By late 1917 the German forces were starting to use air superiority, the British and French fighters had moved on considerably and with aircraft such as the Sopwith Camel and SE5a proving challenging opponents. Early 1918 saw the German government launch a new competition for a new fighter. The aircraft that would ultimately go on … Continue reading A New Age of Fighters – Part 2 – Fokker DVII
Over the past few years each Shuttleworth Collection season has featured a First World War themed event. This is hardly surprising given the unbreakable link between Old Warden and First World War aircraft. On the whole, the collection have fallen foul of bad weather on almost every occasion. Thankfully this years evening show saw flyable, … Continue reading Shuttleworth Collection WW1 Evening Airshow – 15th July 2017
Unusually for August, traditionally one of the busiest airshow months of the year, I only managed to attend two shows. Both were great events at Old Warden and Little Gransden respectively. I know you all enjoy seeing photographs from these shows so while I'm putting together the main review I thought I'd start posting a … Continue reading August Airshow Photo Re-Cap
Another new series of posts I am trying to put together take a look at the begining and end of key stages of fighting aircraft. These "handover" points can be seen in a number of key designs in history. The end of the great war saw favour change from the rotary unstable scout, which to … Continue reading A New Age of Fighters – Part 1 – Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a
Following a first visit to the wonderfully preserved WWI aerodrome at Stow Maries last September, it was great to have two chances to return this June. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/27899410593/in/dateposted-public/ On my earlier visit conditions were less than ideal, with only an engine run being performed by the resident Albatros. I was much luckier with the weather for … Continue reading Stow Maries – June Events
The familiar melody of the Jurassic park theme tune blasts out over the loudspeakers as a motorglider slowly swoops around the airfield. A diminutive Jodel D9 climbs for height before dropping down into a series of rolls and loops….hang on?! https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/26473185413/in/album-72157666051019644/ That is both the most bizarre and perfect opening to an airshow I think … Continue reading La Ferté-Alais Meeting Aerien 2016 – Main Review
Flying boats aside Curtiss, and american aviation in general had made very limited progress during the First World War as in fighting and legal action distracted many of the leading figures for the duration. As outlined briefly in my initial Curtiss post, outlining the rise to success of Glenn Curtiss himself, a number of successful … Continue reading The Curtiss Story Part 4 – The JN-4 “Jenny”
I may have only attended one day of this years La Ferté-Alais show but even that has caused the need for two separate posts. This first post is going to give a brief overview of the morning before the show, the pleasure flying and the excellent flightline walk. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/26802822100/in/album-72157666051019644/ Arriving on the airfield you're instantly … Continue reading La Ferté-Alais Meeting Aerien 2016 – Flightline Walk
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
Glenn Curtiss had made great advances in aviation by the 1910’s despite countless legal battles with the Wright Brothers over his Pusher designs. His experimental flying boats had led to plenty of industry recognition and it wasn’t long before the navy took an interest in these designs. The First World War would see the flying … Continue reading The Curtiss Story Part 3: First World War Flying Boats
Warbird Tails 