Little Gransden - 26th August 2007

This was to be a new venue for me, and with the day breaking in crystal clear skies and a forecast to suggest it would remain that way for the duration, we simply had to head over.

Not really knowing what to expect we were directed into a field to park around the back of what looked like farm buildings. We followed the herd along the path and into the site itself. After negotiating the stalls we made it to the crowdline, positioned superbly next to what would be the taxiway for most of the day's participants.

It wasn't long before they started to arrive either, with some truly lovely examples from years gone by. Of particular interest to me was the Fiat G-46-3B, in a stunning colourscheme, and my first taste of seeing it in the flesh.

Plenty of regular faces were on display with Peter Teichman present with his P-40 M Warhawk, and I think just about all of the Shuttleworth Collection's affectionately known 'Shuttlewaffe' fleet.

The display itself was opened by Ray Corstin in the T-28, and he was hotly followed by a pair of Yak-11s, flown by Angie Soper and resident Yak man, Mark Jefferies.

After the Turbulent team had strutted their stuff it was the turn of the Shuttlewaffe. Despite the efforts of the Bestmann to ruin things (he landed again shortly after getting airborne), a lovely series of passes ensued.

One of the highlights of the day for me was when the G-46 took to the skies. It looked amazing against the deep blue. Unfortunately at this point my Sigma 2x converter gave up the ghost, and I sent most of the remainder of the routine, and that of the Pilatus P-2 trying to rectify the situation.

Representing the Royal Air Force was Flt Lt Andy Preece in the Grob Tutor. The display was expertly flown as always and worked supremely well in Little Gransden's confines.

The undoubted star of the show, however, was the CP-140 Aurora, from 405 Maritime Patrol Squadron, Canadian Armed Forces, based at CFB Greenwood.

405 (The City of Vancouver) Sqn, Royal Canadian Air Force had been resident at nearby Gransden Lodge during World War II, operating, amongst other things, the Lancaster. Fittingly, one of their rear gunners from back then was present and a short service remembering the efforts of the Squadron and their fallen comrades was held, incorporating the Lancaster, Spitfire, Mustang as well as the CP-140.

It was a very rare opportunity to see an Aurora flying at a UK airshow.

It'd been my first taste of Little Gransden and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of variety, a superb display line, and of course the weather playing ball too all helped. It would have to rate as one of my favourite shows of the year.