'The Shuttleworth Pageant' is one of the most important events in the year on the Shuttleworth Calendar - the one time in the year that the Trust attempts to get as many their aircraft in the air as possible. Not only that, but aircraft which have been associated with the collection in the past frequently make an appearance, and there was a welcome return for - among others - the Spartan Arrow, Miles Hawk Speed Six and Nick Parkhouse's distinctive red Tiger Moth.

As this was the second day of the Centenary of Flight Air Show at nearby Duxford, we were also treated to a brief glimpse of the Red Arrows as they did a quick flypast after completing their Duxford display slot. Time pressures prevented them from giving a display for the Shuttleworth faithful, but their appearance was a nice touch.

Most of the aircraft on the flightline made it into the air at some point during the afternoon, the exceptions being the Parnell Elf and Sopwith Triplane, the latter having been plagued with niggling engine problems for much of the 2003 season. A notable exception was the Bristol M.1C which had not flown since suffering damage to the engine and cowling during the 2002 Pageant. Hopefully this aircraft will be up in the air again in 2004. A special "guest" was Air Atlantique's Percival Prentice, brought in to remind us that Shuttleworth do actually have their own example, although it is still in the early stages of a long term restoration!

The main display started fairly early with the visiting aircraft headed by the modified Tiger Moth "Thruxton Jackaroo", complete with parachutist. For some obsure reason I had my camera pointing in the wrong direction and missed this part of the proceedings completely(!) Attention then moved to the Shuttleworth Collection's own aircraft with the World War One examples taking to the air, the Sopwith Pup and Se5a giving sprightly performances and the Bristol Fighter being paired with the LvG. As it turned out this was the last time I was to see the LvG in flight as the RAF were due to claim it back at the end of the season for restoration to static display. So, in retrospect this was a poignant occasion, and there is no doubt that this aircraft will be sorely missed by the collection.

The rest of the display followed in well established Shuttleworth fashion, with highlights being the flight of the English Electric Wren (needing a small army of helpers and a large length of elastic to help it get into the air), an exhibition of streamer cutting from the collection's Chipmunk, and a unique formation of Lysander, Provost, Prentice and Chipmunk paying homage to the behind the scenes work of the SVAS. It was nice to see the collection's Provost in the air again - for the first time this season. Other performances of note include the Hawker Hind (the sound of the Rolls Royce Kestrel engine in full cry will be one of the abiding memories of Shuttleworth in 2003), and the Gloster Gladiator which, having a slot at the Duxford display as well as Shuttleworth, was having a busy afternoon. The only disappointment was the non-appearance of the "Edwardians" due to the weather conditions, and it was down to the Spitfire Vc to bring the show to a close - leaving no doubt as to who is the real star of the show!.

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