Shuttleworth Collection

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The Shuttleworth Collection's Bristol F.2B Fighter
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The Shuttleworth Collection's Bristol F.2B Fighter

The Shuttleworth Collection is an aeronautical and automotive museum located at the Old Warden airfield in Bedfordshire, England. It is one of the most prestigious in the area, due to the variety of old and well preserved aircraft.

Contents

[edit] History

The collection was founded in 1928 by aviator Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth. While flying a Fairey Battle at night on August 2, 1940, Shuttleworth crashed and was killed. His mother, in 1944, formed the Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth Trust for the "Promotion of education and training in the science, practice and history of aviation and automotive transport."

[edit] Collection

Restoration and maintenance work is carried out by a staff of six full-time and a many volunteer engineers. These volunteers are all members of the 2,500-strong Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society (SVAS)[1]. These dedicated enthusiasts are crucial to the preservation and restoration of the collection. In addition to the aircraft, the collection houses a number of vintage and veteran cars. Events include model-flying days, and once a year, there is a special flying day for schools in the area - an educational treat!

The Shuttleworth Collection puts an emphasis on restoring as many aircraft as possible to flying condition. There are typically about twelve air shows per year, including evening displays, which offer the opportunity to see aircraft which in many cases are the last of their type to survive, let alone to exist in flyable condition.

[edit] The Edwardian Flying machines

Some of the most notable aircraft in the collection are the five Edwardian aeroplanes, of which one is the oldest British aeroplane still in flying condition. What makes these exceptional is that they still fly (weather permitting). The oldest is the Bleriot XI (still with original engine), which dates back to 1909 - six years after the Wright brothers' aircraft and it is the world's oldest airworthy aeroplane.

[edit] Aircraft in the collection

Also resident but privately owned:

[edit] Vehicles in the collection

There is also a collection of tractors.

[edit] External link

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