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
In aviation circles, there are a number of airfields and collections around the world that capture the imagination and become almost mythical as part of aviation folklore. Old Rhinebeck is most certainly amongst those legends, especially for those with an interest in those early years of aviation right through until the 1930s. Delicately nestled between … Continue reading Warbird People – Alex Jameison: Learning to Fly the Old Rhinebeck Collection
2018 marks the end of the 100 year anniversary commemorations of the Great War. Seemingly under the radar the past four years have seen the UK First World War Aviation community grow and diversify across a number of groups. As we approach 100 years of the armistice being signed, I wanted to take a look … Continue reading WW1 100 – Aviation Highlights
A 2017 Airshow Moments series could not be complete without a post covering some of the events of the Shuttleworth Collection June Evening show. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/35700838254/in/album-72157685022778203/ This show was blessed with perfect weather, glorious sunshine and minimal winds. While the star turn may have been the debut display from the three Hurricanes, another special moment came … Continue reading Airshow Moment – Edwardian Evening
While the main focus of 2017 will have been the ever increasing Hurricane gatherings we saw over the summer, the First World War enthusiast has had a great deal to enjoy as well. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/36793278862/in/dateposted-public/ Shortly before the newly restored Sopwith Pup made its debut at Duxford at the end of May, a more familiar Sopwith … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2017 – Simply Sopwith
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 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
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
I have to admit, watching the weather forecasts over the past few weeks I was starting to think that airshows must just have a curse in place. It seems over the past couple of months we have seen wall to wall sunshine as we go through the weeks only for skies to darken as soon … Continue reading Shuttleworth Collection – Edwardian Evening Display 20th June 2015
Following the success the company had been having with the Pup, Sopwith were keen to build further and make even more effective aircraft. The new design that Sopwith came out with began as a private venture by the Kingston based team, it featured the fuselage and tail of the pup, but had one major difference. … Continue reading Sopwith’s First World War Part 4 – The Triplane
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