UK Warbirds 2023

Every July, just ahead of the world-famous RIAT arrivals, the Aviation PhotoCrew returns to one of its most cherished traditions: a weekend dedicated entirely to warbirds. These are the most precious aircraft of all—living history that exists in extremely small numbers and operates under constant mechanical, weather, and pilot-availability constraints. In just one weekend, we flew air-to-air with 16 exceptional aircraft, a feat that requires perfect alignment of circumstances and the expertise of a very small group of highly qualified warbird pilots.

For this season, expectations were higher than ever. Alongside our long-time partner Richard Paver, we also worked closely with Darren Harbar, widely regarded as two of the most experienced warbird air-to-air specialists in the UK. Together, they built a weekend programme that pushed boundaries while remaining grounded in operational realism. Saturday’s flying, organised by Richard, opened with the largest aircraft ever included in our warbird missions: the magnificent Catalina, the last airworthy example in Europe, followed by the newly restored Lockheed L-12, once used as VIP transport by Winston Churchill.

Weather conditions were mixed, but that never diminishes the privilege of flying with genuine World War II aircraft. The Skyvan joined up with Spitfire TE517, a HAC Hawker Hurricane in new colours, the HAC Hawker Fury, and Europe’s only airworthy P-47 Thunderbolt “Nellie B.” The much-anticipated Hawker Tempest was not yet ready to fly, immediately earning its place as a prime target for 2024. Another highlight came with Spitfire RW382, giving photographers the rare opportunity to capture a two-ship Spitfire formation—a truly priceless sight.

Sunday brought a new chapter, with a lineup curated by Darren Harbar featuring long-awaited aircraft from the Shuttleworth Collection. While not all have combat histories, their rarity and limited annual flying make them equally precious. Photographers finally had the chance to capture the Mew Gull, Hawk Speed Six, and the unmistakable red Comet Racer, followed later by the Ryan STM and Westland Lysander, both exceptionally scarce types. The final photomissions returned to World War II icons, including a Sea Hurricane and Spitfires AR501 and TE517, flown solo and together in a unique Czech-marked two-ship, framed by dramatic cloud layers and fleeting sunlight.

Flying with warbirds is a uniquely emotional experience. Many of these aircraft are approaching eighty years of age, restored and maintained through decades of dedication and flown only sparingly. To see them take to the skies solely for the photographers aboard the Skyvan is a genuine privilege. With exclusive angles, rare formations, and irreplaceable moments captured, this weekend once again reaffirmed why warbird projects sit at the heart of what we do. Plans are already underway to return next year, with both Richard Paver and Darren Harbar preparing another lineup of aircraft available nowhere else. We look forward to continuing this tradition and returning once more in July 2024.