Always a popular event when held previously Shuttleworth’ s Fly Navy air display made a return to the schedule for 2022. As the name suggests the flying display would have a distinctly Naval theme to it while on the ground all the usual attractions of a Shuttleworth display were available.

A bright and sunny morning saw a good display of the collections vehicles on display in front of the hangers while a pair of vintage buses gave rides to the house and along some of the flight line. Joining the collections regular 1913 Leyland S3.30 open top bus was their 1923 Leyland SG7 White Rose that was making its public running debut following restoration. Through the morning visitors were also able to see the visiting display aircraft arriving and get a closer look after they had parked along the crowd line. Also on public display was the Maurice Farman S7 Longhorn that Flying Restorations are restoring at Old Warden, this provided an insight into the earliest days of the Royal Naval Air Service. Also on static display were the Navy Wings operated Tiger Moth and Stinson Reliant that had flown in for the event.

Despite the day starting out bright and sunny the air display started with the backdrop of a dark threatening sky. Opening the display were the Gazelle Squadron with their Gazelle helicopters. Each in a different livery the display bought back memories of the Royal Navy Sharks display team of 702NAS who also flew four Gazelles. Continuing the Naval theme next up was the collections Sea Hurricane and Spitfire along with Navy Wings Seafire, the trio performing a number of passes before the Spitfire and Seafire separated for a pairs display as the Sea Hurricane performed a solo display. Next up was a solo display by the Avro Anson C19, one of three aircraft recently gifted to the collection by BAE Systems. This was followed by the graceful EON Olympia 2b glider, an aircraft with a Naval connection having been flown by famous Fleet Air Arm test pilot Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown. Four of the collections training aircraft, Avro Tutor, Tiger Moth, Chipmunk and Miles Magister performed formation flypasts each type having been used to train pilots for the Fleet Air Arm. As part of their display a missing man formation was performed to mark ten years since the collections former chief pilot Trevor Roche was lost during a display practice. Continuing with the training theme the Stearman and Harvard from Navy Wings were joined by a second Harvard from Kennett Aviation for formation flypasts before the Stearman separated for a solo display while the Harvards performed as a pair.

The display moved back to rotary wing displays with the Wessex HU5 and Sea King HC4 from Historic Helicopters. The Wessex represented the Fleet Air Arm search and rescue duties while the Sea King represented the commando helicopter role in its green scheme. They performed as a pair before separating for solo displays. It was then back to the collections aircraft as the Lysander performed a solo display while the Elliott EON Primary glider gained height. Once released from its tow plane the Elliott took the stage performing a steady display in the conditions. Once the glider was back on the ground the Lysander made its return to complete its display. The first contribution from The Fighter Collection was next up, the Hawker Nimrod performing a solo display in the darkening sky. As the last of the rotary wing performers took to the air, a trio of Westand Wasps, the rain also came. The trio were still able to perform a good display despite the weather, this type representing the anniversary of the Falklands War along with the Wessex and Sea King. As the rain eased the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire IX appeared to perform some flypasts. With the sky now brightening it was back to the early years as the Bristol Scout, Avro 504k, Sopworth Pup and Triplane all got airborne to perform solo displays. Making its way back to Duxford from a display in Wales the Catalina flying boat made its appearance giving a great display as the largest of the day’s aircraft in the flying. The Fighter Collection then took centre stage with the Corsair and Bearcat performing as a pair before separating for solo displays. It was then time for the finale of the main flying display as the collections Spitfire and Sea Hurricane along with Kennett’s Seafire got airborne to join the Corsair and Bearcat. The five aircraft performed some formation passes to complete the Fly Navy display before breaking to land or return to Duxford. Given the inclement weather during the afternoon it was a pleasant surprise when the collection was able to fly their Avro Triplane for a few passes before wind speed got too great.

All in all, another great display from the Shuttleworth Collection with visiting aircraft combining with the collection’s own aircraft to create a varied display.

 

Photos Album and video from event–

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.721756626618966&type=3

Gary Malkin