UK Warbirds 2022

Perfect summer weather, a steel-blue sky, and the unmistakable atmosphere of Sywell Aerodrome set the tone for another unforgettable July Warbird Weekend. With aviation photographers and warbird enthusiasts gathered on the terrace—cold drinks in hand and aircraft overhead—it was the ideal setting for two full days of flying. And as always, the real stars of the weekend were the warbirds themselves.

Hosted once again at the welcoming Sywell airfield, this traditional event delivered a carefully curated programme built by Richard Paver. Day one opened in exceptional style with a rare vintage jet, the Vampire, leading the flying programme. With rising fuel costs and increasing regulatory pressures, opportunities to photograph vintage jets have become even rarer than World War II warbirds, making this opening sortie particularly special.

Across the weekend, the Skyvan photoship launched on multiple sorties, focusing on clean, photogenic patterns over Grafham Water. The lineup was remarkable in both depth and variety, featuring solo aircraft and unique two-ship formations. Multiple Spitfires, Hurricanes, Mustangs, alongside a P-47 Thunderbolt and Buchón, created a flying archive of classic piston-engined fighters rarely matched at a single event.

Choosing a favourite was nearly impossible. The much-anticipated “American” Spitfire drew plenty of attention, but one of the standout moments was undoubtedly the close-formation flight of two Spitfires from the same original squadron—a rare and powerful visual reminder of wartime history brought vividly back to life. Flying with warbirds always carries added weight, as for many of these aircraft there is quite literally only one example still airworthy.

Beyond the flying, what truly defines the Sywell Warbird Weekend is the shared experience. Conversations between photographers and pilots, relaxed evenings, and a strong sense of community make this event a firm highlight on the calendar. With demand continuing to grow, future editions will feature entirely new lineups, including a long-awaited collaboration with the Shuttleworth Collection. For those keen to join future warbird adventures, subscribing to the free newsletter and visiting the “Fly With Us” page is the best way to stay informed.