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....... to Popham. My first visit to this spotter's paradise but it won't be my last. A delightful place run by enthusiasts where they really make visitors feel welcome & not a blasted nuisance. The weather was kind for the first fly-in of the season too. A strong northerly breeze made landing tricky & not ideal for photography. Here's a few shots taken soon after I arrived.






Now you know why it has those upturned wingtips.



The heavy brigade arrives.


They changed the active runway soon afterwards which was far more sensible although it's on a fairly steep slope. These small airfields always have to be careful not to upset the neighbours, especially with this sort of event with the sky full of aircraft all day. Also meant they were coming at me out of the sun. Arrrrgh. I'm only an amateur & still have lots to learn. Never mind, at least we had plenty of sun. A really wonderful day out.

nice pics i have been there were they using the runeay facing the little chef or the hangers at the other end of the runaway or were they using the other runway

oh yeah the little chef is on the picture silly me

Great shots Doug. We used to drive by there quite often. Its a lovely little airfield.

Wonderful shots!
Is that a Tri-Pacer in shot #4?

Glad you like 'em.

Is that a Tri-Pacer in shot #4?

It's registered as a PA-22-150 Carribbean. I don't know the difference & we used to call them all Tri-Pacers. They were very popular some years ago but there's not too many around these days. I didn't look at it too closely & thought it might be a Colt.

PS.

From 1952 to 1954 the Tri-Pacer was powered by a 100kW (135hp) O-290-D2 engine, and in 1955 gained a 110kW (150hp) O-320-A2B engine and a higher takeoff weight, and a 120kW (160hp) O-320-B from 1958. For 1959 and 1960 Piper offered a lower spec less expensive version of the Tri-Pacer in the form of the PA-22-150 Caribbean.

http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=300

Cool, looks like there was quite a crosswind in some of those shots, or just some crazy pilots.

An An-2, about the only thing I see regularly but quite rare in the UK
Did the Robin lose any parts?

Did the Robin lose any parts?

Such as the starbord wing?  ;D

Again Doug, lovely shots, very much appreciated

An An-2, about the only thing I see regularly but quite rare in the UK

There were 2 1/2 An-2 there although I think only one is airworthy. I missed a nice shot when they started the engine with a big bang & the usual clouds of smoke.
Lots of other unusual stuff there too. I took loads more pics if you want to see them. It's difficult to know which ones to leave out.

Did the Robin lose any parts?

No, but he even made some of the old hands wince. That approach looks decidedly tricky in a crosswind. The trees would also make it interesting with the wind in that direction.

Cool, looks like there was quite a crosswind in some of those shots, or just some crazy pilots.

The wind was almost directly at right angles to the active runway. Popham has two runways but they don't use the alternative unless they have to. I found this on their website. http://www.popham-airfield.co.uk/Index.htm
[quote]Remember there is a signals square just next to the club house but this may not have been changed if we have gone home so check the windsocks as well!

Runway 08/26 is the usual choice.

There were 2 1/2 An-2

Whats the state of the 1/2 An 2 Doug? From driving past at 70mph it looks wingless. Is it missing much else?

Whats the state of the 1/2 An 2 Doug? From driving past at 70mph it looks wingless. Is it missing much else?

I intended asking someone about it but must confess it completely slipped my mind. It's basically the fuselage complete with engine but minus the fin & rudder. They seemed to have various other parts stacked around it yesterday so it might be complete. I'll check my photos later. Looks in a bit of a state & it might take a while to put it all together.

Awesome. A charming if motley crew! Especially like that Luscombe; one of my favorites.

Yep luscombe still takes the cake in my opinion..;-) Though the AN comes in close second with the nice engine..