Shuttleworth Season Premiere 2026 review

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Shuttleworth Season Premiere 2026


‘With an injection of high-octane action, we were then treated to the G-Force numbing aerobatics performed by Steve Bakhtiai in his visiting Xtreme Air XA41 SBACH 300...’
’Shuttleworth House’, is a 19th century ‘Jacobean style mansion house set in 4500-acres of the Estate of Old Warden, nestling in the Bedfordshire countryside, near Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, boasting a unique example of Regency Swiss RHS partnered garden, and surrounding grounds. The House and Gardens are celebrating their 150th anniversary in May 2026, which hosts many events during the year including private/corporate events, group visits, STEM learning experiences, car & motorcycle meets, overnight accommodation/camping pitches are available, as well as a full diary of aviation events, please follow this link for details. A NEW season of air shows at Shuttleworth Shuttleworth House is also home to the ‘Shuttleworth Collection’, which is a treasure trove of vintage aircraft from 1909 – 1950, housed in 6 hangars. As well as historic aircraft there are agricultural and steam exhibits, veteran cars, classic motorcycles & bicycles, vintage buses & carriages. There is truly something for everyone here and all of the exhibits run, and almost all the aircraft fly, including the 1909 Bleriot! This is not your usual static museum it is very much alive.



Shuttleworth is easily accessed from the A1(M) and clearly signposted from all the main routes. I arrived 15 minutes before the show ground opened and joined a relatively short queue (within sight of the show ground). Once the gates opened and the traffic started moving, I was given clear marshaling directions to my parking space. All the parking is within easy access and sight of the flight line, with plenty of space for picnicking by your car if you prefer, and other showground attractions and facilities are close by. At the end of the day, my exit was equally uneventful, a traffic marshal was happy to guide me in the right direction for the A1(M) at the exit, as I believe they operate a temporary one-way system locally on event days. I was warmly welcomed by a highly visible team of both staff and enthusiastic volunteers, who were more than happy to answer questions and share information about the site and the day’s events to come. The gates opened at 09:00 with the flying display scheduled for 14:00, however, there were plenty of things to see and do to occupy yourself and the family. There were a number of stalls selling aviation themed gifts and other goodies, food stalls, a bar, live music and free fairground rides too! There were free vintage bus rides, exhibitions and many interactive stalls for all ages and interests. Or you could just relax and take shelter in the newly refurbished ‘Runway Café serving hot and cold food and drinks with clean toilet facilities including accessible facilities.





But for the die-hard aviation enthusiasts, there was also plenty of air-side activity, with aircraft taxis, arrivals and practice flights going on. The advertised flying program had been slightly affected by the rather cold and blustery conditions on the day (forecasted), however, at least it stayed dry. There were a small number of substitute aircraft in lieu of those unable to show, either due to technical or weather reasons, and quite rightly the ‘Edwardians’ remained tucked up in their hangars. The flying show started promptly at 14:00 and was opened by the RAF Parachute Display Team the ‘Falcons’, who alighted their Dornier 228 aircraft to the sound of AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’, opening their canopies immediately on exit because of a reduced display altitude of 2000 ft due to a low cloud ceiling. The team performed a number of maneuvers before landing with precision on their designated target despite challenging wind conditions, finishing by taking their customary salute from the reviewing officer and dignitary.



Once the airfield had been cleared, the flying started with a pair of 1930’s air-race heritage aircraft from the collection, the iconic de Havilland DH.88 ‘Grosvenor House’ Comet and the Miles Hawk Speed six, performing a formation display and individual fly-past’s.







This was followed by a serene glider display from the collection’s Slingsby Kirby Kite, a 1930’s Albatross like gull winged design, (with an impressive 46ft 7in wingspan) and a plywood fuselage construction, a truly unique aircraft and display.

Next up was the Percival Provost P56 T.1, also from the collection and I believe the only air-worthy example of this type flying.



Following on was the BBMF Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIC PZ865, in its ZY-V night fighter all-black livery, this was a substitute for the BBMF DC-47 Dakota, so hats off to the BBMF for not disappointing, but notoriously difficult to photograph, as many dark/black aircraft are.

We then saw two Miles Magisters, the M14A from the collection and a visiting M14 Hawk Trainer 3, take to the blustery skies in formation and also with individual fly pasts.

These were followed by the collection’s 1930’s Southern Martlet, G-AAYX. Previously owned by F.G Miles and used as his personal aircraft, operating out of Woodley Aerodrome near Reading. Having been stored during WWII (supposedly in an attic), it was then purchased by Butlin’s holiday camp organisation and used to display for the entertainment of their campers, before finding its way to the collection.

With an injection of high-octane action, we were then treated to the G-Force numbing aerobatics performed by Steve Bakhtiai in his visiting Xtreme Air XA41 SBACH 300, with his high G turns and snap-speed maneuvers certainly woke the crowd up, and sharpened the photographers aim.

Returning to a more sedate display, we see some of the collection’s WWI aircraft take to the skies, in the form of the Bristol F.2B Fighter, Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a and the Avro 504K. They performed in the sky together and with individual displays, we were very lucky to see these precious aircraft display in such tricky weather conditions, so well done to all the ground crew and skill of the pilots, in once again, not disappointing the crowds.





Next, we experience some twin-engine action in the guise of the resident Avro C19 Anson alongside the visiting and very beautiful Lockheed 12A Electra Junior G-AFTL. They performed some close formation flying then separated for their own individual displays, they were both elegant examples of transport aircraft of a bygone era.



The next item to display was another glider from the collection, a 1950’s example of the Fauvel AV.36. This is a ‘home-built’ aircraft by Charles Fauvel 1904-1979 and is basically a flying wing. Its design allows it to perform very tight turns and loops, which was expertly demonstrated to the crowd by the pilot. This was definitely something you don’t see at every airshow.



As the afternoon drew on, with some tantilising glimpses of blue sky and sunshine (albeit fleeting), we broke into some aviation entertainment of a competitive nature. Taking to the skies were a gaggle of a Miles Magister, Tiger Moth, Parnell Elf, Chipmunk and Blackburn B-2 with the initial challenge of hitting a target board, placed by expendable but willing volunteers on the airstrip. Each aircraft had one drop each following three circuits, (so three drops each), but although there were a couple of near misses, there were no direct hits. To further test the pilot’s skills in demanding flying conditions, they next had to ‘Limbo’ under a line held up on poles, about 20ft high, by expendable, but willing volunteers (a feet in itself in the windy conditions). There were two goal posts set apart that each aircraft was challenged to pass under, without touching down. After a few practice passes, a number of the aircraft managed both goal posts, just a couple of feet off the ground, once again, demonstrating the skill and concentration of the pilots.



Next up were the collection’s Desouter I, and the visiting Fairchild 24, each of which gave their individual displays giving plenty of photo opportunities for all.



Time for another duet performance in the shape of resident aircraft Gloster Gladiator I G-AMRK and the fantastic Westland (Lizzie), Lysander G-AZWT. I must admit, my favorite two aircraft of the show. They performed a formation display, breaking into their own individual displays in turn. The Gloster Gladiator is unique in that it was the last biplane to be flown by the RAF, and also their first aircraft with an enclosed canopy. The ‘Lizzie’ performed many roles during WWII and was the first aircraft during war time to operate out of France, only to be withdrawn following the Dunkirk evacuation. It is probably best known for its clandestine operations behind enemy lines in support of resistance groups, with its short landing and take-off capability, transporting agents and equipment into occupied Europe with a fixed ladder giving quick access to the passenger cockpit, and additional storage/drop tank options.



The following aircraft was a substitute for the Navy Wings Fairey Swordfish, we were treated to a display of the Kennet Aviation’s North American AT-6D Texan, followed soon after by the replica Sopwith Triplane and the Sopwith Camel, who performed together before showing their own individual attributes, again expertly flown in tricky flying conditions for these types.

To close the flying display, a Spitfire pair! Consisting of Shuttleworth’s very own Mk.Vc AR501 and the Aircraft Restoration Companies Mk.IX MH434, probably the best-known Spitfire flying today. Each aircraft took to the air in turn and after being on hold, approached together from the right with their Merlin powered Rolls Royce engines roaring in unison at the start of their display. They made several top and underside passes as well as rolls in close formation, before splitting to perform their individual displays. What a fantastic and iconic way to finish an airshow!





In all of the decades I have been attending airshows, this (I’m ashamed to say), was my very first visit to Shuttleworth. I have no excuses in my defense, but I hope this review will encourage you to visit and not make the same mistake I have, and I’m sure after your first visit, you will be hooked. Shuttleworth, offers a very relaxed, friendly and pleasurable day out, well organized, value for money and all-round pleasant experience. I might even go as far as saying, the best airshow I’ve been to in many years. I’m really looking forward to the next show ‘Wings & Wheels Air Show’, on Saturday 30th May 2026, maybe I’ll see you there! Wings & Wheels Air Show - Shuttleworth

Review by Scott Sullivan.