12th May 2024
For the last 60 years the Shuttleworth Collection of vintage aeroplanes has been actively flying its exhibits at Old Warden Aerodrome six or seven times a year. 2024 marked the 60th anniversary of their flying displays and, when invited to join the Bristol Owners Club at the first event of the year, we jumped at the chance.
The 12th May dawned sunny and bright, a perfect Spring day. Having not been to a flying event at the aerodrome for many years, I had no idea what to expect. Firstly, the event was very well attended, drawing crowds from far and wide. Despite being busy, the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed…being an aerodrome, there was plenty of room for everyone. A number of car clubs were in attendance with allocated parking, so the car park was worth wandering around before the flying commenced.
By teaming up with the Bristol owners, we were able to put on a good display of cars that rivalled some of the far larger clubs there. This could be the way forward in the future, enabling us to show our cars at events where the minimum club parking size would otherwise exclude us. If we were to pursue this, Bristol is a pretty good fit, but other 1950s or ’60s specialist manufacturers could work equally well (Jensen or Gordon Keeble for instance) if the respective clubs are amenable.
The flying itself was amazing. Some of the older exhibits made of ‘sticks and cloth’ seemed to be barely moving when in the air. By comparison, the De Havilland DH.88 Comet which won the England to Melbourne air race in 1934 seemed to be almost supersonic, even when standing still!
Four Facels made it to the event; a Facellia, an HK500, a Facel II and Mark Walker’s HK500 ‘Zagato’. Sadly, my car was a collection of pieces spread across a number of counties, so was never going to make it except in spirit!
Overall, it was a wonderful day. Our thanks are due to the Bristol Owners Club, as without them, it would not have happened.
