Army spotters

First display item at Ragley Hall was the Auster but before it went up we saw it's American 'cousin' arrive in the shape of a Piper Super Cub. It didn't display but was good to see in its Italian markings. I'm not sure that I have come across it previously although it is UK registered and, I believe, based Sywell.

Midland Air Festival

As I mentioned last week, this week's highlight was a visit to the Midlands Air Festival. This was my first visit to this event held at Ragley Hall and i was quite impressed. The flying line up, as noted below, was not bad at all and included the Red Arrows, Sally B, the BBMF, Roll Royce Spitfire and Mustang amongst others. We stopped over about 10 miles away but access was easy, with no queues and ample parking and we had no problems getting out either. There was a decent sized crowd but plenty of room to pitch your chair and the expected food and souvenir outlets were well represented. On top of that the setting was really nice giving the opportunity for some tree lined back drops to some of the displays. We got lucky with the weather as, despite some forecasts being unfavourable, the rain held off until right at the end of the day although the breeze was unfortunately a little too brisk for a planned balloon launch. Sadly the grey light we had for some of the day wasn't great for photography but that the way it goes. Overall though it was an event I would consider doing again. So as an indication of the backdrop I'll start with some shots of the Tiger 9 Team.

Midland Air Festival

This is what I should be seeing this time next week. Let's hope that the 'uncertainties' about the weather work in our favour!

Hawker Hunter G-KAXF (N-294)

Although British registered this Hunter F6, previously operated in the UK by Kennet Aviation, was flown by the Dutch Hawker Hunter Foundation. However, following a general lack of air show use over the last couple of years, it was announced last month that it had been sold to Lortie Aviation in Canada where it will join other Hunters to provide combat training. It's great that it will continue to fly but seems unlikely that I will get to see it again for some while so here's a picture from Leeuwarden in 2016.

Air Show People

 I am of course at air shows for the aircraft but some times I will catch some of the people there too, be it ground crew, pilots or even fellow enthusiasts. Here's a few from recent years.

Duxford News

On my recent visit to Duxford the Conservation Hangar was closed and stated that it will remain so until the summer so it seemed we would have to wait a while to see what would be replacing the Victor in the conservation area. However a news update from Duxford confirms that the hangar is undergoing some vital infrastructure work  and will have a new layout.

Four previously unseen vehicles are to be restored commencing this year to go in to a new WWII exhibition planned for 2025. This exhibition will also include the Halifax nose section and the Heinkel Salamander. It sounds like this new display will be in the back of Hangar 5 which has been a bit of a dumping ground in recent years. 

Also due for conservation is the Avro Shackleton which is destined for a Cold War and Contemporary Conflict gallery in the years to come. 

Sounds like there will be ongoing developments to keep us interested. 

Sally B 2022 Flying Schedule

 Displays and Venues 2022

Venues listed here are ALL CONFIRMED and, subject to unforeseen circumstances such as aircraft unserviceability, weather etc., our B-17 should appear. However, the training dates may change. *More venues will be added as they come in.

	May
	28 Sat	Duxford	Crew training
	29 Sun	Duxford	Crew training backup
	30 Mon	Madingley	Our Tribute Flypast to the many, pm
	June
	02 Thu	East Kirkby	Not landing
	03 Fri	Ragley Hall	Midlands Air Festival - Not landing
	04 Sat	Ragley Hall	Midlands Air Festival - Not landing
	18 Sat	Duxford	Duxford Summer Air Show
	18 Sat	Old Warden	Evening show - Not landing
	19 Sun	Duxford	Duxford Summer Air Show
	24 Fri	Headcorn	BOB Air-Show - Not landing
	25 Sat	Headcorn	BOB Air-Show - Not landing
	26 Sun	Headcorn	BOB Air-Show - Not landing
	July
	13-18	Fairford	RIAT - Static only! - Arrive Wednesday, depart Monday
	19 Tue	Duxford	Crew training
	20 Wed	Duxford	Crew training
	23 Sat	Duxford	Flying Day - The Americans
	30 Sat	Old Buckenham	Air Show - Not landing
	01 Sun	Old Buckenham	Air Show - Not landing
	August
	14 Sun	Duxford	Official Sally B Roll of Honour Day
	27 Sat	North Weald	Static only - Not displaying
	28 Sun	North Weald	Static only - depart Sunday pm
	September
	10 Sat	Duxford	BOB Air Show
	10 Sat	Abingdon	Air & Country Show - Not landing
	11 Sun	Duxford	BOB Air Show

The Point of No Return!

 I have kept tabs on this for a while but it's no longer what the original idea was suggesting. Back in 2012 we headed over to the Canadian Warplane Heritage museum in Hamilton for their warbird air show. It was the first time that I saw the airworthy Canadian Lancaster, which ultimately led me to my flight in the aircraft two years later, and I finally got to see B-29 Fifi in the flesh and in the air. There were other superb aircraft as well so when the CWH announced some while ago that they proposed a 50th anniversary air show this year I was all ears. However, Covid and other issues seem to have put paid to the original plans and the event has been scaled back to what they call an 'intimate ramp event'. Whilst some interesting aircraft will be present it is no longer even confirmed that there will be any flying and certainly it will not be the air show that original plans proposed. So, on that basis, I can't justify the cost of a trip over the ocean. Another time another show maybe.

Meanwhile here's a few shots from 2012.