Shuttleworth Collection facts for kids
The Shuttleworth Collection's Discovery Hub in December 2021, with its Southern Martlet outside.
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| Established | 1928 |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Warden, Bedfordshire |
| Type | Aviation museum |
The Shuttleworth Collection is a special place in Old Warden Aerodrome, Bedfordshire, England. It's like a living museum where you can see old airplanes, cars, and farm machines. Many of these amazing vehicles still work and even fly!
Contents
Discovering the Shuttleworth Collection
How the Collection Started
The Shuttleworth Collection was started in 1928 by a pilot named Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth. He loved flying and collecting old machines. Sadly, Richard passed away in a flying accident in 1940.
To honor him, his mother created a special trust in 1944. This trust helps teach people about flying, farming, and taking care of forests. That's how the Shuttleworth Collection grew into what it is today.
Keeping History Alive: Restoration and Care
A team of skilled engineers and many volunteers work hard to fix and maintain the vehicles. These volunteers are part of the Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society (SVAS). There are about 3,000 members who help keep these old machines in great shape. Their dedication is super important for preserving this amazing collection.
More Than Just Airplanes
Besides the aircraft, the collection also has many old and classic cars. They even have special events like model-flying days and air shows. These shows often feature British engineering marvels.
The Shuttleworth Collection tries to get as many aircraft as possible flying again. This was Richard Shuttleworth's original idea. They usually have about seven air shows each year. Some are evening displays, and there's even a "Flying Proms" event with music.
Amazing Aircraft in the Collection
Edwardian Flying Machines
Some of the most special aircraft are five Edwardian-era planes. These are very old, from the early 1900s. One of them is the oldest British airplane that can still fly!
The oldest plane in the collection is a Bleriot XI from 1909. It still has its original engine. This plane is six years newer than the Wright brothers' first aircraft. It's also the world's oldest airworthy airplane.
A Look at the Aircraft Collection
The collection has many different types of aircraft. Here are some of them:
| Type | Date | Identity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANEC II | 1924 | G-EBJO | |
| Avro 504K | 1918 | G-ADEV | Painted as E3273 |
| Roe IV Triplane | 1964 | G-ARSG | Replica |
| Avro Tutor | 1933 | G-AHSA | Painted as RAF K3241 |
| Avro Anson | 1946 | G-AHKX | Donated to the Collection in 2022. |
| Blackburn Type D | 1912 | G-AANI | Oldest airworthy British aeroplane |
| Blackburn B-2 | 1936 | G-AEBJ | Donated to the Collection in 2022. |
| Blériot XI | 1909 | G-AANG | World's oldest airworthy aircraft |
| Bristol Boxkite | 1964 | G-ASPP | Replica |
| Bristol F.2b Fighter | 1918 | G-AEPH | Painted as RAF B1162 |
| Bristol M.1C | 1981 | G-BWJM | Replica painted as RFC C4918 |
| Comper Swift | 1932 | G-ACTF | |
| de Havilland DH.51 | 1924 | G-EBIR | Miss Kenya |
| de Havilland DH.53 Humming Bird | 1923 | G-EBHX | Being repaired off site. |
| de Havilland DH.60 Cirrus Moth | 1925 | G-EBLV | Donated to the Collection around 2022. |
| de Havilland DH.60X Hermes Moth | 1928 | G-EBWD | This was Richard Shuttleworth's own plane. |
| de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth II | 1942 | G-ANKT | Painted as RAF K2585 |
| de Havilland DH.88 Comet | 1934 | G-ACSS | Grosvenor House |
| De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 | 1952 | G-BNZC | Painted as RCAF 671 |
| Deperdussin Type A monoplane | 1910 | G-AANH | |
| Desoutter I | 1930 | G-AAPZ | |
| English Electric Wren | 1923 | G-EBNV | |
| Gloster Gladiator I | 1937 | G-AMRK | Painted as RAF K7985 |
| Hawker Cygnet | 1992 | G-CAMM | Replica |
| Hawker Hind | 1935 | G-AENP | Painted as RAF K5414. Under restoration |
| Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk.Ib | 1939 | G-BKTH | Painted as RN Z7015 |
| Hawker Tomtit | 1931 | G-AFTA | Painted as RAF K1786 |
| Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet | 191454 | Fuselage mockup with original engine | |
| Mignet HM.14 Flying Flea | 1939 | G-AEBB | Not airworthy |
| Miles Magister | 1939 | G-AJRS | Painted as RAF P6382 |
| Parnall Elf | 1932 | G-AAIN | |
| Percival Mew Gull | 1934 | G-AEXF | Alex Henshaw's England - Cape Town racer |
| Percival Provost T1 | 1955 | G-KAPW | Painted as RAF XF603 |
| Polikarpov Po-2 | 1924 | G-BSSY | Painted as Soviet Air Force 28 |
| RAF SE.5A | 1918 | G-EBIA | Serial F904 now in its original 84 Squadron colours |
| Sopwith Camel | 2001 | G-BZSC | Reproduction built by Northern Aeroplane Workshop |
| Sopwith Pup | 1920 | G-EBKY | Painted as RFC 9917 |
| Sopwith Triplane | 1980 | G-BOCK | Replica painted as RNAS N6290 |
| Southern Martlet | 1930 | G-AAYX | |
| Supermarine Spitfire LF.Mk.Vc | 1942 | G-AWII | Serial AR501 |
| Westland Lysander Mk.IIIa | 1942 | G-AZWT | Painted as RAF V9367 |
Some other aircraft are also kept at Old Warden, but they are privately owned. These include a Miles Magister, a Westland Wallace replica, a De Havilland Dragon Rapide, and a Sopwith Dove.
In March 2022, three aircraft from the BAE Systems heritage collection were given to Shuttleworth. They are now a permanent part of the collection.
Vehicles on the Ground
The collection also features many historic cars and motorcycles. You can see how vehicles have changed over time. There are also old tractors, showing the history of farming machines.
- 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 M5
- 1913 Morris Oxford
- 1920 Hucks starter
- 1923 Leyland SG7 bus
- 1926 Jowett Short-chassis tourer
- 1931 Austin 16 hp "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 Combination
- 1923 Triumph SD Motorcycle
- 1927 Raleigh 14 Motorcycle
- 1929 Ariel Motorcycle
- 1938 Rudge Motorcycle
- 1940 BSA M20 Motorcycle
- 1950 Philips Cyclemaster
- 1952 Brockhouse Corgi Scooter
- 1955 BSA A7 Motorcycle
- 1955 New Hudson Motorcycle
- 1960 Norton ES2 Motorcycle
Other Places to Explore
- Shuttleworth College (Bedfordshire)
Other Collections of Flying Historic Aircraft
If you like the Shuttleworth Collection, you might also enjoy these other places with old flying aircraft:
- Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, at RAF Coningsby, United Kingdom
- Cole Palen's Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, in Red Hook and Rhinebeck, New York, United States (This place was inspired by the Shuttleworth Collection!)
- Royal Navy Historic Flight, at RNAS Yeovilton, United Kingdom
- The Fighter Collection, at Duxford Aerodrome, United Kingdom
- Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum, in St Louis, Missouri, United States
