Story & Photography: Robert Griffiths

There is no doubt that 2020 will be a year the vast majority of people will want to forget, with seemingly one disaster after another, along with the pandemic due to the virus which shall not be named. This has been especially true amongst the aviation world, not least the airline industry. Another casualty are the airshows, and the aircraft that attend them, being equally impacted. At the time of writing in August, I would normally at least be three shows into this season, possibly with two overseas exercises under my belt. 2020 was meant to be busy, I even bought a wall calendar, for the first time in my life, only to then cross out each event one after another. I know I’m not unique (except maybe for the nerdy wall calendar?), with many disappointed avgeeks, photographers, pilots, museums and the like. Indeed, it has not been without its casualties, with collections being placed for sale through lack of cash flows and museums closing their doors. But there was hope. 

The UK has been easing restrictions slowly since July, giving a glow of hope and possibility for something so out of the ordinary, I wasn’t sure it would work. Cue the Shuttleworth collection, based at Old Warden Aerodrome, quickly mobilising to offer a Drive-In airshow, just like the old school Drive-In cinemas. I decided to take a gamble, wanting to support a first of its kind, and an industry that had been severely impacted. With tickets bought, I patiently awaited my first airshow since September 2019.

The first show on July 18th was an evening show, meaning the normal ungodly hour start for me wasn’t necessary. After a relaxing drive to Old Warden whilst meeting up with a good friend to ensure we were parked near one another, we arrived early in the hopes of getting a front row space, which we were successful in. Each vehicle had a chalked out space, and we were requested not to approach the fence.  The only time we were to leave our space was for the bathrooms and food vendors.

With the opening display by Aerial Collective's Supermarine Spitfire PRXI from John Romain, I knew I had made the right choice on coming to this show. Expertly flown around the sky, Romain really knows how and where to put a Spitfire (and with over 1000 hours in them that's no surprise!). The display and weather would go from strength to strength from there, with amazing displays from the resident De Havilland DH89 Comet in its amazing red livery and the culminating display from the only surviving Hawker Sea Hurricane and a Supermarine Spitfire MKVb. Ultimately, the evening show was a taster for me, to see what was achievable and how it was set up. On my return I quickly decided I wanted more and booked for the next show on August 2nd. The success of the first Drive-In show certainly became the reason that the next would become a sell out and full of fellow photographers I hadn’t met for some time.

On arriving for the 2nd August show and waiting in line, it soon became apparent how many of my friends (avgeeks and photographers alike) had wanted a piece of the action (I certainly don’t blame them considering the lack of airshows recently!). Catching up with them in the queue, socially distanced of course, was a great way to pass the time before the gates opened, after which we were ushered into our areas and plots for the display. Now it was just a waiting game, setting up a table and chair, chatting amongst ourselves and basking in the glorious sunshine (sunshine in the UK, who would have thought?!).

Suddenly, we could hear a distant buzz and a hush seemed to fall among the visitors to Old Warden. Behind the crowd off, in the distance, was an unfamiliar shape to newcomers, but one long since gone from the UK airshow circuit: a British Aerospace Jetstream, once the backbone of RAF multi engine training. A high power display ensued with ample opportunity to get topsides, but also a thrilling display for those not taking photos. For the next four hours, Old Warden would be abuzz with aircraft from all manner of years/eras throughout aviation history, from World War I, to Air Racing of the 20s, World War II fighters to Vietnam helicopters.

One of the biggest draws for me again to Shuttleworth was the De Havilland Comet, the famous twin engine racer built specifically for the 1934 race from the UK to Australia, known as MacRobertson Race. Three examples were built for private owners and would participate, with Grosvenor House becoming the winner after a journey of 70 hours 54 minutes. After various changes in owner, ‘Grosvenor House’ would be acquired by the Shuttleworth Collection in 1965, registered to its original registration and achieved flight in 1987. She is considered one of the most significant British aircraft. Twice I have now seen this beautiful aircraft fly, and I am still in awe watching her grace the skies of Old Warden, and quite frankly she now sits in my top five favourite aircraft.

Further highlights include G-HUEY, a Vietnam era helicopter, put through its paces in front of the crowd, and another first to see for me. The Aero Superbatics with their wingwalkers are always a welcome sight along with the sound of those Super Stearmans. Further vintage air racers, World War I reproduction biplanes, from Neiuport to Sopwith, there were all manner of aircraft and some firm favourites from Shuttleworth. 

So, what of the arrangements in place making this a Drive-in airshow? Without boring you with the details, one of the big pluses I found with both shows was just how relaxing it was to drive in, set up right next to your vehicle, not rushing to try and get a spot right at the front of the field, being able to relax before the show starts, ensuring you are ready and set up, but also being able to have all your supplies in the vehicle next to you at your leisure. Normally, after a commute similar to Duxford I would be wiped out by the time I ventured home, but this new set up seemed to be so relaxing that travelling home was nowhere near as bad. Is it the future of airshows? Who knows, but I for one would have zero complaints about similar venues having Drive-Ins.

I would like to congratulate Shuttleworth on stepping into something completely new and pretty much getting it right the first time. I look forward to the next show as I will be sure to try to attend in future.