European Luscombe Tour 2008
Charity Farm, Baxterley
May 31, 2008
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The fourth European Luscombe Tour, organised by pilot and website manager Nigel Barratt, promised two days of vintage aviation magic across central England and eastern Wales. Having missed the previous year’s event, I was determined not to let this opportunity slip by—intimate farm landing strips and classic aircraft in action are a photographer’s dream.
The tour began at Croft Farm, Defford, where seven Luscombes were expected to arrive on Friday evening, the day before take-off. The sight of these gleaming, all-metal fuselages and fabric-covered wings resting on the grass was enchanting. At 10:30 the following morning, engines roared to life, and the first leg carried the aircraft to Lane Farm in Powys. There, tea and biscuits awaited, though the soft grass caused a few aborted take-offs, adding a hint of drama to the otherwise idyllic scene.
From Lane Farm, the tour continued to Welshpool, then on to Baxterley, before finishing the day at Sywell for an overnight stop. By the second morning, the field was alive with anticipation. The aircraft departed Sywell at 10:00, heading for Peterborough, followed by Sackville Farm just north of Bedford. After a welcome BBQ, the flight moved on to Turweston, and finally landed at the quaint grass strip of Brimpton, bringing the tour to a close.
Across the two days, 16 Luscombes took part, though not all completed every leg. What remained constant, however, was the charm of these classic aircraft against the backdrop of England and Wales’ rolling countryside. From the intimate farm strips to the camaraderie among the pilots, the tour was a vivid reminder of the enduring magic of vintage aviation. |
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| Departing in style Luscombe 8E Silvaire (G-BRUG) drops a wing |
Charity Farm, Baxterley
Ken Broomfield, owner of Charity Farm, was busy working when I arrived, but he kindly found a safe place for me to park beside some rough ground and a few rusting military tanks. From there, he pointed me toward his grass landing strip. A squad of people in full camouflage, complete with face paint, were darting around, seemingly oblivious to the arrival of a dozen or more vintage aircraft. Throughout my four-hour visit, they either lurked in the surrounding bushes or crept upon an unseen 'enemy,' adding a surreal backdrop to the proceedings.
The Luscombe fleet, now 13 strong and already behind schedule after departing Welshpool, had to detour around RAF Cosford due to its annual air show. It wasn’t until 16:40 that the first aircraft appeared over the Baxterley farm strip. The scheduled one-hour stop gave pilots and passengers a chance to compare notes and stretch their legs. Despite the looming closure of Sywell Aerodrome at 18:00, a quick call to ATC confirmed it was still possible to land around 19:00. Twelve of the thirteen Luscombes took off in quick succession, while one struggled to coax its engine to life. |
| Left to right: Arriving at Baxterley and much later than scheduled Luscombes (8A G-EITE, 8E G-BUKU, 8E G-BROO and 8A G-AGMI). |
| Left to right: Luscombes (8A G-BVGW, 8E G-BRUG, G-NIGE and 8E G-BTCH). |
| Left to right: Luscombes (8E G-AJJU, 8A G-EITE, 8E G-BUKU and the very smart 8E G-BROO). |
| Left to right: Luscombes (8A G-AGMI, 8E G-BVGW, 8EF G-KENM and 8AE G-BSOX). |
| Luscombe 8E Silvaire (G-BUKU) in the front row of the line-up. |
| Left to right: Tour Luscombes making their way to the line-up (8E G-NIGE, 8E G-BRUG and 8E G-BVGW). |
| Left to right: An hour after arriving the Tour is ready for the 45 minute flight to Sywell on the final leg of day one. Luscombe 8A G-BRJK was the last to arrive. |
| Luscombe 8s making their way to the end of the landing strip for the rapid departure. |
| Left to right: Luscombes (8E G-BROO, 8E G-BRUG, 8E G-BSSA and 8E G-AJJU). |
| Left to right: Luscombes (8A G-EITE, 8A G-AGMI and 8E G-NIGE). |
