The Army Air Corps Historic Aircraft Flight

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The 2005 Team Displays – Sandown, Isle of Wight – 30 & 31 July 2005

Sunday 31 July 2005

The Sunday at Sandown dawned a little brighter than the Saturday, with some warm sunny spells bringing a much brighter aspect to the day. The biggest change was that the wind had clamed down considerably, making for much easier display flying conditions. The Saturday at Sandown had been a celebration of the ‘golden age’ of flying from the 1920s and 30s, culminating in a selection of aircraft from the beginning of WW2. The Sunday was very much a celebration of the end of the War, with a huge collection of aircraft from the Second World War taking part. The Army Air Corps Teams were a vital part of this celebration, representing the Glider Pilot Regiment and the Airborne Observation Squadrons that played such a vital role in every Allied invasion and airborne operation during the War. The Auster of the AHAF was the last production model of a type of aircraft that served in every theatre of the War in many roles, not just as an Airborne Observation Post spotting for the Artillery and other units, but as an Air Amublance, Light Transport and Battlefield Reconnaissance aircraft. The massed formation from the Army was a wonderful addition to what was already an excellent display. The rest of the display contained some of the greatest aircraft from the War, as shown below.

All photographs Keith Draycott and Julian Humphries.

The AHAF arrived back at Sandown early in the morning….	….and due to the congestion on the airfield Don Bagget became an impromtu Master of Ceremonies….

….parking the Scout got interesting….	….as did finding space for the Alouette!

Rod and Jan get ready to depart for the display….	….as the fixed wing section got airborne, here Connor takes off in the Chipmunk.

As they run in against the overcast, the sections prepare to break.	Other aircraft in the display included Carolyn Grace in her two-seat Spitfire Mk XI….

….Maurice Hammond and Rob Davies in their P-51D Mustangs….	….Brian Smith in the Fighter Collection’s F4U Corsair….

….Pete Kynsey in the Fighter Collection’s P-47D Thunderbolt….	….and Alistair Kay in one of four P-51D Mustangs in the display.

Lastly for this event, Pete John put on a thrilling display….	….in Robs Lamplough’s rare and immaculate Spitfire Mk VIII.

Click here to see the highlights from the air shows on Saturday 30th July.

Archived news is available by clicking here.

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