Shuttleworth 75th Anniversary Pageant, Old Warden - 7th September

The 75th Anniversary of a historic aircraft collection is a very notable achievement and milestone in avaiation history; even more so in 2003 when we are marking the 100th Year of Powered Flight. There's little doubt that Richard Shuttleworth could have foreseen just how varied and important his collection would be in just a few years. 2003 is an important year for the Shuttleworth, not only because the anniversaries, but also it marks the last year that the general public will be able to see a geniune First World War German aircraft fly. The LVG, owned by the RAF Museum, is to be retired to the Hendon Branch of the museum at the end of 2003. Therefore, the collection has been flying the aircraft at as many displays as possible so as many people see it in the air as possible before it becomes a static exhibit. The Pageant is the best chance to see the collections aircraft in the air. The display is devoted to the collection's aircraft and Old Warden based types past and present and spans the years between the Edwardian aircraft right up to the Piston Provost ans BAe Bulldog of the post war years. In fact, the adopted theme of many of the aircraft of the collection is trainers, and certainly many of the recent aquistions reflect this. There were many highlights of this years display including a flypast by the Red Arrows on their way home from Duxford, but standing out from all the displays was the well thought out Barnstroming routine involving the DHC Chipmunk, DH Tiger Moth, DH60X and a pair of Miles Magisters. Congratuations to the Shuttleworth Collection, and here's to the next 75 years!

 copyright Flightline UK 2003