Old Warden on Saturday 22nd Sept anyone?

[4535jacks]

I am planning on a trip to Old Warden for their evening airshow on Saturday 22 Sept 12. I will be going from Wickenby to Fenland for a spot of lunch before then carrying on to Old Warden, I am planning on arriving 1330-1400hrs which should give me a good chance to look around the collection prior to the airshow starting at 1600hrs. Once the airshow is complete I will takeoff and make the short trip to Sywell to stay at the Aviator Hotel for the night.

I will be flying G-CGMH, a Jodel 150a Mascaret so if you see me, please say hello.

Is anyone else planning to go to the airshow?

Does anyone know if Sywell offer overnight hangarage or will I have to the aircraft down outside?

Regards

Gary

[Dave W]

We're giving serious thought to attending too - planning to remain overnight at OW after the show and fly home on Sunday, possibly via the Wiltshire Flyers event at Lower Upham near Swindon.

We'll also be in a Jodel, G-AYLC, so likewise please do say hello.

[vintage ATCO]

You'll both be most welcome.

[4535jacks]

When I spoke to them, they still had a lot a slots left. So hopefully there will be a good take up and the weather forecast looks good!

Gary

[hatzflyer]

I may pop in but would have to leave before the show starts unfortuneatly.

[Dave W]

When I spoke to them, they still had a lot a slots left. So hopefully there will be a good take up and the weather forecast looks good!

I'm hoping I've got a slot, having emailed on Monday - but trying to confirm this pm was unsuccessful as phone apparently permanently engaged. I'm now nervous that we've missed a slot because my email was overlooked! More calls tomorrow.

[vintage ATCO]

Don't worry, it will not be fully booked. What time are you thinking of arriving? If you really cannot get through in the next couple of days then call us in the tower on Sat 01767 627563 from about 10:00, maybe earlier.

[Dave W]

Oh, thanks Steve. ETA around 1430 local. Wx looking good.

[4535jacks]

The weather is looking good for Saturday but not for my return north on Sunday. Hhmm decisions decisions.

I spoke to someone at old warden yesterday and they informed me that would be a chance to depart at 1730.

I hope the forecast changes for Sunday so I can stay at Sywell, bloody weather is always changing my plans!

[Dave W]

Yes, we too have modified our plans in light of the Sunday forecast. Intentions now to arrive at 1100 and depart in the 1730-1745 slot. It's a shame we won't get to see all of the flying but it looks like it's going to be a good day nevertheless.

[johnp]

I'm in. Arrive about 1100 local. Got to leave about 1430-1500 though. Be nice to have a look around at the collection getting aired.
Arrow GBMNL if anyone wants to say hello.
JP

[4535jacks]

Looking at the current forecast, the rain is due to hit till about midday on Sunday. I will check again tomorrow but my current intentions are to arrive at 1300, stay til 1730, fly to Sywell and spend the night, get up early on Sunday and hopefully get wheels up between 0900 and 1000, I will hopefully avoid the bad weather and beat it back to Lincoln.

I have never been before but I'm hoping that with three hours prior to the airshow starting, I should be able to look around the collection first. Do you think I will be cutting it fine with a 1300 arrival?

[vintage ATCO]

It's the sort of place where there is never enough time to look around on a first visit. You can always come back, it is open all the year around except over Christmas.

We will be organising a couple of informal fly ins over the 'close season' but it seems you need to have a teddy bear to attend.

[Brooklands]

I'll be there this afternoon but I'll be driving, aiming to get there around 14:00

Brooklands

[Dave W]

What a wonderful day.

Having the aircraft in the paddock for the public to get right up to was a marvellous touch, although it must have been nerve-wracking for the attending pilots and engineers at times, with toddlers disappearing under the wings etc - I was concerned on more than one occasion that little Johnny was going to stand up and stick his bonce straight through the lower fabric!

I am fortunate to have a friend who flies with the Collection, and was privileged to have a tour of the Brisfit and the Comper Swift from him. However, the layout of the event - with aircraft, aircrew and engineers in the paddock - was such that the privilege was shared with anybody who cared to ask. Just wonderful; there can't be many other precious collections that do quite that.

Of all the outstanding aircraft, seeing the New Zealand RE8 and Albatross fly was particularly noteworthy. It's difficult to accept that the plan is for them to operate for just one season and then be grounded and put one museum display for the remainder of their existence. Most others at the event seemed to feel the same.

It seemed only right to support the Collection directly, so my Jodel co-owner and I both signed up with the SVAS on the day. I realised that the last time I visited Old Warden was in 1977, Silver Jubilee year. I won't wait until the Platinum Jubilee to repeat it.

I missed johnp, but we met 4535jacks as we were waiting to return to the aircraft for the 1730 departure slot. I hope you managed to find a weather window to get back to Lincoln today, Gary. I also found out, but unfortunately at the very last minute, that an old pal of mine, Bob B, is the Display Director and was around but I didn't run into him. Next time, next time...

Speaking of which, the next show is on 7 October (and I believe the DH 88 Comet 'Grosvenor House' is due to display again for the first time in years), so a date for your diaries. Sadly for me I am otherwise committed that day, otherwise I would be sorely tempted to fly back.

vATCO, thanks again to you and your colleagues. I know it's at times been a rotten year with multiple show cancellations due weather and, of course, Trevor Roche's utterly tragic accident, so our best to you all.