I went to the Evening display at Old Warden last Saturday hoping to see a couple of the exquisite reproduction WWI aeroplanes created by TVAL (The Vintage Aviator Ltd) in New Zealand in the air (they're too accurate & beautifully built to be called replicas). I particularly wanted to see the new Sopwith Snipe which had flown only a few days before & only going to be here for a couple of weeks before being delivered to its new owners.*
The outlook wasn't good with strong winds forecast for the evening but I decided to go anyway. I've learned to take weather forecasts with a large pinch of salt.
The show started at 6:00 pm & it didn't look too promising for the WWI types to display with a gusty crosswind on the main runway. However, as it was getting late the wind had dropped & we were in for a treat. Here's a few shots. They're not the best quality as they were taken after 9:00 pm when the light was fading fast. I'm rather pleased with them considering the conditions.
First of all the resident aeroplanes.
Avro 504K
Sopwith Pup
Bristol F2B
S.E.5a
Bristol M1C (replica)
Now for what I came to see. The gorgeous Albatros DVa took off & displayed lit by the rays of the setting sun.
The Snipe was last to take off. These shots were taken at around 9:30 pm when it was really gloomy. A spirited display by Gene DeMarco, Production Manager of TVAL.
*I'm hoping to get some better shots of these two at the next afternoon display at Old Warden when the light will hopefully be better. Keeping my fingers crossed.