The final museum of my recent US trip was handily placed on the airport boundary that my flight home would be departing from in a few hours time. I spent four hours wandering around the museum soaking in the atmosphere that is something like no other. This was my third visit to the museum and … Continue reading Museum Profile: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Part 1 – WW1 and Interwar Years
With a summer blessed with such perfect weather, it is hardly surprising how often Old Warden features in this years' airshow moments. This instalment comes from the Military Pageant show in July. As mentioned in my review of this event published earlier, this represented the first time the WW1 themed airshow within the centenary period … Continue reading Airshow Moment 2018 8 – Old Warden WW1 Parade
The first Shuttleworth Collection airshow of 2018 took place on the 6th May and marked the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force. Weather conditions were absolutely perfect, with strong sunshine and hardly any wind throughout the afternoon. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/27283395147/in/dateposted-public/ The static display featured some gems to enjoy before the show, including the Bristol Scout replica, … Continue reading Shuttleworth Collection Celebrates 100 Years of the RAF – Season Premiere 6th May 2018
Just when the off-season blues are starting to kick in it is always a pleasant surprise to a see a unique event pop up on the calendar. Brooklands Museum is a hugely historical site, having one of the proving grounds of early British aviation alongside boasting the first purpose built motor racing circuit. The 30s … Continue reading Brooklands Aviation Day 2017 – 15th October
This years Open Workshop days moved to a mid-week slot, rather nicely filling the no-mans land between Christmas and New Year. The move certainly seemed to work well as on the Thursday, when I attended, the airfield was incredibly busy, certainly as busy as I've seen this event. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/32146504986/in/dateposted-public/ There is no doubt that the … Continue reading Shuttleworth Collection Open Engineering Workshop 2016
As part of the Shuttleworth Collection Engineering Open Workshop event on the 29th December 2016, the Collection's Sopwith Camel replica carried out its first public engine run. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/31696335630/in/dateposted-public/ I felt that this special event, which came as a great surprise to me, was worthy of its own separate post. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/32071381385/in/dateposted-public/ The Camel has been under … Continue reading Sopwith Camel Comes Alive
Following on from last weeks post looking at the history of Sopwith's most famous design, this week I have chosen to take a look at the seven original Camels that remain as well as a look at two notable reproduction examples of the type. Original Aircraft - F.1 F6314 - Royal Air Force Museum Hendon Hendon’s example, … Continue reading Sopwith’s First World War – Part 6: The Camel Part 2 -Survivors
“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
Following on from my first post looking at the pioneering engines of the pre war period, this week it is time to turn attentions to those engines that were developed during the war. Much like the aircraft designs of the period engine design developed quickly as well. A number of designs and manufactures featured in … Continue reading Aero Engines of History Part 2: 1914-1918
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
Warbird Tails 