Sywell Airshow 2024 – the Flying Legends successor?

On the weekend of July 22nd and 23rd 2024, Sywell airfield hosted a huge gathering of top-class warbirds. Before that, “Flying Legends” at Duxford were the benchmark and British airshow cult. Nowhere else in Europe could such a mass of warbirds be admired on the ground and in the air. But after the Legends were continually cancelled, its days were numbered and this left a noticeable gap that has still not been filled. In July 2024, this attempt was made by this new event at Sywell airfield in Northamptonshire.

The airshow was organized by Richard Grace together with Air Leasing, a company that specializes in the restoration, maintenance and operation of historic military aircraft. His plan was based on the motto “Go big, or go home”, and this was evident not only in the advance announcements, but also on the actual airshow weekend itself.

The focus was clearly on the classic warbirds of World War II, and the flight program was undoubtedly impressive. Among other things, a formation of B-17s, P-47s, four P-51s and two Buchons were announced in advance, as were Navy aircraft, a Bearcat, Martlet and three Corsairs, and towards the end of the day, two Hurricanes and a total of nine Spitfires. This top-class line-up offered enough reasons to pay a visit to the event, especially since the world’s only flying Hawker Tempest was being restored in Sywell and was also featured quite early in the organizer’s announcements. However, it can be said right away that this unique aircraft was ultimately not presented in Sywell. Rather, the aircraft rested in Duxford where work was still being done to get its flight approval.

An Airshow on historic ground

Sywell airfield is about an hour and a half’s drive from London Heathrow Airport. During the Second World War it played an important role as a base for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). The airfield was used for training flights, training pilots and servicing aircraft. Sywell may not have a significant history as the base of an RAF operational squadron, but it is now an established base for the British warbird scene. The “Ultimate Warbirds Flights” based there not only offer flights in two-seater warbirds such as the Spitfire, Mustang or Me 109, but are also responsible for many great reconstructions of warbirds in recent years.

…it was clear that this event would definitely live up to the claim of “go big”

The event itself followed a concept that is now well established. A so-called “Flight Line Walk” in the morning offered the opportunity to view the aircraft up close. Some aircraft were not only on display on the grass runway itself, but also in the ground exhibition and were brought to life by so-called “reenactors”. As a surprise guest, the Douglas C-47 “Placid Lacie” also found a place in this ground exhibition. After taking part in the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift in Wiesbaden and a short detour to Tannheim, the event in Sywell was the last major stop on this year’s tour of Europe before the crew set off back to the USA in the 81-year-old candy bomber.

After a relaxed lunch break, the flight program began promptly at 1 p.m. There were scheduled to be demonstrations on Saturday until late in the evening at 7 p.m., and on Sunday the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force aerobatic team, brought the event to a close an hour earlier.

As a big surprise, a modern USAF F-35 Lightning II out of RAF Lakenheath performed the US Air Force Heritage Flight together with the P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang right at the start of the flight program, followed by another formation with the B-17 Flying Fortress and the P-47 Thunderbolt as escort. And just a few minutes later, three P-51 Mustangs flew past the spectators in close formation, only to be involved in a simulated aerial combat with two Buchons shortly afterwards. With this American theme block right at the start, it was already clear that this event would definitely live up to the claim of “go big”. Especially since by this time the permanent gray of the morning had given way to a picturesque blue sky with a few clouds.

A short flyover by a Boeing B727 from Excel Aviation provided some variety. This classic of civil aviation has not been used for passenger transport for a long time, but is now chen as a special aircraft for combating oil spills around the world. Unfortunately, the sleek three-jet quickly disappeared behind the horizon after just one flyover, and a demonstration of the ability to spray liquid via specially installed lines on the trailing edge of its wings was also omitted.

Lots of warbird formation flying at Sywell

The formation of three Vought F4U Corsairs, a Grumman F8F Bearcat and a Grumman F4F Martlet was also extremely impressive, as it represented the development and diversity of American naval fighters during World War II. This formation was made possible by the Fighter Collection from Duxford and the Corsairs from Salzburg and La Ferté-Alais and offered a rare opportunity to see these legendary aircraft together in action.

The demonstration showed the advancing technical developments and the various roles these aircraft played in the war. The Bearcat represented the pinnacle of piston engine fighter development, the Corsair was of course known for its distinctive gull wings and the Martlet was one of the main fighters in the early years of the war and also in use by the Fleet Air Arm. This formation not only offered a visual spectacle, but also a tribute to the history and achievements of the pilots who flew these machines on the British side during the war.

The Flying Bulls’ flight demonstration at the Sywell Airshow 2024 with the impressive formation of the historic P-38 Lightning, B-25J Mitchell, P-51D Mustang and F4U-4 Corsair aircraft was another highlight of the afternoon. The combination of these warbirds from Salzburg offered a mixture of precision and nostalgic elegance that thrilled the British audience. The special thing about this demonstration is the synchronicity and the very precise formation flight of these different aircraft types. The B-25J Mitchell led the formation, followed by the P-38 Lightning, the P-51D Mustang “Nooky Booky IV” and the F4U-4 Corsair. As a new addition to the collection, the Mustang has now been very well integrated into the fleet and, with its shiny aluminum airframe, harmonizes perfectly with the twin-engine Lightning. Originally built in 1944, the P-51 was reactivated after the Second World War and served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. It was later flown by the legendary test pilot Bob Hoover and became famous under the name “Ole Yeller” at numerous air shows before it was based in France for years and was finally integrated into the “Flying Bulls” fleet.

Mikael Carlson provided a change from the high-horsepower warbirds. The Swede brought his faithful replicas of the Fokker Dr.I and Fokker D.VII to Sywell. Carlson entrusted his D.VII to Stu Goldspink, so that the two Fokkers could be seen in the air at the same time, which was another highlight of the event.

Sywell Airshow finishes with a very British flavour

Towards the end of the afternoon, however, it became “very British” again. Two Hawker Hurricanes in formation, the Hawker Sea Fury, the fastest propeller fighter in the world, and finally the announced nine Spitfires in formation were the highlights at the end of the event for the local audience. And after a planned one-hour break, the last item on the program was the demonstration of a Spitfire Mk.Vc.

By now, however, the grounds had calmed down and the seats in the front row with an unobstructed view of the action and the impressive flight line were free again. Most of the spectators had already left the grounds by this time and were on their way home. Undeterred, and almost as a reward for the remaining loyal visitors, the British warbird legend circled against the low sun in a well-choreographed performance in the now bright blue sky. It was the successful conclusion to a fulfilling day full of warbirds, and the unmistakable sound of the Merlin engine provided the appropriate background noise.

Without claiming to be a direct replacement for Duxford or a successor to the “Flying Legends”, the airshow was a welcome addition to the British airshow calendar

With over two dozen warbirds taking part, Sywell 2024 was not a small event, but it was certainly a fine and extremely successful one. The distances were short, the atmosphere was relaxed and easy-going, and the supporting program on the ground was also kept clear. And so there was enough time to marvel at the impressive gathering of participants in the flight program on the ground.

Without claiming to be a direct replacement for Duxford or a successor to the “Flying Legends”, the airshow was a welcome addition to the British airshow calendar and, in the opinion of many visitors, had the potential to fill this gap that has existed for several years. Due to the excellent contacts of Richard Grace and his team to many European warbird operators, it is to be hoped that many more airshows will follow this opening event with a similarly impressive flight program in Sywell.

It was with immense sadness that I have learned of the death of Richard Grace, director of Air Leasing and Ultimate Warbird Flights, and one of the driving forces behind this event, on 15 October.
Not only has he brought so much into the warbird scene, I also had the chance to talk to him on several occasions and he was always down-to-earth, enthusiastic, of good humour and immense expertise. Richard will be very sorely missed across the airshow scene and historic aviation communities worldwide. I offer my sincerest condolences to Richard’s family and friends.

Sywell Airshow 2024 – Photo Gallery