Sunset display at Old Warden yesterday (Saturday). The display won't start before 4.30 pm but I always like to arrive at these events early. This gives me time to get a good spot in the car park, absorb the atmosphere & also have a good look behind the scenes. It was a beautiful morning & I set out at 9.00 am in brilliant sunshine under a cloudless blue sky. Just over two hours later I was sitting down to a leisurely cooked breakfast at this delightful spot in the heart of the English countryside.


That's better. Time for a good look round. The amount of work involved in putting on one of these displays is amazing. The fact that this is mostly done by volunteers & always in good humour makes Old Warden very special for me. When the aircraft aren't flying they're neatly arranged on static display in several hangars so everyone can have a good look at them.  There's an amazing amount of rare aircraft to pack in a very confined space & as one of the hangars is being re-roofed it's even more packed than usual. On display days the aircraft scheduled to fly have to be extracted from the hangars which often means moving other aircraft & also arranging them so they're still on display.

So how do we get this one out of here? This is obviously a well-practiced procedure, supervised as always by the chief engineer, the man on the tail in these shots. I would love to have a chat with him some time but don't think I've ever seen this chap take a break during the whole day.




This was taken while sitting in front of my car. I can't think of a more delightful or civilised way of spending a sunny day.


Here's Peter Teichman arriving in his beautiful P-51D. An unexpected & unannounced treat so I unfortunately missed his traditional fly-by before landing. I saw him coming but he came by so fast I couldn't get a lock on it.


Sadly the clouds rolled in just as the flying display started & the sun disappeared behind them. No sunset so no decent aerial shots this time. At least it didn't rain & we had the usual excellent display. It was almost dark by 6.45 pm when the Edwardian machines took off & put on an amazing show. I had no idea the Bristol Boxkite replica could be thrown around like that & sorry I didn't get any shots to prove it. I took plenty more shots throughout the day if anyone's interested.

Quote:

Hi Tweek. I can't think of anywhere else in the country, except Popham, where you can get a closer look at the aircraft (both on the ground & in the air) & also chat to the owners & pilots. The rule is, look as much as you like but don't touch. Old Warden is well worth a visit if you've never been & after seeing it once you will keep going back for more. I guarantee it.

A very nice set of shots there Doug, you really captured the essence of it all. very nice indeed, i often go down to Netherthorpe When its like that, grab a sandwhich and watch them all come in, talk to a few people, and the by the time people start the lessons and gets very busy i head off.
very nice and peaceful i must say and a great way to spend the weekend.
Usually in summer we would take the dogs down and have a picnick besides the airfield, great days out.
How far drive is it to Old warden from where you are? Looks like a lovely place, alot like Netherthorpe, its great when you just catch the sunrise, brill atmosphere.
Not only aircraft but the ammounts of Birds and wildlife about Netherthorpe is great, although none are on the airfield they are around the trees just off and makes spotting them brilliant
Surprisingly enough the dogs love it, they are not distracted by the sounds at all.
Was there any more special visits? Pitty we dont get any at Netherthorpe, well maybe because the Airfield is that short but would be nice to have some down.

What a better way to spend a weekend?

Cheers for sharing Doug,

James

great shots Doug:)

Quote:


I'm not the biggest fan of all the vintage aircraft, I prefer them fast and noisy However, I think a show like this would be more relaxing, and a time to get a nice close up view of the displays. I think it's going to have to be a venture for when I learn to drive (which should hopefully be next year)

Quote:


Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm .........................???

..............and you say this with shots in hand and us holding our breath, waiting ?

Very nice Doug. I may well be down at Old Warden next Sunday.

I recognise that man! I had the privilege of being in the back of an Alpha Jet with the chap on the starbord wing!

Thanks for all your kind comments. I'm always pleasantly surprised at the amount of response when I post my photos & the things different people like or find interesting about them.

Quote:

That was the intention Ken. It's a bigger than average file for one of my pics but your encouragement makes posting it worthwhile.

Quote:

I hope so Tweek. Maybe I can convert you to an appreciation of real aeroplanes.
You never know what will show up on display days. I believe they've had a visit from a Harrier in the past although I never saw it. A RAF Jaguar blasted through last season & they don't come much faster or noisier than that. One of the regular display pilots flies Jags for a living while many others are serving RAF pilots. One of yesterday's display pilotos is an Air Commodore attached to the MoD. Also the chief test pilot of the BAe Systems Nimrod project & Airbus & Eurofighter test pilots regularly display the collection's aircraft. These chaps are all enthusiasts like me & this is what they do for pleasure.

Quote:

Thanks Doug. I can't find a photo right now but the name on that hangar is either DE HAVILLAND or De HAVILLAND. The famous aircraft company was named after Sir Geoffrey de Havilland. I've seen it spelled various ways but the correct name is the De Havilland Aircraft Company with a capital D. http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/havilland.htm