Shuttleworth Collection Military Air Show
Saturday 31st May 2025
Hot on the heels of the Season Premiere earlier in May, the second show in the Shuttleworth Collection's 2025 calendar came in the form of the Military Air Show - the celebration of those who have given their service in the air, on the land or at sea.
finally broke his duck and attended the intimate Bedfordshire venue for the very first time. Images by the UKAR team.
Any true aviation enthusiast is well-versed in the multi-show season hosted by The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden Aerodrome, such that an introduction is not necessary. However, as a first-time visitor and an enthusiast whose preference has always been the big military shows - on the magnitude and scale of RIAT and Waddington, where to fit everything in in one day you need to arrive as early as possible, ideally before gates opening - Old Warden Aerodrome marks a stark contrast. With the event's flying display kicking off at 2pm, gone was the need for a ridiculously early wake-up call, and instead, a leisurely saunter down the A1 allowed for seamless entry, even after gates opening without fear of missing any of the day's action whilst also still allowing for an easy stroll around the showground to take in the gathered military vehicles, ground displays and the hangar exhibitions.
The show was eagerly anticipated with a steady stream of participants and visiting aircraft being announced including the announcement of the Commemorative Air Force R4D-6S 'Ready 4 Duty' as the first visiting item back in January. The R4D is currently in Europe on its Navy to Victory Tour, and the Military Air Show was to be the first of three flying displays at Old Warden, having only been on static display for the Season Premiere. The friendly crew welcomed visitors onboard and to have a close look around the aircraft prior to their departure and subsequent involvement in the flying display. It was then opened once again after displaying and during the gap between the flying elements. Announcements continued steadily through the months even up to the days before the show, with highlights including Duxford's Spitfire I and Fighter Aviation Engineering's Hurricane I; Old Warden debuts from TFC's Curtiss P-36C Hawk and Curtiss P-40C Warhawk (although the P-40C was ultimately to be replaced by the desert schemed P-40F instead); and the WWI Aviation Heritage Albatross D.Va.
Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances have a habit of getting in the way and lead to the cancellation of acts. As the event drew closer, a number of items would pull out, including the Fokker Dr.I Triplane and previously announced BBMF Lancaster. Having been one of the final items to be announced just a week prior to the show, and what a star item it would have been, RAF Station Czechoslovakia's recently acquired Avro Anson I sadly succumbed at the 11th hour. This aircraft's appearance would have marked the debut for the aircraft at a show in the northern hemisphere having been recently imported to Europe from New Zealand. However, despite the operator's best efforts, the aircraft was not quite able to be made ready in time, with the weather the day before the show in Belgium preventing the necessary check flight before the planned journey to the UK. In its place, a resident Do.28 Skyservant was announced at the last minute which would go on to take the Anson's place performing in a twin routine in formation alongside the Shuttleworth Collection's own Anson.
The Military Air Show was the first of the Shuttleworth events to implement a split-show format this year, consisting of the usual afternoon flying display element running from 2pm to 6pm followed by the addition of an evening flying display, which would run for a further hour starting from 7.30pm. This evening segment would offer visitors another dynamic with the lure of golden evening light as the sun set on the displaying acts, although the broken clouds tried their best to scupper some photographic opportunities throughout the day.
A parade of military vehicles highlighting all eras of military - from WW2, through to cold war relics through to the modern-day Land Rovers and WMIK. All vehicles were presented immaculately and were driven up and down along the crowd line prior to opening flying act. This was provided courtesy of the BBMF Spitfire IIa. Whilst it is always great to see the BBMF performing, it is even more so now that the Merlin engined fighters have returned to the display circuit this year. It was a shame that we could not experience the Lancaster coming around the bend, having cancelled in the weeks prior to the show and instead, making an appearance at Midlands Air Festival after celebrating her 80th birthday the night before with Airbus at Hawarden.
A fitting tribute to former Shuttleworth Collection pilot Desmond Penrose had been organised and came in the form of the Collection's DH.60 Cirrus Moth and Arrow Active 2. Sadly, Desmond had passed away at the age of 95 earlier in the month. Having had a long and distinguished flying career, his memory was celebrated through these aircraft which had both been flown and/or owned by Desmond. They performed a touching sequence of serene formation passes before the remarkably nimble Arrow Active gave a punchy solo display.
One of the highlights of the day was to take place following the demonstration of two of the WWI fighters. The Albatross D.Va was put through its paces before it was engaged by the resident Shuttleworth Collection's SE5a. A dogfight ensued between the pair giving an example of what may have been witnessed over the trenches during the days of the Great War. Having 'seen off' the Albatross, the SE5a met up with the Collection's Spitfire Mk Vc AR501 to perform a unique display of formation passes. Although a tight formation between the two eras of fighters was impossible due to the significant performance differences, the flypasts were timed to perfection with the crowd able to capture both aircraft together, and to really appreciate the developments in technology and performance between the wars' more well-known aircraft, the pair even performing a crossover as part of the routine.
Navy Wings' Fairey Swordfish I, the oldest surviving example of the type, was present and displayed as part of a short segment dedicated to naval aviation. Crowds were treated to a fine display before it departed straight after to RNAS Yeovilton. Its departure marked the arrival of the second element of the short naval section with the R4D. Having departed earlier in the afternoon, the R4D had transited across to Ragley Hall to perform for the crowds at the Midlands Air Festival, and on return she flew straight into her routine. The familiar size of the Douglas aircraft worked well at Old Warden, and the US Navy markings worn by the aircraft brings a different element when compared to the usual USAAF schemes seen on C-47s and DC-3s.
The evening element of the show really stood out with some exquisite routines being flown in the waning evening light. The visiting Curtiss Hawks both took to the air kick-starting the evening display - TFC's natural metal P-36C Hawk and P-40F Warhawk starting the routine with a wonderful topside formation pass before splitting. Both aircraft performed tight, topside passes dispersed with loops and aerobatics, but the desert scheme on the P-40F really came alive as the golden sunlight reflected off its surfaces. This light really added to the superb demonstration. The Lysander took to the air next in a demonstration of the challenging scenarios faced by the Special Operations Executive during the War. The scenario saw a makeshift runway, illuminated by lamps being set up by the French Resistance to allow the Lysander to land and collect a spy and information from behind enemy lines. She just managed to depart before the German forces became aware, and a small firefight ensued between them and the Resistance.
With the weather being deemed as unsuitable for the Edwardians to take to the air, an alternative line-up had been arranged to close the show. This saw a 'Tied Together Trio' routine being performed - the Parnall Elf, Hermes Moth and Tiger Moth all tethered together with bunting took to the air and flew an outstanding display of formation flying and airmanship. Their routine saw them remain tied together for numerous passes and the bunting remaining intact for the duration until their final break. AR501 took to the skies again as the light faded further providing another fine display. Expecting the Spitfire to be the final act of the day, full credit must go to the organisers as, whilst they had originally announced that the weather was out of limits for the Edwardians, they had continued to monitor the breeze as the evening progressed. As luck would have it the winds had dropped sufficiently by the time AR501 was closing its display for the Bristol Boxkite and Avro Triplane to both be brought out in preparation to fly. The show could be closed out by an Edwardian after all as just the Avro Triplane was able to take to the sky, allowing for the first show appearance from an Edwardian since June 2024, allowing the organisers to showcase the earliest era of flight, and round off a terrific day, even running slightly later than originally advertised.
And the lasting impression for a first-time visitor? Old Warden is well represented online with photos and reviews from the many events hosted annually and has always been positively received but they alone cannot tell the whole story, nor can they truly encapsulate and convey the unique ambience and atmosphere at the aerodrome - that is something that needs to be experienced in-person. On a personal note, I will be making a concerted effort to keep a closer eye on future shows and announcements with full intention on revisiting. How soon/or how frequent does remain to be seen; and as mentioned in previous reviews, the £42 advance ticket price could mean that this will be reserved for a show with an exceptional line up and/or forecast.