I've always been a big fan of World War 2 aircraft, which won't be of a surprise to any of you. Over the past few years though, the fascinating journey of technology that First World War development of aircraft started to become a real source of interest for me. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/45219947974/in/photostream/ As you'll know from my … Continue reading Warbird Stories: Simply Sopwith
Throughout December, alongside the usual post-a-day Advent theme, I will be taking a look at 10 individual stand out "Airshow Moments" from a busy season. This is by no means a definitive list of the "best of" 2017, but simply presents some stand out moments that in my eyes made 2017 special. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/35304000292/in/dateposted-public/ The first … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2017 No.1 – Sopwith Pup Duxford Debut
This week (18th September) marks the third anniversary of the first post going live on Warbird Tails. Almost 260 posts on I still thoroughly enjoy updating this site regularly with Warbird news, history and stories. To mark the occasion I wanted to take a look back at three of the posts I'm most proud of … Continue reading Warbird Tails Turns Three
The sight of an original 1917 Bristol F2b carrying out power checks viewed through the trees and open grass at the southern end of Old Warden is a truly incredible way to kick off the 2017 season. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/34428041241/in/dateposted-public/ Shortly after arrival there was a real sense of anticipation that seems to be unique to that … Continue reading Shuttleworth Collection Season Premiere Airshow – 7th May 2017
The past few years have seen a rise in the popularity of evening and night shoots across the aviation community, especially during the off-season. Following on from Shuttleworth's first venture into night-shoots back in October they offered the unique chance to catch the collection's aircraft in the early morning light and sunrise. Having never attended … Continue reading Shuttleworth Collection Dawn Photoshoot – 19th March 2016
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
“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
100 years ago today the second HMS Ark Royal was commissioned, this ship was special in that it was the first to be designed and built to carry aircraft. During the war it was largely used for seaplane storage rather than actual flight deck operations though it did have a launching station on deck. The … Continue reading 100 Years of the Ark Royal – Royal Navy Aircraft
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