Old Warden Training Week through Elliott's lens

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Member for

14 years 4 months

Posts: 433

That was a bit good. I could only manage the Wednesday and Friday due to work commitments, but nonetheless, I had a Hell of a time. Wednesday was wall-to-wall action from about 9.30am 'til gone 5.30pm. As a vintage aircraft enthusiast, I can't really ask for more! Friday felt colder, and the training week had pretty much wrapped up save for the ANEC displaying and a few passenger flights from the Chipmunk and Magister, but it was significant for the FW44's last display in the UK before being shipped off to the 'States. Indeed, it departed OW once Rob Millinship had wrapped up a lovely display (full of top sides and close passes) and will soon be boxed up, heading for sunnier skies. Also good to meet Nick, Rob and Ben for the first time.

Anyway, on with the pics. More at http://www.flickr.com/photos/esmarsh. In no particular order...

1. The beautiful Parnell Elf. A work of art, if ever I saw one.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4526788258_a1e5d2c146_b.jpg

2. Without the engineers, ground crew and volunteers, none of this would happen. My hat is off to all of them.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4526786216_4b97dba09b_b.jpg

3. The lovely Pegs, without doubt my favourite warbird on the scene at present. What a treat it was to see her on Wednesday.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4526151583_8f3b1041e9_b.jpg

4. Paul Stone takes the Piston Provost for a spin.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4526150583_1ed8e83d3f_b.jpg

5. The FW44 will certainly be missed.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4526146245_ae0ccd98f2_b.jpg

6. Keith Dennison positively tore the house down on Wednesday evening with a storming, passionate Sea Hurricane display.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4526142981_62904f956c_b.jpg

7. I'm rather fond of the ugly duckling that is the Pietenpol Aircamper. There's a certain charm to it, I feel.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4526141473_c68d4bf2f8_b.jpg

8. Peter Holloway in the Magister leads Steve Roberts and Tracey Curtiss-Taylor in a three-ship trainer formation routine.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4526770154_5f2ab1b343_b.jpg

9.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4526768736_9eba82fe48_b.jpg

10. Old Warden always presents a nice back-drop for lower passes (or, in this case, a take-off).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4526765330_e984f9d106_b.jpg

11. Can we have some of that blue sky for the rest of the season, please?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4526132239_3047934e9a_b.jpg

12. Dodge Bailey escaping the Chipmunk.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4526127245_744d474441_b.jpg

13. Rob Millinship's Pitts Special.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4526123711_092ba5ecf4_b.jpg

14. The ANEC returns after an absence of several years.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4526750016_234e7070df_b.jpg

15. Jim Schofield (thanks Rob!) departing in the Tiger Moth. The houses over the far side provide an interesting back-drop to some take-off shots.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4526760614_c2d311a551_b.jpg

16. Sir John Allison brings the Elf back to Earth.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4526747630_d7e38b6704_b.jpg

17. Just lovely!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4526108957_3512e18bdd_b.jpg

18. The Chipmunk performing the popular ribbon pick-up routine.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4526734670_061180a434_b.jpg

19. I make no apologies for the amount of FW44 in these shots.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4526733772_acc087de96_b.jpg

Original post

Member for

14 years 4 months

Posts: 433

20. ...or Provost, for that matter!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4526732014_ae46467cc5_b.jpg

21. Hair cutting landing from the Pup.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4521803806_3c9ec0ebbf_b.jpg

22. Same with the Elf - look at the reflection in the spinner!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4521165543_c8198ae9fb_b.jpg

23. "Dagling" departure.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4521162413_75dfde45da_b.jpg

24. PT's mount at rest.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4521158807_466b31a757_b.jpg

25. PT-22 break.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4521790692_5dc3abe4f9_b.jpg

26. Excuse the dust spot, uploaded this one without editing... One of my most viewing images on Flickr, interestingly - and it's only been up for 48 hours!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/4521008681_22fc620d63_b.jpg

27.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2775/4521774736_793eb6e3c4_b.jpg

28. Travor Roche and Dave McKay preparing for their displays in the Sopwith duo.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4521770692_bb2e7f360d_b.jpg

29. Willy Hackett relaxes before taking the "Dagling" aloft.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4521143975_fcccdfcc45_b.jpg

Damn, one short of a clean 30. Nevermind!

Oh, and I popped into Duxford on my way home this afternoon...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4526780082_364aecd564_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4526744102_652f17ed8d_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4526775744_5dabbf9683_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4526745690_790c4d7f5e_b.jpg

Thanks for looking - C&C's always appreciated. :)

Member for

14 years 1 month

Posts: 5,088

Very nice. I guess after some of those shots you've very short hair!

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 8,505

Nice, thanks for putting them on here for our enjoyment.

Member for

20 years 11 months

Posts: 12,842

Sensational shots..those aircraft look like they're in pristine condition

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 8,505

The amount of TLC they get you can guarantee they will be Steve. I have to say that historic warbirds are well looked after in this country.