Review - Wings & Things, generously hosted by Rob Davies in his back garden in Woodchurch in deepest Kent, is an airshow with a difference.  Now in its 15^th year, the show combines a wonderfully relaxed and informal garden party atmosphere with some serious warbird heavy-metal.

Wall to wall sunshine greeted visitors to the show this year and the stage was set for an excellent flying display.  Vintage and aerobatic treats included Anna Walker flying Bucker Jungmann G-BSAJ and Diana Britton in her CAP-232 while the Aerostars team presented a typically polished routine with their YAK-50s. 

Warbird highlights were many and kicked off by the Great War Display Team’s Nieuport 17 replica and ‘Junkers CL.1’ battling each other in the skies overhead.  Harvards were the name of the game next with a 5-ship formation led by Phil Shaw in ‘K854’ / G-RAIX and which included immaculate Caen based Texan F-AZSC.  The P-51 Mustang pairing of Rob Davies ‘Big Beautiful Doll’ and Maurice Hammond’s ‘Janie’ was especially appreciated by the crowd, while displaying even more piston power were The Fighter Collection’s Spitfire Mk.Vb ‘City of Winnipeg’ and Real Aeroplane Company’s ‘night fighter’ Hurricane Mk.XII.

Classic jets fans were not forgotten, being treated to a fine routine from the Golden Apple Trust’s silver T-33 G-BTRD.  The finale was provided by Kennett Aviation’s Hawker Hunter F.6A XF515/G-KAXF and Folland Gnat T.1 XR993/G-BVPP, which rounded off an excellent day.

Photographs (left to right) - October 2003 Flypast; Great War Display Team Nieuport replica B3459 / G-BWMJ (x2); Rob Davies Mustang Mk.22 G-HAEC 'Big Beautiful Doll'; Hawker Hurricane Mk.XII BE417 / G-HURR

back to airshow photographs from 2003