For the show this year, I decided against taking all
three vehicles. Last year, it took two days before the show and one after to
get the vehicles there and home. While it was nice to have them all together,
it was a great deal of work and expense.
So this year, it was just 'Jessie' and 'Faith',
although I was taking my canvas tent and photographic display too. We left
home late on Friday morning, and due to roadworks and lots of red lights, it
took 90 minutes rather than the usual hour.
It took a further three hours to get both tents up,
the truck and trailer unloaded, and then sort out the display and tables ready
for the following day.
The only other job that night was a bit of
marshalling when the Pitts Special flew in, and then we went to the marquee
for the evening entertainment.
Here's a few pictures around my 2015 display. The
photographic display included the new K20 camera and stereoscope along with
the various target photos. We also got to try out the observers seat properly
for the first time.
One of the visiting aircraft was a Bucker Bestmann, best known for its role
with Donald Pleasance and James Garner in the film "The Great
Escape". I was fortunate to get the opportunity of trying out the hot
seat, and apart from head room being a bit limited, it was more spacious than
other wartime side by side seating aircraft I've been in.
On Sunday morning, we had the military parade lap, or
laps actually, as there was time for three trips around the circuit. Lynne did
the driving while I was shooting images for the Croft website.
Here's some of the aviation exhibits on display in the
air and on the ground. On Saturday morning, we had the Taylorcraft Auster and
Bucker Bu181 Bestmann fly in for static display over the weekend. The Extra
EA230 also flew in on Saturday for the lunchtime aerobatics display. The Pitts
S-1S Special flew in on Friday for static display over the weekend.
After the parade laps, there was a break in duties
until it was time to escort the Sherman and FV432 out onto the show field. To
protect the track, rubber matting was laid out for the Sherman and FV432 to
drive across, after which they were free to put their foot down and belt
around the field in front of the grandstand! The video below, shows the
Sherman being unloaded, and then the Sherman and FV432 driving around the show
field.
More of the aviation, the Auster, Bestmann and Extra 230 again. The last set
of pictures is the largest visiting attraction, the mighty Avro Vulcan B2.
2015 is the last season for the Vulcan before being grounded, so this was the
one and only chance to see this RAF giant of the 'Cold War' at Croft. While
advertised as a flypast, we had a mini display lasting about 6 minutes.
Other than during the parade laps, rolling armour and Vulcan, there was
constant vintage racing action on the track. Here's just a tiny selection of
the competitors.
The last selection of aviation images includes some general aviation residents
and visitors displaying in front of the hangars, and the Pitts Special again.
To finish the aviation, four more flying shots of the Vulcan followed by a poignant
picture of XH558 flying away from the circuit, fading into the distance and
into history. The video, caught on a compact camera, was used more to capture
the sound than for the image while I was shooting DSLR images. I've seen the
Vulcan three times this year.
There were several hundred classic cars on display.
2015 saw the biggest display of military vehicles so far at Croft, with the
whole of the display area along side the old main runway full of vehicles,
including an impressive REME recovery display. There were plenty of Jeeps,
GMC's including a workshop truck, Land Rovers, Champs and a selection of other
ancient and more modern MV's.
Along with the Auster, we had a small display of RAF vehicles, including a
bomb tractor and trailer with a load of bombs, an RAF staff car and
motorcycle.
For once the weather had been kind the whole weekend, and towards the end of
our packing up around 9pm, we were given a lovely sunset to finish off a
fantastic weekend. We got home in darkness, and finished unloading by about
11:30pm, very tired.