Shuttleworth Collection
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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.
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[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 3,000-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
- ANEC II
- Avro 504K
- Avro Triplane IV replica
- Avro Tutor
- Avro Nineteen Anson
- Blackburn Monoplane Type D (oldest airworthy British aeroplane)
- Bleriot XI (oldest airworthy aircraft)
- Bristol Boxkite replica
- Bristol F.2b Fighter
- Bristol M.1C replica
- CASA 1.131E Jungmann
- Comper Swift [G-ACTF]
- de Havilland D.H.51
- de Havilland D.H.53 Humming Bird [G-EBHX]
- de Havilland D.H.60 Cirrus Moth [G-EBLV]
- de Havilland D.H.60X Hermes Moth [G-EBWD]
- de Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth [G-ABAG] (not always resident)
- de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth II [G-ANKT]
- de Havilland DH.88 Comet 'Grosvenor House' [G-ACSS]
- De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk T22A [G-BNZC]
- Deperdussin Monoplane [BAPC-4]
- Desoutter I [G-AAPZ]
- English Electric Wren '4' [BAPC-11]
- Gloster Gladiator I [L8032/G-AMRK]
- Granger Archaeopteryx (currently under restoration off site)
- Hawker Cygnet replica [G-CAMM]
- Hawker Hind [G-AENP]
- Hawker Sea Hurricane IB
- Hawker Tomtit [G-AFTA]
- Hunting Provost T.1 [G-KAPW]
- Messerschmitt Me 163 FSM
- Mignet HM.14 Flying Flea [G-AEBB]
- Miles Magister I
- Parnall Elf II [G-AAIN]
- Percival Prentice T.1
- Polikarpov Po-2
- RAF SE.5A
- Slingsby Grasshopper TX.1
- Sopwith Camel replica (under construction off site)
- Sopwith Pup
- Sopwith Triplane late production aircraft
- Southern Martlet [G-AAYX]
- Supermarine Spitfire LF.VC
- Westland Lysander IIIA
Also resident but privately owned:
- Druine Turbi
- Fauvel AV.36 glider
- Fokker Dr.I Triplane replica
- Luscombe Silvaire
- Miles Falcon
- Miles Magister I
- Ryan PT-22
- Ryan PT-22
- Westland Wallace replica fuselage
[edit] Vehicles in the collection
- 1898 Panhard et Levassor
- 1899 Mors Petit Duc
- 1899 Benz International dogcart
- 1900 Marot Gardan
- 1901 Locomobile Steam Car
- 1901 Arrol-Johnston
- 1902 Baby Peugeot
- 1903 Richard-Brasier
- 1903 De Dietrich
- 1912 Crossley 15
- 1912 Wolseley MS
- 1913 Morris Oxford
- 1920 Hucks Starter
- 1926 Jowett Short-chassis tourer
- 1931 Austin 16hp "Burnham"
- 1935 Austin Seven
- 1937 Railton
- 1937 Fiat Topolino
- 1937 MG TA
- 1939 Hillman Minx RAF Staff Car
- 1943 Fordson WOT 2H
- 1900 Singer Motor Wheel Motorcycle
- 1904 Aurora Motorcycle
- 1921 Scott Squirrel Combi
- 1923 Triumph SD Motorcycle
- 1927 Raleigh 14 Motorcycle
- 1929 Ariel Motorcycle
- 1938 Rudge Motorcycle
- 1940 BSA M20 Motorcycle
- 1950 Philips Cyclemaster
- 1952 Brockham Corgi Scooter
- 1955 BSA A7 Motorcycle
- 1955 New Hudson Motorcycle
- 1960 Norton ZS2 Motorcycle
There is also a collection of tractors.
