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One of many formations on the day, this 'home team' Shuttleworth formation has no less than three unique aircraft, and the fourth, the DH.60X Moth, top right, historic for other reasons - Richard Shuttleworth's own machine. From L-R, the Blackburn B-2, Hawker Tomtit and Avro Tutor are all the only surviving and flying examples of their types. [photo by Nigel Hitchman]
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By Nigel Hitchman with James Kightly
A fabulous day at the Shuttleworth collection at Old Warden, today, 3 Sept 2023. One of the best airshows I’ve been to there for quite a while, with a great selection of aircraft flying, including quite a few new visiting aircraft, and some great formations and pairings.
The ‘Magnificent Men’ film Bristol Boxkite replica BAPC 2. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
The de Havilland DH 88 Comet racer G-ACSS. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
Billed by the Shuttleworth Collection, at Old Warden, Biggleswade, Bedfordhire, UK, as “… a unique celebration of Shuttleworth’s Steam and Agricultural Heritage, accompanied by a thrilling air display.” Blessed with exceptional weather even in a fine summer, the Collection are to be commended for putting together both a diverse and extensive program, with many of the Collection’s own aircraft excellently supplemented by a remarkable number of visitors.
Getting low powered aircraft like the Hawker Cygnet G-CAMM (left) into the air with the English Electric Wren (c/n 3) takes some doing. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
The Deperdussin, BAPC 4, lifts briefly into the air. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
Of interest to us in the air, there were lots of highlights, but perhaps for me the best was the Hawker Cygnet flying with the English Electric Wren. It was also great to see the Deperdussin do a few quite long hops today and the Bleriot attempted a flight – but it seemed the engine was not quite running right, and it failed to get airborne on the first run. Despite some engine adjustments, they proved unsuccessful, so we wait to see it fly again another day.
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The Focke-Wulf Fw 44 G-EMNN is a pretty rare type to see in the UK. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
The 1941 Boeing Stearman PT 17 A75N1 is still on the American Register as N38940. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
Shuttleworth’s Parnall Elf G-AAIN of 1929 is another of the collection’s unique machines. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
The show started with a great formation display with the Avro Tutor, Hawker Tomtit [See the separate feature on how this aircraft has been returned to the air] de Havilland DH60 Moth and Blackburn B2.
Two of the Percival racing Gull family, G-ACXF and modern build G-AEKL, a remarkable sight, common at Old Warden. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
Inter-war American classy classics. From the top, Travel Air D4000 NC8115, Beech Staggerwing N18V, and Waco UPF-7, G-UPFS. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
The 2008 Percival Mew Gull lifts off. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
The Tiger 9 formation of de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moths. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
This new-built Comper Swift, G-ACTF, first flew in 2015. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
Travel Air Type R ‘Mystery Ship’ G-TATR (ahead) and Miles Hawk Speed Six G-ADGP demonstrate American and British approaches to inter-war race engines and design. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
Then, three visitors flew together: the Staggerwing, Travel Air D4000 and Waco UPF-7. This was an interesting combination of American vintage aircraft. Later we saw the Travel Air Type R “Mystery Ship” and Miles Hawk Speed Six flying together, the second racer slot after the Comet and two Mew Gulls. Two Dragon Rapides together looked good and a very unusual pairing of the Polikarpov Po-2 and Avro 504 replica which was great to see.
The collection’s Desoutter ‘taxi’ aircraft, G-AAPZ. [photo by Nigel Hitchman]
A twosome of de Havilland Dragon Rapides was an unusual innovation in the program at Old Warden. G-AGSH (first) and G-AHAG. [photo by Nigel Hitchman]
Shuttleworth’s Bristol F2B Fighter, in reality D8096, painted as B1162 has been a display stalwart for well over half a century. [photo by Nigel Hitchman]
The visiting Avro 504 (G-EROE) and the Collection’s Polikarpov Po 2 (G-BSSY) two of the most numerous trainers ever built. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
Czerwiński-Shenstone Harbinger glider above, still on tow, with the DHC Chipmunk G-BNZC. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
DH 51 ‘Miss Kenya’ the first type on that country’s register as VP-KAA. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
Beech 17 registered N18V is in Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands’ World War Two colors. It flew again in 2021 after a 35 year ‘rest’. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
Shuttleworth’s own Supermarine Spitfire AR501 (top) and Hawker Sea Hurricane Z7015. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
The Czerwiński-Shenstone Harbinger glider was a unique visitor and flown together with the Chipmunk. It was particularly appropriate with the Spitfire flying around in the background, as Bev Shenstone was one of the main design engineers working on Spitfire development. With many other unique Shuttleworth aircraft flying it was a really great day! Nigel Hitchman
Top; the de Havilland Canada Chipmunk, Czerwiński-Shenstone Harbinger glider in the middle, and the Spitfire in the background. [Photo by Nigel Hitchman]
James Kightly, from Melbourne, Australia, discovered his passion for aviation at the Moorabbin collection in the late 1960s. With over 30 years of writing experience for aviation magazines in the UK, US, Australia, and France, he is a feature writer for Aeroplane Monthly and an advisor for the RAAF History & Heritage Branch.
James has interviewed aviation professionals worldwide and co-runs the Aviation Cultures conferences. He has flown in historic aircraft like the Canadian Warplane Heritage’s Lancaster. At Vintage Aviation News, he ensures accurate and insightful aviation history articles.
Outside aviation, James has worked extensively in the book trade and museums. He supports the Moorabbin Air Museum and the Shuttleworth Collection. James lives in rural Victoria with his wife and dog.