REVIEW: Shuttleworth Season Premiere 2025
Located in the picturesque Bedfordshire countryside, the Shuttleworth Collection is a world-renowned aviation museum and airshow venue, celebrated for its meticulously preserved historic aircraft. Each year, the Season Premiere kicks off the airshow season at Old Warden, drawing enthusiasts from across the globe to witness a unique blend of aviation history and aerial artistry. For the 2025 edition, two members of European Airshows, Aled Davies and Brandon Watkins, travelled to this iconic location to provide this detailed review of the event.
As usual, the Shuttleworth Collection kicked off its airshow season with the Season Premiere, taking up its traditional slot on the second weekend in May. The show promised many highlights, including the flying display debuts of both the DH.71 Tiger Moth replica, a faithful recreation of the 1920s racing aircraft, and Mark Bennett’s meticulously restored Spitfire IX, as well as the usual cohort of Old Warden-based aircraft that never fail to captivate the crowd.
Prior to the start of the flying, the Commemorative Air Force’s Douglas R4D ‘Ready 4 Duty’, a military transport variant of the iconic DC-3, arrived and promptly parked up, ready to open for tours and merchandise sales. The Season Premiere was the second airshow stop on an epic 90-day European tour for the Texas-based organisation, which is completing its postponed 2024 Navy to Victory tour this season, adding an extra layer of excitement to its presence at Old Warden.
The first flying display of the 2025 Old Warden season went to the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, with Spitfire XVIe TE311, which now bears new markings showing a heartfelt tribute to Squadron Leader Mark Long. This was also the BBMF’s first fighter display since the tragic loss of Sqn Leader Long, making it a poignant moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
Following the BBMF came the traditional Old Warden Barnstorming slot, this time featuring the Blackburn B.2, de Havilland Chipmunk, Miles Magister, and Southern Martlet. This quartet performed their routine where they executed ‘bombing rounds’, throwing bags of flour from the aircraft and competing to hit a target on the airfield—a playful nod to early aviation antics. This was followed up by all four aircraft competing in a limbo competition, where each pilot attempted to fly below two strings of flags at either end of the runway, showcasing their precision and skill to an enthralled crowd.
An Old Warden favourite followed this, with the 1934 McRobertson Air Race-winning DH.88 Comet racer. This sleek, twin-engine aircraft, famed for its victory in the England-to-Australia race, performed several high-speed, topside passes before the tempo of the flying display was changed to a different type of aerial competition—unlimited aerobatics. Danny Williams made his debut at this venue in the Pitts S1S Special, a compact aerobatic powerhouse known for its agility, thrilling spectators with his dynamic manoeuvres.
Gliders always have a presence at Old Warden, and this show was no exception as the Fauvel AV.36 was once again part of the flying programme. After being towed to height by the Super Cub tug, the tailless AV.36 performed a mesmerising display complete with smoke, its unique design and graceful flight captivating all who watched.
One of the more modern participants was up next, with the Collection’s own ex-Omani Air Force Percival Provost. In a topside-heavy display, the Provost—a piston-engine trainer renowned for bridging the gap to jet aircraft—demonstrated why it was such an outstanding training aircraft, its robust performance impressing the audience.
It was at this point that the wind had become a real issue for the airshow organisers, forcing the cancellation of the DH.71 Tiger Moth racer, Comper Swift, SE.5A, Sopwith Triplane, English Electric Wren, Sopwith Pup, Bristol M1C, Avro 504K, and the Edwardians. This unfortunate turn of events disappointed attendees and pilots alike, as these aircraft had been eagerly anticipated additions to the day’s lineup.
The trio of Richard Shuttleworth’s personal aircraft followed the Provost, with the DH60X Moth, Desoutter I, and Parnall Elf. The trio performed a few passes as a group, before splitting into solo passes, offering a nostalgic tribute to the Collection’s founder and his passion for aviation that continues to define Old Warden’s legacy.
A much-truncated World War One slot followed, with some high formation passes by the Shuttleworth Bristol F2B Fighter and the Aircraft Restoration Company’s Airco DH.9. This was the debut of the DH.9 at Old Warden, and highly likely the first time since the 1920s that these two types were seen flying together, providing a rare and historic spectacle for aviation enthusiasts.
It was back to the Shuttleworth Collection aircraft next, as the Supermarine Spitfire MK Vc AR501 and Gloster Gladiator took off and performed a wonderful pairs display before separating for their own solo routines. Both of these aircraft are longtime Old Warden residents and are often seen with the Sea Hurricane, although that aircraft is currently undergoing maintenance, leaving the duo to shine on their own.
Another World War II aircraft followed, with the Old Warden debut of the North American P-51D Mustang ‘Marinell’. Based at Duxford, this aircraft came in from its home base to tear up the skies in an impeccably flown routine by a relative newcomer to the airshow scene, Isabel Rutland. Experienced airshow-goers will recognise ‘Marinell’ as Maurice Hammond’s old aircraft prior to its departure a decade ago to the US, adding a touch of nostalgia to its stunning performance.
As the wind conditions did not allow the DH.71 to display, the Miles Hawk Speed Six performed a solo routine. Always an enjoyable display to watch, the Speed Six—a sleek 1930s racer—took full advantage of the dog-leg crowdline at Old Warden, performing many topside passes and banks that highlighted its elegant design and agility.
The war on the Eastern Front of World War II was represented by the sole Polikarpov Po-2 ever to fly in the UK. The Po-2 (under the designation U-2) was utilised for bombing and reconnaissance work with the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, famously known as the ‘Night Witches’, tying into the following ‘Spies in the Skies’ segment. This featured another debutant at this venue, the Lockheed 12A Electra Junior from Fighter Aviation Engineering, in formation with the Shuttleworth Westland Lysander. While the Electra was employed to photograph German installations in the months prior to World War II, the Lysander was employed in the SOE (Special Operations Executive) role, dropping spies into occupied France—a pairing that vividly brought history to life.
The final item on the programme was yet another debutant, the meticulously restored Supermarine Spitfire IX, owned and flown by Mark Bennett. Not only was this the first Old Warden display by this aircraft, but also its (and its pilot’s) flying display debut, the aircraft having attended all three Cosford shows on static between 2022-2024. An outstanding display, with the Spitfire’s Merlin engine roaring through the skies, was the perfect way to end a memorable day in the Bedfordshire countryside.
The Shuttleworth Season Premiere Airshow 2025 was another successful and enjoyable event at this world-famous venue. Despite the wind, near-perfect conditions all day allowed a great day’s flying and a fantastic preview of the rest of the European airshow season. The next display at Old Warden is the Military Show on May 31, promising yet more aviation thrills to come.
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