This was Old Warden's second event of the year. The first event at the beginning of May should have seen the public display debut of the Aircraft Restoration Company's Westland Lysander IIIa but sadly it went unserviceable. However, that event's loss was the Evening Airshow's gain as the Lysander was added to the line-up to fly alongside the Collection's own example. ARCo's Lysander is unique as it is the only British built Lysander currently airworthy - all others are Canadian built airframes. The last time two Lysanders flew together in the UK was 20 years ago.
The second outstanding highlight of the evening was the formation of World War Two fighters led by the Shuttleworth Collection's Hawker Sea Hurricane Ib. This was joined by the Collection's Spitfire Vc, the IWM Duxford Spitfire Ia and the Old Flying Machine Company's Spitfire IXb. After a formation pass the aircraft spilt to perform solo displays. Paul Bonhomme ended his sequence was a beautiful low curved pass waving from the cockpit.
The slightly ungainly English Electric Wren was another notable moment. For many years this aircraft could barely fly requiring the help of a bungee rope and several volunteers to help it hop down the runway. It has now been refurbished with a lot of effort put into the engine performance and is capable of performing a full display!
The event ended in twilight with an appearance by the unique Edwardians to close a perfect early summer's evening of flying.
