78 |FLIGHTPATH
A Perfect Pageant
S
huttleworth's third event for the sea-
son, their Military Pageant, was a
stunning dedication to the contribu-
tion of the UK’s armed forces past
and present.
OldWardeninBedfordshireishometo
The Shuttleworth Collection. Founded in
1928 by Richard Shuttleworth, the collec-
tion spans aviation history from early pio-
neeringaircrafttofamousW.W.IIfighters.
Held in perfect conditions, the show
opened with Peter Kuypers' display in the
B-17 ‘Sally B’, flown over from nearby Dux-
ford,joinedbyRichardGraceinTheFighter
Collection’s TF-51D ‘Miss Velma’. Another
aircraft that flew over, but did not land, was
TheAircraftRestorationCompany'sBristol
BlenheimflownbyJohnRomain.However,
the highlight for many was the trio of Hawk-
er Hurricanes. New airfield resident P3717/
G-HITT flew two formation passes with the
Collection's Sea Hurricane and the former
‘Vachercane’ R4118 before the three aero-
planes split. Stu Goldspink then took the
stage in G-HITT for solo aerobatics.
The Collection’s biplanes were not side-
lined with the Tiger Moth, Hawker Demon,
Bristol F.2B, Hawker Tomtit and Polikarpov
Po-2alltakingtothesky.Armyaviationwas
also represented with displays of the de
Havilland Canada Beaver and a Westland
Scout helicopter.
The Great War element featured the Sop-
with Triplane, Jean Munn flying the B.E.2e,
and Shuttleworth Chief Pilot Dodge Bailey
in the Bristol M.1c.
The summer carnival atmosphere was en-
hanced by the Collection’s historic vehicles
displayedinfrontoftheopenhangars.The
open top and double deck vintage buses car-
rying patrons to and from The House and
Swiss Garden added to the character of the
day. Many other aircraft flew and the late
afternoon’s calm conditions allowed two of
the Edwardians to put in an appearance.
Dodge Bailey was back up in the replica
Bristol Boxkite, joining up for formation
passes with Frank Chapman in the Avro Tri-
plane, to fittingly close a stunning event.
Words and imagesRob Fox MAIN:A rare appearance from two of the
Collection’s Edwardians.