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Catching the Bug — Classic Aircraft

H Y R P A O G H O T P R A R B H A N R E A R D © O H O T P

At some point during every pilot or enthusiast’ s journey, an image of aircraft is left ingrained; the shape, maybe a sound, or that feeling through your chest as an engine roars past. It is literally attached to your primary senses.

Is it from that seed that this maybe questionable attraction, or perhaps ‘ addiction ’ , grows? What is it that draws such a contrast of people back time and time again to be near an aircraft like a Spitfire. To many there is the history, the sacrifice, and the determination that many of these aircraft represent from their unspoken presence. For others it’ s the wonder of engineering, the might of its power or grace, or just the sheer splendour of seeing a work of art take to the sky. Certainly Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee Jr captured the spirit of flight so eloquently in his well-known poem ‘High Flight’ (time for a quick pause and Google search if you ’ re not familiar!).

See, Smell, Touch & Feel

Whatever it is, it’ s alive more today than perhaps ever before. Is that odd given the further we move into the future the more endangered these aircraft become in the wake of life? Is the increasing rarity part of the pull towards them? For me, it’ s all of these things. And more! I’ m definitely addicted. And I’ll throw those last two missing senses into the mix as well; Yep, I’ m not ashamed to say it — I love the smell!! and I’ll add to that; I’ m partial to the ‘touch’ , or the ‘feel’ of an aircraft as well, whether flying it or just reaching out to make contact, it’ s a form of connection I guess, to the history and the story of that specific aircraft. horse racing). And following the limitations imposed during 2020 and early 2021, it’ s somewhat likely that the almost palatable forthcoming shows are going to be some of the best yet.

So having discussed some of the ‘ why ’ , what about some of the ‘how ’ and ‘ where ’? If you ’ ve read this far down the page you very likely already agree there ’ s a desire for vintage aircraft to be accessible. So ‘how ’ is this possible? Generally, this is achieved in two main cabinets, 1) museums and 2) private collections. Both are actually essential for the long-term preservation of these aircraft and both typically provide amazing access to the general public.

Most of the aircraft flying in the display circuit are generously provided for by private owners, many of which don ’t fly themselves but love to see the aircraft flown and indeed enjoy playing their part in the ‘future history ’ of the aircraft. But, likewise, the market is wide and available to many.

As a pilot, you don ’t have to be at the controls of a Mustang to still ‘feel’ a classic and historic aircraft in the palms of your hand. One of the most memorable flights I’ ve ever had was my first tailwheel solo in a Chipmunk out of Goodwood at sunset on a cold December afternoon. My instructor nearly froze to death watching from the club house, but oh my word what a view I had as I looked down the wing onto a golden horizon with a shaft of light pealing up the wing as I turned onto base leg. The aircraft was in RAF markings and that view of the RAF roundel felt almost timeless. It really was a very special circuit indeed. Then there ’ s the Harvard and T-28 Trojan, two amazing aircraft. The T-28 has near Mustang performance! I was lucky enough to be in a close formation filming sequence (as a passenger) whilst filming Richard Grace ’ s beautiful Mk. IX Spitfire ML407.