Off to Morayvia

A long term resident at Cosford is this Lockheed Neptune. Caught in its outside setting a few years ago it is being moved north to Morayvia. All being well I might catch up with it again later in the year.

RAAF 100 squadron cut backs

RAAF 100 squadron was originally formed in 1942 flying Beauforts but was disbanded in 1946. It was reformed in 2021 as a heritage squadron operating around 20 warbirds. However it has just been announced that 8 of these will be withdrawn from flying and placed on static display. The aircraft are Meteor, Dragonfly, Vampire, CT4a, RE8, Canberra, Ryan STM-S2 and Sabre. We were lucky enough to see several of these display at Temora in 2018, although the Canberra was still under restoration at the time, so it is sad to hear that they will fly no more. I assume that finance plays a big part in this decision.

SAR returns to Manston

For many years SAR helicopters were based at Manston but following the closure of the airfield the flight moved and has been based at Lydd airport since 2015. However the fees now being imposed by Lydd have proved prohibitive and Bristow SAR Coastguard helicopters will be returning to the reactivated Manston from tomorrow. I shall keep my eyes peeled.

New Red Leader

The RAF have announced a new officer in overall charge of the Red Arrows aerobatic team. Sasha Nash, an operational Tornado pilot in the past, is the first female to take on the role. I wish her well.

Another new engine

In addition to acquiring a new engine for the Seafire, as noted below, Navy Wings have also had to purchase a new engine for their Harvard after corrosion to the crankshaft was found. The aircraft is used for training purposes so it is important to keep it airworthy. Seen here at Shuttleworth in 2023.

Returning this year

Navy Wings Seafire SX336 hasn't been about for a couple of years as the engine was due for overhaul by the end of 2023 and funding has subsequently been an issue. However a refurbished Griffon engine has now been acquired which will be fitted in time for this year's display season. The old engine will be retained as a spare and refurbished in due course. Captured here at North Weald some years ago.

Time marches on

The numbers of surviving WWII aircrew are sadly dwindling all the while and the other day we lost the last glider pilot who didn't live so far from me. Blue Skies to him and all of his brave comrades.

Repaint complete

Seen here in its previous scheme Jaguar T2A at Newark Air Museum has undergone a full repaint which was completed towards the end of last year. It now sports a wrap around camouflage scheme as worn whilst in setvice with 54 squadron.

Miles Magister

An old Novo kit of the RAF trainer that first flew in 1937. Several survive including a few that are airworthy. A fairly basic kit and I just added a little to the cockpits.

Red Bulls for Shuttleworth

The Red Bulls team have been confirmed as attending in full at the Shuttleworth Festival of Flight show over the weekend of 27 and 28 June. So this will be the B-25, P-38, P-51, Corsair and the most recent addition the Bearcat which I have yet to see. Going to this show has just taken a step closer! Meanwhile some shots from Sywell in 2024.

Backwards and Forwards.

So, 2025 is almost at an end and 2026 is just around the corner. Time for a little reflection. The year was never going to live up to last year with the trip to New Zealand, the Wanaka air show and some great museums especially as I barely left country. However it was still a full year with an early visit to the Helicopter museum ticking another off my to do list. Duxford featured regularly and it was interesting to see some of the aircraft movements resulting from changes to displays in the Super Hangar which weren't complete when I last visited. There was some good flying there including the return to UK skies of an A26 Invader for the first time in many years, just a shame that strong winds took the edge off the September show.

Shuttleworth was visited again in June and was also disrupted a little by windy conditions but was well put together none the less. Around the same time we had the Little Ships commemorations locally which was great to see  especially with a Swordfish and Spitfire display in my lunch break one day.

One of the highlights was a jaunt to France in June for the La Ferte Alais show which I enjoyed at the time but the memories have been soured by unexpected events subsequently. Oh well. Another let down was the loss of the Manston air show fairly close to event day but on the plus side I got to see the vising R4D a few times whilst it was on its tour from across the pond.

I also pitched in to Sally B funds a bit more this year which got me to the members day in August which was a most enjoyable day out with glorious weather to boot. There was other stuff as well of course which is largely documented below.

And for 2026? No great plans as yet. Manston air show has been rescheduled for early June so I will do that if it happens. A couple of weeks later is a Shuttleworth show where, apparently, P51 Frances Dell is meant to put in an appearance. Not enough on its own to get me there but if the 109E that made it's first appearance in Germany this year should happen to be there it might be worth a Sunday drive.

Hopefully the A26 will be about again, there is the DVII to see and the Duxford based Wildcat will hopefully be displaying. Fingers crossed for the Tempest as well but no Lancaster this year due to extended maintenance. I also want to get to the South Wales Air museum which might be easier following retirement in March. Headcorn air show is being revamped this year and Thruxton has been put forward as a new venue so things to keep an eye out for. Other stuff we will play by ear as events get properly listed and, as usual, I will be posting up here.

I'll finish with Steve Carter of the Sally B crew trying to get us all to smile back in August which wasn't actually a difficult task! Happy New Year.

BoB 85th

I've not got many commemorative coins but this addition popped through the door yesterday courtesy of the better half.

Fokker D.VII

Just running through some pictures from earlier this year and I have a couple of this newly built Fokker D.VII replica at Duxford in May and July. Hopefully I will get to see it in the air in 2026 following its first flight in the hands of Dan Griffith just over a month ago.

Bottisham secures future

The airfield museum at Bottisham that I visited in 2022 effectively came in to being in 2014 when a charitable trust was formed to look after the on site buildings. However, there was a degree of uncertainty about the future as the museum did not own the area used for outside display, parking and events. However, an agreement has now been reached for the museum to purchase this area and a lease of a further 8 acres agreed which will allow additional parking and a larger area for events, such as car shows.So great news for the museum's future.

Maintenance begins

After a long season and a bit of a delay the Duxford based Catalina is now safely in the hangar and winter maintenance can begin. Here it is early summer this year and I look forward to seeing it in 2026.