“Welcome To Shuttleworth” – that’s what the banner read as it was cast from the SVAS donated Piper Cub which flew over the airfield at Old Warden on Sunday 1st May 2022, the first airshow of the season. It feels like it has been a very long winter, between on-going Covid, economic issues, and War in Europe – so the prospect for a normal airshow, no drive-in format, no social distancing, was something longed for! The only thing which didn’t go to plan was the weather, with it remaining typically British overcast with the constant threat of rain ever present as the day went on, something which doesn’t help the photographers either. However, the flying line-up promised a smorgasbord of vintage aircraft from the stable at Shuttleworth, as well as a roster of top notch displays from visiting aircraft as well – it was set up to be a fantastic day of flying. The event also saw the return of the vintage vehicle parade, seeing a variety of rare cars, trucks and motorcycles drive down the crowd line prior to the flying, as well as a greater range of stalls for visitors than have been seen for a couple of years.
There were a number of aircraft cancellations due to technical snags, as It often the case at the early stage of the year, with the Shuttleworth Collection’s de Havilland Tiger Moth and Sopwith Camel both going tech, as well as visiting aircraft, Travelair D4000, Waco YKS-7, Tom Harris in the SE5.a, and most notably Spitfire MH434 all unable to attend. However, there was plenty more for the spectators to enjoy, with a four-hour flying programme still in prospect.
The first of the displays came from Plane Sailing LTD with the Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina piloted by Derek Head, based out of Duxford. The imposing seaplane came through for a magnificent low pass down the runway before giving us a view of all its configurations – unfortunately when the crew tried to lower the landing gear for a pass, it became apparent that something was amiss when only one wheel lowered from the fuselage. The aircraft pulled out of the display sequence, and it could be seen that the crew attempted to remedy the situation with the intention to land on at Old Warden, but the stubborn wheel refused to lower, and the crew returned to Duxford. Later we heard they had manually lowered the gear and landed safely.
Following the curtailed display by the Catalina, the Shuttleworth Collection’s Percival Piston Provost and Avro Tutor launched for some high and low displays, with the Provost doing high loops, whilst the Tutor gave some elegant low flybys and topsides. It would become something of a celebration of the lineage of the Avro aircraft works, as following the Provost and Tutor came one of the most anticipated aircraft of the day – the Avro Lancaster from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from RAF Coningsby. The BBMF haven’t yet completed their PDA (Public Display Authority), meaning it was just a series of flypasts, but the crew didn’t seem to mind, as they pulled the heavy four engined bomber through for some glorious topsides. The sight of this iconic aircraft pulling round the infamous Shuttleworth bend like a fighter was something truly special, and not seen anywhere else in the UK in quite that manner – I think everyone had missed the Lancaster in recent times.
The formations of high and low displays continued with the Fauvel AV.36 glider being pulled to height, whilst the diminutive Comper Swift was put through a low-down display both before and after the Fauvel was released and gracefully looped its way back down to the grass at Old Warden – a lovely display to music, with some red smoke on the wingtips. With the clouds continuing to gather and the light really far too gone for any meaningful photos, the bright red elegance of the de Havilland DH.88 Comet “Grosvenor House”, along with stablemate, the Percival Mew Gull roared down the runway and into the skies for a display of these famous vintage racing types of yesteryear. The Mew Gull was first up, following a formation pass, with a short but sweet demonstration of speed for a very boxlike design! The Comet gave a better account as it was pushed through some fast low passes, as well as a number of tight topsides round the bend, much to the enjoyment of those sat on the apex of the bend – it is always a joy to see the Comet in the air – as it is any of the vintage racers which call Old Warden home.
For many, there was one aircraft which was to be photographed and filmed more than any other, and that was the Supermarine Seafire 17 from Navy Wings. The aircraft had been in storage since 2015, with Kennet Aviation working to restore it to flight. In 2021, the aircraft was finally completed at Old Warden and was formally handed over to Navy Wings for airshow displaying. This was the airframe’s debut with Navy Wings, and in the hands of Lt Cdr Chris Gotke, it was superb. The added bonus of a couple of passes with the Collection’s Hawker Sea Hurricane gave a glimpse of the much-anticipated Fly Navy show in July, which is making its return after a hiatus for a couple of years. Navy Wings also brought up their North American T-6 Texan in the “Navy Wings” corporate colours for the static display, joining Kennet Aviation’s T-6 and “Wacky Wabbit” who was doing passenger flights in the morning.
Following the glorious display of the Seafire, a pair of Magisters got airborne for some formation flying, with the Shuttleworth Collection’s Miles Magister flying alongside that of David Bramwell’s. It has been announced that the next airshow on the calendar will feature all five airworthy Miles Magisters – certainly, a treat for those attending. The next slot was filled with a unique mix of types, and the first of a number of American training types – that of the Spartan Executive based at Little Gransden and flown by Ian Austin, and the Boeing Stearman from Kennet Aviation in the very capable hands of John Beattie. The pair flew through for a joint flypast before the fast and sleek Spartan broke for some topside passes and gentle aerobatics, with the beautiful and rarely seen Stearman being put through some more aggressive loops at higher altitude.
Another of the stalwarts of Shuttleworth, the Gloster Gladiator Mk.1 roared through the display box with a handful of topsides, before going into an aggressive and always surprisingly fast display routine which almost looks wrong for a biplane. The Gladiator was the last of the breed of biplane fighters in the RAF, and whilst fast and furious, was no match for the modern monoplane designs of the mid-late 1930s, such as the Hurricane and Spitfire. The first of the WW1 era aircraft slots was penned in next, with the Sopwith Triplane and Bristol F2.b being in the spotlight. The massive Bristol fighter has a very real air of stately grandeur as it growls across the skies, and whilst not put through any high energy manoeuvres, still looks a powerful machine indeed.
The second of the Supermarine aircraft were up next, with Shuttleworth’s own Spitfire (AR501), now fitted with the atypical wingtips to complete the shape of the elliptical wing design. It was a cause of disagreement amongst those I spoke to as to whether it was better with or without them, personally there is no greater sight than the elliptical silhouette of a Spitfire in full flow – however a clipped wing Spitfire is the more unusual sight. The second of the American training formations were up in the air next, as the North American AT-6D Texan from Kennet Aviation (again flown by John Beattie) joined a debutant display item, that of the Ryan STM, owned by Arnaldo Leon and based at Old Warden. The mirror sheen finish of the STM in the striking Dutch East Indies Army Air Force colours contrasted brilliantly with the rugged Texan, and more so with the skies. The pair gave the best formation pass of the day to open their display, with the imposing Texan tucked up behind the STM.
There was the intention of flying two Royal Aircraft Factory SE5.a’s, unfortunately one went tech meaning we were treated to the Shuttleworth Collection’s authentic airframe taking to the skies for a solo routine which was a very spirited account indeed. The EoN Primary glider – a plank with wings, was tugged up into the ever-darkening skies next, with the Southern Martlet giving a short series of passes to fill the gap. The EoN wasn’t as graceful or aerobatic to watch as the Fauvel earlier, but the bravery of perching on the edge of a plank of wood like that is pretty impressive. Further WW1 era types were sent up as the main flying display was winding to a close, with the Sopwith Pup and Avro 504K in solo routines and a couple of passes together. A point of note for me; it felt a little like the scheduling of the displays could have been jigged around a bit, as almost all the star items were stacked earlier in the day, meaning people around me were leaving long before the end of the show – not to dismiss any of the flying displays or piloting skills, but there was definitely people slowly drifting back to their cars as the 504K and Pup were flying, some before that even.
A shame, then, as the main display finale was the newly acquired Avro 19 Anson, donated from BAe Systems to the Shuttleworth Collection only a few weeks prior to the show. The wonderful Anson had been seen at Shuttleworth before, of course, but this was its debut since joining the illustrious collection at Old Warden. It was a timid display of gently passes, understandable, however seeing that it had done a few topsides a few days prior, a shame it couldn’t give a little showing of its topside for us.
And that was it, the Shuttleworth Season Premiere, except, much to everyone’s surprise, it was announced over the PA system (back in operation in 2022 after its absence during the depths of the pandemic, drive-in events) that the delicate Edwardians were being rolled out of the hangars with optimism that, whilst murky and overcast, the winds may allow them to fly. Whilst not all of the airframes could, the Avro Triplane was first up, being led through some gently passes, with the almost flimsy design catching a couple of slight gusts which showed just how fragile these aircraft are in requiring calm wind conditions. The Bristol Boxkite also flew shortly after and gave the patient visitors something to enjoy, especially as there was a lengthy delay as the crews and pilot checked weather and waited for a safe opportunity to fly. However, the standout display was the English Electric Wren. An aircraft which is powered by a 3hp motorcycle engine and was announced that it would try and hop down the runway at least, but much to everyone’s amazement, not least the commentators, the Wren took off! Gaining steady height, the ungainly machine was coasting up and down the runway at about 200ft for a number of minutes, giving a spectacular display which, no one expected. Finally, Richard Crockett (grinning ear to ear as it was on my photos) brought the Wren in for a perfect landing, with a round of applause from the onlookers – much deserved for that treat, no doubt.
The Season Premiere, as I saw it, was a perfect opener to a packed season of flying, and whilst there was a number of tech issues with aircraft, the flying was, as it always is at Old Warden, perfect. It was nice to finally experience a normal show without any covid restrictions, to see old and new faces, familiar aircraft, and simply enjoy the relaxed pace which only a Shuttleworth Collection Airshow can do. I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the year’s events there and recommend everyone to see at least one show themselves.
Words and Photos by Matt Silvaire.
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