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
The October showcase day at Duxford provided one last chance for enthusiasts to enjoy some flying in a year that had certainly been like no other. This gave another chance to enjoy a few of the lesser seen Duxford types. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/50665363053/in/album-72157717113132627/ Though a long-time Duxford resident, the NA64 Yale made no public appearances until the … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2020 – Duxford Radial Formation
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
The only UK formal airshow to take place in a traditional format was Headcorn's three day event in September put on by Aero Legends. This featured the usual combination of based machines and visiting warbirds. Despite very strong winds and low cloud throughout the weekend, it was remarkable a show went ahead at all, let … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2020 – Stampe Display Team – Headcorn
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
The Aero Legends shows at Headcorn have built up a great reputation for putting on Duxford-like warbird set pieces over the last five years. 2020 could have easily been a far more subdued version of the formula but actually saw one of the most memorable routines. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/50411511987/in/album-72157716228636186/ The Saturday and Sunday of the show saw … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2020 – Battle of Britain Sequence at Headcorn
While a great number of museums across the UK re-opened early on in July, enthusiasts had to wait another month before Duxford re-opened its doors on 1st August. This was followed a few days later by the first public flying display at the venue. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/50252734687/in/album-72157715576501801/ This was important for a number of reasons. It was … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2020 – P-51D Mustang “Warhorse” Debut & Comanche Fighters Return
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
