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"...could
this be Photography perfection?... Quite possibly."
The last couple of Air Show Seasons have
seen a return to the Evening Air Show format at The Shuttleworth
Collection. This
years schedule sees no less than three Evening Air Shows at the
Collection “Where everything flies”.
The June Show arrived hot on the heels of the fist (May)
Show of the year which immediately set the bar high.
The June show looked to be seriously
threatened by poor weather, but luckily the forecast rain never
arrived the belts of cloud dispersed throughout the day, giving
way to fantastic, albeit breezy, summers evening.
Sadly due to the strong breeze that was present for the
duration of the show, the inclusion of the Edwardian was sadly
thwarted.
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The Evening air shows usually run
exclusively with the collections own air frames with an absence of
visiting participants.
June’s show followed suit except for a minor last minute addition
in the form of the Shuttleworth based Dornier DO-28 Sky Servant.
Shuttleworth is well know for its laid back atmosphere with
free run given to the site and its hangars allowing for
relaxed viewing of the collection up close, as well as a
plethora of other activities including vintage bus rides,
walks around the Swiss Gardens and several classic vehicle
parades.
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The planned flying element of the day &
evening kicked off promptly at 6.30pm with a gentle aerobatic
display from the Fauvel Glider and a rather spirited display form
the Collection’s 1932 built Comper Swift.
Painted in its Red paint scheme originally worn in 1933,
the single seat sporting aircraft swept through the Old Warden
skies, providing both a wonderful site and sound.
With the flying programme underway it was
time for some classic racers to take to the skies with a flying
display from two simply stunning air craft; the petit Percival Mew
Gull and the glorious DH88 Comet.
The two gave a stylish pairs display before breaking off
into their single displays.
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Another Shuttleworth Stalwart, the
Westland Lysander took to the skies giving an evocative display,
reminiscent of night time incursions into France during the dark
days of the Second World War.
Anyone who knows the Old Warden venue will know how good it is
for Photographers, with a dog legged display line, closer than
average flying, and, for a lovely change at an air show, the
sun isn’t sitting right in your face all day.
Team this with an evening timetable with summer evening
light with the sun on your back; could this be Photography
perfection?... Quite possibly.
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As the light continued to warm and soften
it was time for some warbird action in the form of two Hawker
Hurricanes with some fantastic flying from the Collections own Sea
Hurricane 1B and the Privately owned (collection housed) Hurricane
Mk I, the second Battle of Britain Veteran Hurricane to be homed
within the hangars of the Shuttleworth Collection.
The watching crowd were treated to what I
can only describe as the best Hurricane display I have ever seen,
an absolutely magical sight.
The display pilots appeared to have an amazing time
displaying both as a pair and as single air frames; beautiful to
see, beautiful to hear.
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More Warbird participation was on the
cards with a visit from the Battle of Britain Memorial Fight’s Mk
IX Spitfire, sporting an absolutely stunning desert camouflage
livery representing 92 Sqn Spitfire EN152 flown by Neville Duke in
Tunisia during 1943.
Squadron Leader Andy Millikin gave a couple of superb topside
passes displaying that new paint work off to the full.
Training aircraft were also represented by
numerous examples throughout the evening with appearances by the
Avro Tutor, Tiger Moth, Chipmunk and Piston Provost, each
participant giving brilliant displays in the breezy conditions.
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The flying display came to a close with
the collections newly refurbished Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vc,
giving its second flying display since the clipped winged example
roared back to life and took to the skies
at the end of March.
A powerful display from the evening’s pilot, ripping up the
airfield in a series of ferocious beat ups before gently retuning
to the grass strip in glorious setting sunlight.
Looking at the second of the years evening
air shows it pretty fair to say the organisers and pilots put on a
fantastic evening, what better way to spend a summers evening?
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As well as a
final evening air show planned for the 14th July, the
collection is also holding several other shows throughout the
season, for full details take a look the collection website for
full details.
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Review
by Jonathan Wintle
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