The show at the world famous Cosford Air Museum is, without doubt, one of the very best in Europe. This year’s show was particularly spectacular, many reports say the best ever. The show theme was a pageant, in celebration of the first 100 years of powered flight. The show started with a display of models of early aircraft and worked through the decades up to modern jet aircraft. The finale was a formation of the largest number of multi-engined model bomber aircraft ever seen.

The weather was great, hot and sunny. The public attendance was the largest the LMA has ever had at an event. Hopefully this report will serve as a reminder of a great weekend. Thanks to all those who came and supported the event.

A list of the pilots and models that flew is shown below.

In addition, to the pilots there are obviously many other people involved in arranging such a large event. There are too many to name, but we must certainly not forget to thank, Arthur Searl without whose massive efforts there would not have been a show at all. Also, I would like to mention Glenn Masters who arranged the flying programme and ensured the smooth operation of the pageant.

So what’s it like trying to organise transmitter control for all these pilots. Well the task is carried out by the reliable hands of Shelia and Dave. Here is Shelia in a quieter moment with just some of the transmitter boxes in sight!

As for the aircraft that flew, well it is impossible to include photographs of them all. The photographs below are just a selection of many of the superb models on view.

Please click image to enlarge.

Ian Turney-White’s 50% Avro Triplane. This model started the pageant. On Saturday in very light winds it flew great. On Sunday there was a cross wind and doesn’t this model hate crosswinds! Still, Ian successfully managed a short flight to get the proceedings off to a great start.

Thumbs up from Roger Bale as he prepares the 20% scale Vickers Vimy. This was designed by Dave Boddington giving a wingspan of 12ft and wing area 48sq. ft. The overall length is 100″ and it is powered by two 26cc Zenoah engines turning 18″ x 8″ propellers. It is covered in Solartex. Lance Bell helped Roger in many aspect of the construction and test flying.

One of several 25% scale Focker Triplanes.

John Townsend’s 50% scale Miles Magister landing.

Steve Holland has brought his Catalina out of retirement this year. It was nice to see it flying it again after several years ‘living’ in a barn.

Ted Allison’s 50% scale Harvard. This has a wingspan of 14ft and wing area of 28 sq. ft. It weighs 86lb. It is powered by a 3W-140cc Vegas driving a Smart 30″ x 10″ propeller. Futaba radio drives the model’s 11 servos and 7 functions using a 6V supply system.

Steven Carr’s B17.

Richard Rawle’s great two-seater 50% scale Spitfire.

The three Wellington bombers of John Greenfield, Mike Rawlings and Andy Johnson.

There were plenty of nice low passes too.

Sharon return Steve Hollland’s, Fiber Classics kit built, G-Bee to the pitts after flight.

What a nasty lot for the LMA can be! Dave Bishop, commenter extraordinaire, was persuaded to leave his commentary box to receive a presentation, or so he was told. The first photograph shows the presentation being made by Keith Mitchell and Dave Johnson. While this has happening John Greenfield was entertaining the public by demonstrating the LMA trainer, the Super Greenley. Before he realised what was happening, Dave Bishop was told it was his turn to prove he could fly models as well! He was escorted to the flightline where John was ready with a spare transmitter and buddy lead connected. As you can see Dave accepted the challenge and even managed a few aerobatics.

Steve Holland’s 50% scale Zlin was flown slowly, close and was fully aerobatic. This is a 15ft wingspan and wing area of 41 sq ft. It weighs 70lb. It is powered by a Desert Aircraft 150cc Boxer engine turning a 32″ x 14″ propeller. It is covered in Profilm.

A real treat to watch fly, a turbine powered helicopter.

A real fantastic model of a F100D Super Sabre by Peter Richardson.

There was a good variety of jets on show.

This trio of photographs shows Dave Johnson’s Vulcan taking off and in-flight. A fabulous sight………

Equally good of-course was Gordon Nichol’s Victor…………

…….and to cap it all, when they flew together they were very good indeed!

Finally, to complete the show there was the mass bomber fly past. A few non-bombers crept in as well, but they were all multi-engined aircraft in the slot. On Saturday there were thirty engines in the sky at once. The models were: B17 – Dave Johnson (4); Liberator – John Deacon (4); B17 – Stephen Carr (4); two Wellingtons from the Liverpool club (2×2); HE111- Phil Robertshaw (2); Catalina – Steve Holland (2); B29 – Gordon Nichols (4); ME110 – Tony Hooper (2); Ghost Squadron Wellington (2) and the Beech 18 of Glenn Masters (2).Andrew Brown’s photo gives an impression of the pilots box. Imagine that lot shouting low pass followed by and me, and me…….