"Shuttleworth Collection" Topic

Has anyone been to a flying day at Old Warden in the UK?

I understand that they are mostly at Bank Holidays.

I've never seen anything older than a Tiger Moth or Rapide in the air for real, either an actual or a repro, so quite fancy a look.

Are the shows a traffic/parking/crowd nightmare and if so are they worth the stress?

Yes years ago, traffic was fine. I live not far away so keep meaning to go. In the summer they do an 'evening picnic flying event' which sounds nice.

I've occasionally seen repro WW1 aircraft flying and whilst nice to see they aren't very exciting to watch unlike WW2 planes. They are very slow and don't make that spine tingling noise like the RR Merlin. To be honest I got more of a buzz being allowed to closely inspect the WW1 planes at Hendon – I needed to photograph very close details for a job I was then working on and was given a security escort. Their Bristol Fighter was a fabulous piece of work.

I've been a couple of times. There was no problem with traffic even on the time when it was an MG T-Party too. I actually preferred the WW1 planes to the WW2 and later planes. There was a bit of a dogfight between the Brisfit and a repro Triplane, which was great and the smell of castor oil from the Pup was brilliant. The fact that the WW1 planes fly so much lower than the newer planes really adds to the experience. Unfortunately it was too windy for the really old planes to fly. Shame. Anyway, I would highly recommend going.

They have shows twice a month through the summer. The first Sunday and the usually third Saturday, which is an evening show. Check their website for dates and what's appearing. First show is on 3 May, then 16 May. shuttleworth.org/events.asp

The aerodrome is off the A1 at Biggleswade and is signposted. Traffic is not really a problem there. The whole area is grass parking, so you can sit by the car or move down to the flightline where they keep a large area clear of vehicles. Ideal for picnics. Also a Swiss Garden and Bird of Prey Centre to look at.

Wherever you are you will have a marvellous view as they have permission to fly closer to the crowd than most other places. The evening show means there is a better chance for the Edwardian aircraft like the Boxkite, Avro Triplane, Blackburn Monoplane, Blériot XI and Depurdussin to fly of just "hop". The light is also incredible as the sun goes down.

They have an original Sopwith Pup, SE5A and Bristol Fighter, plus a reproduction Sopwith Triplane and Bristol M1C, which are all airworthy.

They also fly a Hawker Hind, Hurricane, Gladiator and Lysander too, and usually have visiting aircraft. For the first show there is a Catalina and Mustang or P40. Plus historic vehicles which have a parade of their own before the flying starts.

The place has a magic of its own. And probably some of the best photo opportunities anywhere, and you can do flightline tours to get a closer look.

Timmo. Can I have your job? Pretty please. With bells on.

Thanks Guys,

Looks good on the website, plenty to distract 'she who must be amused' while I look at the kites!

Here's hoping the weather is good, although I dare say the cloud hight is not so much a problem as the wind, with some of the mega early planes!

I would say don't walk, but RUN to one of their days. Traffic isn't bad especially early (nothing compred to a flying day at Duxford). They changed the route in so they run you round the back to get to the parking on flying days rather than the main entrance (well they had last time I went) so queuing is on the Shuttleworth estate rather than public roads.

Last show we went to I think the most modern aircraft in the whole day were the Sea Hurricane and the Lysander. Plus the hangars to wander around and see the vintage car exhibits plus the statics. The planes are mostly parked within 20feet of the fence so you get a good view of the flightline.

Im hoping to go this year and see the Bleriot actually get up in the air given that the plane is 100 this year but the really old ones only get up when the wind is very low.

Hi Guys,

Went yesterday and it was very enjoyable.

Not sure if I would go on a Bank Holiday again though, as the Collage had hired out part of the grounds for a Classic Car show and that used the same road to the site off the A1, which really mucked up getting in – very long wait!

I also doubt I'll come in from that direction next time.

Anyone have any ideas on how the use of the area could be checked on the Web in advance? Does the Collage have a Web site?

Flying displays were excellent despite the wind. From a WW1 point of view only the SE5a and the Bristol Fighter were up (would have loved to see the Sopwith Triplane) but the guy flying the Bristol really put on a great demo that showed off just how manageable it is for a bigger plane.

You could really see how it must have scared the crap out of German Scout pilots when it first came into service and just how pilots flying it managed so many kills.

Good day out all round!

Ah ha! Found it shuttleworthpark.co.uk

Looks like there are no more clashes of dates for the rest of the year!

I used to go regularly when I was living in the UK. They had a German biplane, LVG I think and that used to "dog fight" with the Bristol or the SE5A.

The older planes indeed only fly when the wind is below 4mph (I think). But on a couple of occasions I've seen the Bleriot fly and one which looked like it was from the film "Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines".

Great photo opportunities because the older stuff flies so slowly and you can get really close to the machines.

Must try and go again next time I'm over there.