Following on from the earlier post looking at some of the aircraft that have moved around the world in the last 12 months, I thought I'd take another look at some of the aircraft that have either flown for the first time since restoration, returned to the air or received a new look this season. … Continue reading New in 2020 – First Flights, New looks and Welcome Returns
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/50708375988/in/photostream/ The German aircraft development during the closing stages of the war was certainly advanced with some very inventive machines taking to the air. Often plagued by production, resource or simply time issues, they did not see a huge deal of active service. One machine that certainly fits the "unique" description is the impressive push-pull … Continue reading Ultimate Pistons – Do 335
One thing that didn't change, despite everything else that has been going around the world, is the ever-present movement of warbirds changing hands and locations around the world. Throughout the year there were various announcements as familiar favourites and some newly restored machines changed hands and moved to a new base, or even country. Whilst … Continue reading The More Things Change….2020’s Moving Warbirds
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
