First off was Abingdon air and country show. Held on a small airfield in April, Abingdon is becoming the big season opener, and this year didn't disappoint. Many aircraft flew in, trying to combat a nasty crosswind, which varied the types on display. Highlights were a Delta Jet hunter, a first show for the Me108 in a new colourscheme and Peter Teichmanns Spit. Seen here is Air Atlantique's Twin Pioneer fighting the crosswind
Next up was the Great Vintage Flying Weekend at Hullavington. It was a really small, friendly atmosphere as the aircraft flew in and the barriers were raised to let the public have a look around the various aircraft that had made the journey in. A thoroughly enjoyable event. Below is a visitor from Germany, with a backdrop of some moody clouds
Then came Biggin Hill....the first major airshow for me. This show debuted the RAF role demo, to mixed reactions from critics. It contained a variety of types ranging from a WW1 dogfight through WW2 splendour to an Oasis Hong Kong 744 doing low passes
Two weeks after Biggin was Kemble, the UK home of vintage jets. Unsurprisingly many were present including Gnats, Hunters and strikemasters. Billed as a cold war airshow it was disappointing that the Vulcan could not be there, however two hercules from the cold war flypast over london appeared along with a VC10 to close the show. As a catagory 1 show it also contained the RAF role demo, from which the below photo was taken
Two weeks later still was Flying Legends, my first time at this world famous Duxford event. I wasn;t disappointed as the skies filled with warbirds, including a four Mustang tailchase and a similar spitfire spectacle which I couldn't take my eyes off. Unfortunately P38 'Glacier Girl' couldn't make it, but P51 'Miss Velma' was a welcome addition. The show ended in the spectacular Balbo of all the aircraft that had taken part.
See Part 2
.mic
