2020 has been full of surprises, I think we can all agree with that! One such surprise was the inclusion of a pairs display slot from a Piper Pawnee and de Havilland DH88 Comet at the second drive in airshow at Old Warden in August. It's not the most obvious duo, one of the most … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2020 – “Planes Movie Tribute” Piper Pawnee/ DH88 Comet at Old Warden
One museum that I didn't get a chance to visit during 2020 was the RAF Museum at Hendon. The museum has had a number of re-structures over the past few years, notably including a re-vamp of the "Milestones" hangar. That hangar is now an exhibition of more modern RAF conflicts and types. I thought this … Continue reading Ultimate Pistons – Hawker Tempest V
It's no secret that classic jets at airshows have been in steady decline since the 2014/15, but it was still notable that those remaining classic jets we have enjoyed in recent years were absent throughout 2020. Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron Undoubtedly the biggest contributor of classic jets at UK airshows for the last 5 … Continue reading Waiting in the Wings – 2020’s Missing Favourites – The Jets
Where do we start on this one? https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/48301358271/in/album-72157709687428431/ Aside from those fighters that are able to "earn their keep" with flight experiences or other commitments, 2020 was a fairly quiet year. Plenty of two seat Sptifires/Mustangs and the Hurricane were kept very busy. There was also a handful of privately owned fighter that got plenty … Continue reading Waiting in the Wings – 2020’s Missing Favourites – The Fighters
The peaceful interwar years conjure up images of silver, shining biplanes looping and rolling their way through clear blue skies thrilling crowds of passers by below. https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/25572711506/in/photolist-8AZZoN-8AZZqs-8AWTFK-8AWTGg-8AWTPc-8AWTPv-8AZZxs-8AZZx3-8AWTMc-8AZZNo-8AZZQh-8AWTAZ-8AWTWt-8AZZv3-8AZZML-8AZZkf-8AZZwq-8AZZPs-8AWTVa-8AWU8i-8AZZmN-8AZZR3-8AZZo5-8AZZrm-8AZZpC-2gjg2bH-8AZZnC-8AWU6X-8AWU2B-8AWTXn-8AWTTz-8AWTZe-8AZZLw-8AWU1a-8AWTLD-8AWTYK-8AZZHy-8AZZSd-8AWTT8-8AWTW8-8AZZAY-8AWTU4-8AZZjL-8AZZDm-8AZZNS-8AZZm3-bv8DYK-qGPScR-EXLQc5-E3nhis As war approached the biplane gradually started to be phased out. Modern monoplane designs were coming to the fore and it seemed inevitable that the biplane would soon … Continue reading Fiat CR42 -Biplane Brilliance
While it was a great treat to enjoy the handful of airshows and flying events that were able to take place in 2020, it also marked the first time for many years that certain aircraft remained on the ground for an entire summer. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/36793296992/in/album-72157670415350230/ Understandably with the loss of potential income from a busy summer … Continue reading Waiting in the Wings – 2020’s missing favourites – The Bombers
As we come to the end of another national lockdown (for some at least), the relative freedom we all enjoyed across August and September seems a long time ago. I thought it would be a fitting start to this years series of Advent posts to share this account of a warm Friday in September. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/50658090932/in/photostream/ … Continue reading Duxford and Mildenhall – 18th September 2020
In a year that managed to deliver a handful of great flying displays, Duxford managed to deliver one more treat for enthusiasts. The Imperial War Museum hosted three "showcase days" this year, which allow visitors to enjoy an hour or two of based aircraft displaying as part of a normal museum day. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/50666186087/in/dateposted/ The early … Continue reading Duxford Showcase Day – 10th October 2020
First of all - it's been a while! Hope you are all keeping well and making the most of 2020 as much as you can. It's certainly been a challenging year but the last few months have seen plenty of aviation action to be enjoyed. All a little bittersweet though with the very disappointing news … Continue reading Spitfires and Sunshine – 13th September 2020
Building on the great reception received for the debut event in July, the first Sunday of August saw the Shuttleworth Collection repeat their pioneering Drive in airshow format. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/50214842911/in/dateposted/ Unlike the last event this was an afternoon show and featured a few more visiting types. It's a great effort that the Collection are making to … Continue reading Shuttleworth Collection “At the Movies” Drive-In 2nd August 2020
