As the airshow season in the UK fast approaches, I wanted to feature some of the heavier warbird types for a change. Over the past couple of years this site has had a strong focus on WW1 and WW2 fighters with less of an emphasis on the bombers and transport types. This post marks a … Continue reading Warbird People: Al Herum – Commemorative Air Force B-24/B-29 Squadron
As the days start to get longer with the clocks moving forward the sound of aero engines and those long summer days suddenly don't seem too far away. Over the coming weeks more and more aircraft will be coming out of hibernation ready to take part in the upcoming season together with new arrivals and … Continue reading British Summer Time – Late March Warbirds
Moving to the South-Western edge of the Forest, another old airfield site can be found. This field was constructed in 1941, originally intended for Coastal Command use against the German U-Boat threat. Building on the theme set earlier in this post, work on construction was far from complete when aircraft first started arriving. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/32556512687/in/dateposted/ Flying … Continue reading Warbird Places: The New Forest Part 2: Holmsley South
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
