Spitfires have certainly led the charge with the boom in warbird flight experiences over the last five years or so, but there are plenty of other machines earning their keep with rides programs and they all had a busy 2020 as well. The Mustangs Ultimate Warbird Flights - TF-51D Mustang "Contrary Mary" Sywell/Duxford (Pictured here … Continue reading 2020s Busy Warbirds – The Other Working Warbirds
While airshows have led to numerous operators keeping their fleets on the ground throughout 2020, the ever increasing industry for warbird (most often Spitfire) rides in the UK has continued apace. At each stage when restrictions were lifted over the year, operators up and down the country have quickly resumed operations allowing many people to … Continue reading 2020’s Busy Warbirds – Two Seat Spitfires
In a year like 2020 the idea of a "top X Shows" doesn't really work. I wanted to use this post to celebrate all the shows that were able to take place this year and that I was luck enough to attend. This last weekend of the 2020 Advent series seemed like a great time … Continue reading Warbird Tails 2020 Season Retrospective
A little bonus instalment of this series, looking at some of the familiar aircraft that have sat out the 2020 season. WW1 machines have thankfully become more and more common over the past four or five years and there are now a number of places you can go in the UK and enjoy the sight … Continue reading Waiting in the Wings – 2020s Missing Favourites – WWI
As one of the few airshows to go ahead in 2020 it shouldn't come as a surprise that yet another airshow moment this year comes from Headcorn. I'll try to resist mentioning the horrendous weather as much in this one! https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/50410660358/in/album-72157716228636186/ 2019 was, amongst other things very much the year of the Dakota. The D-Day … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2020 – Tailchasing “Daks” over Kent
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
