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Post by viscount on May 23, 2015 15:02:47 GMT 1
Gathering of Chipmunks, Old Warden, Friday 22nd May 2015   Had a great day out at Old Warden on Friday. An airfield I have not been to for likely for around 30 years, for an event I regret not having made a greater effort to get to at Panshangar a few years ago. A gathering of Chipmunks to celebrate the types 69th Anniversary of first flight, 22nd May 1946. Weather was helpful, clear with sun between high cloud. The breeze was well off centre-line, but not strong enough to worry. Although apparently some 60 owners had responded positively to attending a very worthy 43 attended, from as close as across the airfield to as far away at Denmark. Other aircraft types put in an appearance too, and the Shuttleworth flew several of theirs, so a very enjoyable day, I was there from 10.30 through to 3.15pm. Somewhat after 2pm those Chipmunk pilots with the necessary experience, took off in pairs to join together in a 'Balbo' of 18 aircraft in a celebration flypast to mark the anniversary - the aircraft being older than the majority of owners! A considerable number of images taken. With such a delightful back-drop to the grass airfield, the good weather and so much coming and going, quite difficult to cut down to a viewable selection.  Great aerial photos of the Chipmunks on the ground at Old Warden, shot from a Fiesler storch can be found on: forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=67043 |
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Post by viscount on May 23, 2015 15:45:02 GMT 1
The Gathering of Chipmunks, Old Warden, Friday 22nd May 2015  Attractive civilan schemed G-BBMT/WP831  Re-engined Chipmunk G-BBSS of Coventry Gliding Club  WK518/C of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in really authentic fading dayglo patches scheme, a brave choice compared to smart colour fast paint!  All red WP903, at one time Prince Charles's aircraft in the Royal colours of the Queens Flight.    Liverpool's "own" Chipmunk G-BCSL in smart black  G-AMUF in what I think are the 1960s Collage of Air Training at Hamble colours  WP929 (G-BXCV) in 1950s style silver with yellow T-bands  1367 Portuese Air Force colours (G-UANO). One for 4 former Portugese aircraft attending  WK514 (G-BBMO) in very attractive RAF markings with a broad lightning stripe in blue   Final scheme in RAF service was the red and white training colours, here on WG321/G (G-DHCC) and on WP930/J (G-BXHF), bothing showing service with the Army Air Corps.  G-BXGL in attractive eye catching BOAC style 'speedbird' colour scheme.  G-AOJR in a scheme that must have taken hours to apply       For the 'Balbo' flypast, 18 aircraft departed in pairs, then formed into 4s, then into the main formation. The pairs departure provided opportunity for catching two aircraft close together following take-off.  As the 'balbo' formed up the formation passed north of the airfield, permitting this shot of so many attractive coloured aircraft   The actual formation passed right overhead, so only plan-form silhouettes of the 18 aircraft show.  WK630 (G-BXDG) wearing 8 Sqdn colours from when it served alongside the Squadron's Shackleton AEW.2s.  WG407/67 (G-BWMX) on landing  Portugese 1350 (G-CGAO)  G-BBMZ with 'attractive white and red colours  WP971 (G-ATHD) in CFS markings and variation on the yellow T-band theme.  Flights of 4 aircraft breaking to land as the formation split-up  G-AOTR  Danish Air Force P-129, now OY-ATO in full Danish markings - the only overseas participant, and a welcome sight.  WK635/- with Royal Navy titles and a much redder fin colour than that used by the RAF.  WG308/8 in the colours of 7AEF with the 'Robin Hood' logo  G-BCSA, another re-engined Chipmunk - it arrived after the aircraft of the 'balbo' had returned.  Portuguese 1373 (G-CBJG)  The grass airfield at old Warden made a great location for the gathering. |
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Post by Biggles on May 23, 2015 20:00:56 GMT 1
Excellent photo compilation of a much liked mark, especially for aged ex Air Cadets.
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Post by viscount on May 23, 2015 23:08:43 GMT 1
DHC.1 CHIPMUNK AIRCRAFT ATTENDING
regn civil notes regn civil notes
worn regn worn regn
G-ALWB cream and red WK586 G-BXGX
G-AMUF WK630 G-BXDG 8 Sqdn marks
G-AOJR black, edged in red WK635/- G-HFRH Royal Navy
G-AOTR WK642/94 G-BXDP
G-APLO/8 black, with white bands WP788 G-BCHL
G-BBMT dual regn WP831 WP803 G-HAPY
G-BBMZ WP809/78 G-BVTX Royal Navy
G-BBSS re-engined WP848 G-BFAW
G-BCSA re-engined WP903 G-BCGC Royal flight bright red
G-BCSL black scheme WP929 G-BXCV
G-BXGL BOAC style scheme fin WP930/J G-BXHF Army
WB565/X G-PVET Army WP971 G-ATHD
WB654/U G-BXGO Army WP973/I G-BCPU
WB703 G-ARMC WZ847/F G-CPMK
WD286 G-BBND WZ879/X G-BWUT
WD390/68 G-BWNK 1350 G-CGAO Portugese AF
WG308/B G-BYHL 1365 G-DHPM Portugese AF
WG321/G G-DHCC Army 1367 G-UANO Portugese AF
WG407/67 G-BWMX 1373 G-CBJG Portugese AF
WG465 G-BCEY P-120 OY-ATO Danish AF
WK514 G-BBMO
WK518/C BBMF, left early WB560 cockpit section only, in car park 42 aircraft listed, but the organisers state 43 (later amended to 44) attended, so did aircraft leave early, or arrive later, or did I keep on passing one without seeing (or photographing it!)? Thanks to 'yakyak' on another forum: early in the arrival stream WB726/E G-AOSK performed a touch and go, but did not return to join the others on the ground. So that now makes 43 accounted for; plus the fuselage section, plus the one in a Shuttleworth hangar. There was also another at Old Warden, "18671" (WP905/G-BNZC), in RCAF wartime yellow towards the back of one of the Shuttleworth collection hangars, but was not a participant. OTHER AIRCRAFT ACTIVE/VISITORS
D8096/D G-AEPH Bristol F.2B Fighter Shuttleworth, to Duxford
K7985 G-AMRK Gloster Gladiator 1 Shuttleworth, to Duxford
XX549/6 G-CBID SA Bulldog T.1
XX629 G-BZXZ SA Bulldog T.1
GM+AI G-STCH Fiesler Fi.156A Storch Shuttleworth, to Duxford
TP+WX G-TPWX Heliopolis Gomhouria Luftwaffe WWII period colours
G-ACSS/34 DH.88 Comet Racer Shuttleworth, local flight
G-ASWX PA-28 Cherokee 180 local resident
G-BHRC PA-28-161 Warrior II
G-BUWK Rans S.6-115 Coyote
G-BWNY Aeromet AMT-300 Super Ximango motor-glider
G-CBWD PA-28-181 Warrior III
G-CDGW PA-28-181 Archer III now correct - see later posts
G-CGVG Flight Designs CTSW
G-DUVL Cessna F.172N
G-GBEE Mainair Pegasus Quik flexiwing microlight
G-JDPB PA-28RT-201 Arrow III Chester based aircraft
G-KIMB Robin DR.340/140
G-LAKI Jodel DR.1050
G-NCUB Piper J-3c-65 Cub local resident
G-ORDM Cessna 182T
G-PHVM Van's RV-8
G-SKRA Best off Sky Ranger 912S
G-UNGO Pietenpol Air Camper local resident
F-GBVN Robin DR.400/180 Regent Also, by the hangar in the trees another yellow Cub now known to be G-MUDY (thank you RMR), a Jodel and something else! (see an even later post from rwr!)Two later arrivals provided by 'Estrella' are posted further down. Flying over a little above circuit height, roughly South west to North east a 1930s style Racer, large radial, big spats, painted red, large white fuselage number '29'. Now known to be G-TATR TravelAir Mystery Ship[ (thank you Richard)
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Post by viscount on May 24, 2015 12:07:55 GMT 1
A real plus for me was that in addition to the Chipmunk gathering there was activity by some of the Shuttleworth Collection aircraft and other visitors too. First the activity by the older aircaft, with the de Havilland Comet Racer flying a short air test 'local', then the Bristol Fighter, Gloster Gladiator and Fiesler Storch all heading off to Duxford. Amazingly I think I have only once before seen G-ACSS in the air!          Now for some of the varied modern visitors and active aircraft from the far side hangar, set back in the trees.  G-ORDM Cessna 182T Skylane  G-BHRC PA-28 Cherokee Warrior II  G-ASWX PA-228 Cherokee 180, an Old Warden resident, an aircraft that I seenm to recall once being a Liverpool based aircraft when a much newer aircraft!  G-BUWK Rans S.6-115 Coyote II microlight design    Luftwaffe period scheme as TP+WX (G-TPWX) on a 1950s built Egyptian licence-built Heliopolis Comhouria Mk.6 - the design is based on the Zlin produced version of the Bucker Bu.181 Bestmann, therefore the rationale behind the unusual choice of colours.  F-GBVN a Robin Regent  Another aircraft that appeared from the hangar in the trees to fly a local flight was Piper J3c-65 Cub G-NCUB  Jodel DR.1050 G-LAKI  G-BWNY, for those who looked at the list and wondered what a Aeromot AMT-300 Super Ximango looked like, well they know now!   G-UNGO a Pietenpol Aircamper - another Old Warden based private aircraft, a homebuild with a delightful earlier 'period' look  Familiar to some on this forum, Chester based JD Aviation's Cherokee Arrow III G-JDPB   The successor to the Chipmunk with the RAF was the Bulldog T.1. XX629 (G-BZXZ) acted as 'coach' and possibly 'camera ship' to the Chipmunk formation.  G-CGVG a Flight Design CTSW  G-PHVM a Van's RV-8 departing  Flexiwing microlight G-GBEE, a Mainair Pegasus Quik on landing  G-SKRA a Best off Sky Ranger 912S microllight  Finally for this post, a record shot of the Old Warden airfield fire and rescue tender, based on a Land Rover chassis.  PS. This one flew over, a little above circuit height so 2000ft ish, roughly south west to north east. British registered, a 1930s style US 'racer' - clearly identifiable, but not recognised by myself, I'm sure someone does though! ..... and indeed did, answer supplied on the following post! |
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Post by richardheywood on May 24, 2015 20:19:39 GMT 1
Superb pictures Brian; many thanks for sharing.
Your red mystery ship is, in fact, TravelAir Mystery Ship, G-TATR, probably on its way to Duxford, where I saw it display this afternoon.
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Post by viscount on May 24, 2015 20:26:21 GMT 1
Richard, Many thanks. So my 'mystery ship' is indeed a Mystery Ship.
Can now amend my photo caption. Brian.
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rmr
New Member
Posts: 3 
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Post by rmr on May 24, 2015 20:48:36 GMT 1
OTHER AIRCRAFT ACTIVE/VISITORS
Also, by the hangar in the trees another yellow Cub, a Jodel and something else! The yellow Cub was G-MUDY. rmr |
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Post by estrella on May 26, 2015 9:06:06 GMT 1
Many thanks for the great photos and detailed checklists. WK518 is the BBMF Chipmunk....as far as I know it doesn't carry a civil reg. Well visible in the maintenance hanger was G-ABAG DH60 Moth....and late arrival was G-CSKW Van's RV-7
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Post by estrella on May 26, 2015 9:23:08 GMT 1
Another late arrival was G-TOMJ Flight Design CT2K
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Post by jetjockey on May 26, 2015 14:14:31 GMT 1
Non of the BBMF aircraft carry civil reg's as they all still in RAF service
JJ
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Post by viscount on May 26, 2015 15:49:56 GMT 1
JJ this is the point that 'Estrella' is making, as in the list I had, for completeness, quoted (an erroneous in error) former civil registration of their Chipmunk in the list, even though no longer used as an alternative to the military one displayed.
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Post by estrella on May 26, 2015 15:54:11 GMT 1
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Post by viscount on May 26, 2015 19:54:56 GMT 1
You are absolutely right. Looking back at my notes, it is a corruption of BBMF that became G-BBMF then mistakenly G-BBHF on typing out. Sorry. I've removed the original reference.
No one seems to have zoned in yet on my acknowledged error G-OGDW for a purple cheat Cherokee, however CAA G-INFO show it as a yet to be used registration. My photo of the landing is way out of focus, so no help.
Considering the number of notebook carrying photographers present, I have yet to find another listing of the visitors to Old Warden on the web - a couple of photo sites, but no other check-list!
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Post by estrella on May 26, 2015 20:38:01 GMT 1
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