Shuttleworth Military Pageant 2014

[JamWheel]

What a show - simply fantastic weather and wonderful aircraft flown!

 

Here are a few - starting with the absolute highlight of the day, the very very rare DeHavilland DH.88 Comet - five were made originally for the MacRobertson air race in 1934 which the aircraft pictured here won - it went from Mildenhall, England to Melbourne, Australia (11000 miles) in 70 hrs 55 min. A record still held in 2010. It is indescribably beautiful - I only hope my photographs do it justice - taken at its first public display in many years (around 20 I think):

 

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DH.88 Comet by James Wheeler Photography, on Flickr

 

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DeHavilland DH.88 Comet by James Wheeler Photography, on Flickr

 

Click image to view large

 

DeHavilland DH.88 Comet by James Wheeler Photography, on Flickr

 

Click image to view large

 

DeHavilland DH.88 Comet by James Wheeler Photography, on Flickr

 

Now... for some other aircraft:

 

The BBMF and their newly painted Hurricane on its first outing:

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Battle of Britain Memorial Flight by James Wheeler Photography, on Flickr

 

The wonderful Sea Hurricane:

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Sea Hurricane by James Wheeler Photography, on Flickr

 

The Hawker Hunter T7:

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Heavenly Hunter by James Wheeler Photography, on Flickr

 

Two Gloster Gladiators sparring:

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Sparring Gladiators by James Wheeler Photography, on Flickr

 

And a vintage styled shot of the Bristol Fighter with two Be2s

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Untitled by James Wheeler Photography, on Flickr

 

 

[FUJI]

Boy! You have stirred up old memories for me with these.....

As a 12-17 year old Inwas an avid fan of and visitor to the Bagington Air Pageants at Bagington Aerodrome ( Now Coventry Airport).

Besides seeing all the latest ( I should now say the very earliest Jets) wartime aircraft, fresh from service including their pilots........the KING'S CUP AIR RACE was held every year, right over the heads of the soectators, the winning post being right in front of the crowd.

The race was a Handicapped one, with planes setting off at different intervals according to their power and estimated top speeds............what ensued was the incredible spectacle of planes with engines roaring all far too close together racing around an oval course at their highest speeds.

One favourite local pilot was the late, great Pery Blamire,ma local garage owner and car dealer, he iften won in his Twin engine ( Miles I think?) .........I'm sure taphat I recall seeing your plane or something very similar racing during those heady days of post war civilian flying?

You can look up the Kings Cup Air Race and Percy Blamire if you are interested.

Love planes......hate flying.

FUJI

[Guest]

DeHavilland DH.88 Comet - that has to be the most beautiful plane I have seen. Great photos, thanks for posting.

[bugmeister]

Some superb shots there.

 

I've never even heard of the DH.88 Comet, but I have  to agree, it's a fabulous looking aircraft

[FUJI]

Hi!

It's me again.......I've just discovered this on YouTube..........a live Kings Cup Air Race in 1950 but at a Wolverhampton aerodrome not that many miles from Coventry.

The planes and the sheer excitement can be felt from this old film footage.......can you imagine what it must have been like for a very young teenager to witness first hand.....

To see Hurricans and Spifires competing with Civilian light aircraft, never mind the twin prop beasties like your DeHavilland ...... Towards the mid fifties I'm pretty sure that a Meteor jet took part.

ENJOY!

What a pity I didn't carry my Panasonic GX7 with its video capabilities back then ;-)

Times have changed?

Just imagine going from the dark days of WWII to this in just over two years?

FUJI

[Korky]

Fantastic shots yet again, James.

 

I don't really understand the lure of aircraft, it's one of those things I just don't 'get', but I can appreciate the skill that's gone into producing these images. Excellent work!

 

Korky

[Denis]

The Comet is gorgeous looking aircraft James,but apparently a handful to fly. A friend was also at  Shuttleworth and said the pilot commented as he walked back towards the crowdline after the flight ..

'I hope you enjoyed that more than me'

[JamWheel]

The Comet is gorgeous looking aircraft James,but apparently a handful to fly. A friend was also at  Shuttleworth and said the pilot commented as he walked back towards the crowdline after the flight ..

'I hope you enjoyed that more than me'

 

Yes - it is indeed apparently tricky to fly. It is designed to fly along very very fast - something it isn't doing while taking off or landing. Dodge Bailey flew it, their chief pilot, and did an excellent job. There was some collective holding of breath in the crowd at both ends of the display!

 

 

Thanks for all of the kind comments everyone.

 

It wasn't the military pageant at all I don't think. No idea why i had that in my mind. It certainly was Shuttleworth though!