Tag: 2025

Shuttleworth’s Veteran Bus Rides Hit Record Numbers

In addition to yet another year of successful events, Shuttleworth saw a record number of passengers aboard the Collection’s fleet of vintage buses. Taking part in all seven of the 2024 air shows, making regular trips for general admission visitors, and operating during the site’s regular wider events season, the three buses have a combined a total of over 200 hours ferrying over 11,000 visitors around Shuttleworth. The fleet is a firm favourite with visiting school children and has also participated in no less than seven weddings so far this year.

A group of 11 dedicated volunteers make up the team who operate the buses. Driving is just a small aspect of the work the team undertake. Each member is closely involved in the maintenance, polishing and cleaning of the vehicles, as well as regularly taking the buses out into the local community in Biggleswade.

Shuttleworth’s bus fleet includes the Leyland Bus ST ‘Wellingborough’ from 1913, which is one of only three surviving second-generation double decker buses outside of London. It was rescued from the grounds of the Wellingborough Sewage works where it was being used as a store shed. The ‘White Rose’ Leyland SG7 was the outright winner of the London to Brighton Veteran run in 2002 and is widely considered the visitor favourite. The Charabus lived a varied life ferrying passengers between Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire and even spent some time as a static shop that was plumbed in for water, gas and electric before being restored and bought by Shuttleworth. It is now the sole survivor of its kind.

Visitors are invited to ride the buses for free but can offer a donation of their choice, if they should wish to do so. This year’s introduction of a ‘Good Box’ contactless donation scheme has resulted in an increase of 133% in public donations, all of which are used to help maintain the Collection’s wider fleet of vehicles – including the buses themselves. Donations from previous years have allowed the team to expand maintaining and operating the Collection’s 1913 Studebaker alongside the buses during the events. This has already proved to be a big hit with the public, and the team hope to expand this activity into 2025 and beyond.

Peter Hanlon, Vehicle Events Co-ordinator and Bus Manager, said “We are delighted that 2024 has seen record passengers aboard the three buses. The team take great pride in knowing that our ‘Hangar runs’ bring so much joy to our visitors, and we look forward to welcoming them back in 2025.’

Visitors can enjoy a vintage bus ride at any of Shuttleworth’s 2025 air shows and at wider events across the site (please check the website for further details). Subject to weather and availability. Get your tickets for Shuttleworth Air Shows at: www.shuttleworth.org/book-your-tickets (Early Bird pricing ends on 31st January)

Prices are changing this month

RIAT Update
With the festivities over, start planning your summer fun now!

Now that we’re in 2025, it’s time to start planning your year ahead. Lots of you have been super organised and have already booked your general admission and enclosure upgrade for the world’s greatest airshow, taking place on 18th, 19th and 20th July 2025 at RAF Fairford. If you haven’t already, then don’t miss out, book now!

Several of our enclosures are already or nearly sold out for Saturday.

Aviation Club Saturday SOLD OUT

First Class Lounge Saturday SOLD OUT

Cotswold Club Saturday less than 150 remaining

Viewing Village Grandstand Saturday only 30 premium seats remaining

Lightning Pavilion Sunday only 15 tickets available

Viewing Village Garden Saturday less than 200 tickets available

There are enclosures for every budget and requirement. Have a look at our wide range of options here. For example, our Family Enclosure is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic with your children and watch the displays in a safe and entertaining environment, with plenty of activities to get involved in.

Or why not try our new enclosure, Altitude? Altitude will give you an experience like no other. It’s a great base to experience RIAT from, with its upper deck spaces and cool contemporary vibe. Complete with an all-inclusive cocktail bar with selected wine, prosecco, beer, cider, spirits, cocktails and soft drink as well as complimentary food served throughout the day.

Our prices will increase this month, so don’t delay and buy your tickets today!

www.airtattoo.com/tickets-packages/

Wow! RIAT25 is now this year!

RIAT Eyes in the Skies

Things will start to hot up now as we prepare for the world’s greatest airshow, which takes place at RAF Fairford on 18th, 19th and 20th July 2025.

Next month, we will start to announce our aircraft for both the flying and static displays. We already have some very exciting additions this year which we can’t wait to tell you about.

Our Eyes in the Skies theme will provide lots of opportunity for interesting exhibits in the Techno Zone® as well fascinating civilian and military aircraft.

So don’t delay, buy your tickets today. Time is running out to secure your tickets at Early Bird prices, as we will increase our prices at the end of this month. We hope to see you all there.

www.airtattoo.com/tickets-packages/

Rare Dornier wing section will go on display at the RAF Museum in early 2025

RAF Museum Dornier

Plans are underway at the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands for the wing section of an iconic Second World War Dornier Do 17 to go on public display in early 2025. Salvaged after more than 70 years submerged beneath the waters of the Goodwin Sands, this rare artefact offers visitors a unique glimpse into the past.

Nicknamed the ‘Flying Pencil’ due to its slender fuselage, the Do 17 played a pivotal role in the early stages of the Second World War and is best remembered for its involvement in the Battle of Britain. Of more than 1,500 Do 17 bombers produced, over 400 were deployed by the Luftwaffe during the pivotal battle. Today, only one remains complete.

The wing section set to be displayed comes from this sole surviving Do 17, recovered in a landmark operation led by the RAF Museum in 2013. The dramatic moment the aircraft was lifted from the seabed and surfaced from the waters was broadcast live, capturing global attention. The recovery and subsequent conservation efforts have since fascinated not only aviation enthusiasts and historians but also scientists and engineers, all intrigued by the challenge of preserving this historic airframe for future generations.

Dr Harry Raffal, RAF Museum Head of Collections and Research said:
‘This is a remarkable moment for aviation history in Britain. After more than tens of years of intensive conservation, treatment and stabilisation, the Do 17 will go on public display. It represents not only the culmination of an extraordinary salvage operation but a unique way of understanding the Battle of Britain. The new year will see the Do 17 wing section, propellers, and engines situated alongside a Boulton-Paul Defiant, the very type that delivered the final blows to this Do 17. Our audience will see first-hand the thin edge of technology which enabled the RAF and Luftwaffe to fight out the most important battle of a generation.’

Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with the wing section, propellers, and engines, through enhanced interpretation and delve deeper into the aircraft’s story. Uncover the aircraft’s historical significance in aerial warfare, the events leading to its demise, and the extraordinary salvage operation and unique preservation techniques employed to safeguard its legacy.

The Do 17 wing section will be available for public viewing from early 2025, subject to suitable weather conditions for the move. The Museum invites aviation enthusiasts, history buffs, and families alike to explore this unique addition to the collection. This extraordinary exhibition will be a chance to reflect on the aircraft’s role in one of Britain’s most defining moments in history.

The fuselage will remain in store for the time being, owing to space constraints in the hangars, but the Museum retains the option to display it in future alongside the wing section.

For more details or to plan your visit go to www.rafmuseum.org/midlands.

Shuttleworth Celebrates 90 Years of The MacRobertson Air Race

Shuttleworth Comet

October 2024 marks 90 years since the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race, and The Shuttleworth Collection includes none-other than the very race winning aircraft: the de Havilland DH.88 Comet G-ACSS. To celebrate the anniversary, Shuttleworth’s upcoming Race Day Air Show (6 October) will feature a mock air race in tribute to this hugely popular aircraft.

The MacRobertson Air Race saw over 20 aircraft set off from RAF Mildenhall on a multistage flight from the United Kingdom to Australia. With a prize of £15,000 – that’s £900,000 in today’s money – on the line, there was huge excitement and media coverage surrounding this racing challenge. Shuttleworth’s very own Comet DH88, piloted by Charles W.A. Scott and Tom Campbell Black, covered the (approx.) 11,300 miles in 70 hours and 54 minutes, winning them the race and setting a new point-to-point world record. The aircraft itself was designed and built by de Havilland in just 10 months and had a top speed of 227mph.

The Comet is a much-loved part of The Shuttleworth Collection and regularly features in its seasonal air shows. To celebrate the fantastic history of this aircraft, the upcoming Race Day Air Show (6 October) will see a mock air race including as many of the types of aircraft that took part in the original race as possible. In true racing spirit, the aircraft will also cross the finish line following the exact order of the original race, culminating in a solo display from the Comet.

James Butt, Aviation Co-ordinator, said, “We are extremely fortunate to have the very aircraft that won the MacRobertson Air Race in our Collection here at Shuttleworth. This is a big anniversary and so we want to mark it appropriately at our last Air Show of the season where racing is the focus.”

Race Day brings together icons of the aviation and the motor vehicle industry for a dramatic day of action both on Shuttleworth’s grass runway and in the skies above Old Warden Aerodrome.As well as a flying display from 2-6pm, Race Day will feature veteran vehicle and bike sprint demonstrations, and a brilliant range of ground entertainment including the Armed Forces Rally Team, the Jez Avery Stunt Show, the Dakar Rally Team, and our interactive Discovery Zones. Visitors can also browse various trader stalls and pick up delicious food and drink on site.

Join Shuttleworth to mark this 90th anniversary and discover more about the racing past of its patron and Collection. Tickets for Race Day 2024 are available from £32.50 via www.Shuttleworth.org.