Next in this popular series is a look at perhaps the most iconic of the USAAF fighters of the second world war, the legendary P-51 Mustang. The D model is now the most prevalent and recognisable example of the type with the improved visibility of the teardrop canopy representing a design improvement from the earlier high … Continue reading Learning the Legends: Flying the P-51D Mustang “By the Book” World War 2 Pilots Notes Review
The skies and shores around the Solent paved the way for aerial innovation for many years during the formative era of British aviation. From the historic Schneider Air Races from Calshot to the unbreakable bond with the Supermarine Spitfire and Flying Boat operations, the area is rich with aviation history. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/33528773358/in/photostream/ The areas links to … Continue reading Museum Profile: Solent Sky – Southampton
It is no secret that the Curtiss Hawk line of fighters is one of my personal interests in the warbird world. I have long loved the Hawk 75 based at Duxford with the Fighter Collection and the various P-40s that have shared Hangar Two over the years. … Continue reading Aircraft Profile: Curtiss P-36C G-CIXJ/38-210
A new feature launching today for Warbird Tails is something I have been considering for a while now; Warbird Places. This series will take a look at derelict or forgotten sites linked to historic aviation around the country that have now either been repurposed or simply left to return to nature. The starting point for this … Continue reading Warbird Places: The New Forest Part 1: Beaulieu
Following last weeks look at Bristol Aerospace, its time for a quick drive down the M5 to take a quick look at the Helicopter Museum. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/32170680847/in/photostream/ I'll confess that helicopters have never really been on my radar and though this museum has always looked great, its never quite appealed enough to take a visit. As … Continue reading Museum Profile: The Helicopter Museum at Weston-Super-Mare
One of the latest additions to the UK Aviation Museum family is the Aerospace Bristol collection at Filton in Bristol. This represents a great collection of Bristol types, joined by the final Concorde to fly G-BOAF, having made its final landing at Filton in 2003. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/45234531365/in/datetaken/ I was lucky enough to be present for that … Continue reading Museum Profile – Aerospace Bristol
Back in the last months of 2018 the WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust (WAHT) put on a day for their patrons at Old Warden. The occasion was set to mark the first trust event to feature their latest arrival, the wonderful The Vintage Aviator Ltd (TVAL) Albatros D.Va G-WAHT. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/44721116090/in/album-72157701895289942/ This airframe marks the latest arrival … Continue reading WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust Albatros Day – Old Warden 17th November 2018
Following on from the previous 2018/19 Warbird People posts which has taken a look at pioneer/WW1 aircraft and 1930s racers, this post brings things a little more up to date. That is of course, in relative terms. In a time when classic jets seem to be in something of a lull in UK skies I … Continue reading Warbird People: Ace Maker Airshows – Displaying the Lockheed T-33 across the United States
Now a staple in many aviation enthusiasts Christmas planning, the Open Workshop at Shuttleworth Collection has gone from strength to strength over the years. Designed to make the most of those odd days between Christmas and New Year, not to mention being in the middle of the long off season. I have been attending the … Continue reading Shuttleworth Collection Open Workshop 2018
I certainly wasn't expecting the first aviation outing of 2019 to feature one of the rarest airworthy jets in the world. While the sight of a flying Gloster Meteor in the traditionally quiet early January was a welcome treat, it was most definitely bittersweet in that it would mark the final touchdown of a UK … Continue reading Gloster Meteor NF11 G-LOSM/WM167 Final Flight – Bruntingthorpe 5th January 2019
