friendly atmosphere, it felt intimate and close, without feeling crowded. The organisers put on what I would consider the most normal airshow I have attended for two years, and hats must go off to them for that. The commentary done by the ever-brilliant Ben Dunnell, to the unique curved flight display line, with the friendly staff, the glorious aircraft, right through to the simple and easy entrance and exit from the site made it a show I would highly recommend – and all for a good cause! If you find a gap in your calendar over the August Bank Holiday in 2022 - the 28th of August to be specific - then please, pay a visit to Little Gransden Air and Car Show, you certainly wont regret it! We will certainly be back!
Words and Photos by Matt Silvaire.
With thanks to Mark Jefferies and David John Poile.
Copyright 2023 Air Displays UK.
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