Little Gransden Airshow 2004 - 29 August

[G-KEST]

Well despite the worst attempts by our great British summer weather over the past month in terms of record rainfall we had quite the finest airshow that has been held at Little Gransden in aid of the Children in Need charity over so many years. A 15 knots on crowd wind component and a 45 degree 20 knot crosswind made life difficult for the pilots but all coped superbly.

Highlights for me were the Francis Donaldson flown Slepchev Fieseler Storch replica on its debut along with Alan Hartfield in the Dart Kitten who made it look so easy while sweating blood in lowish energy and low inertia light aeroplanes. Also that heart tugging final pass by "Sally B" with smoke gushinh from the port outer just before the quite unique memorial service held on the crowd line. Ken Ellis talked a blinder as the speaker using a superb sound system.

It is perhaps unfair of me to select items from a superlative display for praise as everyone gave of their absolute utmost to entertain and enthrall us all.

See the closed thread for the details of what took part and I am sure there will be other favourable comment on the show. If there are any beefs then these would be much appreciated as well since if we know we can do something about them for the future.

Dave Poile and his family once again organised an absolutely magnificent day out for all the family. They along with a host of enthusiastic volunteers ensured that, despite the weather, we all had a fabulous day.

Cheers,

Trapper 69

PS - PPRuNe Pop, Your assumption that my parents were married has proved to be totally in error. All is fair in love, war and in trying to give your subscribers information that they might appreciate. As in the past we may continue to cross swords on occasion. Debate and competition is good for our customers. Do you not agree?

PPS - OK, you win the dare but closure is something I now associate with grief - not aviation nostalgia or airshows except on the odd sad occasion.

[vintage ATCO]

I was there, Trap, very nice display, great variety. I met Alan Hartfield in the crowd beforehand, dunno how he manages to keep peddling!

But for me it has to be a P-51D, but then there is a B-17 . . . and then . . .

Very well done to all involved. Makes a change to be able to just come and sit and watch!

[Man-on-the-fence]

What an excellent show, with a lovely laid back atmosphere. Even the weather couldn’t spoil it. Wonderful displays by the Aerostars and SallyB as well as many of the local based types. Cracking cup of tea too. What more could anyone ask for. (more sun I suppose)

G-KEST cracking to meet you at last, however briefly. I have to disagree slightly about Ken as the comentator, thought he waffled far too much, when you cant hear the aircraft for the comentator then there is a problem. That said he did help to make a wonderful garden party atmosphere for the show so he wasnt all bad.

A big thank you to all of the organisers and of course Met24 my intrepid chauffeur for the day. Good to see Janie again (both flavours) and meet up with Yak11Fan, Jorgo and Auster Fan for the first time.

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/an2.jpg
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/anson.jpg
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/limbo.jpg
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http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/tigers.jpg
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/janie1.jpg
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/janie2.jpg
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/janie3.jpg
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/sallyb1.jpg
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/sallyb2.jpg
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/sallyb3.jpg

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/spit1.jpg
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http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/lanc1.jpg
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http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/bbmf1.jpg
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/yak1.jpg
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/04photo/LG/yak2.jpg

[G-KEST]

Man on the Fence,

Great to meet you too along with so many other PPRuNers. Thanks a million for some cracking photographs and thanks for your comments. Ken is a total enthusiast with the Liverpudlian touch but I just love his style. Even at Flying Legends with two of the finest speakers in Europe they still managed to obliterate some magic sound of big pistons. "When will we ever learn?" - squared and if this does not mean anything to you then you were born after around 1955.

I have to wait ten days to get my photos back from the processor however I do pay extra for a CD of each film so can view them at leisure on cold winter nights on the PC.

Today (Monday) was a real anticlimax and windy so did not bother to get airborne in the Skybolt - just chatted and discussed my 252 photographs from a visit to the 2004 Advanced World Aerobatic Championships in Ljungbyhed, Sweden a couple of weeks ago. It sure beats holiday snaps but is boring for anyone not into either beautiful women or gorgeous aerobatic aeroplanes. Saw my first Georgian registered airvraft there - a Yak55. Took a really erotic portrait of the fiancee of the RSwAF Gripen display pilot in front of that awesome fighter with her hand draped round the veeeery long and polished pitot head tube. Bet its worth zillions to some sleazy aviation magazine - if there was one...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This weekend coming sees the Advanced and Unlimited aerobatic championships at Sywell from Thursday to Saturday, the PFA AGM at Turweston on Saturday and the Duxford extravaganza on Saturday and Sunday. For me its Sywell, Sywell, Turweston and Duxford so its going to be busy.

Cheers,

Trapper 69
:ok:

[ozplane]

A great show but a couple of minor quibbles. I've been watching the Tiger Club do their Turbulent thing for more years than I care to remember but why follow that up with the Flying Circus doing the same thing for what seemed far too long? The commentator was also far too liberal with his use of the word "exceptional". Every blooming act was prefaced by the use of this adjective to the extent that "Madam" was about to raid the commentary hut with a list of alternatives. Finally I didn't see "Pudsey Bear" any where on the site to give a donation. I'll have to do that nearer the day.
On a positive note have the BBMF been given the remit to liven up their shows this year? I thought the Spitfire was, umm, well exceptional.

[G-KEST]

ozplane,
Many thanks for your comments, perhaps I can explain our show philosophy.
1. As display director and programme composer I juggle with acts arranged by the show organiser.
2. The Tiger Club Turb team are exceptional family entertainment and have been so for well over 40 years. I was looking at a photo of one of the first Knebworth shows by the Barnstormers 30 years ago and who should be there alongside the Barnstormers aircraft - you have guessed it - the Turb team but with different people having the same skills. They do not do either streamer cutting or the egg drop - both entertaining family items and the Flying Circus do with a dissimilar collection of aeroplanes. Yes there are similarities however the style is different and both items got a huge amount of praise from those who watched. Slot durations took into account the increased number of items that were flown by the Flying Circus.
3. Ken Ellis has his own inimitable style that I personally find wonderful however every speaker I have encountered has his supporters and detractors but all have their primary function of being a link betwenn spectator and pilot. A vital secondary function is the safety issue in the event of a mishap. Ken has been in that situation more than once and has not been found wanting at a time when many have folded up.
4. Pudsey was the victim of a particularly vicious attack by bear eating moths as he hung in the Poile's wardrobe during the spring. Due to revealing holes in his skin he would have ensured arrest by the stalwarts of the Cambridgeshire Constabulary whose presence on site prevented offence in a show designed as family entertainment, not as bear essentials. I am sure there will be ample opportunity to give generously of your spare cash when the Children in Need appeal comes around in a couple of months.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
PS - I am sure the sight of your better half approaching at Warp 9 with her alternatives on display would have quite unnerved Ken on Sunday to the point of his eliminating "exceptional". I would have loved to see it. Perhaps in 2005......!!!!

[Man-on-the-fence]

Trapper

You forgot one important event this Sunday

Shuttleworth!!!!

[G-KEST]

Man on the Fence (and PPRuNe Pop,
In the immortal words of that Dickensian character Scrooge - "Bah humbug....................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Have a great time at Old Warden but its Duxford for me as I am attending in my capacity as airshow correspondant for the UK's leading circulation General Aviation magazine. Covered Shuttleworth earlier in the year but the editor spiked it.......!! Too much coverage elsewhere was the comment. I wonder where?
Cheers,
Trapper 69

[Man-on-the-fence]

Barry

I'll be there on Sunday. Need any Piccies for the article just whistle :)

[ozplane]

Thanks for your response Trapper 69. Madam was much amused by it and feels better that she'd got it off her chest but that could lead to some "moderation" so we'll leave it there. I was intrigued by your reference to airshows at Knebworth 30 yrs ago. I was there yesterday for the Classic Car Show and it made me wonder if you had a strip there a la Woburn or was it all done as fly-bys? It must have been a great place for a show but I guess Luton Approach might get a bit excited if you did one these days.

[G-KEST]

ozplane,

Glad your wife appreciated my bizarre sense of humour. Vick vapour rub always vgets it off my chest so bon chance..........!!!

The Barnstormers first display at Knebworth was flown out of Rush Green, just three miles or so north of Knebworth, on 6 August 1972. After that one we had annual displays there for many years with the full cooperation of Luton ATC providing, of course, that we kept below the altitudes they allowed us.

The Neville family whose home Knebworth House is were and are tremendous folk and Robin is one of the Shuttleworth trustees today so his aviation enthusiasm is still strong. There are tales of the pre-display day parties in their huge private swimming pool and sauna that had better be left for my memoirs though I shall never forget the time that an Austrian au-pair discovered that I had no swimming trunks on while keeping goal in the water polo match - "Oh Captain Tempest......................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" was her agonised cry as she fled at Warp 10.

Eventually we flew the show from a strip in the Knebworth grounds only using Rush Green for the heavier types or when we needed to refuel. Beau Carr kept his Tiger G-ANOH on that strip for many years sharing it with the present owner, Nick Parkhouse and his dad.

Knebworth eventually discovered the huge pop concert was enough to give them all the mass market they needed to finance the upkeep of that fascinating building so they phased out the Barnstormers though not before giving us an unforgettable final display when my daughter Helen had one of her first public shows as an SOW aerobabe flown by a proud dad.

So many happy memories and so many great pilots who are no longer with us.

Thanks for giving me an opportunity to reflect on past glories - at least they were to me and my Barnstorming brothers.

Cheers,

Trapper 69
:ok:

[RileyDove]

I was there and generally it was a fun display. If I had to single one act out I would say that the Grob Tutor was actually inspiring!
It clearly had an inspired pair of hands on the controls and it was extremely enjoyable.
I would say that the competition aerobatic machines leave most of the public cold. Looking around at the crowd during one display - there were hardly anyone watching it. I enjoy watching them but it some respects a more graceful and less technically
demanding routine can hold the attention more.
As for set pieces - I think there are opportunities to inject a little more interest . For example the pairing of the Antonov AN-2
escorted by a pair of Yak--11's for an airfield attack senario could have been fun . Likewise I would love to see a Korea senario
with a Bird Dog calling in an airstrike from a Harvard/Mustang
pairing.
Maybe I am harking back to the days of the Great Warbirds displays but I still feel there is room for a little more imagination !

[G-KEST]

Riley Dove,
What a great handle. Your namesake was a fine airplane. You have given me some food for thought in your various suggestions for scenarios mixing suitable aircraft in set pieces though you have to remember the practice necessary does cost a lot especially when the iarcraft originate from widely separated bases. An airshow like "Children in Need" really cannot afford such attractive ideas if the charity is to benfit. I really wonder if we would attract a larger audience from the public if we did arrange such an interesting idea. What do you all think in realistic terms?
ozplane,
Was closing down my display slot database when I noticed that the first Knebworth display was but seven days after my horrendous mid-air collision at Weston super Mare with Tiger Moth G-ANMO when I was flying Stampe SV4C G-AYGR (see CAA safety sense leaflet number 13 "Collision Avoidance" if you want to see it - it still gives me cold shivers).
At the Knebworth display I flew eight slots in Tiger Moths G-APVT and G-ANRN, Stampe SV4C G-AXHC and Nipper G-AVKT. These comprised the egg drop, SOW, flour bombing, balloon bursting, streamer cutting, aerobatics - two slots and mirror formation.
A busy afternoon but they all were in those days often getting another pilot to start up the next aeroplane for me while I landed in another. Over thirty years on I look back in awe at what we got up to. I probably revised certain elements of CAP403 to minimise the chance of future emulation - if I did not then I should have done..................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nostagia indeed.
Cheers,
Trapper 69

[ozplane]

Trapper, thanks for the update on the Knebworth shows, pity I missed them. I had my Airtourer, an aircraft not known for it's take-off performance, C of A'd at Rush Green one year. After collecting it from Bill Bowker and Derek Cobb they went back into the hangar and I took off. I looked back over my shoulder and they'd re-appeared as I took off as they weren't sure I'd get over the power lines at the end of the strip and were ready to launch the crash vehicle. Ha, that'll teach them.

[LowNSlow]

ozplane I looked back over my shoulder and they'd re-appeared as I took off as they weren't sure I'd get over the power lines at the end of the strip and were ready to launch the crash vehicle. . I didn't think Bill's tractor needed much in the way of launching ;) ;)