Members got the VIP treatment at the world-famous Shuttle- worth Collection
of airworthy historic aircraft at Old Warden, near Biggleswade, with a
behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep unique aeroplanes in the
air. This was a thank-you for looking after D-day
veteran Arthur Jones at Wicksteed (see report and pictures in the
Wicksteed at War 2015 section). We fixed it for Arthur to ride in a
Sherman tank and his friend, Steve Harper, the collection's honorary
patron, invited us along to Old Warden Aerodrome. Our road run on
September 20, 2015, began near Olney and, after lunch at reserved tables
in the Shuttleworth restaurant, Steve took us on on a guided tour of the
hangers, workshops and Swiss Garden. There is already talk of making this an annual event with perhaps participation at an airshow. Also see http://www.shuttleworth.org/
Above: MVs in our reserved parking area on the aero- drome Right: Our own motor- cycle escort
Steve Harper talks about the SE5a First World War fighter, one of the gems of the collection
Trying out an Edwardian quadi- cycle
Getting to touch the world's oldest airworthy aero- plane, a Bleriot XI
The Shuttle- worth Hawker Sea Hurricane gave a display and then landed at the timeless grass aero- drome
Flaps down and just about to kiss the grass
The Sea Hurricane back in the hanger with its engine still hot
Members pictured by Kevin Lamberth in front of the De Havilland DH88 Comet,
designed, built and flown by de Havilland in just nine months in 1934
exclusively to participate in - and win - the Sir MacPherson Robertson
England to Australia air race. Pictured with walking stick right of
centre is D-Day veteran and Sherman tank driver Arthur Jones.
The bit the public don't get to see . . . engine workshop with a Rolls Royce Kestrel on the stand
Spitfire under -going deep main- tenance
Memen- toes of previous restora- tions adorn the wall of the work- shop... the uncovered fuselage is from the Collec- tion's 1923 English Electric Wren
A Shuttle- worth engineer explains the flap system which gives the Westland Lysander a stunning short take off and landing perfor- mance
A quick tour of the recently restored Swiss Garden, adjacent to the Collection