Old Warden continues to knock it out of the park.
On 25 July, Shuttleworth built its Summer Airshow around the 90th anniversary of the Spitfire’s first flight. The result was a memorable celebration, with rare aircraft, varied flying and a spectacular gathering of Spitfires—though winds curtailed some of the evening programme, no Edwardians sadly.
As usual with Old Warden the main flying started at 2pm. Arrivals and positioning flights kept the airfield lively, while the collection itself offered plenty to see beyond the display.
A fitting opening came from Shuttleworth Spitfire AR501 flying alongside a Sopwith Camel reproduction. The two aircraft, separated by a generation of design, made a striking airborne comparison: an open-cockpit First World War biplane beside a sleek monoplane fighter. AR501 returned throughout the day, linking the programme to the anniversary and providing a graceful finale in the evening light.
The flying ranged well beyond the Spitfire. The rare Miles Hawk Speed Six and DH.88 Comet Grosvenor House brought the elegance and ambition of 1930s air racing to the sky. Their formation was a highlight for its rarity as much as its looks: Shuttleworth’s Speed Six is the sole surviving example, while Grosvenor House was the only original DH.88 still flying at the time. Other memorable pairings included a Dragon Rapide and Chipmunk, an Avro Anson with a Percival Provost, and early trainers that illustrated the path aspiring pilots took before reaching a fighter cockpit.
The programme also connected the Spitfire’s story to the wider history of military aviation. Seeing Biggin Hill based Shipping and Airlines Miles Falcon Major flying at Old Warden for the first time was an added bonus for me, in my youth I was lucky enough to spend many hours in that Hangar at Biggin with the local Air Scouts.
A Gloster Gladiator, Hurricane and Spitfire Mk IX flew together, showing the rapid shift from biplane to modern monoplane fighter. Hurricane R4118 is a genuine Battle of Britain veteran, adding particular weight to the sequence. The Polikarpov Po-2 brought a very different sound and pace, while the Bristol F.2B, Sopwith Triplane and Bristol M.1C offered a glimpse of First World War design.
The anniversary gathering was the day’s defining spectacle. Ten Spitfires assembled for the main formation, spanning several marks and wearing a range of distinctive schemes. After two formation passes, they split into smaller groups for tail chases, giving the aircraft more room to move and the crowd a closer look at their differences. The planned line-up was affected by withdrawals: a Spitfire Mk IIa could not depart because of the wind, and a Seafire withdrew with a technical problem. Even so, the gathering was a reminder of dispalys past such as the Fighter Meet and Flying Legends. You know they really could resurrect Legends at Old Warden! The sight and sound of so many Merlin and Griffon powered Spits together just made me and many others smile.
As evening approached, the Polish Lim-5 (Mig 17) added a dramatic burst of jet-age power, its afterburner contrasting sharply with the historic aircraft around it. Strong winds forced the cancellation of some later displays, but AR501’s twilight flight provided a fitting close I’m told, needless to say I had to depart early.
The show’s strength was its combination of spectacle and context: rare racers, training aircraft, wartime veterans and a landmark Spitfire gathering, all presented in Old Warden’s distinctive setting. The weather may have trimmed the programme, but the highlights were more than enough to make this a standout Summer Airshow. Long may it continue!
