It looked as if a visit to the first Shuttleworth display of the season was always going to be always going to a lottery as far as the weather was concerned - especially as the week preceeding had been dominated by rain. Always optimistic I set off in the morning with high hopes that the weather would improve as I went up the A1. However, things got worse and conditions were not at all good as I arrived at Old Warden, with a gusty wind and ten-tenths cloud down to something like 1500 feet - and the threat of rain. There were a lot of gloomy faces around and all in all it didn't look as if today was going to be a good start to the season!.

A visit to the hangars revealed two disappointments straight away - the Spitfire was still in Hangar 1 obviously still undergoing maintenance, and the Tutor, which the collection had hoped to be ready for static display in its new livery, obviously had some way to go before being presentable. The Polikarpov PO2 was present in Hangar 6 where, unfortunately, it will probably remain for the forseeable future as it has apparently been ruled out for the 2004 season. The Bristol M.1C was still without engine but there are hopes of it flying again at some point during this season. There was no sign of the Bucker Jungmann - the Collection's newest acquisition. Also on display in hangar 6 was the fuselage from a new project at the Shuttleworth Collection - a replica Westland Wallace. This is still in the early stages, but it will be a great day when a Wallace graces the skies above Old Warden!

Visitors in hangar 7 included the Havilland DH.82a Tiger Moth from www.angelsonefive.com (book your ride there), Luscombe Slivaire, Druine D5 Turbi and the fascinating Fauvel Flying Wing, owned by Sir John Allison. Now that would be something to see in the air!

Rain at Old Warden during the previous week - sorry to keep going on about the weather! - had already caused problems for today's display. The Hawker Hurricane had been wheeled out earlier in the day and quickly moved back into the hangar after its wheels had started sinking into the mud. It was evident that the collection's heavier aircraft - and those with short wheelbases - would not be taking to the air that afternoon. Casualties would include the Hurricane, Spitfire (already ruled out due to maintainance), Anson, Gladiator, Brisfit and both Provosts (the collection's and a visiting Jet Provost). So the collection's major exhibits were ruled out and a major restructuring of the show was necessary.

Moving outside of the hangars revealed a happily brightening day and - surprise surprise - three of the Collection's Edwardians braving the weather - the Avro Triplane, Bristol Boxkite and Blackburn Monoplane. Also of interest was the Desoutter I - a Richard Shuttleworth original - which had its aileron flutter cured and was ready to fly for the first time in three seasons. Things were looking up!

The display started with four "barnstormers", the 2 Magisters, Tiger Moth and Chipmunk giving a display of bombing accuracy with flour bombs, balloon bursting and limbo flying - always great fun and a great crowd pleaser. Next we had a genteel solo display from a frequent visitor to Shuttleworth - the J3C-65 Piper Cub . Next off was a dual slot featuring differing Avro designs, the Triplane and 504K. It was a joy to see these 2 in formation and, considering the wide discrepancy in performance - a tribute to the pilots concerned. A guest pass by the Battle of Britain Flght's Dakota was followed by the Desoutter making a return to the air after three years, soon joined by the Hornet Moth. A solo guest spot from the Tipsy Trainer was followed by aerobatics from the collection's own Chipmunk and a solo display from the second triplane in the collection - this time the Sopwith.

Then to another guest spot in the afternoon, Will Curtis in his Sukhoi SU26. Will is one one the country's top aerobatic pilots and his display is always one to see. Not to be outdone, a trio from the Shuttleworth Collection - 2 Moths and the Parnell Elf, gave a display of close formation flying - all the time tied together with bunting. A further guest spot from the Yakovlevs - flying today as a two aircraft team - gave their usual polished perfomance of formation aerobatics and high speed merges. A solo spot from another aircraft unique to Shuttleworth - the Southern Martlet - was followed by the return of the Avro Triplane - this time filling a double spot with the Boxkite, and then we were treated to a rare flight from the Blackburn Monoplane - the oldest surviving airworthy English Aircraft - which gave us a full display slot instead of the normal hop. Most Shuttleworth displays culminate with the sound of Rolls Royce Merlins but in the absence of the Spitfire and Hurricane it was the Hawker Hind - with it's wonderfully rasping Rolls Royce Kestrel - which had the honour of bringing the display to a close.

When faced with adversity the Shuttleworth Collection always seems to be able to rise to the occasion and this display was no exception. With a number of the Collection's core aircraft being ruled out, putting any kind of show together was a logistical nightmare - and yet the afternoon ended up as one to treasure. I really don't think that anybody left the grounds disappointed that day. There were many highlights; Will Curtis and the Yakovlevs, barnstorming and bunting, and not least the sight of Avros flying in formation - that could well be one of the enduring images of the 2004 season. But for me at least, it will be the Blackburn Monoplane that will be an abiding memory of the day. It's not often that we get such a good view of so rare an aircraft, and for it to give such a good display was very special. Wing warping at its finest!

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