The city of Bristol and aviation go hand in hand, from the fragile, kite-like box kite to the raw power and elegance of Concorde it’s legacy is extraordinary. The Bristol Aeroplane company too, has rightfully earned an important place in the aviation history books, designing a number of iconic machines throughout the 20th Century. Perhaps … Continue reading Bristol F2b Fighter
The 2018 Shuttleworth Collection August airshow took on a family theme, with a wide range of different aircraft and acts on display. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/43225497910/in/dateposted-public/ The show got underway with the impressive collection WW2 trio of Spitfire, Sea Hurricane and Lysander. It really has been such a positive sight to have the Spitfire included in each display … Continue reading Shuttleworth Collection Family Airshow 2018
Continuing the Blenheim theme after the exciting update from Hawkinge yesterday, it is time for another airshow moment. Today's moment takes a look back at John Romain's masterclass in display flying in the wonderful Bristol Blenheim I at Little Gransden back in August. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/36827611246/in/dateposted-public/ This combination of man and machine is well known as a … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2017 – Blenheim at Little Gransden
The early July Sunday show at Old Warden has hosted the collection's Military Pageant now for a number of years. This show gives visitors the chance to take in the incredible line up of based military aircraft along with some fine selections from the wider UK warbird scene. This year saw events focused on Army … Continue reading Shuttleworth Collection Military Pageant 2017
Just seven years had passed since man first achieved powered flight when the Bristol Aeroplane Company first flew their new flying machine, the Boxkite. You would certainly be forgiven for mistaking the box kite for the Wright Brothers famous “Flyer” as it shares a number of similar features. The airframe features a forward mounted elevator, … Continue reading Shuttleworth Collection Bristol Boxkite
A month ago today the historic aircraft and airshow scene in the world saw the important return of a much-missed type. Bristol Blenheim/Bolingbroke Mk1 G-BPIV made its first flight following an 11-year restoration project. The aircraft suffered an unfortunate landing accident in 2003, having been a core part of the airshow scene since 1993, since … Continue reading The Blenheim’s Back!
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
December is an historic month for aviation as it marks the anniversary of the Wright Brothers finally realising mans quest for controlled flight. In the decade or so following that achievement there were of course countless aircraft produced. It was an exciting time of daring pilots and impressive designs as well as being a period … Continue reading Pre War Pioneers – Shuttleworth’s Edwardians
In part 1 of this post, I looked at the evolution of air warfare and fighting aircraft between 1914 and 1916, by which point the Germans very much had the upper hand. However as 1917 went on, things started to turn: Sopwith’s Rise: With Germany having asserted its dominance through the latter part of 1916 … Continue reading 100 Years: We Will Remember – Early Fighters Part 2:
