The second air display on the Shuttleworth calendar for 2022 was the Jubilee Flying Circus held on the Sunday of the Platinum Jubilee weekend. The organisers had attracted a great line-up for this show but unfortunately having been good in the days approaching the event the weather took a turn for the worse the evening before and on the day itself. The adverse weather meant that none of the booked visiting flying displays could get to Old Warden and on the morning of the event it was unclear if the flying display would be going ahead.

Plenty of entertainment had been book and was still going ahead on the ground in addition to the Collection, the House and Swiss Gardens. With the theme of circus, the entertainment included Kat the Hula Hooper, jugglers, bubble performers, balloon modellers and stilt walkers. Joining them was the Giant Walkabout Elephant and the entertaining Magnificent Men Bicycle Performers along with music from singer Rich Swings. In one of the hangers there was also the Airfix model build for anyone who would like to give modelling a try overseen by IPMS Brampton. As the morning progressed the weather did get brighter as some of the collections aircraft were wheeled out of the hangers.

Early afternoon it was announced that a much smaller air display would take place using the collection aircraft and would be weather dependent in its duration. Opening the display was the SVAS Piper Cub who, following a weather check, picked up a banner with the message ‘God Save The Queen’. With a low cloud base next up was the Miles Hawk Speed Six air racer who gave a good display despite the conditions. In line with the events theme it was then time for a barnstorming display that included the SVAS Cub, Tiger Moth, Martlet and Chipmunk. The four aircraft took turns in firstly flying low under rows of flags along the runway before moving higher to then drop flour bombs on a ground target. As the Cub, Martlet and Tiger Moth landed the Chipmunk stayed in the air to provide the next element of the display. Making low passes along the runway the Chipmunk collected three coloured ribbons, one of each wing and one on the centre fuselage, red white and blue. The Chipmunk then performed a solo display with its patriotic ribbons attached. The First World War F2b was next up to perform a sedate display in the steadily worsening weather conditions followed by the SE5a. As these performed the EoN Glider was being towed up for its display. After the F2b and SE5a had landed the EoN reappeared on tow before being let off its line for a shorter display. Closing the display was the Piston Provost performing a low level display as the weather once again closed in. As the Provost landed it was announced that this was the final flying display of the day. Credit has to be given to the pilots who did fly displays in the adverse weather along with the volunteers who got prepared the aircraft. One of the advantages of Old Warden on a day like this is the ability to still get some form of display on using resident aircraft when visitors are unable to get to the airfield. There had been some criticism of the organisation on the day but given the changing weather conditions this could not be helped and messages were given over the public address system about the delay to flying and possible start times. It should be remembered that disappointing it may be to have less or no flying safety should always come first. To get any flying display on the day was an achievement when on the same day flying at Duxford had been cancelled and credit should go to the display organisers. 

Further information on the Shuttleworth Collection and flying displays can be found by visiting www.shuttleworth.org

Event album – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.602224078572222&type=3 

A video of the Magnificent Men can be found on our Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063539045065

Gary Malkin