Some of Little Gransden's regulars told me that the show hadn’t enjoyed the best of luck with the weather over the years. Held on the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday weekend, was there really any surprise that the rain made an appearance during the afternoon? Thankfully the elements didn’t win and the star of the show, the Canadian CP-140 Aurora just made it to headline an interesting mix of display acts.
Proceeds from the show support the BBC’s Children in Need and other local charities. Pudsey Bear was to be seen mingling happily with the crowd, collecting much needed donations along the way. Since the show's inception in 1992, more than £140,000 has been raised for charitable causes; a very fine effort from all involved.
One of the big attractions on the ground was the vintage, veteran and classic car rally, with an insert in the flying display brochure giving details of the registrations of the vehicles and their owners. There was a steady flow of visiting aircraft arriving for most of the morning, building to a crescendo towards lunchtime and the commencement of the flying display at shortly after 1pm. There were no landing fees for visiting aircraft, though pilots were encouraged to contribute to Pudsey’s bucket.
If you’re into all genres of aviation then the show brings together so many unusual types and colour schemes, seldom seen at many other shows throughout the year. It’s a unique gathering, especially for the pilots who no doubt enjoy coming together in the relaxed atmosphere to tell a tale or two. I’ll put my hand up and admit there were quite a few things that left me wondering exactly what they were! And I sure hadn’t seen a Chipmunk dressed in the British Airways scheme before!
Opening the show was Mark Linney in Golden Apple’s F-86A Sabre, performing a couple of typically superb arcing passes each way down the crowd line. The Sabre’s participation was an example of what shows like Little Gransden do well, improvise and blag a favour or two along the way. The Sabre was on its way to Dunsfold Wings and Wheels for its display there, so top marks for Mark in dropping in to see us en-route.
The display proper got underway with the marvellously named Thruxton Jackaroo getting airborne with two parachutists. This was no ordinary parachute exit from the aircraft, as they had to make their way onto the wings to make their jump. Rather them than me! It was good to see the Union Jack on display as they came in to land too. I always think we’re never proud enough of our nation and those little touches really do make the difference.
Equally the evocative memorial service with the BBMF Lancaster overhead was another superb touch from the organisers. I’ve often thought that remembrance of those lost in conflict should be an integral part of many of the warbird shows so full credit again to the organisers. It doesn’t take long out of the flying programme and it’s quite right that we pay tribute to those who have defended our freedom to enjoy days such as this.
There were a number of aerobatic acts on show including Mark Jefferies in the Extra 330, The Pitts Pair, SWIP Team, Nigel Willson in the Yak-52 and the DR-107. Jefferies take off is now the stuff of airshow legend, a flick to show the topside all the way down the crowd line and his high energy routine really entertained the crowd. Aerobatic routines always work well at shows like this, achieving greater impact, given the compact nature of the show site as opposed to the larger venues.
Hardwick Warbirds' P-51D Mustangs ‘Marinell’ and ‘Janie’ are regulars at Little Gransden and for many were the highlight of the display. We are fortunate to have so many examples of the P-51 in the UK and Europe, but these two really are fine examples of the type and beautifully maintained. Flown with typical vigour by Maurice Hammond and Dave Evans they were, as ever, a stunning sight and sound over the little airfield.
Being a little indulgent but probably the star act for me was the incredible Fiesler Storch. I think it’s around 20 years since I last saw one display and I’ve never seen an aircraft flying almost sideways so much! Pretty much straight away after take off the wind drifted the big German prop sideways and throughout it seemed like a real battle just to keep the aircraft in some kind of straight line!
The CP-140 is a real rarity on UK shores these days and the work to bring the Canadian heavy to the show was ongoing for many months prior to the event. Coming from 405 Squadron based at CFB Greenwood, the Aurora took part in the show in 2007 and the Canadians were happy to return this year largely due to 405 having been based at nearby RAF Gransden Lodge during the Second World War.
There were a couple of hurdles to overcome on the show day itself in getting the aircraft to Little Gransden. Firstly a radio problem prevented the aircraft opening the show and then the weather meant the aircraft had to hold but it was low on fuel. Thankfully she made it, and full credit to Dave Poile MBE and his team for it making it happen.
The end of the show heralded a mass departure of display and visiting aircraft which in itself was very good to watch, such was the frequency that aircraft were lifting from the grass strip. A healthy crowd should have hopefully raised a sizeable sum for charity and let us hope that the show continues to receive the generous support of both operators and the general public, which it definitely deserves to have.
On exiting the show my thoughts were that this is just the type of event that is the soul of the UK airshow display calendar. Having done the big ‘ones’ of the display season, Waddington, Yeovilton and RIAT to name three, here was the perfect antidote to all that corporate grandeur. The recipe was remarkably simple, aircraft, their pilots, their crews and the great British airshow public.
Not a whisper of what didn’t turn up (not that there was much in terms of the flying) amongst the crowd. Not a marquee in sight along the crowdline or a fairground behind it. Not an expensive programme to buy. The word that springs to mind to describe this show is ‘organic’, what you see is what you get and for me it was pretty entertaining.
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