Not many people have the opportunity of a close look at aircraft these days, never mind rare vintage types. Popham is unique by actively encouraging anyone with an interest to come & see what grass-roots aviation is all about. Some people have been enjoying this place for years & they keep coming back. All credit to everyone concerned with this little piece of paradise - from the ever-friendly & enthusiastic airfield manager to the volunteer ATC controllers & marshals, not forgetting the pilots & owners of these valuable machines. The secret is that they're all enthusiasts themselves. Long may this enlightened attitude continue. It would only take one abuse of their generosity to spoil it for everyone.

Here's a few close-ups I took at the fly-in yesterday with my trusty little F401. I carry it in my top pocket & find it ideal for this type of thing.

The rear cockpit of an immaculate Pietenpol Air Camper. One of the first homebuilts.


One of two beautifully restored DH.60M Moths on the airfield.



Beautiful in its simplicity. Who needs a glass cockpit?


Most owners are delighted to talk about their pride & joy & you never know who you might meet. This chap was kind enough to pose for me in front of his Luton Minor. Unfortunately I forgot to ask his name or the significance of the autograph behind the cockpit..

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Glad you like although I'm not surprised. You would love Popham.

Most Air Campers in the UK were recently built from the original plans & can vary considerably. They're becoming very popular & there's quite a few around now. This one has a Continental C90-8F aero engine.

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The original DH.60 Moth (better known as the Cirrus or Gipsy Moth depending on engine) was the first of the popular Moth family of light aircraft that revolutionised private flying in the 1930s. The DH.60M or Metal Moth has a steel tube fuselage & is the direct predecessor of the legendary DH.82a Tiger Moth. Push the top wing forward a few inches to clear the front cockpit, invert the upright Gipsy engine & there you have it. This is actually how it was done. It involved a few other modifications like sweeping the wings back to maintain the C of G. All Moths up to this point featured folding wings for convenient storage but this is not possible on the Tiger due to the swept wings & more complex rigging.

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The Luton Minor is one of the early British homebuilts. It could be regarded as the equivalent of the Air Camper although I think it's a more recent design. This one is fitted with a modified Volkswagen car engine. These were once a very popular powerplant for homebuilts.

PS. The Luton Minor was orginally fitted with a variety of powerplants, including the J.A.P motorcycle engine.

PPS. http://www.lutonminor.co.uk/

Wonderful shots Doug...Beautiful

Now Popham:  does this event you are showing happen every weekend or just a couple times a year?

Popham: I have heard the name before but for the life of me  it escapes me now.  Was it an airfield during the First or Second World Wars?

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Thank you.

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Hi Doug. I've posted photos taken at Popham many times so this is probably where you heard the name. Not sure it was ever a service airfield & I don't think it has much history behind it. The airfield was originally private & the base of warbird restorer Charles Church. He was sadly killed some years ago while flying a Spitfire but I'm not sure of the details.*

Popham airfield is part of the estate & run as a permanent memorial to Charles Church with the full support of his family. I can show you photos but it's impossible to show you the atmosphere. Read all about this wonderful place here. http://www.popham-airfield.co.uk/

*PS. Spitfire Mk V G-MKVC 2/7/89 near Blackbushe. http://www.militaryairshows.co.uk/spitcrash.htm

PPS. There's usually a fly-in or event of some kind every month throughout the season. Here's this year's schedule. http://www.popham-airfield.co.uk/Events.htm

Thanks Doug

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

The majority of your shots all come across, as they were in life, as you shot them......well, as far as I have the experience to see. 
I will tell you that the only things that affect them will be the up close shots with flash, as in the Luton Minor cockpit shot......not over exposed but a tad on the light side. Thats not to say its not an acceptable shot, but the flash has washed out some of the finer highlights. So from my standpoint, I only give it a 98% out of 100.........   8)

Your shots Doug, are very well presented........content, exposure, focus, etc.

Looks like a deluxe-version of the Pietenpol... it even comes with a handy pencil-holder! 

Lovely shots!