I’m fast running out of words to describe Old Warden shows this year, so apologies if I repeat myself below….. After a few days of awful weather and a high winds it was a blessing to arrive at a very sunny Old Warden, if still a little windy, on the 2nd August. The turnout was … Continue reading Shuttleworth Wings & Wheels Airshow – 2nd August 2015
The final evening display of the year at Old Warden, Flying Proms aside, had one of the most memorable line ups for a number of years. A huge number of wonderful visitors were laid out on the airfield, set to soak up the summer evening sun. As always I had one eye on the weather … Continue reading Shuttleworth Collection’s Best Of British Evening Airshow – 18th July 2015
Shuttleworth are certainly having a golden year this season, with very well selected visiting aircraft and themes. This weekend's evening show may have been named Best of British, but it could have just as easily been the "Best of Shuttleworth". I'll be posting a full review of the show later in the week, but these … Continue reading Photo Post: Shuttleworth Collection Best of British Evening Airshow 18th July 2015
“Its tricks took some learning……it really had people frightened.” - Arthur Cobby At last this Sopwith story reaches the crucial stage, where Sopwith went from being just one of a number of aircraft manufacturers, to being the one name everyone associates with the conflict. This time we take a look at the “Spitfire of the … Continue reading Sopwith’s First World War – Part 5: The Camel Part 1 – The Legend
"Good god, your 1 1/2 Strutter has had a pup!" Those were the words of an RFC officer upon first seeing the new Sopwith Scout being testes in early 1916. Though very similar in construction to the Tabloid, this new Scout aircraft was far lighter than its older relative, allowing it to have a lower … Continue reading Sopwith’s First World War Part 3: The Sopwith Pup
Last year saw the unveiling of a new historic aviation organisation in the UK, the World War One Aviation Heritage Trust (WAHT) with the simple message of providing an enduring collection of WW1 aircraft representative of both British and German forces. They hope to keep an increasing collection of these aircraft displaying in front of … Continue reading 2015 Preview – World War One Aviation Heritage Trust Ltd
“Why would someone want to do anything else?” It’s a good question. This was Tom “TK” Kurtz's response to me asking if given the chance to do it all again, he’d end up in the same job he has now, and who could blame him? For those that don’t know Tom is the General Manger … Continue reading Warbird People: Tom “TK” Kurtz III – General Manager: The Fighter Factory
Last week I posted my thoughts on the new First World War exhibition at the RAF Museum's Hendon site, this post looks at the history of the aircraft included in the display. Bleriot XXVII - "433": This aircrafts history until around 1965 is not known, though it is highly likley that the aircraft was built … Continue reading First World War In the Air – RAF Museum – Exhibit Histories
I can’t have been the only one to have visited Hendon a number of times over the last few years and only manage to get into the elusive Grahame-White factory once. Up until recently this wonderful 1915 building only opened once or twice a week and only for short periods of time. I always felt … Continue reading First World War In The Air – RAF Museum London
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