| Ever since the start of the Goodwood Revival Meetings, of which this was the 10th Anniversary Celebration, stunning flying by warbird operators has always been a major part.
Back at that first event in 1998, Ray Hanna in OFMC's Mk.IX Spitfire MH434 stunned everyone at the Press Launch by flying down the pit straight, below the tops of the grandstands. Today the same Spitfire, still owned by the Old Flying Machine Company and flown by Lee Proudfoot, remains one of the stars of the outstanding displays along with the same company's P-51 Mustang 'Ferocious Frankie' in the capable hands of Alister Key. We were treated to single aircraft, pairs, threesomes and a commemorative 'box four' during the three days of the Meeting, all against a totally clear 'gin blue' sky - a real rarity for 2008! Stephen Grey's Fighter Collection brought along their Curtiss 75 Hawk and Pearl Harbour veteran P-40 Tomahawk along with the mighty Chance Vought (or to be more correct in this instance, Goodyear) Corsair. Each gave stunning solo routines taking full advantage of the curving display line. Co-ordinating the flying was John Romain who was flying Spitfire Ltd's Mk.IX Spitfire PL344 in a paired routine with Phil O'Dell in the Rolls-Royce Owned PR.XIX, showing off the ultimate Merlin-engined Spitfire alongside the massively powerful growling Griffon of the PR-blue example. OFMC, in addition to flying solo routines, twice flew their special paired display. This is constantly being tailored to improve the show for those watching from the ground and always starts and ends with their trademark low and fast curving topside passes. Also putting in an appearance was the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight with Spitfire Vb AB910, Hurricane IIc PZ865 and Lancaster PA474. Perhaps 'appearance' is the wrong word for their flying. For this reviewer who has seen the Flight on many occasions, never have they provided such a stunning display. The still conditions helped, as did the glorious sunshine. However, it was the nature of the venue that created the circumstances that mean a completely different display is flown than at virtually any other venue where they fly. As the racing circuit utilises the old perimeter track of the airfield, this means that there are public grandstands on several sides. Therefore the flying display line takes a curving route down the runway lines and it is this that creates the feeling from the ground of being right 'in the action'. So, the 10th Anniversary Revival Flying drew to a close with all the warbirds taking off into the sunset - literally! |